Fly-In Hiking tour: EXPLORE PUMALIN
Did you know that you can easily access the stunning Pumalin Douglas Tompkins National Park with a scenic 40-minute flight from Puerto Montt? The park is a breathtaking mosaic of beauty, featuring ancient forests with a rich diversity of endemic species, dramatic fjords, rivers, granite walls, snow-capped peaks, volcanoes, waterfalls, and high-altitude lakes.
These remote and vibrant landscapes inspired Doug Tompkins to pursue his conservation vision for Chilean Patagonia. In 2018, this vision became a reality through an unprecedented public-private agreement, resulting in the largest private land donation to a state worldwide: 1,063,000 acres.
On this journey of discovery and adventure in Pumalin, our experienced and knowledgeable guides will lead you on daily walks along some of the most important trails in the park. When you’re not exploring, you can unwind and relax in the comfortable and cozy cabins of our Lodge, enjoy delicious meals at our restaurant, and connect with other like-minded travelers who share your passion for immersing themselves in nature and contributing to its preservation for future generations.
If you’re planning to rent a car and explore the Carretera Austral on your own, our Drive-In Pumalin option is perfect for you. It allows you to have the freedom of a self-drive experience while still enjoying the wonders of Pumalin National Park.
Highlights
Itinerary
- Departures available every day.
- Discover Pumalin Douglas Tompkins Park, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved parks in Chile.
- Experience easy access to Pumalin with a scenic 40-minute flight from Puerto Montt. No longer will you need to endure an 8 or 9-hour journey by land and ferry to witness the incredible place that inspired Doug Tompkins in his vision for conservation.
- Choose from our 3, 4, or 5-day programs departing and returning from Puerto Montt, allowing you to seamlessly combine this trip with other adventures in Patagonia, such as Torres del Paine or the Lake District.
- Enjoy numerous options for daily hikes of varying durations and difficulty levels.
- Leave the worries of renting a car or navigating the trails of Pumalin or the Carretera Austral to an expert company. Our programs include all air and ground transfers, as well as experienced guides who will help you discover the best of Pumalin.
- For an even more exceptional experience, you have the option to hire a private flight, either for your journey to or from the park. Our pilot, specialized in photography flights and with extensive experience working with Doug Tompkins, can take you on an extended and unique route, flying over the most important landmarks of Pumalin Park (please contact us for this option).
Day 1:
Morning: We will pick you up from your hotel in Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas, or El Tepual Puerto Montt International Airport (PMC) and transfer you to Marcel Marchant – aka La Paloma – aerodrome (SCPF) located in the center of Puerto Montt. From there, you will embark on a scenic 40-minute flight to Chaitén aerodrome (SCTN). Upon arrival, our driver will be waiting to transfer you to Lodge Caleta Gonzalo. The journey will take approximately 90 minutes (60 km) on the Carretera Austral Norte, offering numerous photography opportunities.
After settling into your cabin at Lodge Caleta Gonzalo, we will provide a replenishing lunch. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to explore one of the nearby trails, such as the Cascadas Trail or the eastern side of the Lodge, where you can discover the organic garden, the beach, and the hidden pools of the Gonzalo River. Later, our guide will give a briefing about the activities planned for the next day. In the evening, you can enjoy a delicious dinner and unwind in your cabin.
Days 2, 3, 4 (depending on your selected program):
Our hiking day starts early in the morning at 7:30 a.m. with a delightful breakfast at the restaurant. You will also receive 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, taking you to the starting point of each trail we will hike. The selection of trails for the day will depend on factors such as weather conditions, guests’ interests, and abilities. Your guide will ultimately decide on the destination. Some preferred trails include Cascadas (near the Lodge), Cascadas Escondidas, Alerces, Tronador, Interpretativo Volcán, Michinmahuida, and Volcán Chaitén.
Last day:
On your departure day, after breakfast, we will depart at 9:00 a.m. to Chaitén aerodrome, where you will connect with a morning flight to Puerto Montt. You will arrive in Puerto Montt in the afternoon, and we will transfer you to your requested destination in Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas, or El Tepual airport if you have a flight scheduled for the same afternoon.
Included:
We offer transfer services from your hotel in either Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas to La Paloma aerodrome, as well as transportation back to your hotel.
Your plane ticket includes a round trip from Puerto Montt to Chaitén, and vice versa. We work with two reputable commercial airlines that have extensive experience in the area.
All ground transfers within Pumalin Park will be provided, allowing you to explore the park alongside other guests of the Lodge.
During your stay, you will be accommodated in our comfortable cabins at the Lodge. If you are traveling with a group, please select the cabin size that best suits your needs. In the event that the only available cabin is larger than your group requires, there is no problem in reserving it for your trip. We will not charge extra for occupying a larger cabin. The cost per person remains the same.
Your meals at Lodge Caleta Gonzalo are inclusive and consist of breakfast, box lunches, and dinners. Please note that drinks are not included, except for the complimentary house wine. We are happy to accommodate any specific dietary requirements or restrictions you may have.
You will be accompanied by experienced guides who specialize in hiking. They hold WFR certification and possess extensive knowledge of all the trails within Pumalin Park. During your hikes, you will be joined 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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