Introduction

The Tagua-Tagua Park is a protected area located on the banks of Lake Tagua-Tague in the Puelo river basin, some 146km from Puerto Varas. This park is known for its pristine forests which are dominated by thousand-year-old trees such as the alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) and others species like mañío and coihue (Nothofagus dombeyi) which can live for hundreds of years.

 

The park’s main attractions include the lakes Alerces and Quetrus. To reach these bodies of water, you must walk for 6.5km (approx. 4h) and 10km (approx. 6h) respectively from the entrance to the park. There is a main footpath via which you can reach both lakes, and there are various secondary paths leading away towards waterfalls, ancient trees and a viewpoint over the valley.

 

As the park is a place of conversation, the entry of tourists is controlled to ensure to least negative impact on the environment as possible. This means that you must contact the park prior to your visit.

Appropriate season

You can visit the park all year round except in May, when it is closed to the public. However, it is recommended that you go between October and April when the weather is warmer and there is less rain.

If you wish to visit between June and October, you will have to contact the reservation office. The employees will then advise if you can or can’t visit, taking into account the weather forecast and the current condition of the footpaths.

Access

Note that the only way to reach Tagua-Tagua Park is by crossing the same named lake. There is no access over land, hence you will have to go by boat.

Currently, Tagua-Tague Park offers transport to and from the park, using the boats owned by Mítico Puelo Lodge from Puerto Maldonado.

Puerto Montt / Puerto Varas – Punta Canelo (Lake Tagua Tagua)

Private Transport

1st Option (approx. 3h): from Puerto Montt, head north along route 5 towards Puerto Varas and then east via route 225, first towards Ensenada and then south towards Ralún. From Ralún continue south on route V-69 to Puelo, via the village of Cochamó. Once you reach Puelo, turn east towards Lake Tagua-Tagua. This road leads all the way to Punta Canelo, the northern part of the lake, where you can park your car.

 

2nd Option (approx. 3½h): from Puerto Montt, head south via Pelluco, where the Carretera Austral begins, to Caleta La Arena. Here you will have to take the ferry that crosses the mouth of the Reloncaví Estuary from Caleta La Arena to Caleta Puelche. Once you have crossed, take the turning north (very badly signposted) just by the Customs Office (Aduanas). From the turning, continue for approx. 40min to Puelo. Once you have reached the village, take the road to Lake Tagua-Tagua towards the mountains. When you come to Punta Canelo, the northern part of the lake, you can park your car.

 

If you are coming from the south from Hornpirén via the Carretera Austral, get to Caleta Puelche and follow the instructions given in Option 2 for private transport.

 

Public Transport

 

From the bus terminal in Puerto Montt take the bus to Lake Tagua-Tagua, which leaves at 7:45am everyday. The company running this service is Buses Río Puelo. This same bus departs from Puerto Varas at 8:15am from where the roads San Pedro and Del Salvador cross. The bus arrives at Punta Canelo on Lake Tagua-Taga at 12:30pm, just in time to take the connecting Caupolicán ferry at 13:00pm.

 

Punta Canelo – Puerto Maldonado (Lake Tagua-Tagua crossing)

 

From Punta Canelo, cross Lake Tagua-Tagua to Puerto Maldonado, from where you can take the boat run by Mítico Puelo Lodge. This must be booked along with the reservation for entering the park.

 

Caupolicán Ferry timetable:

• Punta Canelo – Puerto Maldonado:
• 7:30am (only during summer)
• 9:00am and 13:00pm (all year round)
• Puerto Maldonado – Punta Canelo:
• 8:15am (only during summer)
• 12:00pm and 16:30pm (all year round)

* The ferry service can be cancelled subject to weather conditions.

Permits / Prices

The reservation for entry into Tagua-Tagua Park and the boat between Puerto Maldonado and the park entrance can be made by email: [email protected]

In summer make the reservation a few days before to ensure that there are enough spaces in the refuges, especially in Quetrus Refuge. For the rest of the year, make sure that you reserve at least one day before to allow time to organise the boat.

 

• Entry fee adult: CLP$5000 per person (approx. USD$7)
• Entry fee child/student: CLP$3500 per person (approx. USD$5)
• Boat Tagua-Tagua Park to/from Puerto Maldonado: CLP$10.000 per person (approx. USD$15)
• Alerces Refuge: CLP$12.000 per person per night (approx. USD$17)
• Quetrus Refuge: CLP$60.000 (approx. USD$85) per night for 1 or 2 persons. Each extra person CLP$30.000 (approx. USD$30)

 

You will have to pay the total amount before your visit to ensure that there is space in the refuge.

Accommodation / Facilities

It is not permitted to camp in the park, but there are two refuges where you can stay the night. Alerces Refuge has a communal space for 20 people whilst Quetrus Refuge is private and can hold up to 8 people.

 

Alerces Refuge:

• Woodstove
• Sink
• Potable water
• First aid kit
• Pans and kitchen equipment
• Plates, cutlery and cups
• Outside toilet
• Firewood
• Bunkbeds for 20 people

 

Quetrus Refuge:

• Woodstove
• Sink
• Potable water
• Organic soap
• First aid kit
• Solar panels
• Pans and kitchen equipment
• Plates, cutlery and cups
• Outside toilet
• Firewood
• 8 bunkbeds with mats and sleeping bags
• Telescope

 

Recommendations

• Do not take a tent with camping within the park is not permitted. You can only stay the night in the refuges
• Those who stay in Alerces Refuge should take mats and sleeping bags; Quetrus Refuge provides this equipment for 8 people.
• Every visitor must take their rubbish with them so make sure to take appropriate plastic bags with you.
• There are monitos del monte in the park to look out for them.
• If you wish to visit with children, we recommend that they are at least 10 years old so that they are physically capable to complete the trekking routes.
• If you go by car, park it in the free parking area in Punta Canelo and take the ferry on foot; Punta Canelo is a safe place but we recommend that you do not leave valuables in the car.
• Pets are not permitted in the park.
• Fishing is not allowed.

Gear

• Trekking boots or walking shoes
• Comfortable shoes to wear in the refuge
• Waterproof trousers
• Waterproof jackets
• A change of clothes and warm clothing for the night
• Sun protection
• Sleeping bag and mat (optional for Quetrus, obligatory for Alerces)
• Head torch

Schedule

1. Puerto Montt / Puerto Varas – Lake Alerces (Tagua-Tagua Park)
2. Lake Alerces – Nearby waterfalls – Lake Quetrus – Lake Alerces
3. Lake Alerces - Puerto Montt / Puerto Varas

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El Parque Tagua Tagua es una excelente iniciativa de conservación de la biodiversidad de los bosques templado lluviosos del sur de Chile  y un ejemplo a seguir en infraestructura, protección de mínimo impacto y capacidad de carga del lugar.

Es tercera vez que tengo oportunidad de visitarlo en distintas estaciones y de todas, el otoño le da una magia de colores y tonalidades gracias a la lengas que habitan en las partes altas de las montañas.

Gracias a la protección de este lugar, es posible encontrar alerces milenarios, cipreses; gran diversidad de helechos, hongos, líquenes y aves.

Los senderos y refugios se encuentran en excelente estado, se nota mucha preocupación y cuidado.

Felicitaciones!

Tremendo lugar! Hemos ido dos veces, y una experiencia alucinante. Senderos muy bien marcados, pero con minimo impacto. Los refugios son realmente acogedores. Se agradece un lugar tan bien tenido y mantenido. Se nota dedicación.

Uno de los lugares mas increíbles del sur de Chile, los refugios son de primer nivel, el paisaje impactante, los senderos muy bien construidos y mantenidos y lo mejor, solo permiten 15 personas por día dentro del parque, por lo que es muy poco probable que te encuentres con gente en las caminatas, asi que puedes lograr sentir que estas solo junto a la naturaleza, eso es algo que ya no se logra en ninguna parte de la Patagonia, hasta el lugar mas alejado de la carretera austral está lleno de gente, en el Tagua Tagua no y espero que siga así por mucho tiempo....

Increíble el parque! Vale la pena conocerlo en su 100%. Estar 2 noches y disfrutar al máximo de cada lugar!

Los senderos se encuentran en perfecto estado y siempre tomar las precauciones necesarios en las pasarelas y escaleras. 

Nunca había visto tantos Alerces juntos!