REGION: North Patagonia
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 4 (Med. – High)
SUMMARY: The Cochamo valley has a striking similarity to Yosemite Valley in USA, due to its granite domes and old-growth forests. Explore La Junta valley and trek among some of the most picturesque granite peaks: Anfiteatro, Arco Iris and Trinidad Hills. This valley is also one of the world’s three remaining virgin temperate rainforests; and it has astonishingly beautiful waterfalls. Trails are more than 300 year old and were used between the Argentine border and Chile’s northernmost fjord, Reloncaví. According to legend Cochamó was a track once followed by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
DURATION: 7 Days/6 Nights
MIN. / MAX. PEOPLE: Min: 04 Travelers/12 Travelers
SEASON: November to April
ITINERARY:
DAY 1: WELCOME TO LAKE DISTRICT, NORTH PATAGONIA – TRANSFER PUERTO VARAS
Arrival to Puerto Montt airport from Santiago, Chile. Welcome by your tour guide in North Patagonia. Drive to Puerto Varas Hotel. Leisure time on town. (D) Dinner with the group and introduction to Trekking Program. Hotel accommodation.
DAY 2: FULL DAY OVERLAND & TREKKING “COCHAMÓ VALLEY – LA JUNTA” (8 HOURS)
Early breakfast. At 7.30 AM. depart from Puerto Varas to Cochamó Valley. Drive from Puerto Varas through the National Park to take the route to Cochamó. See stunning views as you proceed around Santo Domingo Mountain Range and Petrohué river. After a 2 hour drive, arrive to the picturesque Cochamó town and continue the drive till the end of the route into the Valley. Once at the trail head, load up the backpacks, check equipment and participate in a briefing from our trekking guide. Begin the trek and stop along the way to eat a box lunch. Enjoy the diversity of the rainforest and the geological and cultural history of this trail. In the late afternoon, the forest canopy begins to open and offer some glimpses of the peaks of Cochamó. Arrive at La Junta valley. See the base camp for the climbers that scale the granite walls of the valley. Then cross the river to your exclusive accommodation on the other side of the camp. Our hosts at the Mountain Lodge Refugio will invite you to get comfortable and take in the Patagonian evening. Finish the day with a home cooked meal prepared on a wood burning stove while talking about the possibilities and expectations for day two. (B-BL-D) and Refuge at La Junta, Cochamó Valley.
Activity Level: Medium. Trek Distance: 12 Km (7.5 miles) / Maximum Altitude: 350 masl (1.200 ft. of ascent).
DAY 3: FULL DAY TREKKING “ANFITEATRO” AT COCHAMÓ VALLEY” (6 HOURS)
Breakfast. Depart 08.00 AM. Walk to one of the most popular places in the valley “Cerro Anfiteatro”, a place with rocks of more than 1,000 meters. The trail takes you along Mañios, Ulmos, Coigues and Alerce or Redwood forests, surrounded by granite balconies, with great vistas of the Cochamó Valley and surroundings.
Then take a new route back to La Junta to visit some beautiful waterfalls; cross rivers and penetrate into ancient forests were the path is sometimes hidden. (B-BL-D) Refuge at La Junta, Cochamó Valley.
Activity Level: Medium-High. Trek Distance: 14 Km (8 miles) / Maximum Altitude: 900 mts difference in height (2.952 ft)
DAY 4: FULL DAY TREKKING “ARCO IRIS HILL AT COCHAMÓ VALLEY” (10 HOURS)
Early Breakfast. Depart 07.00 AM. The valley’s most beautiful and demanding hike with excellent views of La Junta, Cochamó Valley, Volcanoes Osorno, Puntiagudo, Calbuco and the great Andes Mountain Range.
The trail takes you along Alerce forests, granite balconies up a demanding trail recently opened in January 2007. Today is a big day, when the sun rises you will be surrounded by granite mountains. Climb up and into the forest having a close look of Mañíos, Coigues, Alerces and Lenga trees. After 5 hours walking and climbing using 2 fixed ropes (easy and safe to do) you will be in the highlands of Arco Iris hill at Cochamó Valley. You may see Condores. After a box lunch, will walk back to the refuge at La Junta. (B-BL-D) and Refuge at La Junta, Cochamó Valley.
Activity Level: High. Trek Distance: 17 Km (11 miles) / Maximum Altitude: 1.2015 mts difference in height (3.969 ft)
DAY 5: FULL DAY TREKKING “TRINIDAD HILL AT COCHAMÓ VALLEY” (7 HOURS)
Breakfast. Depart 08.00 AM. Walk to one of the most popular places in the valley “Cerro Trinidad” (the climbers playground, a giant granite wall), with more than 1,000 meters height (3280 ft). Then, take a new route back to La Junta to visit more beautiful waterfalls; cross rivers and through ancient forests with hidden paths. (B-BL-D) Refuge at La Junta, Cochamó Valley.
Activity Level: Medium. Trek Distance: 16 Km (9 miles) / Maximum Altitude: 950 mts difference in height (3.116 ft)
DAY 6: FULL DAY TREKKING & OVERLAND LA JUNTA – COCHAMÓ VALLEY – PUERTO VARAS (8 HOURS)
Breakfast. Depart 9.00 AM. Pack up, say goodbye to the Mountain Lodge’s hosts, and start our trip back to Puerto Varas on the shore of Llanquihue Lake. Walk back to the road (this time with a favorable incline). The private van will be waiting to take your group to Puerto Varas. (B-BL). Hotel accommodation.
Activity Level: Medium. Trek Distance: 12 Km (7.5 miles) / Maximum Altitude: 350 mts descending (1.150 ft).
DAY 7: TRANSFER FROM PUERTO VARAS – TOUR PUERTO MONTT LOCAL MARKETS (5 HOURS)
Breakfast. Drive to Puerto Montt city. Take the Puerto Montt Markets tour.
After the tour transfer to “El Tepual” airport located 20 minutes from Puerto Montt city.
INCLUDED: English speaking Trekking Guide accredited with Wilderness First Response or Pre-Hospital Care courses. Co-Trekking Guide (Group over 6 Travelers). Professional First Aid Kit, VHF Radio (handy) and Mobile phone. All Trekking Excursions mentioned in the program. All accommodations based at: Hotel in Puerto Varas, B&B or Cabin in Ensenada and Refuge at Cochamó. All meals (Breakfast, Box – Lunch – Dinner) and water. Personal Insurance. All transfers in private services with seat insurance. All the accommodations, transport and meals during the trip for your Trekking Guide.
NOT INCLUDED: Personal equipment, tips or anything not listed in the program.
GUEST PROVIDES: Comfortable clothes according to the activity.
OPERATED BY: Patagonia SouthernLand Expeditions and staff.
COST: Request a quote
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