Villa O'Higgins

Understand

Villa O'Higgins is a fantastic base to undertake various tourist activities in its natural environment, such as trekking, sport fishing, horseback riding, expeditions, photography, observation of vegetation, animals and birds. The main attractions are its mountains and glaciers which are crossed by multiple trails that run through the generous geography of rivers, lakes and Patagonian forests. There are no large tourist centers, but to stay there are inns, equipped cabins and several family lodgings with very good service. To eat, in addition to the lodgings themselves there are restaurants.

Getting there

By car

Villa O'Higgins can be accessed by road via the Carretera Austral or by boat from Candelario Mansilla, Chile, where the Chilean border post is for those coming from El Chaltén, Argentina (there is no auto access over this border crossing; see note in the Go Next section). The village is at the southern end of the Carretera Austral (CH-7). It is about 1200 km to the next big city, Puerto Montt, at the northern end. The closest town is Cochrane, approximately 230 km north. At Puerto Yungay 100 km north you have to use a ferry that runs a maximum of three times a day (see timetable Puerto Yungay).

By bus During the main season there are regular bus connections to Cochrane twice a week (Wednesday, Saturday). There are also buses to Caleta Tortel especially for tourists. This connection is therefore a little more expensive.

By plane There is a small aerodrome with limited flights to and from Coyhaique.

By boat The port of Bahia Bahamondas is 7 km south on Lake O'Higgins. There is a shuttle bus connection at peak times. The excursion boat from the operator "Robinson Crusoe" to the O'Higgins Glacier also stops at the border post Candelario Machilla on the south bank of the lake. A narrow hiking trail can be used to arrive or depart from here via Lago Desierto to El Chaltén in Argentina. In the summer (Dec-Feb) a regular boat service takes passengers from Villa O'Higgins across the O'Higgins/San Martín Lake to Candelario Mancilla, from where it is possible to cross the border into Argentina via a footpath (no road). In bad weather, the service can be suspended for many days.

The ferry runs three to four times a week and costs 44,000 pesos for the connection between Candelario Machilla and the village. The ship starts in town in the morning and stops at the border post at around 10:00 before heading to the glacier. At around 17:30, it comes back from Machilla to Villa O'Higgins. There are also other providers with whom this ship connection is cheaper, bu

Getting around

Villa O'Higgins is a small town and it is easy for the visitor to get to know the entire town in a short while. There are many hikes and treks out of Villa O'Higgins, including to the surrounding glaciers.

See

The Museo de la Patagonia Padre Antonio Ronchi next to the church presents the gradual settlement of the rough environment by the pioneers. The majority of the small exhibition is only available in Spanish, some also in English. Entry is free. Opening times can be inquired at the tourist information office opposite.

Do

Hiking From a short hike to a four-day tour, there are many options in the area, on mostly quiet hiking trails. The short hike up to the viewing platforms east of the settlement provides a good overview.

Sendero Altavista: The hike begins on the west side of the bridge over the Río Mayer a few kilometers south of the settlement. It leads you to the shores of Lake Ciervo and offers several viewpoints at the top. There is a good chance of seeing the impressive Andean condor in the air. Glaciar Mosco: You can hike along the Rio Mosco river in a 1½-day tour to the end of the path on the glacier of the same name. There is a free, uncultivated Refugio Rio Mosco along the way. There are also nice viewpoints on the way there, so that you don't have to hike to the end of the path. Sendero Cerro Submarino: A more challenging hike to the Submarino Glacier on Cerro Submarino Mountain. The starting point is south of the settlement on the Rio Mosco. You cross the river over a bridge and you need about a day for the poorly or unmarked path southeast. There are no official refugios or camping facilities. Glaciar Tigre: At 20 km north of the settlement and Lake Cisnes on the Carretera Austral, the starting point of the hike to Glaciar Tigre is very remote. It leads you to the foot of the glacier of the same name. A free campsite (without service) is also along the way. The best thing to do is to get the latest information (maps, arrival) at the tourist information office. O'Higgins Glacier: Instead of taking the excursion boat to the glacier, it can also be easily reached with a four-day hike. This starts from the border post Candelario Mancilla on the other side of the lake (see arrival). From there it goes east along the lake to the glacier. Overnight stays are only possible in tents on the free campsites (without service). Hiking maps are available from the tourist information office or, for example, from the Mosco hostel.

Fishing The clear lakes and rivers in the area are

Buy

Shop-a-holics will find Villa O'Higgins a disappointment; you can buy food and basic supplies, but the village is remote so prices are high and many things are unavailable. There are no ATMs. You may be able to purchase limited camping and trekking supplies at Hielo Sur, but you should ensure that you have everything you need before leaving Cochrane or El Chaltén. White gas is only rarely available in Villa O'Higgins. Cigarettes are hard to get in the town.

Eat

There are few restaurants in this tiny town. If you are staying more than a night you may want to ensure that your accommodations include kitchen access. There are several minimarkets and meat and bread shops in town. Ask the locals and they will tell you who sells what. If the stores are closed someone can usually tell you where the owner is. Food is relatively expensive and produce can be hard to come by.

San Gabriel restaurant, Lago O'Higgins Street. Entre Patagones restaurant, at the very northern end of the village, east on the Carretera Austral.

Drink & nightlife

There is a limited selection of wine, beer and spirits in the town's several minimarkets. The bar scene is non-existent in Villa O'Higgins.

Sleep

There are only a few places to stay in town. There is also lodging along the last section of road between the town of Villa O'Higgins and Lago O'Higgins.

El Mosco. A warm house with a cozy shared kitchen and three rooms with bunk beds. Each room has place for 6 persons. Upstairs there are three double rooms, more expensive, with private bath. Camping is also allowed on the grounds, with access to laundry, showers, an outdoor restroom and the house kitchen. The owner, Jorge, is friendly and helpful and makes you feel very at home in his house. Internet is free, W-Lan available if you have your own laptop. He speaks fluent English and Spanish, and runs a shuttle to Puerto Yungay and Lago O'Higgins on