Visit to the Explorers Valley and Marble Caves
Duration: Full day; Trekking 1 hour, Marble Caves approx. 1 hour 30 minutes
Difficulty level: Medium
Includes: Transportation, guide, boat, entrance fee and lunch box
This is a full day excursion. You will be taken by our guide in one of the hotels vehicles to the Explorers Valley, Valle Exploradores. The drive takes about 1 hour before arrival at Puerto Tranquilo, a little town located in the western shore of the General Carrera Lake. This is the place where the Explorers Valley rises. It is important to mention that a short time ago it was not possible to access this area, it is accessible nowadays thanks to a route built by the Working Section of the Army. This road intends to reach the Pacific Ocean at the same latitude as the Northern Ice Fields, quite near to the San Rafael lagoon.
Presently the road has advanced 60 kms (beginning at the Austral Highway at level with Tranquilo Port), stopping 20 kms before reaching the coast.
This excursion allows enjoyment of a unique natural area, which combines the vegetation and animal life of the temperate forest, where it is also possible to enjoy waterfalls and glaciers which are passed along the road. Besides, not far from the beginning of the excursion, you will be interested by the Berrocal Cemetery: little wooden houses that lodge the dead and that look like a miniature town.
At the roads end after approximately one and a half hours, we have prepared a visit to the Explorers Glacier view point.
We will walk for approximately half an hour, passing through the typical Temperate Forest vegetation to reach the viewpoint where you will enjoy the beauty of a unique landscape, just in front of the Glacier and its ice; in the background is Mount San Valentín with a height of 4058 m, which borders the Northern Ice Fields. This activity is relatively easy and a gentle walk accessible to most people.
Once we have returned to Tranquilo Port, we continue by visiting the Marble Caves, Capillas de Marmol, by boat; which are stony shapes modelled by the effects of wind and water action over time, with different colors and characteristics. The boats can sometimes go into the caves so you have the opportunity of getting closer to the rocks. Finally, it is important to mention that this activity is accessible for any ability.
Once back at the hotel, you will enjoy a delicious dinner made by the hotels chef using the best of typical regional food.
It is also possible to visit only the Explorers Valley or only the Marble Caves.
Visit of the Tamango National Reserve & River Baker
Duration: Full day of 8 hours; Trekking 45 minutes, Navigation 30 minutes
Difficulty level: Low
Includes: Transportation, boat, guide, entrance fees and Lunch box
This is a whole day excursion that provides the chance to visit a unique and exceptionally beautiful place, which we recommend all our guests visit. Located in Cochrane zone, 61 kms south of the hotel along the Austral Highway, the road to the Reserve passes lots of sites of natural beauty such as the confluence of the rivers Baker and Nef. This spectacular site is worth seeing; it is where Chile’s biggest flowing river meets the Nef’s waters. Once we reach Cochrane zone, we continue toward the river and lake, both also named Cochrane, where Tamango National Reserve is located. At the river we board a motor boat, starting another unforgettable trip on these astonishingly clear waters.
During this trip you will land and start a soft and short foot walk through the virgin forests in order to try to find with some luck “huemuls”, a beautiful type of deer, symbol of our country and locally protected.
Of course, during the trip you will be provided with a box lunch by our guides.