Description

This option has been developed specially for those with experience and not enough time meaning that we will have to paddle everyday, average 4-6hours, probably in variable conditions.

Cutting deep into the granite peaks of the coastal Andes, the Quintupeu, Cahuelmo and Comau Fjords that make up the Pumalin National Park provide the most spectacular sea kayaking experience in Northern Patagonia. Hot springs, sea lion and dolphin colonies, lush temperate rainforest and hundreds of cascading waterfalls are all features of our journey.

When the Spanish arrived in Chiloe in the 16th century, they found the islands and continental fjords populated by a seagoing people known as Chonos, who paddled canoes known as dalcas. Fabricated from three sewn boards, these dalcas held 10 or 12 people and were, in according to early chroniclers, the most seaworthy craft in the islands.

Our trip starts from Puerto Varas, a city located 1,000 km south of Santiago. We will travel through the Northern Austral Highway, with it's picturesque fishermen's villages and we will cross the Reloncaví Estuary by ferry here at the first fiord of Patagonia.

To the south of Puerto Montt, Chile breaks up into a number of islands with deep fiords which allow the sea to "touch the Andes"

Magnificent views of the Hornopiren Volcano with the snow covered summits of Yates volcanoe in the background. To the south, breathtaking views from many islands and dense rainforest hanging from steep walls as the Pacific Ocean penetrates deeply into the Andes

Finally, the Comau Fiord appears in front of us cleared by tall mountains and rugged riversides, the place where we are going to board our kayaks and start the adventure through the Comau, Quintupeu and Cahuelmo fiords, inserting ourselves in the spectacular scenery of the Hornopiren and Pumalin Parks, the largest private park in the world.

...The only way to access these area is by water.

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 area 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.

What do we offer?

Our trips not only will take you through an inspiring scenery, but you will go home with fond memories of the time you spend with the local fishing pioneers families.

Our knowledge of the area of approximately 10 years with more than 12 trips per season plus a local fishermen radio contact net that can help if we have an emergency give us the safety support to travel totally by our own... so 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 Northern Patagonia Fjords.

Get to meet the local people, real pioneers (colonos) in their own surroundings and how they live, plus first hand experience of the local fishing industry.

Highlights

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:
This means 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 authentic cultural interaction with the local people (colonos)

Travel Types

• Camping
• Canoeing
• Eco Tours
• Kayaking (Sea)
• Language Immersion
• Nature Tours
• RainForest Tours
• Tours
• Trekking
• Vacation Packages

Cost in US$:

680 p/p (if 4-6 participants) / 790 p/p (if 2-3)

Program Fees Include:

For the program 4 Days Northern Patagonia Fjords:

* Small Groups limited to 6 participants (safety and less impact while we visit the local families)

A very good possibility to live the history more that reading it as we will have the opportunity to talk with real pioneers.

* Complete safety-talk and practice in the sea before departure about paddling and rescue maneuvers.
* Transportation in private van from Puerto Varas, traveling the southern Highway until the point where we will start our adventure at Comau Fjord and from there back to Puerto Varas.
* Reloncavi Fiord navigation (ferry boat)
* Food during the trip according to program (from lunch Day 1 till lunch Day 4)
(B: breakfast ; L: lunch ; D: Dinner)
* Navigation Equipment: Single and double sea Kayaks imported from the USA, Canada and Germany, expedition models, with original rudder, spray skirt, paddles, life jackets, paddling jackets.
* Camping and cooking equipment (2 person shared tents, tarp)
* Hiking (day 1 and 3)
* Hot Springs
* Safety Equipment: Satellite Telephone, Marine Band Radio, rescue equipment, towing equipment, tide tables, maps.
* Guide: certify by the British Canoe Union as BCU4 Star Sea Award, bilingual sea kayaking guide (English) with first aid and rescue knowledge (Wilderness First Responder Course) and NOLS training.
* Limited insurance while seakayaking (Chilean company)

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of maximum 6

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week-14 days

YAK Expediciones - Chile Adventure Seakayaking Trips's Mission Statement

We care about running a economical feasible business but we also care about being environmentally sustainable and social minded in the local communities we interact with. We are supporting the community by providing books for children of the local school of the Northern Patagonia Fjords, our main destination. We offer adventure vacations where you actively participate. We are a Chilean tour operator: when you give us your preference, you are directly supporting and helping the development of the country you decided to visit, generating a better quality of life for its people and the improvement of the places you are visiting. We are the first Chilean company certify in sea kayaking activities by the Chilean Tourism Service and our guides are certify by the British Canoe Union as BCU 4Star Sea kayak Award.

Year Founded

1994