San Francisco, CA — Wilderness Travel has announced an exclusive new expedition to Northern Patagonia, spotlighting conservation efforts and three newly designated national parks. This 10-day journey, titled “Remote Parks of Patagonia’s Wild North,” offers an immersive exploration of Chile’s “Route of the Parks,” a remarkable network of seven newly established national parks that traverse 1,800 miles of temperate rainforests, active volcanoes, fjords, and the Northern and Southern Patagonian Ice Fields.
Detailed Itinerary and Conservation Focus
The expedition will focus on three newly established national parks: Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, Patagonia National Park, and Cerro Castillo National Park. Travelers will engage with Rewilding Chile (formerly Tompkins Conservation), learning about ongoing conservation projects directly from the organization’s representatives.
Rewilding Chile Initiatives
Rewilding Chile, a continuation of Tompkins Conservation, was founded by Douglas and Kris Tompkins with the goal of preserving and restoring Chilean and Argentinean ecosystems. During the trip, guests will interact with Rewilding Chile representatives to gain insights into their efforts, including the establishment of seven new parks and the expansion of three existing ones. In Patagonia National Park, travelers will have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on rewilding project with the conservation team.
Exploring Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park
Participants will spend two days in Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, a nearly 1 million-acre reserve established in February 2018. The park is renowned for its ancient forests, fjords, rivers, granite cliffs, glaciers, volcanoes, and lakes. It is home to 25 percent of the remaining population of the native alerce tree. Visitors will have the chance to meet Rewilding Chile representatives and learn about their conservation and recovery efforts in the park.
Discovering Patagonia National Park
The itinerary includes a three-day visit to Patagonia National Park, established in December 2018 by merging the Tamango and Jeinimeni reserves. This park, known for its southern beech forests transitioning into eastern steppe, is significant for its biodiversity. It encompasses important water bodies such as the Baker and Chacabuco rivers and Lake Cochrane. Wildlife includes Andean condors, guanacos, pumas, and the endangered huemul deer, which features on Chile’s national coat of arms. Visitors can also engage in a rewilding experience with the conservation team.
Kayaking to the Marble Chapels
A highlight of the trip includes a morning kayaking excursion on Lago General Carrera, which spans Chile and Argentina. Participants will paddle to the Marble Chapels, or Marble Caves, notable for their smooth marble columns and arches that reflect a spectrum of colors into the lake’s luminescent waters.
Cerro Castillo National Park Finale
The journey concludes with a full day in Cerro Castillo National Park, established in July 2017. This park is distinguished by the dramatic peaks of Cerro Castillo, one of Chilean Patagonia’s most striking mountains. Visitors will explore hanging glaciers, gem-colored lagoons, and southern beech forests that provide habitat for endangered species like the huemul and Magellanic woodpeckers.
Wilderness Travel’s new itinerary promises a unique blend of adventure, conservation education, and breathtaking natural beauty in one of the world’s most pristine environments.
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