Today we’ll find ourselves in the heart of Parque Pumalín, created by the late American entrepreneur, philanthropist and ecologist Douglas Tompkins. Tompkins founded The North Face in the ’60s and later the clothing company Esprit. One of the things that makes this park so unique is the way in which the local economy thrives alongside conservation. Within the park you’ll find small organic farms with activities such as animal husbandry, cheese making, ecotourism, wool handicrafts, and honey production. We’ll start by taking a short boat ride deep into the heart of one of the world’s most dramatic fiords, Quintupeu, home to incredible waterfalls and granite peaks. The deep blue waters of the fiord are met with the steep green forested walls of the Andes, rising over 2,400 meters (7,875 feet) above the water. After, we’ll be treated to neighboring Cahuelmo Fiord where we’ll be able to soak yet again in hot springs that lie under the temperate rainforest. Depending on the tides, we’ll fit in a spectacular short hike to Laguna Abascal before continuing south to reach Porcelana’s hot springs, a great spot to enjoy a picnic lunch and a stroll. We’ll spend the evening back on the island and reflect on a day full of mesmerizing landscapes.
Llancahué Hotel, Llancahué Island (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Hiking: 5 kilometers (3 miles), 2-2.25 hours, flat