GPT29H (Rio Cisnes)

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* Start Date to Finish Date (use Format YYYY-MMM-DD) / Duration in Days / Hiking or Packrafting / Travel Direction (SOBO for Southbound or NOBO Northbound) / Chosen Route and/or Option Name (RR for Regular Route) / Names or Alias

Summary with remarks to route that are considered useful for other hikers and packrafters. Include alerts, suggestions and personal perception of attractiveness and difficulties.

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Section Log, Alerts and Suggestions

Season 2023/24

From 2024-01-31 to 2024-02-01 // 2 days // Hiking // NOBO // RR // Quentin Clavel

This section begin with 30 km on the heavy carretera austral, and finish with 50 kilometers on a gravel road to reach La Tapera.

After the carretera austral, you'll be happy to find a less crowded, more quiet and natural path, without asphalt.

Surrounding are nice, nothing more to add except that I can't wait to find back the cute and remote tracks of Patagonia ! I even miss bush bashing... Imagine ! 😂

KM 18,35, Next to punte Torcaza, on the curve, big space for camp with nice scenery, flying fish everywhere, you can be seen from the road, but not a lot of people are passing threw. Few kind locals are fishing around, Carabineros passed by and said hello to me, so no troubles to stay there.

Arriving in La Tapera. I slept in hospedaje María, 15K CLP for a room, clean baños, good WiFi, nice people. Cabanas are possible too here.

Happy to find accomodation, options to resupply and a place with completos, sandwiches in this little town to resupply. (Having cash money is essential there !).

Season 2022/23

• General Recommendation: You can walk either direction but SOBO is a bit easier as it's downhill

• 2023-Mar-18 to 2023-Mar-19 / 2 days / Hiking / SOBO / RR / Martin & Helena

A little more than we expected, there are some nice spots on the way, like Laguna Las Torres.

• 2022 19 Nov Frank 2.5 days SOBO

I got the bus from Villa Amengual to La Tapera then walked back, camped 1 night along the way. Few opportunities for camping as you approach the Carratera Austral as the land is fenced off. Villa Amengual, which is 2KM off route on the Carratera Austral is a good base. On the third day I continued along the Carratera Austral to the junction with the X421 dirt road going to El Gato, a better place to break the journey as there is nothing at the end of stage 29. At the X421 junction there is a bus stop (very few buses) & I hitched from there to Villa Manihuales.

Resupply and Accommodation

Resupply and Accommodation in nearby Towns

• ATM and money exhcange : Only in Coyhaique. Bring cash although you may be able to pay with CC in Villa Amengual & La Tapera.

• There are at least 3 places to stay in Villa Amengual which is on the Carretera Austral 2KM off route, north of the junction with the X25 gravel road which runs 52KM to La Tapera. They should all have options for meals also. El Encuentro in Villa Amengual has a shop & accomodation, 15,000 pesos single & 20,000 double. Meals are 6000 pesos, breakfast is 4000.

La Tapera has two small shops & at least one hospedaje, all on or near the plaza. Hospedaje María was nice, great people, 15K CLP for a room, but they have cabanas too if needed more privacy. There's at least 2 other options in this little town.

Food resupply in La Tapera, few minimarket. The one near the plaza central accepting CC, all the other only cash.

Possibility to eat at La Pica de la Doña tapera (sandwichs, completos, papas fritas, pichangas, churrascos ...) -44,6468155, -71,6694500

• You could camp at the small car park at Laguna las Torres. Several KM further south on the Carratera Austral is Camping La Zaranda $ new, cafe & cheap camping in little huts, you could sleep in them without a tent also.

Resupply and Accommodation along the Route

KM 18,35, Next to punte Torcaza, on the curve, big space for camp with nice scenery, flying fish everywhere, you can be seen from the road, but not a lot of people are passing threw. Few kind locals are fishing around, Carabineros passed by and said hello to me, so no troubles to stay there.

Transport to and from Route

• 2023 info: There is a bus from Coyhaique to La Tapera on Wednesday, Friday & Sunday, leaving Coyhaique at 10AM, going to Villa Amengual village at 12:30 and arriving in La Tapera at 2PM. The bus leaves La Tapera & returns to Coyhaique on the same route on the same days at about 3PM, going to Villa Amengual around 4PM

Links to other Resources

Retired Section Article GPT29H - Rio Cisnes