THE JESUIT ROUTE

In the beginning of the 17th century,  Jesuits missionaries had established various missions in what we now know as the Lake Region and the Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina.  These Jesuit missionaries used Lake Todos Los Santos to cross the Andes to gain access to  their missions in Argentina from their central base on the large island of Chiloé. Chiloé was a very important strategic port and mission for the Spaniards in the Pacific Ocean.  This route was used until the missions finally disappeared d ue to attacks from the Indian villages in these areas.  This trek follows parts of the "Jesuit Route".

Day 1 - El Rincón - Callao Hot Springs

We leave Yan Kee Way Lodge early in the morning for Petrohué located on the shore of Todos Los Santos Lake.  After a short 15-minute ride, we arrive in Petrohué and start off by organizing our gear and equipment in the boat that that awaits us.  Once ready, we board and begin our crossing of Lake Todos Los Santos.  We'll proceed to the northern corner of the lake to a beach that is known as El Rincón where our trek will begin.  On the beach at El Rincón, we'll find our packhorses awaiting us and we'll load them up with our camping gear and provisions and set out on our trek.

Our trek will take us into the forest where we'll be trekking for approximately four hours through a Valdivian forest, typical to this area. It is filled with Coigüe, Mañio, Ulmo and Lingüe trees.  On our path we will encounter many different species of birds which inhabit the forests.  These include birds such as the Chucao, Pitio, Queltehue, Picaflor and Traro.  At midday we will stop, on the beach of the river La Junta, to refresh ourselves and have our lunch.  After lunch, we'll take the trail that leads us to the Valley Sin Nombre (Valley without a Name) on the back side of Puntiagudo Volcano (9,284 feet) where we'll find the Callao Hot Springs, which emerge from the ground on the beach of River Sin Nombre (River without a Name).  We'll settle in here at the refuge and spend the night.  After organizing our camp along an unnamed river, we'll take a relaxing hot bath in the Hot Springs. It's a perfect place to reflect on the events of the day and to relax your muscles. We'll have dinner at 8:00 p.m.