Mallín Colorado Ecolodge
Senderos Soul
Setting off to visit Mallín Colorado i remember clearly a rare and wonderful tingle up my spine, the thrill of adventure, of driving into one of the most pristine and spectacular corners of the Earth, where so few other people ventured. That oh so memorable southern Chile smell of wood smoke hanging in the air as autumn air chills, almost indistinguishable from the taste of maté; it was April, the end of the season, the end of the tarmac, the midday sun still warm, the leaves turning red on the trees. In 5 days we saw the same number of cars, glistening glaciers and icy blue lakes at every turn. Bliss. Family run Mallin Colorado is a special place, Chilean frontier hospitality, the Christensen family embrace you and let you see their Chile. There may be a few more cars on the road these days and the tarmac runs further but this wild and beautiful place will still haunt your dreams and call you back ...to the Austral south.
- Simon, Senderos
Key Facts
No. of rooms: 6 rooms in the main lodge (Casa Lenga) all with lake views, bathrobes and slippers. 4 private cabins with lake views, woodburners, living/dining areas and Jacuzzis.
Room Categories:
Casa Lenga
Classic Double or Twin (16m2): queensize or twin beds, ensuite bathroom with shower, central heating, wardrobes, small frigobar, amenities, handmade lamps, shared balcony/terrace.
Classic Triple (20m2): queensize bed and single bed, ensuite bathroom with shower, central heating, wardrobes, small frigobar, amenities, handmade lamps, shared balcony/terrace.
Log Cabins
Coigue / Honeymoon Suite (sleeps 2, 36m2): private cabin with kingsize bed, living area with woodburner, ensuite bathroom, hydromassage tub with built-in shower
Rauli (sleeps 4, 49m2): private cabin with kingsize bedroom, open-plan living area with woodburner and partitioned twin bedroom, 2 bathrooms with hydromassage tub with built-in shower
Nirre (sleeps 6, 67m2): private cabin with kingsize bedroom, twin bedroom, open-plan living/dining area with woodburner and partitioned twin bedroom, 1 bathroom with hydro-massage and 2 others with normal tub, all with shower
Cipres (sleeps 7, 90m2): private cabin with kingsize bedroom, twin bedroom, open-plan living/dining area with woodburner and partitioned twin bedroom, space for additional bed, 1 bathroom with hydro-massage and 2 others with normal tub, all with shower.
Facilities: Club House with lounge, dining room, bar and terrace.
Internet: Free (patchy) WiFi in main house (fibre optic cable internet planned for 2021)
Excursion detail: Max 12 guests on Tuesday package; Includes walking, riding, boat trips to marble caves and glaciers.
Dates of operation: Jan-end May and mid-Sept to end Dec
Rates from: 2022-24 USD155 B&B per room; USD1,620 per person 3 nights all inclusive package with private transfers and activities per room/cabin or on fixed departures on Tuesdays: USD$1,200.
*For full rates see Gallery and Resources box below
Rates include: B&B, half board with activities (breakfast and dinner, transfers from Balmaceda, excursions), or all-inclusive (3 meals a day, Tuesday transfers from Balmaceda, excursions; excludes drinks except water). Transfers and activities on shared basis on Tuesday departure.
Minimum age: None for accommodation, 12 for horseriding and some hikes.
Minimum stay: 2 nights
Senderos recommends: 3 nights but plenty to do for longer
Sustainability
- The lodge and cabins are made entirely from wood harvested from their private forest.
- They have made an effort to reforest their land with native trees that had been cut down for farming.
- They use underground cables
- They have a greenhouse to cultivate organic vegetables for the menu
- They have a close relationship with the local community
- Their family union is a strong bond which in their words ‘is the most sustainable part of their business’
Need to know:
- A wonderfully remote lodge, set in 55 private acres of hillside and native forest, criss-crossed by hiking and horse riding trails. Staggering views over Lake General Carrera and Lake Bertrand.
- Family run by 7 siblings, one of whom is generally in attendance. Service is warm and personalised.
- Delicious home-cooked meals: a daily changing set menu of traditional Chilean recipes cooked in clay pots over a wood fire, along with super-fresh salads from their greenhouse.
- Flexibility: a choice of B&B, half and full-board with excursions; with or without transfers.
- Rustic-chic rooms in the main lodge with a sociable atmosphere, or private cabins for 2-7 warmed by woodburners.
- Guided excursions include the Marble Caves, the confluence of the River Baker, walking or riding up into native forest above the lodge for incredible views of the Cordón Contreras glaciers and Lake Bertrand. Other options include trips to glaciers and Patagonia Park.
Perfect for:
Couples or families, the perfect base – comfortable and homely – for adventures in this incredible region.
Getting there
Mallin Colorado sits on the shores of Lake General Carrera, 273km south of Coyhaique in Chilean Patagonia.
By Road
It’s a 4-5 hour transfer by car from Balmaceda airport, along the iconic South American Carretera Austral (Southern Highway).
By Air
Nearest airport: Balmaceda
Gallery & Resources
Follow this link to Senderos Resources for Mallín Colorado to access
- Images, our selection
- Fact sheets
- Presentations
- Rack rates
- Excursion lists
- And other useful information.
See Mallin Colorado’s own image library here.
Weather
Unusually for Patagonia, this region known as Chile Chico, has an average of 300 days of sun a year!
The wettest month is May and the driest are January and February.
Temperatures range from 2-20 degrees C from October to February.