Visit. Protect. Explore.

Transcription

1 Visit. Protect. Explore. M E M B E R S H I P C L U B THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB

2 Lago Espolón Valle California Melimoyu The Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve The Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve is a network of breathtaking, best of the best properties in Chilean Patagonia. This outstanding collection will encompass more than 100,000 acres of extraordinary natural treasures that are unique in the world: pristine coastal areas, scenic river valleys, spectacular lake frontages, soaring glacier-covered volcanoes, awe-inspiring fjords, verdant forests, and unspoiled wildlife habitats. The Membership Club at the Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve is a private, adventure and conservation-oriented eco-tourism club. The Club s membership is limited to 100 families from around the world who are dedicated to safeguarding, sustaining, and enjoying this remarkable landscape and local culture. Patagonia Sur is allowing an exclusive group of partners to provide their clients with once-in-a-lifetime access to the Reserve. This is a unique opportunity for travelers to experience the Membership Club at the Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve, and to savor the chance to unplug, take a step back, and reconnect with themselves, family, friends, and nature in this magical and storied land. THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB

3 Los Leones VALLEY Jeinimeni Tortel Santiago BUENOS AIRES Puerto Montt Chiloe LOS LEONES VALLEY jeinimeni TORTEL Bariloche Esquel LAGO ESPOLÓN VALLE CALIFORNIA MELIMOYU coyhaique Villa O Higgins PATAGONIA Visit. Protect. Explore. Puerto Natales Punta Arenas Ushuaia

4 Valle California s quincho and yurts are nestled in a bend of the El Tigre River. Facilities & Amenities The Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve Membership Club has developed warm and welcoming lodging in Valle California and in Melimoyu, and is designing a range of facilities on other properties within the Reserve. All of our infrastructure blends serene comfort, rustic elegance, and Patagonian authenticity. We are committed to sustainable eco-tourism and believe that you re in Patagonia to enjoy yourself and to experience nature fully. The Club has purposely kept all building modest in scale, to preserve the dominance and fluidity of the natural landscape. Our overarching goal is to provide you with everything you need and nothing you don t. We make every possible effort to use local sources in all that we do, from the structures we build, and the expeditions we lead, to the foods we serve. THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB

5 You and your guests will have at your disposal private, well-appointed quarters. A sumptuous bed, restorative shower, and delectable meals are our touchstones, but everything we do must pass our litmus test of sustainability and responsibility. So, for example, your bed s 1,000-thread-count sheets tuck in against a headboard crafted from fallen wood reclaimed from the premises. Delicious family-style meals showcase local flavors, as well as familiar favorites, and are complemented by world-class Chilean wines. We want you delightfully well rested, refreshed, recharged, and ready for another memorable and exhilarating day outdoors. With resident caretakers, professional chefs, experienced and bilingual guides, and on-site sporting and safety equipment, we have taken the guesswork out of your travel to Patagonia. Unspoiled wilderness and adventure await you. THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB

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7 In Valle California, a constellation of luxury yurts will be your home-away-from-home. These modern, lattice-walled updates of the traditional Mongolian structure are eco-friendly with environmentally responsible, light footprints. Each yurt is equipped with an en-suite bathroom and a king bed or pair of twin beds. Valle California s rustic all-weather quincho (a traditional Chilean barbecue area) is set on a plateau overlooking the El Tigre River. The quincho s open kitchen, farmhouse dining table, crackling fire, and riverside hot tub make it the perfect spot for sharing family-style meals and pre- and post-adventure reflection. In Melimoyu, we have renovated an original homesteader s house. Casa Bahía (Bay House) is an intimate and inviting home, complemented by a hot tub and a riverside activity center with an open fireplace, 360 views, extensive decking, fishing gear, and a variety of canoes, kayaks, rafts and boats to explore the river. Casa Bahía s living room and kitchen, featuring a traditional Chilean stove. THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB

8 Activities & Excursions Members of the Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve will enjoy a myriad of carefully selected activities, including fly fishing, horseback riding, river and sea kayaking, mountain biking, nature walks and hiking, river float trips, bird watching, marine sightseeing, cooking classes, and community and conservation activities. Each evening, you will meet with your guides to plan the following day s excursions. All activities are tailored to each member s interests, abilities, and level of experience. The Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve Membership Club s expedition team is comprised of both highly trained, bilingual guides who have extensive experience leading world-class eco-tours in Patagonia, and locals with insiders knowledge of the terrain and history, who will infuse your trips with the authentic essence of Patagonia. THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB

9 Fly Fishing Fly fishing throughout the Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve is richly varied, and includes brown, rainbow, and brook trout, and coho, salar, and king salmon. Whether you are an avid angler, are learning to tie flies and fly cast, or simply want to enjoy a few hours on the water, we ll tailor the ideal experience for you. Horseback Riding Cabalgatas, the Chilean word for horseback rides, may be enjoyed by guests of all ages and experience levels. We have designed the best trails to reach magical, memorable places with unforgettable views. Our guides know the area intimately and offer the safest routes to exceptional vistas. River and Sea Kayaking A variety of kayaking opportunities exist on each of the Reserve s properties. Members may paddle on ocean bays among dolphins, visit a colony of sea lions, or enjoy kayaking along river stretches or in lagoons surrounded by glaciers. Mountain Biking For the ultimate in mountain biking, we have repurposed old trails which originally served as byways for explorers. Our versatile terrain offers scenic, flat stretches for the easy-going or beginners, yet also provides the challenge of steep and varied rides for more experienced mountain bikers. THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB

10 Nature Walks & Hiking We have established a rich network of trails with varying levels of duration and difficulty, from kid-friendly nature circuits to full-day hikes with rewarding destinations, such as rarely seen mountain lakes and 300' waterfalls. Along the way, our expert guides will highlight flora, fauna, and topography of interest. Rafting & River Float Trips Float trips allow you to enjoy the region s beauty in a relaxed yet adventurous way. Whether you fish while you float or simply take in the spectacular scenery, this is a rewarding, memorable way to experience Patagonia. A variety of options are available on our properties, from scenic float trips to easy-to-moderate rafting. Sea Safari Grab your binoculars and camera and hop aboard the Club s boat in Melimoyu and you may see blue and humpback whales, orcas, dolphins, sea lions, otters, and a large number of water birds. Bird Watching The Club s properties offer extensive birding opportunities and members will likely spot austral thrushes, Patagonian Sierra-finches, giant hummingbirds, austral negritos, chucao, kingfishers, and Magellanic woodpeckers. Community & Conservation Join in the Patagonia Sur Foundation s projects in nearby communities. You may spend part of the day tending an organic garden, planting native trees, or helping teach an English class. Special Activities The Membership Club offers a range of special activities, such as photography tutorials, cooking classes, and night sky astronomy lessons. Our Specialists-in-Residence program provides a robust rotation of leading naturalists, geologists, chefs, historians, and artists, who lead special sessions. The Club also offers dedicated, week-long programs such as helicopter fly fishing tours, yoga retreats, and inter-property float trips. The salmon and trout fishing in Melimoyu was as good as I have ever experienced. We also saw groups of four or five dolphins swimming next to the boat near shore, a colony of sea lions out in the bay, a high-flying stork overhead, and coffee-colored hawks everywhere. What an amazing place! 10 THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB

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12 VALLE CALIFORNIA Latitude: 43 42' 6.62"S Longitude: 71 44' 33.04"W The Membership Club s Valle California property, named La Estrella (The Star), lies in a picturesque valley that embodies the essence of Patagonia. Framed by snow-capped mountains and near to the 122,000-acre Lago Palena National Reserve, La Estrella contains crystalline mountain lakes and more than 10 miles of the El Tigre River, a pristine tributary of the Palena River. Located near the Argentine border, Valle California enjoys a microclimate with mild, warm weather from December to April the southern hemisphere s summer months. La Estrella offers a never-ending array of outdoor activities. Adventure opportunities include extensive horseback riding paths, hiking trails with varying levels of duration and difficulty, river kayaking and float trips, mountain biking, and limitless bird watching and fishing. Valle California s La Estrella is the quintessential ranch setting and encourages a rhythm of bygone days spent riding horses, casting fishing lines, stretching out before the campfire, and stargazing. 12 THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB

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15 MELIMOYU Latitude: 44 5' 41.89"S Longitude: 73 5' 31.57"W Nestled in a bay of the Gulf of Corcovado, Melimoyu is a nature enthusiast s dream. A richly diverse study in contrasts, the Membership Club s property contains untouched native forests, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and oceanfront, all at the base of the majestic 7,200' glacier-covered Mount Melimoyu. Unique in the world, Melimoyu lies at the nexus of the southern edge of the Valdivian temperate rain forest and the northern edge of the sub-antarctic rain forest. This one-of-a-kind ecosystem is home to a combination of species not found anywhere else on earth. Abundant wildlife includes pumas, foxes, pudús (an endangered miniature deer native to Chile), and an incredible array of birds. Fishing enthusiasts will delight in the property s abundant and diverse fresh and saltwater species. Melimoyu s marine life is unparalleled: each summer, the southern hemisphere s population of blue whales congregates just off the coast to deliver their calves, and plentiful and entertaining dolphins, penguins, seals, and sea lions complete Melimoyu s extraordinary marine offerings. THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB 15

16 Flora, Fauna & Local Culture Members and guests of the Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve will be amazed by the breadth and depth of the varieties of trees, plants, flowers, land and sea animals, fish, and birds in and around the Reserve. They will also experience the warmth and generosity of spirit of the people of Patagonia, who are known to be rugged, resourceful, resilient, and self-reliant. On land, in water, and overhead, members may witness our remarkably broad array of species, ranging from the world s largest-ever living creature, the 100' blue whale, to the world s smallest species of deer, the endangered 14" tall pudú. Other notable inhabitants include pumas, guanacos, huemul deer, kodkods, vizcachas, humpback whales, orcas, porcelain orchids, ñirre and aromatic arrayán trees, Andean condor and the exceedingly rare Darwin s frog. More plentiful, but equally thrilling, are brown hares, Andean and South American foxes, Peale s, Chilean and bottlenose dolphins, river and sea otters, sea lions, kingfishers, and the diminutive Patagonian hummingbird. 16 THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB

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18 Conservation initiatives Within THe Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve To protect and preserve Chilean Patagonia s exceptional flora, fauna, culture, and aweinspiring natural vistas, we are placing the vast majority of the land within the Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve into permanent conservation and are also undertaking a variety of other conservation initiatives. It is our intention and hope that the scientific research, conservation education, and ecologically friendly business projects we conduct will serve as inspirational and standard-setting examples of environmental stewardship for others to follow, both within Chile and beyond. Protecting Endangered Species Creating sanctuaries for endangered species, such as the blue whale and huemul deer, and supporting world-class research on these and other endangered local species. Carbon Sequestration Helping fight climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide emissions through native species reforestation and ecologically friendly forest management. 18 THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB

19 Cultural Conservation Protecting the traditional Patagonian way of life, in both coastal and ranching communities, through historical restorations, support of local goods, and sustainable economic activities. Land Conservation Initiatives Placing the majority of our holdings into permanent conservation to protect wildlife corridors, preserve natural vistas, and prevent development in ecologically sensitive areas. Conservation Education Hosting education workshops, to create and train a network of environmental educators in the region, and sponsoring recycling, organic gardening, and eco-camps for local grade-school children. THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB 19

20 PATAGONIA SUR: From the Pacific to the Andes Stays at the Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve are 8 days / 7 nights. You ll arrive on Saturday and will depart on the following Saturday. Our all-inclusive visits comprise: All accommodations at the Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve; Round-trip charter flight between Puerto Montt and Patagonia Sur properties; All meals, beverages, and snacks; Fully guided sightseeing and recreational activities. Sample Itinerary While this sample itinerary will provide you with a flavor of a weeklong trip with us, all activities cater to your interests and experience level, and may vary depending upon the weather. SATURDAY: Patagonia Sur representatives will meet you at the Puerto Montt airport (PMC). A charter plane will be waiting at the terminal to take you on the hour-long flight to Melimoyu, past Chiloé island and the mountains and volcanoes of the Patagonian coast. After landing in Melimoyu, and enjoying a short and picturesque boat ride across the bay, you will be welcomed to Casa Bahía. Depending upon your energy level, you may either choose to participate in an afternoon adventure or just relax on the porch and enjoy delicious hors d oeuvres and a traditional pisco sour before dinner. SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY: Activities in Melimoyu. Hike, kayak, fly fish or float a river you choose. Each evening, your guide will meet with you to review the excursion options for the following day. For example: enjoy an early morning kayak to Melimoyu village, or a half-day marine sightseeing excursion aboard our boat, the Chucao. After a delicious lunch, enjoy an afternoon helicopter ride to get a bird s-eye view of the whole Melimoyu property, and perhaps toast the day s adventures with a glass of champagne at the Melimoyu glacier. WEDNESDAY: Morning transfer to Valle California. After breakfast at Casa Bahía, you will board a charter plane to head to Palena, where the Patagonia Sur staff will be waiting to drive you to our Valle California property, La Estrella, 30 minutes from the Palena airport. THURSDAY FRIDAY: Activities in Valle California. You may choose to spend the morning fly fishing on the El Tigre river, while your friends or children try their luck in the family-friendly rapids of the upper El Tigre. Post lunch, an afternoon hike to Laguna Corazón, a horseback ride to El Fraile waterfall, or a mountain biking adventure may complete the day. You will return to the quincho in the afternoon for a farewell asado a gaucho style barbecue of Patagonian roasted lamb. SATURDAY: After bidding farewell to your new Patagonian friends, you will be driven to the Palena airstrip to board your charter flight back to Puerto Montt. Once in Puerto Montt, you will connect to your domestic flight to Santiago in time to catch your international flight that evening. 20 THE PATAGONIA SUR NATURE RESERVE MEMBERSHIP CLUB

21 Our time in Patagonia was fantastic. From beginning to end, the journey was a rope of pearls, each fabulously pleasurable, many unexpected, and all delightful. And what was incomparable to any other travel experience was how we were welcomed and included like family and treated as pampered guests. Every day was filled with one new experience after another, punctuated by breathtaking beauty, delicious family meals, delightful people, storytelling, games, and practicing Spanish. If pressed to say which property was our favorite, we don t think that any of us could. Each was fabulous and at every place we visited, the staff could not have been more welcoming, warm, and thoughtful. The last two weeks were among the happiest of our lives. In a world where there is so much that is troubling, the Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve is so hopeful and romantic.

22 M E M B E R S H I P C L U B 100,000 acres 100% sustainable 100% adventurous 100% authentic Visit. Protect. Explore.