Esperanza Valley
Trekking assisted by horses
8 days

Highlights

This route was used 500 years ago by the Huilliche Indians that dwelled in the coasts of northern Patagonia and who were evangelized years later by the Jesuits.  The Huilliche led the Jesuits through this trail that reached the Nahuel Huapi mission, linking the Reloncavy Estuary in the Pacific Ocean with the Patagonian pampas in Argentina.

Details of the expedition:

• Trekking supported by horse, hot spring, local culture and  Argentina Crossing.
• Length: 8 days/ 7 nights
• Hotel: 2 nights
• Camping: 5 nights
• Level of difficulty: Moderate, 5 to 6 hours trekking a day.
• Pack weight: 5 kilos (day pack)
• Luggage: 90 liter + day pack
• Place: Northern Patagonia,  Esperanza Valley, 
• Meeting Point: Airport in Puerto Montt
• End of Trip: Bariloche (Argentina) or  Puerto Varas  (Chile)
• Dates: From November to April (See Calendar).
• Group Size: 2 to 8 people max.

Include:

• All meals with a balanced diet  from day 2 to day 7, including break fast, march snack, box lunch, dinner, wine,  appetizers, board cheese and other delicious food.
• All land transportation: private transfer the entire trip including airport pick up day 1, transfer day 2 and private transfer from Pampa Linda to Bariloche or Puerto Varas.
• 1 nights hotel in Puerto Varas, 1 night hotel in Pampa Linda , 5 nights Camping.
• All camping equipment tents for two (Mountain Hard Wear), Therma Rest mattresses, kitchen tent,  70 lts. dry bags  and more.
• Professional First aid kit, GPS, UHF Radio, handy, maps, repair kits.
• Bilingual Guide (Spanish-English) accredited by Wilderness First Response, NOLS training,   Wide experience in mountaineering, trekking  and trips in Patagonia.
• Local Guide with load horses raised and trained for mountain trip (ratio horse/clients 1-3)
• Book Collection about the trips which will help you enrich the experience and increase your knowledge of the places.
• Talks about minimal impact, land navigation, flora and fauna. The aim is to reinforce or to acquire basic knowledge to visit wild areas and enjoy outdoor life. Voluntary attendance. 

No Included:

• Flights to Puerto Montt, personal equipment, food in town, tips,  passport, your own accident insurance, expenses incurred in the event of a rescue and any other service not mentioned in this program.

Optional:

• Sleeping bag rental, edited video of the expedition or photo set

Day by Day:

• Day 1  Santiago/ Puerto Varas
  We will meet you at the airport in Puerto Montt and drive you to Greco Hotel in Puerto Varas. We will have coffee there and talk about details of the trip. Free afternoon.
• Day 2 Puerto Varas/ Rio Conchas Hot Springs
  We will go to Reloncaví estuary and meet the local guide and his horses. You will be given safety instructions. After a few hours down the path we will visit the Cayetue Lake and later we will camp and visit the hot springs.
  
• Day 3 Conchas River Hot Springs/ Esperanza River Hot Springs
  This day we will cross several rivers and visit an old stone cave used as a shelter by Huilliche Indians and Jesuits. We will also see ancient forests. This is a long day with a 6 hour walk but it will be worth the effort since we will enjoy a Hot Spring bath by Esperanza River.
  
• Day 4 Esperanza River Hot Springs or Veranada Alvarado
  We have two options for this day. One is a free day for those who want to rest and enjoy the hot springs and the second one is to ride to Veranada Alvarado (a summer grassing area) where we will visit Alerce forests that are 3,000 years old and see some lakes that are above the tree line. Once we get back we can enjoy the hot springs and a delicious lamb barbecue Patagonia style or a good selection of vegetables grown by the settlers.
• Day 5 Esperanza River/ Mallín Chileno
  We will go deep into Blanco River Valley, visit the Alvarado family and drink a Mate with them. We will continue and go higher to have spectacular views of the valley, Tronador Volcano and its glaciers. We will listen to woodpeckers and we might see the footprints of a puma. Camp at Maillín Chileno
• Day 6 Mallín Chileno/ Tronador Viejo Shelter
  Inspired by nature around us, we will get to Tronador Viejo Shelter (2,225 masl) on the slope of the volcano. This walk takes 3 to 4 hours and the effort will be rewarded by spectacular views of Chile and Argentina. Back at our camp we will enjoy our last meal in Chilean territory.
• Day 7 Mallín Chileno/ Pampa Linda Argentina
  We will cross the frontier, the landscape will change and we will travel most of the day in Argentinean territory, going down to Pampa Linda , a centre for visitors to Nahuel Huapi National park. We will go through the frontier and then to Hostería Pampa Linda where its host will welcome us. We will spend the night there.
• Day 8
  We will say goodbye to our local guide and his horses as they go back to Chile. We have three options at this point :
  1.- To book and stay at Hosteria Pampa Linda and enjoy the park and probably explore the area a little.
  2.- To book a hotel in Bariloche and leave you there.
  3.- Return to Puerto Varas  in our Miralejos mini bus which will be waiting for us at the Hosteria on day 7.
• Extra Day
  It is important to count on an extra day since the weather can change very quickly in this area and river levels may rise. We must also keep in mind that we will go through a mountain crossing at 1,377 masl.

To go through an old and unknown route
Good moments and nice views
End of our service