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| Tortel | ||
| region | Región de Aysén | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 436 (2017) | |
| height | 12 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Caleta tortel is a small pile dwelling settlement in the Región de Aysén in the Great SouthChile. Idyllic by the fjord of the Pacific coast and the mouth of the Rio Baker It is a popular tourist destination in the remote region and along the Carretera Austral.
background
The small fjord settlement lived mainly from fishing for a long time. In the meantime, however, tourism has taken on a major role.
getting there
By plane
The settlement has a runway that can only be approached by small aircraft. There is no regular service.
By bus
There are bus connections from Cochrane and Villa O'Higgins.
In the street
Caleta Tortel is about 23 km west of the Carretera Austral at the end of the gravel road X-904. 150 km from the end of Carretera Austral in Villa O'Higgins and 125 km from the nearest town Cochrane in the North.
By boat
There are no major ferry connections to Caleta Tortel, and a passenger ship goes to Caleta Tortel about once a month Puerto Edén, the most isolated village in Chile Bernado O'Higgins National Park on a lonely island.
mobility
In the village itself, you can only get around the footbridges and many stairs. Bicycles and vehicles must be left at the parking lot at the entrance to the village.
Tourist Attractions
In Caleta Tortel there are boat tours in the bay and to the Isla de los Muertos, to the Jorge Montt glacier in the south and Steffen's glacier in the north. The offer is large and you can often "hire" the boat owners directly, who offer their tours on various notices on site.
Isla de los Muertos
The island of the dead in the Rio Baker delta got its name because countless workers died here at the beginning of the 20th century due to poor supplies and disease. They were supposed to cut the land trees on behalf of a large company and develop the land with roads. However, since the company did not provide sufficient supplies by ship, most of them died before the last could be rescued by a boat. Of the more than one hundred simple wooden crosses of the deceased, only 33 can be found today. The rest fell victim to the rainforest vegetation or the river.
Jorge Montt glacier
The Jorge Montt Glacier is the northernmost outlet glacier of the South Patagonian Ice Field. He calves directly into the Pacific fjord from which one also approaches the glacier. Price approx. 50,000CLP p.p.
Steffen's glacier
The Steffens Glacier is in turn the southernmost glacier of the smaller North Patagonian ice field. Here you can also book short hikes on the glacier as a guided tour. The glacier calves in a lagoon near the fjord. The boat tour only leads to the end of the fjord, but a hiking trail to the glacier begins there. Price approx. 50,000 CLP p.p.
activities
There is a lookout point on the hill where the village is located. The 150 meters of altitude are overcome quickly. A nice short excursion that offers a beautiful view over the Río Baker and its mouth, as well as the surrounding fjord landscape. The tour can be started from the end of the village (near the campsite) as well as from the entrance and walk as a circular route. The approach from the end of the village is via a very swampy, muddy path, so you should avoid it if necessary.
shop
Coming from the north, Caleta Tortel is the last place to shop Villa O'Higgins, from a kiosk at the ferry station in Puerto Yungay apart. However, there are only small mini markets in both places and the prices are relatively high. Fruit, vegetables and other fresh produce are rarely available and quickly sold out. Only fresh baked goods are usually available.
kitchen
Cheap
Calafate ice cream
There are cheap amniotic fluid ice cream to buy in various places, especially the Calafa ice cream is recommended as a Patagonian specialty. A small fruit ice cream usually only costs 200 CLP and is available e.g. at the end of the village and at the Hostal Gisella. It is also sold by private individuals without a real store. You just have to pay attention to the notices ("Venta de Hielo").
nightlife
accommodation
There are many accommodations in different price ranges.
Free
- Camping Municipal. At the end of the village, directly behind the beach, there is a small communal campsite (2.5 km from the entrance to the village), the water and sanitary facilities are currently out of order (02/16), a weather-protected dining area with tables and a fireplace is available in the Nearby there is water, a toilet and a warm shower for a small fee.
Cheap
- Hostal Gisella, on the coastal premade right next to the stairs to the parking lot. Rooms subject to availability (double room does not cost extra).Price: 8000 CLP p.p. without breakfast.
health
There is a very small health center near the school in the eastern part of the village. There is better care in Cochrane (125km) or Coyhaique.
Practical advice
money
There is no ATM or bank branch in Caleta Tortel. Sometimes credit cards can also be used, but the easiest way to get around is with cash.
- The settlement is only connected to the internet via satellite, so the connection is rather slow.
- The network operator "Entel" offers good network coverage on site. Telephone reception is extensive and mobile internet is mostly reliable (3G network).
