SAD NEWS: EXPLORADORES GLACIER CLOSES ITS DOORS TO VISITORS
Bad news for tourism in the Aysén region, but perhaps good news for nature. On October 31, the definitive closure of the Exploradores glacier within the Laguna San Rafael national park and a ban on hiking on the ice were decreed.
This happened after an inspection visit to the glacier by the DGA of the Aysén region, decreeing on the ground that there are risks and uncertainty about how the ecosystem may behave if it continues to receive visits. In addition, it was said that safety conditions are not guaranteed for tourists to carry out ecotourism activities.
Besides, the Provincial Presidential delegate of General Carrera, Cristobal Barceló, assured that “in any case the only thing that is prohibited is walking on the glacier, since the park is not closed nor are the self-guided routes to reach the viewpoint in front of the glacier, nor to carry out other tourist activities, with the intention of continuing to work with groups of tourists and especially with the permit holders who have current contracts in the park."
ALTERNATIVES FOR THE TRAVELER
Although some operators have suggested some alternatives, the truth is that everything indicates that there is no turning back. As Aysen Journeys we suggest our passengers consider the following for their next visit: Parque Exploradores. Within the same area where the glacier is located, the traveler can visit a forested area that has trails and where nature can be appreciated with a magnifying glass, taking an intensive flora and fauna tour.
A little further away, but it is an excellent idea to seriously consider the possibility of taking a full day tour to Laguna San Rafael and its San Rafael glacier. It is possible to do this from Puerto Río Tranquilo. And finally, a more expensive but once-in-a-lifetime alternative is the overflight of the Northern Ice Fields by helicopter, which can be arranged directly with Aysen Journeys.
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Categorías - Parks - Adventure - Nature - Bird Watching - Route Patagonian Parks - Trekking