Pay tribute to the huemul with this two-day hike and festival

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Undiscovered Patagonia

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Trail stats

Distance: 12.8 mi
Elevation gain: 3,871 ft
Technical difficulty: Easy
Elevation loss: 3,396 ft
Max elevation: 2,734 ft
TrailRank: 51
Min elevation: 525 ft
Trail type: One Way

Coordinates: 2208
Uploaded: July 4, 2014
Recorded: July 2014

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near Cochrane, Aisén (Chile)

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Itinerary description

Each year, during the last weekend of January, a festival is held to celebrate the huemul (hippocamelus bisulcus) and the critical habitat of Valley Chacabuco and the Tamango and Tamanguito mountains. The main event is a two-day group trek called the “Route of the Huemul”. The hike attracts local, national and international participants who love ecotourism and nature.

Waypoints

Conservación Patagónica’s Patagonia Park Visitor Center

You can hike the Route of the Huemul independently during the rest of the year; many of the area’s specialized guides are experts in the route. The trek initiates from Conservación Patagónica’s Patagonia Park Visitor Center, bordering the slopes of the Cerro Tamanguito, to begin its gradual climb up to the Atlas area. You’ll want your camera handy because there is little doubt that you will find herds of guanacos roaming these hills. Next you'll follow the trail to the Escondida Lagoon where you find yourself immersed in the heart of huemul habitat. If you hope to observe them, hike quietly and keep a close watch because they are shy and very well camouflaged among the shrubs and trees. If you're lucky enough to encounter a huemul, maintain a respectful distance and demeanor; do not interrupt their daily life and habits and limit your interactions to photos, taken at a distance, so that you do not cause stress or shock.

Paleta Beach

The route continues toward Cochrane Lake; on clear days you’ll have great panoramic views of Cerro San Lorenzo and can even spot Argentina! The trail makes a long descent to the Paleta Beach in the Tamango National Reserve where you can camp for the night.

The Conaf Visitor Reception Center

The second day of hiking follows gentle slopes that parallel the Cochrane River, on the way to the Conaf Visitor Reception Center. From this place you can walk toward Cochrane by a gravel road or coordinate the return by taxi or other transportation. If you don't accommodate the date of the festival, don't worry! You can also make the trip independently between November and April, when there is no snow in these hills.

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