Drive-In tour: EXPLORE PUMALIN
If you have chosen to drive the Carretera Austral on your own and the FLY-IN alternative doesn’t suit you, no problem! We offer the Drive-In Explore Pumalin Tour as an alternative for those who want to visit the beautiful Pumalin Douglas Tompkins National Park and get to and from Lodge Caleta Gonzalo independently.
The park is a stunning mosaic of natural beauty, featuring old-growth forests with a high level of endemism that cascade dramatically towards fjords, rivers, granite walls, snowdrifts, volcanoes, waterfalls, and lakes nestled in the mountains.
These remote and vibrant landscapes inspired Doug Tompkins to envision the conservation of Chilean Patagonia. In 2018, his vision became a reality through an unprecedented public-private agreement, resulting in the largest private-to-state land donation worldwide, totaling 1,063,000 acres.
During this immersive and adventurous journey in Pumalin, our experienced and knowledgeable guides will lead you on daily walks along some of the park’s most important trails. When you’re not exploring the park, you’ll have the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate each afternoon and evening in our comfortable and cozy lodge cabins. Our restaurant serves delicious meals, providing an opportunity for you to connect with like-minded travelers who share your appreciation for nature and contribute to its preservation for future generations.
Highlights
Itinerary
- Departures available every day.
- Explore the magnificent Pumalin Douglas Tompkins Park, renowned as one of the most beautiful and well-preserved parks in Chile.
- Choose from our flexible programs of 3, 4, or 5 days
- Enjoy numerous options for daily hikes of different durations and difficulty levels.
- Our services include all ground transfers for the daily hikes, and our experienced guides will accompany you, ensuring you discover the very best of Pumalin.
Day 1:
PM: We will meet you at Lodge Caleta Gonzalo. After settling into your cabin, we will provide you with a replenishing lunch. In the afternoon, we will take you on a guided walk along one of the trails near the Lodge, such as the Cascadas Trail or the eastern side of the Lodge, where you can explore the organic garden, the beach, and the hidden pools of the Gonzalo River. Later in the afternoon, our guide will brief you on the activities planned for the next day. In the evening, you can enjoy a delicious dinner and relax in your cabin.
Days 2, 3, 4 (depending on the selected program):
Our hiking days start early in the morning at 7:30 a.m. with a delightful breakfast at the restaurant. We will provide you with a box-lunch for the day’s excursion, which you can carry in your backpack. At 9:00 a.m., our van will depart from the Lodge to take you to the starting point of each trail. The selection of trails for the day will depend on various factors such as weather conditions, the interests, and abilities of the guests. Your guide will make the final decision regarding the destination. Some popular trails include Cascadas (near the Lodge), Cascadas Escondidas, Alerces, Tronador, Interpretativo Volcán, Michinmahuida, and of course, Volcán Chaitén.
Last day:
On the day of your departure, you will have breakfast at the Lodge, and then you are free to continue your journey either north or south along the Carretera Austral.
Included:
- All ground transfers within Pumalin Park will be provided, and you will be traveling with other guests of the Lodge.
- Accommodation will be in the cabins of the Lodge. If you are traveling with a group, you can select the cabin size that best suits your group. In case the only available cabin is larger than your group size, there’s no problem in reserving it for your trip. We will not charge you extra for occupying a larger cabin. The cost per person remains the same.
- At Lodge Caleta Gonzalo, your meals will include breakfasts, box lunches, and dinners. Please note that drinks are not included in the dinner, except for the complimentary house wine. We can accommodate any food requirements or restrictions you may have.
- Our guides are specialized in hiking and hold WFR certification. They have extensive knowledge of all the trails in Pumalin Park. During your hikes, you will be accompanied by other guests of the Lodge who are participating in similar programs.
Not included:
- Personal accident insurance: mandatory for this type of travel.
- Tips -totally voluntary- for whoever(s) you consider appropriate.
- Drinks (in addition to the complimentary “house wine” offered at dinner) and snacks, sandwiches or other additional food to what is stipulated in the itinerary.
- Souvenir purchases or additional expenses at the restaurant.
- Items for personal use.
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