 Lakes Correntoso & Nahuel Huapi
and Limay River - 12 days
PURA VIDA PATAGONIA will pick you up at the San Carlos de Bariloche international airport and will see to your every need until it drops you at the same airport on your way back to Buenos Aires.
Our outing will begin in San Carlos de Bariloche, from where we will be taken to Lake Correntoso (distant some 120 km), in the Neuquén province. On our way to our boarding point, we will drive along one of Argentina’s most beautiful roads.
Once we get everything ready and loaded into our kayaks, we will climb onboard to share from the start a singular natural treasure: the Northern Patagonia Lake District, where snow-peaked mountains and volcanoes will be within the reach of our hands.
We will begin our adventure tour in awe at the high mountains reflected on the lakes, within an area where the Nahuel Huapi national park preserves large native forests. Lake Nahuel Huapi will marvel us with its fjords and the transition from the wet forest to the steppe, where in just 50 km the rainfall difference ranges from 3500 to 250 mm a year.
Day 1: We will gather at the arranged meeting point and drive to Lake Correntoso, where we will get to know the rest of the group and our kayaks as we pack. We will be given a safety and kayak orientation talk, and then climb on board to paddle all day long and enjoy the surroundings.
Days 2+3+4+5+6+7: We will complete our Lake Correntoso tour and paddle along one of the world’s shortest rivers, the Correntoso River, to further enter Lake Nahuel Huapi and enjoy the majestic scenery there. We will spend the following six days here, always paddling in southwest direction, along the Rincón and Machete branches, and stopping at Victoria Island to visit its Arrayanes Forest and at Mount Millaqueo for one day of trekking. We will further continue to Centinela Island, where Patagonian pioneer Francisco P. Moreno lies buried. We will then enter the Blest Branch, a vast fjord in which waterfalls reach the lake and the water changes its shade with the light of day. The history of this national park will be manifested to us at Puerto Blest, where it all began, the obligatory passage to Chile for the old wood merchants.
We will then continue our trip east, leaving this great fjord and entering the Tristeza Branch, of a depth of 15 km. After only a few minutes, we will be immersed in a dream landscape, surrounded by Mounts López and Capilla, among others. We will paddle part of the lake branch and further make a lunch stop close to one of the area’s most beautiful waterfalls. In the afternoon, we will paddle to the source of the lake branch, where we will set up camp. The next morning, we will trek up to the Frey waterfall and further to the lake of the same name, through woods of native species such as the ancient larch tree. Finally, we will get the kayaks ready once again to return along the branch to López Bay, always paddling below huge snow-peaked mountains over 2,000 m high.
At this point, we will enter the Angostura stream, some 150 m long, to enter Lake Moreno west, where we will admire the traditional architecture of the Lake District - the large house, the first construction made by the Swiss when they entered from Chile, and the trout hatchery.
We will complete this first stage of the outing on Lake Moreno east, on which shores we will set up camp. The following morning, we will be driven to the proximities of the Limay River to begin enjoying the second leg of the tour through the Patagonian steppe.
Days 8+9+10+11: In the morning, we will leave behind the wonderful lakes to enter the plentiful Limay River - “Crystal Clear” in the Mapuche tongue -, which carries the water of the lakes we paddled on to the Atlantic Ocean.
Already immersed in the heart of the steppe, we will get our kayaks ready during the morning to continue exploring the river. Quick lunch at midday, and we will further approach the Enchanted Valley: strange rock formations that make a special and magical setting for rock climbers. After a pleasant afternoon, we will reach the meeting of the Limay and Traful rivers, where we will set up camp.
In the morning, we will leave the Enchanted Valley behind and paddle along the last leg of the river, where once the “Limay rapids” could be enjoyed prior to the building of a dam.
The water will appear heavier, a sign that we will be entering the lake, our last host. We will paddle close to a trout hatchery. The species was introduced from the northern hemisphere in 1903. We will look for a nice place to set up our last camp and spend the night under a starry sky.
In the heart of the steppe, visiting spots to which only Pura Vida Patagonia can take us, we will end our expedition by a ghost town inhabited by some 7,000 families during the construction of the dam, and further return to Bariloche.
Farewell dinner.
Day 12: Morning free, flight to Buenos Aires
Gear
Special consideration should be paid to this section with a view to guaranteeing our safety and comfort while on our kayaking outing. Our kayaks are basically watertight, although small amounts of water may enter through their hatches. For this reason, we should pack our gear in dry waterproof bags.
We will provide nylon bags for your gear, as well as dry bags for your camera and other valuables.
Temperature: Summer temperatures in our region are usually pleasant, ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with highs from December to January. Lows are usually registered during the winter (June-July-August), ranging from 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Rain and wind may be present at any time of the year. We should be prepared to meet any change in the weather.
Please contact us when in doubt as to any item on the list.
Vessels: Double kayaks with rudder, imported from Canada. Very stable, easy to maneuver, and quite comfortable. Spray skirt, paddle, waterproof jacket, PFD, as well as neoprene gloves are contemplated for every passenger.
Sleeping bags: One synthetic bag is recommended. When uncertain as to the weather, or lacking the adequate sleeping bag, contact us or check the local outdoor gear stores.
Water sneakers: We recommend carrying waterproof sneakers or water-resistant footwear, such as sandals or neoprene boots. Most of our guides use sandals during these outings.
Camp footwear: One pair of sneakers or tennis shoes to use at the campsite.
Sunhat: A baseball cap or US Marine-type sunhat are ideal for these outings.
Woolen cap: A woolen or polartec cap always comes handy when temperature starts dropping.
Sunglasses & sunscreen: We are quite persistent on this: the sun in our region is quite tricky. The sunscreen used must repel water.
Medication: When carrying medication, please make sure that 1. you warn your guide on this and on the timetable for your medication; 2. you carry the name of the drug and its expiration date; 3. you carry the corresponding dose indications; 4. you pack it in waterproof bags; 5. you bring extra doses in a separate bag and leave this bag with your guide just in case you lose the one you carry.
Personal items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, hair brush, etc.
Toilet paper: We provide a toilet bag, although you can bring your own toilet items
Flashlights: Do not forget to bring batteries
Water bottles: We provide mineral water bottles. You can always bring cycling or Naigene bottles, which come quite handy.
Camera: Only in dry bags or boxes
Gloves: Only necessary during the cold seasons
Refreshments: Coffee/tea and soft drinks will be available throughout the trip, while wine will accompany our dinners.
Clothing
Our clothes should be in accordance with the time of the year we choose for the outing, although always bearing in mind that the temperature may drop and it may rain during any season. The most practical way to regulate our body temperature and remain warm is by dressing in layers (in true “onion” style). We recommend avoiding cotton garments, as these require a long period to dry, thus keeping us wet and making us feel cold. The ideal materials for the first layer, even when wet, are Lycra, polypropylene, nylon, and polyester. Synthetic material such as polartec provides an adequate second layer. Wool represents yet another alternative.
Rain pants & thin waterproof jacket: Recommended for the unexpected shower
Windstopper: The rain jacket may also be used as windstopper
Warm pants: 1 pair of polartec or other type of warm pants for the campsite. Jeans are not recommended.
Pants: 1 pair of light pants, of the quick-drying type
Sweaters: 2 warm polartec or synthetic sweaters
Long-sleeved shirts: 3 (non-cotton)
T-shirts: 2 or 3
Shorts: 2, preferably of the quick-drying type
Socks: 2 pairs of warm socks, and 3 pairs of light socks for kayaking
Change of clothing: To leave in the van for the return trip
Outdoor sanitary facilities
Kayaks leave no trail nor alter the vegetation in any way while sliding on the water. On dry land, however, we must be aware of our impact on the environment. PURA_VIDAPATAGONIA stresses the need not to leave any trace of our presence there!
Where do we wash ourselves? Is there any toilet facility available? These are some of the many questions travelers have. All our camping sites are set up in natural surroundings, with plenty of water to wash ourselves in the many rivers and lakes we navigate. No abrasive elements or contaminant detergents should be used.
Toilet facilities are not the rule where we camp. Our guides will indicate the proper way to sort this minor thing out, and will always carry a toilet kit with toilet paper, plastic bags, and a small shovel.
Summary of the trip
Type: kayaking
Start: Correntoso
Degree of difficulty: medium
Sights: wildlife, Rivers, Photography,
Fauna/Flora: guanacos/birds/trout/fox/
Includes: kayaks, paddles, English-speaking guides, delicious meals, camping gear (except for sleeping bag and insulation pads), insurance
Requirements:
Physical shape in accordance with the activity to carry out
Swimming ability
Will to strictly follow the indications of the guides, and to enjoy adventure in Patagonia
No prior experience required
Minimum number of passengers: 4
Having read the General Conditions and submitted a signed copy of the Disclaimer
Notes:
The outing is available from September to April, even with rain or snow.
We must bear in mind that this is a true touring kayak expedition, which means that we are self-sufficient, carrying in our kayaks everything we need for the trip.
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