 Kayak Excursion on the Maule (3 days / 2 nights)
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| Trip Summary |
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Duration: 3
days / 2 nights
Location: Central Chile
Rate: US$ 555 per person
Difficult: All level
Season: All year
Departure: Santiago
Accommodations: cabins
Trips Activities: Sea Kayaking,
hiking, wildlife observation
Weather: see conditions in Talca
Other Trips: Aculeo Lagoon Day Trip, Sea Kayaking at El Yeso Reservoir |
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 Photos
Maule River
Gonzalez Bastias - "Infiernillo"
Piedra Lobo
Curtiduria Station
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 Attractions
Constitucion (Nueva Bilbao)
This is a city located at the mouth of the Maule
River and the ocean, 360 kms south of Santiago. The
main characteristics of the area are its beaches,
rock formations, warm people, traditions and handcrafts.
You can do different activities such as horse rides,
sport fishing, surfing, swimming, wildlife observation,
paddling and kayaking.
Gonzalez Bastias
This is one of the train
stations along the last line in Chile, between Talca
and Constitución. The place got its name in
the early 60’s in honor of the late “poet
of the poor lands” who lived in this area until
the middle of the 20th century. Before this, the
place was called Infiernillo. It’s believed
that this name comes from the river that had many
sandbars that frequently caused shipwrecks during
the time when the Maule was navigable.
Curtiduria
In August 1982, a train
service of 33 kms between Talca and Curtiduria
was begun. During the height of its popularity, six
steam engines with 8 or 10 cars were used each day.
The area’s inhabitants came to the train station,
making it all but a social event. |
The Maule River is one of the main rivers in the Central Chile in Chile. Not only is it one of the largest and abundant
rivers, but is also the main provider for the agricultural
and viticulture activities throughout the valley.
The kayaking trip starts where the Route 5 South crosses
the Maule River. Here the kayaks are put into the water and
the adventure begins. The first part of the river excursion
is very fast. The kayaks move quickly along the river, through
the rapids, currents and backwaters, passing through the
Central Valley of Chile.
During the excursion, where the Loncomilla River (one of
the main tributaries of the Maule) empties its waters into
the Maule, along the north stream we can find the railway
to the Talca-Constitución line.
The trip includes a visit to two railway stations: Gonzales
Bastias and Curtiduria. Here we’ll be able to see the
importance that the train had for the people in this area.
Leaving Gonzalez Bastías, the river gets wider again,
with a slower current and eddies forming in different places.
A short distance down, the river begins to narrow as it passes
through the coastal mountains.
Once it’s passed the mountain range, the river heads
straight to the mouth where it empties into the Pacific Ocean.
We will see first the train bridge, and then the highway
bridge. Constitución is situated at the mouth of the
river; the kayak trip finishes at the public dock in the
middle of the marine drive.
 Itinerary
Day 1
Meet together with the group in Santiago to transfer to a place
near the river where we will begin the excursion on the river.
After 3 hours of paddling, we’ll get to the Curtiduría
area where we’ll visit the train station. When we’re
finished here, we’ll continue navigating a little farther
to the place where we’ll spend the first night. Dinner
and accommodations in cabins.
Day 2
During the second day, after breakfast, the group will prepare
the equipment and food necessary for the kayak trip. We’ll
navigate for about an hour and a half, and then get to the Gonzalez
Bastías train station. After visiting the station, the
paddling will continue along the river for a couple of hours
until we arrive at the place where we’ll stop for lunch.
After lunch and a rest, we’ll continue the excursion until
we get to the Piedra Lobo (Wolf Stone) where we will stay for
night. Set up camp, dinner and accommodations.
Day 3
On the third day of the trip, we’ll start paddling at about
10:00, after breakfast. The same as with the day before, we’ll
paddle for about 2 hours before pausing to rest then continuing
for another couple of hours before stopping for lunch together
beside the river. In the last part of this excursion on the Maule
we’ll arrive at the city of Constitución, located
at the mouth of the river where it empties into the sea. After
unloading the equipment from the kayaks, we’ll load all the
equipment in the vehicles and transfer to Talca, where a dinner,
to finish of the program will be waiting for us before returning
to Santiago for the night.
 Details
Requirements
- Over 12 years of age.
- Health and physical
conditions compatible with the activity.
- Know
how to swim.
Includes
- 2 nights in cabins.
- Transfer in our
vehicles from Santiago to the place where we’ll put
into the water, and vice versa.
- Food at
the cabins and throughout the trip.
- Kayak equipment
(double or single kayaks, lifejackets, paddles, spray skirts,
safety equipment, dry bags).
- Camping equipment
(stoves, pots, utensils).
- Bilingual guide
and assistant.
Does Not Include
- Personal equipment (sleeping bag, clothing,
and personal objects).
- Meals not indicated in the program.
Notes
- Groups of 4 or more people can
choose a date to do the trip.
 Reservations
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