Chile: Aysén & Patagonia
Join us in one of the world's great and undiscovered trekking regions
Patagonia Paradise
The best of Chile's Patagonia and Aysén regions
Exclusive Departures
Sold OutOctober 15 - 25, 2022
Sold OutOctober 30 - November 9, 2022
Sold OutNovember 27 - December 7, 2022
11 Days, 10 Nights
Each date limited to 14 people to maximize our access
Price from
$6,300
Per person, based on shared tent/hotel accommodation
Speak with an adventure expert
You’ve finally reached the glacial mountaintop, and it’s pure magic. Deep-blue lakes ringed by steep glacial peaks, birds soaring over lunar-like valleys and wind-swept gaucho country, and just you and your hiking companions, after a long and rewarding trek, taking in the rugged, mesmerizing landscape of northern Patagonia. Beautiful doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Few have experienced this side of Patagonia. This is the Aysén, Patagonia’s wild country and one of the world’s great—and yet still largely unknown—trekking regions. We’ll spend 11 days hiking past the towering glaciers, glittering fjords, and snow-capped mountains of southern Chile in the footsteps of The North Face’s founders, skipping the ever-popular Torres del Paine in lieu of the quieter Cerro Castillo National Reserve. We’ll cross Chile’s largest lake, Lago General Carrera, and be among the first visitors to hike through the new Patagonia National Park on an exclusive trekking experience like no other.
Immerse yourself in untouched wilderness on an adventure of a lifetime. With six to eight hours of trekking per day, we’ll make the Aysén our very-own Patagonian playground, each day bringing a new journey filled with adventure, stunning landscapes, and quiet solitude amidst Patagonia’s pristine wilderness.
Aysén & Patagonia Highlights
Who It's For
If you seek epic adventure, peaceful solitude and stunning landscapes—this trip is for you. We’ll hike across glaciers and snow-capped mountains, through vast old-growth forests, and raft untamed rapids in parts of Patagonia few others have visited.
Activity Level: Moderate
This trek is accessible for most age levels who maintain good physical fitness and are prepared for the demands of hiking in remote mountainous areas. We'll cover 3-10 miles a day, and conquer wind, snow, rain and sunny skies—sometimes all in the same day.
How We Travel
In style! This trek is led by experienced local guides. Most gear—including expedition-quality tents—is provided. We carry our own packs (20-30 pounds) and sleep in two- or four-person tents and cozy mountain guesthouses. All food is prepared for us.
Your Patagonia Adventure
“We want Chile to be internationally recognized for having the most spectacular scenic route in the world.” –Tompkins Conservation
“This is not only an unprecedented preservation effort, it’s an invitation to imagine other ways of rationally occupying our lands. It’s about generating sustainable development.” –Former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet
Modern Adventure is a proud Certified B Corp, and a certified Climate Neutral Business. We believe travel can be a force for good, and that how we travel matters. We exist to offer singular travel experiences and to create a community who value going deeper.
Day by Day
Explore Chile’s Aysén region and experience first-hand why it’s one of the trekking world’s great secrets. Shimmering lakes, glaciers and snow-capped peaks as far south you can go without hitting ice.
Day 1
Bienvenidos a Patagonia! We’ll meet up at the Balmeceda airport in Chile’s Aysén Region, then head to Coyhaique to a quiet and quaint bed and breakfast. Coyhaique is engulfed by rivers and snow-capped mountains, lending to its nickname: the city of eternal snow. The rest of the day is yours to wander the region’s capital city—which is more of a colorful main-street town dwarfed by mountainous terrain—go over the packing list, check equipment and get excited about the week ahead. In town, we’ll have a welcome dinner full of local flavor, get more acquainted and then dream about the trek ahead.
Day 2
Our trek begins! After breakfast, it’s off to Cerro Castillo for our 15.4-kilometer (9.5-mile) hike into the nature reserve. Castillo means ‘castle’ in Spanish, and it’s easy to see where the name comes from: the jagged cliffs and black basalt crags rise around us and the flowing landscape like medieval parapets or gothic towers.
Following an old logging road we’ll begin to get our first peeks at the crystal clear waters of Patagonia. After entering the nature reserve we’ll set up at Camp Rio Turbio and eat a celebratory dinner before retiring to our tents and falling asleep listening to distant parakeet chirps and the winds through the lenga trees.
Days 3 - 4
Our mountain ascent starts this morning. Making our way deeper through the Cerro Castillo National Park, we’ll cross Peñon Pass at 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) before a descent along rocky scree and frosty terrain. Our guides will lead us past the hanging Peñon Glacier, a suspended frozen valley of icy tundra, before helping us settle into camp at El Bosque for the evening.
Next morning, we’ll start off passing by Cerro Castillo’s famous lagoon. You may have seen more than a few selfies taken from of this elliptical turquoise water nestled among snow-bound cliffs.
After an obligatory photo op, we’ll set out to climb Morro Negro, a 1,700-meter (5,575-foot) peak with vast slopes and earthy luster. The 8.8-kilometer trek will take us down to Camp Porteadores where we’ll set up camp for the night.
Day 5
To start off the day feeling lighter on our feet, we’ll leave our packs and take a short hike up to Camp Neozelandes to scope out the views. The North face—yes, that North Face—of Cerro Castillo bids us buena suerte on our last day in this amazing reserve. Gaze out at the glacial basin and get inspired by the great outdoors.
After retrieving our packs, we’ll depart the park via an easy hike through forested thickets of lenga trees and make our way back to civilization. Just outside Villa Cerro Castillo, we’ll sleep in style at a local guesthouse and enjoy the luxuries of a hot shower and home-cooked sit-down dinner.
Day 6
The morning takes us by the placid shores of Chile’s largest lake, Lago General Carrera, tucked on the divide between Argentina and Chile in the heart of the Andes. It’s had millions of years to develop its iconic rich blues through sediment called glacial flour; From here, we’ll drive to Chile Chico and make our way into the wildest, most remote part of the trip.
Our short hike and river crossing near Lago Esmeralda will present us with more cascading treelines and calm turquoise waters. It’s only a bit further from here to Lago Verde, where we’ll set up camp.
Day 7
Wake up to breakfast in a small lakeside shelter. We’ll fill up before beginning our journey to Valley Chacabuco. Our most difficult, yet most rewarding day, we’ll trek through the Gloria Mountains along the Jeinemini river bed, and over Gloria Pass to awe-inspiring vistas on the western side of Lago Verde.
We’ll be among the first visitors to this new park, the brainchild of Doug and Kristin Tompkins (of North Face fame), who invested $345 million to preserve wide expanses of Patagonia. We’ll be among the first to behold its sights and untouched lands. Take it all in before descending to the lakeshore and hiking to a newly renovated camping shelter. If we can muster any more motivation, seize the afternoon with another hike to explore Jeinimeni’s hanging glaciers—well worth the trip for more expansive terrain and crystal waters.
Days 8 - 9
The name Hermoso Valley means ‘beautiful valley’—that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface. This morning will lead us through a breathtaking traverse through towering mountains and glaciers, threading our way through streams and narrow paths.
We’ll continue south through lush lenga forests before connecting to the Aviles trail toward Mount Jeinemini. This 15-kilometer day brings us to the Aviles Valley, where we’ll pick a spot to make camp for the night.
On our final trekking day, we descend the Aviles Valley and follow the Pinturas and Aviles rivers through changing scenery and wildlife like guanacos).
We’ll make our first steps back toward civilization across the Berkley bridge over the churning Aviles River. The Stone House, a historic refurbished old puesto, will greet us among the waving poplars and refreshing valley breeze.
We’ve organized transportation to take us to our accommodations for the evening, trading our tents for incredible panoramic lodging overlooking Lago General Carrera. We’ll drink in the incredible scenery we just toured, and sleep well under the Patagonia sky.
Day 10
After a filling breakfast to warm us up, we’ll celebrate our trek with visit to Valle Chacabuco to learn about the Rewilding Chile project—a 28-year old foundation started by Douglas and Kristine Tompinks—and the tremendous progress the region has made since adopting stricter mandates for conservation.
All this will help us work up an appetite for our farewell barbeque—the Patagonia way. Sizzling fire-roasted meats lovingly and artfully served with local spices and sauces will be the perfect way to spend our last evening in this untouched paradise.
Day 11
It’s time to say adios to our guides and fellow travelers. After breakfast, we’ll head back to Balmeceda airport for connecting flights back to Santiago, with turquoise waters and orange sunsets in our minds.
Where We Sleep
Through expansive mountainous terrain and immersive treks, every night will be a well-deserved chance to rest, relax and reflect on the day.
El Reloj
Day 1: CoyhaiqueOwners Ángel Lara and Adriana Hidalgo have transformed a once-quaint guesthouse into one of the most prestigious, and comfortable, hotels in Coyhaique in the heart of Chilean Patagonia. Twenty spacious rooms with views, plus an intimate 'great room' to kick back and relax by a roaring fire.
Camping
Days 2 - 4 & 6 - 8We camp for six nights in some of the most stunning—and remote—corners of Patagonia. We provide all the critical gear, including expedition-quality tents and cooking equipment, so we can experience everything the Aysén and northern Patagonia have to offer. We're experts at making camp life as comfortable and safe as possible.
Villa Cerro Castillo
Day 5Just outside Villa Cerro Castillo, this quiet guesthouse is tucked along the Ibáñez River, full of bright-pink charm and glorious gardens. We'll catch our breath here and enjoy the truly magical surroundings.
Terra Luna Lodge
Days 9 - 10: Chile Chico (10/15 departure)This is glamping as good as it gets. From panoramic geodesic domes to "nests" in the trees to "pirate" houses, Terra Luna is famous for its diversity of rooms with views of Lago General Carrera and the mountains. Watch the breathtaking sunset reflect off the glacial backdrop. There's no better way to connect with nature, in style.
Mallin Colorado
For our 10/30 DepartureA combination of rustic. cozy and serene, this ecolodge sit on General Carrera Lake and practically invites meditation. It's an ideal rest stop after a few days of hard trekking.
Book Chile: Aysén & Patagonia
Questions?
We have answers! Read our FAQs below, or call/text +1 (503) 907-9889 with any questions you have about traveling. We're here 8am-5pm weekdays, Pacific.
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What does the price include?
Six nights of camping accommodations, four nights of hotel/lodge accommodations; all ground transportation; daily breakfasts, most lunches and dinners; expert local backpacking guides; porters; experiences, activities and tours included in itinerary; 4-season tents; fees and costs associated with any activity or experience listed in itinerary.
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What does the price not include?
Roundtrip airfare to/from Chile; travel insurance; transportation to the trip’s meeting point; activities not included in the trip itinerary; personal incidentals including room service, laundry, etc; personal gear; gratuities for local guides. We will be joined for this adventure by expert expedition guides, each highly qualified in all necessary skills to safely guide us throughout the mountains. A Modern Adventure Trip Leader will join the group as an experienced travel guide, and the person to go to with questions or concerns on the trip. Additional support staff will include porters to help carry our group's gear
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How difficult is this adventure?
This is considered a hard backpacking adventure. This is wild country. We’ll hike anywhere from 3–12 miles a day over uneven terrain and up and down steep switchbacks, while carrying packs (15 pounds) including our own sleeping bag, mattress pads and personal items. This region contains extremely variable weather – it’s not uncommon to have blue skies, rain, snow and wind all in the same day. We strongly recommend that participants have a good level of fitness and are well prepared and have at least some hiking experience. The support staff that will be on this adventure will be with us for the entirety of the adventure helping us carry group supplies and helping us see the true Patagonian experience.
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What are the arrival and departure details?
This adventure begins at El Reloj in Coyhaique, Chile. The closest airport is Balmaceda Airport (BBA), with frequent daily connections from Santiago and other regional hubs. Our trip ends in Puerto Guadal, and on our last day we'll organize group transfers back to Balmaceda Airport (BBA). Your flight home should be scheduled to depart at 6pm or later.
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What are the accommodations on this adventure?
We will be spending our nights split between a variety of accommodations. For the six nights we camp in the wilderness Modern Adventure provides expedition quality double-occupancy tents, as well as group-sized tarp shelters for enjoying meals in. Not only does including the finest equipment make camp life more comfortable, it also ensure we have all the necessary gear to stay safe and comfortable on our trip. In addition to camping, we stay at cozy mountain lodges and hotels as we backpack through the beautiful Chilean landscapes.
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Who is going on this trip?
Each departure is limited to 12people, plus our trekking team and Modern Adventure trip leader. This trip is recommended for travelers aged 18 and above who are in good health and have some experience with backpacking. You can expect to be joined by a variety of guest including couples, friends traveling together and solo travelers. We'll also be joined by local backpacking guides, porters, and a Modern Adventure trip leader.
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What if I am a solo traveler?
Prices are based on double occupancy. If you are a solo traveler and want to have your own accommodations, a $1,000 supplement will apply at checkout – these spots are very limited due to the type of accommodations on our adventure and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis (see our Terms and Conditions for full details).
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What travel documents are needed?
U.S. citizens staying for less than 90 days do not require a visa to enter Chile. The passport must have at validity for the entirety of your stay to be allowed entry. For citizens of other countries, please check with the Chilean Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.
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What is the cancellation policy?
You may cancel 120 days or more before departure and receive a full refund minus a $1500 per person service fee ($500 of which may be retained as a future travel credit, valid for one year after cancellation). If you cancel on or after 119 days in advance, there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after 59 days in advance, there is a 100% cancellation fee. See our full terms and conditions for details.
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Do I need Travel Insurance?
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs; if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to get medical help, emergency transport, and for theft, loss or damage of items while traveling. For best coverage, always insure the full trip cost within two weeks of your initial trip deposit and note that most 'Cancel For Any Reason' policies must be purchased on the date of your initial deposit.
