August 27, 2009
According to a recent release of the Patagonia Times, two roads, scheduled to open next year, will provide substantial improvement to access Laguna San Rafael National Park, one of Chile’s most magical and isolated wilderness areas, located in the mystical Patagonia region. The 6,700-square-mile Park is currently accessible only by air or sea and receives just 1,500 visitors each year.
Starting in 2010, Chile’s Bicentennial Year, outdoor enthusiasts will be able to reach Laguna San Rafael by land. The National Forestry Service (CONAF) plans to open one road through impressive Bahía Exploradores. A second road will approach the park from Tortel, a picturesque village located some 450 kilometers south of Coyhaique, Region XI’s largest city.
Also known as Aysén, Region XI is considered the heart of Chilean Patagonia. The second largest of Chile’s 15 regions in terms of surface, Aysén has a population of just 100,000 residents, half of whom live in Coyhaique.
Laguna San Rafael National Park, created 50 years ago, is home to the Northern Patagonian Ice Field, which together with the nearby Southern Patagonian Ice Field represent the world’s largest source of fresh water outside the poles. The Park also boasts Chilean Patagonia’s highest peak, 13,314-foot Monte San Valentin.
The immensity of Chilean Patagonia is not only the place for observing some of the most dramatic and spectacular landscapes and awesome scenes but a remote yet accessible corner of the world, where nature displays its magnificence in many ways. For the travelers, either looking for “adventures with comfort” as well as for those looking for off-the-beaten-track routes and tours, there are numerous and varied alternatives which Adventure Associates can plan, customize and organize for you, to set you off on a lifetime kind of trip.
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