|
What makes this holiday different?
 *
Our SMALL group size - maximum of 6 - ensures this is a low impact
trip . Our main concern is group safety but also a great respect
for the local people we will visit during the trip.
* The trip is self-supported - meaning that we don´t use a
support boat.(but we have a good network of fishermen friends in
the area of the fjords).
* We use locally produced and fresh products as much as possible
and always in preference choose local over imported goods.
* We pack out all waste and minimize this by using products with
minimum packaging, leaving no litter and keeping all water sources
clean.
* Our guides hold informal talks with groups to inform about and
discuss with them all aspects of local life. This helps understanding
of the area and appreciation of the people who live there.
Consider also that this is a good opportunity to practice your
spanish with our local guides and the local people we will meet
during our trips.
We are supporting the community by providing books for children
of the local school of the Northern Patagonia Fjords , our main
destination
We are pioneers in offering self-supported sea kayak trips
in this region , this means no support boat so all the gear required
will be inside the kayaks (food, camping equipment, stove, security
equipment, our clothes) offering us freedom of movement and the
possibility to vary our program at any given moment.
This is a true sea kayaking expeditions where our participants
will learn exactly what that means. We are going to be paddling
in an aerea where the weather plays an important role and the tides
and winds are elements that has to considered. This is an active
trip where every participant will have to share duties and have
a positive attitude.
Our trips not only take you through unforgettable scenery , but
you will go home with fond memories of the time you spend with the
local fishing pioneers families.
 Weather
Consider that although is spring or summer in Chile...we have to
be prepared for the rain. The summer months, middle December , January
, February middle March are generally very pleasant, although it
could rain at any given moment. The temperatures during January
and February fluctuate, according to the weather, between the 50°s
F and 80°s F, and the 40° F or 50° F. The temperature of the sea
has an average of 50º F during the summer.
The area we will be paddling in can have a tide change of up to
6m (18 feet), which implies that the sea may withdraw several thousand
meters, offering variable landscapes along the day. This also
requires a very complex logistic to be combined with the wind schedule
and steep shores, which involves night or pre-dawn paddling but
mainly an adventuroues spirit, possitive attitude and lots of teamwork.
Location
The Ancud Gulf is relatively a small body of water between Chiloé
island and the continent, approximately 42°15"S,
73°W. This area makes up the northern part of the Chilean Patagonia.
The fiords are along the continental side of the gulf, before the
Huequi peninsula, while the islands are found on the east margin
of Chiloé.
What do we offer ?
A self sufficient sea kayaking trip... a real sea kayaking
trip through Patagonia... which combines true adventure, security,
freedom, challenge and multicultural experiences amongst a spectacular
scenery: the Chiloé fiords.
This trip is run directly by the Director of YAK EXPEDICIONES...meaning
that we will try to offer our best effort in order that you enjoy
your holidays.
" We invite to live the history of this place more than
just reading it ".
| Itinerary |
 |
Day 0: 
At 20:00 hrs we will meet in the hotel in Puerto Varas town. This
is a small and pleasant city 20 km north of Puerto Montt, located
next to Llanquihue lake and in front of Osorno Volcano (2652m) and
1,000 km south of Santiago.
The purpose of this meeting is to introduce the members of the
group and to receive a complete explanation of the trip, it´s
logistic, how to use the radios, satellite phone, check gear, information
about the tides and winds and their influence in our navigation,
potential hazzards, emeregncy plans , rescue procedures, isolation,
group and personal requirements, team work and answer last minute
questions.
 Day
1:
Pick up at your hotel in Puerto Varas at 9 AM and drive the Northern
Carretera Austral , taking a ferry boat navigating Reloncaví
Fjord with nice views of Yates Volcanoe, the first fjord of Patagonia
and continue driving to Hornopirén town , close to Hornopirén
Volcanoe and Hornopiren National Park.
Lunch at Hostería Catalina in Hornopirén, safety talk
and start paddling the beginning of Comau Fjord always close to
the Deer´s Island (Isla de los Ciervos) till we arrive in
the late afternoon to a small fishermen village where we will camp
and share the dinner with a local family of pioneers of this area
(colonos).
 Day
2:
Breakfast with colonos and continue paddling Comau Fjord and after
some hours, the Quintupeu fiord will appear. At the entrance of
this fiord is where the Dresden , a german destroyer was hidden
from the british fleet during World War I .
We will be entering to our favorite fiord.....huge waterfalls coming
directly to the sea, dense vegetation everywhere, enormous walls
dissapearing in the water.At the entrande we will stop for a short
hike , walking upstream a river in order to reach the place where
the waterfall borns.
At the end of the fiord there is a river which we will try
to explore by kayak, depending on the tide. At night, we will camp
with a marvelous view of some Andean glaciers... just in front of
us. (B-L-D)
Day 3:
Very early if requiered, we will start paddling, because this is
the day we will need to paddle for some hours in a section more
exposed to the influence of Ancud Gulf.
We are continuously paddling close to the coast where we can enjoy
the dense vegetation until the entrance of the next fiord.
 Just
as we enter the fiord, we are presented with a surprise... a colony
of sea lions. We will pass by without making a noise so that we
can get close and take pictures without bothering them.
The best of the day is yet to come...since we do not have much further
to paddle we will be able to paddle slowly and take advantage of
the opportunity to explore the coastline of the fiord.
We will enjoy the view of the mountain's walls falling directly
into the sea and later, rewarded with the Cahuelmó hot springs at
the end of the fiord.
(B-L-D)
" Imagine arriving to a beach where you can see vapor rising
directly from the pools "
This will be a moment to relax ourselves and forget about everything...while
enjoying the sunset, with a glass of wine and a camera in hand.
Campsite.
(B-L-D)
 Day
4 :
After enjoying our breakfast we will be ready to start the next
adventure…..hiking to Abascal lake….if we can find the trail existing
in this thick vegetation.
It will be necessary to cross some branches of the river and walk
considering the tides otherwise all that we walk through at the
beginning will be covered by the sea. The rewards …..a new perspective
of an area where few people have been before. We will return on
time for lunch and for a relaxing bath at Cahuelmo Hot springs .
Campsite.
(B-L-D)
 Day
5:
After a very early breakfast we will start paddling before the sunrise
ot at night if requiered, navigating towards the main fjord and
then turning south paddling to the hot waters of a river known as
Porcelana Hot springs, a very particular creek of natural hot water
emerging from the temperate rain forest.
This is a long day but we will stop for lunch at Huinay, a small
fisherman village, sharing with a family of real pioneers (colonos)
, visiting it´s church made of alerce (larsh) and then continue
paddling till arriving finally in the afternoon to the hotsprings
where we will setup the campsite and invite for dinner a family
of colonos. (B-L-D)
Day 6:
Breakfast and return to Hornopirén using a local fisherman
boat . Lunch at Hosteria Catalina in Hormopirén and return
to Puerto Varas at night.
*Consider an additional day for your reservations for possible
problems with the weather or any situation that could postpone the
arrival to Puerto Varas.
| Includes |
|
- SMALL EXPEDITION GROUPS, maximum of 6 (safety and respect
for the local people we visit)
- Intense interaction with the habitants of the area.
- Safety-talk before departure, about paddling and rescue maneuvers.
Transportation in our van from Puerto Varas (close to Puerto Montt
airport) , traveling the northern Carretera Austral until the
point where we will initiate our adventure at Comau Fiord and
return to Puerto Varas.
- Reloncaví Fiord navigation (ferry boat).
- Food during the trip according to program (from lunch Day 1
till lunch Day 6)
Lunch Day 1 and Day 6 at Hostería.
During the trip (B: breakfast ; L: lunch (sandwich, fruits, or
trail food) ; D: Dinner)
- Navigation Equipment: Single and double sea Kayaks imported
from the USA and Germany, expedition models, with original rudder,
spray skirt, paddles, life jackets, paddling jackets.
- Camping and cooking equipment (based in 2 person shared tents,
tarp)
- Hike during Day 4 and Day 5.
- 3 days enjoying 2 different hotsprings during the trip: Cahuelmó
and Porcelana.
- Local fishing boat , just for returning to the put in (day
6)
- Group safety equipment: Satellite telephone, Marine VHF Radio
tide table and satellite photo.
- Guide: Juan Federico Zuazo - Director of YAK EXPEDICIONES ,
certified by British Canoe Union as BCU 4 STAR Sea Award , english
speaking, first aid and rescue knowledge (NOLS Course and Wilderness
First Responder Course).
- Limited insurance once the seakayak trip starts with Interamericana
Insurance Company (chilean company)
| Requirements |
|
- Swimming expertise.
- You'll find your trip even more enjoyable if you remember to
bring flexibility and a sense of humor with you.
- Physical state and health compatible with the activity to
be performed.
(must be older than 16 years olde with parents)
- LEVEL: adventurous travellers , previous experience in kayaking
(bracing and rescue), camping experience required , we will also
use double seakayaks for safety reasons and if someone is less
experienced. NOTE: probably you will have to demonstrate your
skills (strokes and rescue) before start paddling.
- Previous indication of any illness or health problem (send
complete the Resewrvation and Medical Form by email , send the
Release Form signed by fax). Team members should have the mindset
that they are responsible for themselves and the other members
of the team while in the backcountry and around camp.
Understand that we will travel using weather windows meaning that
sometimes we will have to paddle at night for calmer conditions
but also consider that while paddling conditions can change, or
, considering always the safety of the group not paddle and wait
modifying the program.
- Previous indication of any illness or health problem
- Positive mental attitude in front of unexpected situations
- Understand that this trip requiered a lot of team work
and the participation of each person at each stage is
fundamental.
- Understand that all activities performed in nature can indicate
some risk.
- The program could be modified at any stage due to weather conditions
, guide decision that could affect the safety of the group
HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THIS TRIP ?
- Before the trip you must send by fax and signed the Release
of Liability Form that appears in this link.
- To have read and have a clear understanding of the
Terms and Conditions section existing
in our web site.
- Every participant must send the Reservation and Medical Form
that appears after you press this button.
- Pay the trip
Trip
Calendar
Special Discount if you bring a group of minimum
4 person.
We can coordinate a "special departure date" for your
group.
** Do you want a Custom
Trip ?
| Observations |
|
 |
- The trip has been planned with the consideration of those
with previous experience BUT before we begin our trip we
will have a safety talk covering rescue techniques and paddling
maneuvers so that our participants feel more comfortable
during the trip and can really enjoy the beautiful views
that they encounter.
- Hospitals and Professional First Aid Care are very far
from the place where we will be navigating. Participantes
must be healthy and in good physical conditions
- Please read our Conditions section about Cancellation,Modification
and Evacuation protocols.
|
|
