Spend a few days at this Ecolodge in the scenic region of Aysen Patagonia, Chile, on the shores of Lake General Carrera. You will be welcomed by members of the Christensen Family through their direct and personal attention, to an intimate and relaxing environment. The Ecolodge offers programs of 4 days to one week, with lodging, full board (including barbecued lamb), horseback riding and other selected daily activities, and transportation to and from the Balmaceda airport on the Austral Highway. A member of the family will pick you up in Balmaceda and attend to you throughout your stay. All programs are designed for you to disconnect from your daily routine, turn over the responsibility to us, and leave you with only these concerns: to enjoy yourself, relax, and appreciate the things offered to you by the people and natural surroundings of this mystical corner of the earth. The area is scarcely populated and a large portion of the land lies in national parks or protected areas. There you will find a place with a unique identity and a strong local culture that has been developed little since its discovery at the turn of the 20th century. It is one of the most pristine places on the planet.
We consider every detail to be sure that your stay will be a time to escape the noise of the modern world and reconnect with you inner being in an astonishing natural environment.
Open the senses to experience nature's splendor
Family oriented attentiveness and isolation combine to make this a perfect place to meet the wild and untouched natural surroundings head on. You can choose from a variety of activities, all of which are accompanied by an expert guide. The EcoLodge is the headquarters for exploring the local paradise that is Patagonia. You can appreciate the profound natural beauty of Patagonia by covering with us its essentially unexplored territories.

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Rates: Include accommodations with 2 optional camping nights, all meals and activities 
7 days/ 6 nights  $ 2,430   Single + $700 
4 days/ 3 nights  $ 1,540     Single +  $400 

Dates 2008/09:
any time from November to April
Taxes: included
Gratuities:  10-15% suggested
Meeting:     Puerto Bertrand 
Airport:       Balmaceda
                   (via Santiago or Puerto Montt
Transfer:     incl. from Balmaceda
Level:          Novice to Intermediate
Tack:           Chilean
Horses:       Criollos
Pace:  moderate with some trot and canter
Min/Max: 2-8 riders  (max 18 guests)

Note:
1. Balmaceda airport connects you with Puerto Montt (50 minutes) and Santiago airport (3 hours).
2. We recommend to arrive in Balmaceda at 1 PM and depart from Balmaceda at about 4 PM. Flights are run by Lan Chile and Sky Airline, a national carrier.
 

Lodging
Fusion of rustic luxury, comfort, and hospitality
The EcoLodge hosts its clients in cabins built of native wood, with excellent views of Lake General Carrera. Each cabin is isolated and provides a private and peaceful environment that is harmonious with the local landscape.
They are rustic, comfortable, and elegantly furnished cabins, surrounded by a park of native trees, and can provide lodging for up to 18 people. They have hard wood floors, beds with natural down comforters, box spring mattresses, wood stoves, and ample windows with views of the immense Lake.
There is no better way to relax than to be in one of these cabins, appreciating the spectacular views that they provide. We guarantee a great night of sleep and an even better morning!

Meals:
A world of evocative and homemade flavors
From the beginning, this lodge has been characterized by the excellent food it offers its visitors, in which the owner of the house puts all of her love and good taste. She prepares homemade and traditional dishes with fresh vegetables from their garden and healthy meats of the region. The food is cooked over a wood fire in clay pots, and above all, with lots of love and care.
 

Itinerary
Day 1 Meeting at the Balmaceda Airport. Guided 5 hour scenic drive discovering snowcapped mountains, rivers, lakes and native forests during the way. Welcome the Ecolodge, dinner and overnight.

Day 2  After a good breakfast we start our 4 hour horseback ride with extraordinary views over lake General Carrera, lake Bertrand and Lake Leones, the first glaciers of Northern Ice Fields and a lot of native flora, birds, and wonderful views of the EcoLodge lagoon up the hill. Lunch, resting and dinner back at the lodge.

Day 3  After a good breakfast another full day of horseback riding awaits you to Glacier and Laguna Leones on the Northern Ice Fields. Lunch is in front of the glacier and return then return to the Ecolodge in the afternoon for dinner.

Day 4 and 5   Join us for a 2 day/ 2 night pack trip into the backcountry (optional)

Day 6  Breakfast and transfer back to the airport visiting the famous Marble caves on the lake along the way and a stopover for lunch.

Climate:

The most wonderful surprise at the end of the world
The best climate in Patagonia is found at Lake General Carrera. There are no strong winds, no heavy rains, it is never very cold, and there are many days of sun and agreeable temperatures. It is an ideal climate for enjoying outdoor activities.
At the lodge you can experience all four seasons in one day. However, the presence of the large ice fields (Campos de Hielo) to the west causes the condensation of the moisture that comes from the Pacific Ocean. This makes our climate fairly arid, with many clear days throughout the year and short rains (800 mm/yr) that occur mainly at night. The temperature in the summer can reach 30° C and almost never drops below 4° C. Because of our latitude, the days are very long. It´s common to have 16-18 hours of light.

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