 Comau Fjord (10 days / 9 nights)
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| Trip Summary |
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Duration: 10 días / 9 noches
Location: Northern Patagonia
Rate: US$ 1,735 per person
Difficultt: moderate
Season: October to April
Departure: Puerto Montt
Accommodations: cabins and camping
Trip activities: sea kayaking, trekking, wildlife observation.
| Dates: |
November 20 to 30 |
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December 28, 2008 to January 06, 2009 |
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January 20 to 30, 2009 |
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February 03 to 12, 2009 |
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March 02 to 11, 2009 Trips Calendar |
Climate: the climate in Puerto Montt
Other trips: Pumalin Fjords |
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A sea kayaking expedition through the Quintupeu, Cahuelmo, Comau, and Renihue Fjords of Continental Chiloe in the Northern Patagonia. |
 Photos
Cahuelmo Hot Springs
Comau Fjord
Ringed Kingfisher
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 Attractions
Comau Fjord
Located on the East side of the Huinay peninsula and the west coast, in the 10th Region of the Lakes, the Comau Fjord or Leptepu is 46 kms long and varies between 1 and 3 kms in width.
Pumalin Park
This is a nature reserve of 320 thousand hectares created by Douglas Tompkins. The park is divided into sections where each one as some basic services: Camping area, bathrooms, cabins, coffee shop, information center and store. It also has some hiking trails.
Cahuelmo Hot Springs
The hot springs can be found at the end of the Cahuelmo Fjord. This series of holes where warm water accumulates is rustic, with water distributed by small canals from the original spring. This place has a barbeque area and bathrooms. Pumalin Park guards are only present between January and February, controlling access to the area, which can only be arrived at by water and with reservations made beforehand.
Llancahue Hot Springs
The hot springs are located on the Llancahue Island, 20 minutes by boat from Hornopiren. They have lodging and home cooked meals. There are two outdoor swimming pools with a view of the ocean as well as private pools.
Huinay
A small site at the mouth the Vodudabue River on the Comau Fjord. Here you will find a science center belonging to the San Ignacio Foundation of Huinay, created by the Catholic University of Valparaiso and Endesa, whose objective is to support the studies of the biological and physical potentials of the region.
Porcelana Hot Springs
Located on the Huegui peninsula, near the Porcelana River, which gets its name from the kaolin deposits in the area. There are water holes that reach temperatures of 60º C.
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A kayaking expedition through the Quintupeu, Cahuelmo, Comau and Renihue Fjords of Continental Chiloe, in the Northern Patagonia.
This sea kayaking tour through the Comau Fjord begins in Puerto Varas, where the group will gather and start out for Hornopiren. After this the trip will continue with a visit to the pools of the Llancahue Hot Springs located on the island of the same name, near Hornopiren.
The kayaking trip starts at this point. The first camping destination is the Quintupeu Fjord which, traveling from North to South, is the first that appears and its entrance almost coincides with the tip of Llancahue Island. For this reason the navigation to this place is quite protected from the winds that blow from West to East.
A little more to the Southern part of the Quintupeu Fjord we will find the mouth of the Comau Fjord. This has a length of 46 kms, at its widest part reaches to 3 kms and at its narrowest part only 1 km.
Within the Fjord there are some beaches where we can rest, but one of its main attractions is a cascade whose water falls into the fjord from a cliff on the southern side of the fjord. The camp site is up on a grassy esplanade at the far end of the fjord near the river, surrounded by forests and protected from the wind.
A little south of the Quintupeu fjord you will find the mouth of the Comau fjord. This has a length of 46 kms, at its widest reaches to 3 kms and at its narrowest only 1 km. Its shores are mostly formed by steep cliffs that, from time to time, are interrupted by valleys or ravines formed by streams and overflowing rivers.
The camp site is up near the hot springs, where the Pumalin Park infrastructure can be used by visitors to this remote area.
The trip continues towards the south, to the settlement of Huinay, located in the beautiful valley of the Huinay River, near the mouth of the river.
Our next destination is the Porcelana hot springs. Located near the river of the same name, the major attraction of this place is its surroundings. The lush vegetation and the hot springs invite rest and relaxation.
The last stretch in kayak through the fjord will take us to Leptepu, a place where we will portage to the Largo fjord, which will connect us with the Renihue fjord, where we will finish the trip at Caleta Gonzalo, then entrance gate to Pumalin Park. Here we will take a ferry to return to Puerto Montt where the program ends.
 Itinerary
Day 1.
Meet in Puerto Varas at 08:30am and transfer to nearby Hornopiren. After setting up camp we will do a small paddling practice to the Llancahue Hot Springs.
Day 2.
Navigate from the Llancahue Hot Springs to the end of the Quintupeu fjord. Here we will camp beside the river, which we can go up a ways to observe the surrounding vegetation, the birds, or catch fish for dinner.
Day 3.
Navigation to the Cahuelmo fjord. The camp site will be at the end of the Cahuelmo fjord beside the hot springs.
Day 4.
Day to relax at the hot springs which can be complemented with a walk up the river and wading through streams.
Day 5.
Navigation to Huinay where we will set up camp. We’ll then go from the camp site to the small settlement of Huinay located to the south of the Cahuelmo fjord in the Huinay bay near the mouth of the river.
Day 6.
Cross the Comau fjord to the Porcelana Hot Springs. Set up camp.
Day 7.
Day to relax at the hot springs which can be complemented with a walk around the surrounding area.
Day 8.
Last stretch navigating through the fjord, to get to the settlement of Leptepu. Here we will portage the kayaks and equipment overland to the Largo fjord. Set up camp.
Day 9.
Navigation through the Largo fjord which empties into the Renihue fjord. Cross the fjord to Caleta Gonzalo. Accommodations in cabins.
Day 10.
Take the ferry from Caleta Gonzalo to Puerto Montt and end the trip.
Day 11.
This day is included in the program just in case there is bad weather and we will not be able to safely navigate from one place to another, as described in the itinerary, and are obligated to stay longer than planned at one of the camp sites.
 Trip Details
Requirements
- Over 18 years of age.
- Be in physical condition compatible with the activity.
- Know how to swim.
What is Included
- 8 nights camping.
- Transfers in our vehicles from Puerto Varas to the dock and vice versa.
- Ferry transportation from Caleta Gonzalo to Puerto Montt.
- Food at the campsites.
- Kayak equipment (double or single kayaks, life jackets, paddles, spray skirts, safety equipment, and dry sacs).
- Camping equipment (tents, camp stoves, pots, cutlery, dishes).
- Bilingual guide and assistant.
Does Not Include
- Accommodations in Puerto Varas
- Transfers hotel-airport-hotel.
- Personal equipment (sleeping bag, clothing and personal objects).
- Meals either than those indicated in the program.
Notes
- Groups of 4 or more people can choose a date to start the trip.
 Reservations
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