How to get to Rio Baker:

1. Fly to Balmaceda (airport code BBA) via Santiago de Chile (the capital).
    I went Air France London - Paris - Santiago, with connection same day to Balmaceda on LAN Chile.
    Cost was about 2700 UK pounds return business class.
    You can also go via Madrid (with Iberia) and other European capitals for a similar cost.
    These flights have very short connection times and your bags probably won't make it.  So if you are going
    for a short time, carry hand luggage only and buy your knives and stuff in Cochrane.
    Flight from Europe is overnight so you arrive in Balmaceda in less than 20 hours.  That's the easy bit.

2. Take a transfer (bus) to Coyhaique (55 km) from Balmaceda airport which is in the middle of nowhere. 
    Cost 5 US dollars.

3. Take the bus next morning to Cochrane.  Duration 9 hours, cost 21 US dollars.
    You will have to reserve a seat by phone several days in advance.
    Bus firms:
          Interlagos, Calle Lautaro, Coyhaique.  Tel: + (56) 67  240 840 and 258 203
          Transportes Don Carlos, Calle Subteniente Cruz 63, Coyhaique Tel + (56) 67 231 981
    Look up these firms on Google first.  Interlagos has a bus every day I think.
    Don Carlos is advertising flights to Cochrane, but I don't think there are any unless you charter
    a plane for 1000 US dollars.

4. If you want to take the bus to Caleta Tortel, it takes 3 hours.  try:
    Buses Acquario 13, Calle Rio Baker 349, Cochrane.  Tel: (56) 67 522 143

[Back to Navigation page]