GPT28P - Bajo Río Palena

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Packrafting the Río Palena. Image: Jan Dudeck

This is a simplified track file, not suitable for navigation on terrain. To get the detailed file see the following section on the main Greater Patagonian Trail article __ Main trail __ Packrafting Instructions to follow the track in your smartphone

Summary (editar) Activity Trekking Location Chile, Coyhaique Atractions Vistas panorámicas Duration días "Días" no está en la lista de valores posibles (3 horas o menos, 1/2 día, 3/4 día, 1 día, 1 día y medio, 2 días, 3 días, 4 días, 5 días, 3 - 5 días, 6 - 7 días, 8 - 10 días, 11 - 14 días, 15 - 20 días, 20 - 25 días, 26 - 35 días, 36 - 60 días, 61 - 89 días, más de 90 días) para esta propiedad. Trail Siempre Claro Signage Inexistente Infraestructure Inexistente Topology Cruce Gain/Loss (meters) +77, -115 Distance (k) 423.9 Skills No requiere Original creator Jan Dudeck Download KMZ/GPX Debes registrarte para descargar. Formulario es BREVISIMO Para ver estos botones debes registrarte. Toma 30 segundos: es un formulario minusculo, de solo 3 campos obligatorios.

Basic statistics

GPT28P: Bajo Río Palena

Traversable	Nov - May (Conditionally: Sep, Oct)
Packraft	Required (77.5 km | 77.5 % on Water)
	Hiking	Packrafting
Attraction	No Rating	5 / 5
Difficulty	No Rating	3 / 5
Distance	-	83.0 km | 18 h
Direction	None	Only ↓
Comment	Hiking: Packraft required
Status	Published and Verified
Zone	F: Zona Palena
Region	Chile: Aysén (XI)
Start	Río Palena, La Junta
Finish	Puerto Chacabuco , (Puerto Cisnes)
Previous Section	Next Section	Alternative Section
GPT27P or GPT30P	GPT31P or GPT29P or GPT30P	No

Regular Route

Regular Hiking Route

Elevation Profile of Regular Hiking Route

|frame|center|Elevation Profile of Regular Hiking Route (2019)]]

Regular Packrafting Route

Elevation Profile of Regular Packrafting Route

Elevation Profile of Regular Hiking Route (2019)

Comments to Regular Packrafting Route

Summarising route description to be issued.

Route description by Kara Davis after Season 2017/18:

Río Palena continues to steadily grow as it makes its way towards the ocean. This section has noticeably fewer rapids, and mostly consists of calm, slow moving water. Camping is abundant and easy to find. There are many rocky beaches that lead to flat grassy or sandy land. Within 20 km or so from the ocean, tidal effects on the river current are noticeable. Check a tidal timetable before embarking to get an idea of good times to paddle. If the wind or tides makes paddling impracticable, it is possible to reach Ruta X-12, a dirt road which follows the river and leads to Puerto Raúl Marín Balmaceda.

Notes for Travel to Puerto Chacabuco (Beginning of GPT29P): There are two options for transportation to Puerto Chacabuco:

1. Ferry

Book your tickets on the ferry from Puerto R.M. Balmaceda to Puerto Chacabuco in advance here: http://www.navieraustral.cl/itinerarios-y-tarifas

The ferry is a popular travel option and only runs a couple days during the week. It is also possible to purchase tickets at the local grocery store, but be prepared to wait for several days if you decide to do this.

2. Three Buses and a Taxi

There is also an option to take a series of shuttles to Puerto Chacabuco. This is a cheaper but certainly less enjoyable and more time consuming option. The series of shuttles required to get from Puerto R.M. Balmaceda to Puerto Chacabuco are as follows:

a. There is a van that runs from Puerto R.M. Balmaceda to La Junta twice a day which leaves from the ferry port (trip time ~3 hours). The tourist information station in Puerto R.M. Balmaceda can give you times and details about tickets.

b. From La Junta, there's a bus to Coyhaique that usually only runs once a day (trip time ~5 hours). Tickets may be bought before hand at the local depot (ask the tourist information center for directions). One company that offers transportation by bus from La Junta to Coyhaique is Aguilas Patagónicas. See their website here: http://www.aguilaspatagonicas.cl.

c. From Coyhaique, catch one of the many buses traveling to Puerto Aysen.

d. The final step is to hire a taxi (about 500 CLP) to Puerto Chacabuco. There is a pickup/dropoff location along highway 240 just outside of the Unimart.

Town: Puerto Raúl Marín (R.M.) Balmaceda

Puerto R.M. Balmaceda has a few lodging options and lots of open ground for camping. There are a couple of expensive markets that could meet resupply needs, but Coyhaique or Puerto Aysen definitely have better options.