Puerto Chacabuco, Chile- Go and see it before its spoiled by people like us
by Paul H. Green
45 degrees, 28;59”South, 72 degrees, 49'51” West
Everything you have heard about Patagonia and its people is true, but we are now sure that it has been understated.
This is the place to see. This is the place to slow down. There is an old Chilean proverb, “If you are in a hurry in Patagonia, you are wasting your time.” We came and learned that at the end of the world, time really does come to a near stop.
When you visit Puerto Chacabuco you need to keep an eye out for Black Necked swans and the endangered Giant Condor. Sculptured icebergs, soaring fjords and Andean peaks are all around you, but what you are likely not to see are many tourists. Puerto Chacabuco has really just opened its doors to the world in the last few years.
When we visited in early 2007, very little infrastructure was in place for tourists, which meant it was pristine and beautiful. Given the location of Puerto Chacabuco, at the northern end of the Darwin straights, a lot of people will not navigate the distance and if you don't travel here by boat, then you will not be seeing Puerto Chacabuco.
Port Chacabuco is a bit Alaska and a bit New Zealand and all together breathtaking. While you will see soaring mountain ranges and beautiful lakes, rivers and ocean, flat land is scarce.
Visit the "Cascading"--
A climate like no other, the Aysen District of Chile is wild - wet and its windy forests make up Patagonia. At the Aiken del Sur Park, start your hike along the River Trail consisting of Patagonia-style prairies and humid forests. End your trek at the Old Man's Beard Cascade. Return for a Patagonian barbecue.
Take a drive on the wild side. Your vehicle passes canyons, rivers, and valleys to Rio Simpson National Reserve. Visit the small museum. Pause at the rugged river and then back on the road along the Simpson River to see waterfalls and wildlife. Stop again at Coyhaique and visit the Regional Museum.
From Puerto Chacabuco, drive to Aiken del Sur Park and prepare to be knocked out - by scenery. Venture to Riesco Lake where waters are crystal blue. Visit the information center, get situated and then start walking in the perennial rich forested Patagonian world (Bring an umbrella). End at a beautiful cascade with a 72-foot drop.
While Port Chacabuco may be one of the most difficult places to get to in the World, it is worth the journey. We would only hope that you get to see the beauty as we did, so go soon.