Puerto Sánchez

If you really want to get off the beaten track, then Puerto Sánchez is the place to go. This village is accessible only by a thin road from Bahía Murta, through a mountain range, or by a once-monthly ferry from Chile Chico. On the north shore of Lago General Carrera, Puerto Sánchez is marked by a history of mining. From the 1940s to the mid-80s, zinc and copper were exploited here. Settlers arrived around 1930, but the village was named for Eulogio Sánchez, the engineer responsible for mining operations. Today, the three-street by three-street town has an economy based on cattle-raising and artesanía in marmalade, woolens and marble. Tourism is slowly picking up.

From Puerto Sánchez, you can take a boat tour to the Cuevas de Mármol. Sport fishing for trout and salmon will make anglers happy. Treks can be made to glacier Ventisquero Müller (Miller) and the headwaters of the Río Müller, Laguna Negra, a small lagoon surrounded by arrayán (Myrceugenella apiculata) with great views of Lago General Carrera, or to Cerro Colorado. Sector Mina contains the closed mine. Follow Calle Costanera east for a look at the old wharf.

The town celebrates its anniversary the first week of February.

Services

Most businesses in town, such as hotels and tour operators, use the village’s public phone (41-1160) as their contact number. Services are sparse. Information about what to do can be obtained at posts located at Carmona 12 and Fritz 4. Also, the hamlet has a health post (Fritz s/n), public phone (Fritz 6) and internet.

Artesanía

Las Hormiguitas (Fritz 6) – jams.

Taller Artesanal Esperanza (López 11) – marble goods and woolen wear.

Tours

Luis and Jack Alarcón (Carmon 11) – marble caves and capilla, fly fishing.

Víctor Soto (Fritz 1) – marble caves and capilla, fly fishing.

Hotels

Luis Alarcón of Turismo Puerto Sánchez has cabañas and an hospedaje (Tel.: 02-196-0413, E-mail: alarconfidell(at)remove-this.yahoo.es, lualo1(at)remove-this.hotmail.com).

Restaurants

There are no restaurants in Puerto Sánchez, but there is a general store.

(Altitude: n.d., Population: estimated 200, Phone Code: 067)

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Other places nearby Puerto Sánchez: Palena, La Junta, Parque Nacional Hornopirén, Reserva Nacional Coyhaique, Parque Nacional Queulat, Villa O'Higgins, Puerto Aysén, Puerto Bertrand, Reserva Nacional Río Simpson and Chaitén.