Wilderness Travel 2018 Catalog of Adventures

Patagonia’s Wild North SPECTACULAR HIKES IN PARQUE PATAGONIA AND CHILE’S UNDISCOVERED AYSÉN

JAMES Q MARTIN LINDE WAIDHOFER

Hike the wild trails of Parque Patagonia in the wild Aysén region, with its tumbling glaciers and powder-blue lakes shaped by the forces of the Patagonian Ice Field. PHOTO: JAMES Q MARTIN

Be among the first to hike the pristine trails of Parque Patagonia—a staggeringly beautiful part of Patagonia that is still undiscovered— and help support one of the world’s greatest conservation efforts. Created through the vision of Conservación Patagónica, led by legendary conservationists Doug and Kris Tompkins, this new park has been hailed as “South America’s Yellowstone” for its epic landscapes and resurgent native wildlife, including huemel deer and puma. At mountain- ringed Lago General Carrera, we’ll kayak in the surreal Marble Caverns and hike to the magnificent ice walls of Patagonian glaciers. Join us for a journey that will engage you in the sheer beauty of wild nature!

Days 1-4 Balmaceda / Parque Patagonia Meeting in the outpost of Balmaceda, we head into the wild Aysén region, named one of 2017’s “Top 10 Must Visit” regions by Lonely Planet. Exhilarating day hikes bring us deep into Parque Patagonia on the Aviles, Lagunas Altas, and Furioso trails, and we look for native wildlife, including guanacos and condors. The challenging Lagunas Altas trail was named one of “Patagonia’s Best Five Treks.” Days 5-7 Lago General Carrera / Calving Glaciers From our lakeside lodge on glacier-fed Lago General Carerra, a 700-square-mile body of intensely blue waters shared by Chile and Argentina, thrilling rides by jet boat whisk us across this spectacular lake to our trailheads, avoiding long drives. Our hikes to massive calving glaciers bring incredible views, including the icefall of the Northern Patagonia Ice Field. Days 8-9 Coyhaique / Balmaceda By kayak, we explore the Marble Caverns, a natural wonder of fantastic caves, pillars, and tunnels accessible only by boat on Lago General Carrera. We paddle right into these marvelous geological formations, the result of 6,000 years of artful carving by the lake’s waters. Overnight in Coyhaique and depart via Balmaceda on Day 9.

HIGHLIGHTS • Hike the wild, untraveled mountains of Parque Patagonia, South America’s newest national park • Learn about the conservation practices that helped create this unique park • See Patagonia’s wildlife, from herds of guanacos to flamingos and soaring condors • Cross cobalt-blue Lago General Carrera by jet boat to hike on the ice fields of the Patagonian Ice Cap • Enjoy cozy mountain lodges that keep you close to the hiking trails DETAILS • 9-day trip begins and ends in Balmaceda • 8 nights lodges • All meals included

DATES Nov 18-26, 2017

Feb 16-24, 2019

Nov 26-Dec 10, 2018* Nov 16-24 *Special Event, see page 16

TRIP COST FALL 2017

$5495 (10-14 members) $5895 (5-9 members) Single supplement: $680

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 hiking days on moderate to steep trails, 2-6 hours a day, altitudes below 5,000 feet, extreme winds and sudden changes in weather may affect the final itinerary

FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL LATINAMERICA@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 126