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Photographic Tour In Unknown Patagonia

Get lost in the landscape and capture that infinite moment in Patagonia

Not only sunrises and sunsets in Patagonia are unique and unforgettable. Every hidden corner of our huge virgin landscape shows a reason to shot and keep that moment for ever. Come and enjoy the multicolored nature with this photographic tour with us.

Mallin Colorado Ecolodge offers a large variety of landscapes to enjoy, which will open your eyes to spectacular beauty moment after moment during your soulful stay. The main purpose of this tour is to allow you the full spectrum of photographic opportunities: from the intimate detail shots of wildflowers to the vast Patagonian landscapes. You will begin and end each day with sumptuous food and a warm atmosphere in the comfort of the lodge.

Itinerary

Day 1: Balmaceda – Lake General Carrera

After arrival at the Balmaceda airport, we will head south on the Carretera Austral through valleys, forests, passing below ragged mountains and above the shores of the enormous Lake General Carrera. This trip is longer than normal, as we will stop many times along the road to take pictures. We will arrive in the evening to Mallin Colorado Ecolodge for reception and dinner.

Day 2: Mallin Colorado hike

After breakfast we will either hike or horseback ride to the Mallin Colorado Lagoon. The trail ascends through amazing native forests of coigues, lengas and ñirre. Slowly we will reach the high ridges with open views of the emerald waters of Lake General Carrera and the vast mountain ranges that surround the lake. We will then travel to the glaciers of the Cordón Contreras mountain range where eternal snow is waiting to be photographed close up. We will stop every time beauty captures your eye to let you take pictures of the great variety of flowers, herbs, bushes and wild fruits that grow in the mountains. We will have lunch in the forest and will come back to the lodge before sunset.

Day 3: Baker River

After breakfast, we will drive South to see the Baker River, making a short stop in the small village of Puerto Bertrand on the shores of Lake Bertrand. We will view the tumultuous rapids, which will allow you to appreciate the translucent turquoise color and the power of Chile’s largest river, which is threatened by the proposed construction of hydro-electric dams. After that, we will hike down a short trail to the majestic point called La Confluencia, where the Baker River meets the Nef River and its emerald colored waters are changed forever by the deep browns and reds of the Nef. We will picnic on the bank above the confluence and we will return to the lodge in the evening.

Day 4: Marble Caves and Exploradores Glacier

After breakfast, we will drive one hour North to visit the famous rock formations, the Marble Caves on the coast of Lake General Carrera. We will take a boat to the marble peninsula, where you will have the opportunity to photograph the artistic formations of marble in the ceilings and walls of the caves as they are reflected in the clear Caribbean colored waters of the lake. After the visit to this unique place, we will continue on a new road to the west, towards the Northern Ice Fields. The landscape changes slowly with verdant vegetation in the foreground and glaciers in the background as we approach the Ice Fields. At the foot of the glacier we will walk through an interpretative trail among the lush green forest and climb a morraine to arrive to a high overlook. From there, we have an extraordinary view of a glacial moraine, the tongue of which descends through a wide valley, as it descends from San Valentin, the highest peak in Patagonia. We will have a picnic lunch and come back to the lodge in the evening.

Day 5: Beach and Puerto Guadal village

In the morning we will walk to the Mallin Colorado beach on the shores of Lake General Carrera, with amazing views of one of the most beautiful coves at the end of the lake. We will meander on the beach to take photos of stones, old pieces of wood, rocks, wide views of calypso waters and enjoy the solitude and silence in a secret place. After lunch, we will visit the small village of Puerto Guadal, with incredible views of the Ice Fields, beautiful houses and amazing shots of natural beauty to be captured. You can also ask people if they would like to have their portraits taken. At the end of the day we will go to a local beach to appreciate the exquisite sunset, if weather conditions permit.

Day 6: Tamango park and Chacabuco valley

Early after breakfast, we will drive south to the main town of Cochrane, 3000 inhabitants, from there we will continue to the Tamango National Reserve, where we will meet the huemul (Chilean deer in danger). We will begin the excursion with a gentle walk along the Cochrane River for approximately two hours in direction where huemules usually live. We will have lunch there and come back to visit the Chacabuco Valley on the road to the lodge. There we will visit a drier valley, similar to Argentinian pampa with guanacos, vizcachas and a wide variety of birds, including flamingos and bandurrias. Back at the lodge, a typical Patagonian lamb barbecue awaits us, prepared in the quincho of the lodge.

Day 7: Transfer to Balmaceda

We start our drive back to the airport early in the morning, taking time to stop along the Carretera Austral in the morning light. We will have a box lunch on route and arrive at the airport in time for the flight.