Itinerary
Day 1:
Private transfer from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas to a Riverside Lodge on the banks of the Rio Cochamó. Unwind from the journey with a relaxing stroll along the river, and meet the team. Enjoy a three-course dinner in the restaurant, and overnight in a cabaña.
Day 2:
After breakfast, and some re-packing of gear, head off on foot for the outback Mountain Lodge trekking through the towering temperate rain forest. By mid-afternoon, enter the La Junta valley – Chile’s Yosemite – where tea and fresh cake await on the terrace of the lodge. Take in the views, and enjoy a traditional dinner, drinks, and overnight rest at the lodge.
Trek duration: Approx 4 to 6 hours depending on fitness.
Distance: 9 Km
Height gained: 350 m
Horeseback option: The trek can be replaced by a horseback ride into the valley.
Day 3:
Today we tackle the Arco Iris trail, overlooking the valley like a silent sentinel. Beyond the timberline, we perch on the valley rim for lunch before ascending the peak. The views stretch 360 degrees from the Pacific Ocean to Argentina. Back down near the trail head, a final thrill awaits: a victory plunge down a natural water slide! Overnight at the lodge.
Day 4:
After another great home-cooked breakfast, we head east along the valley to La Paloma, a granite cleft still being carved by the last remaining glacier in the region. With ice, rock faces and peaks in every direction, the choice of challenges is ours. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 5:
Today – we can take it easy, or not! A steep forest climb to Cerro Trinidad, the most prominent granite spire, leads us past some of the oldest living things on earth: Alerce trees nearly four metres wide and 4,000 years old! Or we can take the more relaxed Nature Trail, and learn more about the rainforest kingdom. Back at the mountain lodge, cradled in the mountains we’ve hiked over the past three days, we feast on traditional fare and tales of adventure.
Overnight at the lodge.
Day 6:
Trek out of La Junta Valley down the river canyon to the Riverside Lodge in time for afternoon tea, a bit of re-packing and a transfer out to Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt.
Horseback option: The trek can be replaced by a horseback ride out of the valley.
Note: The treks out of La Junta on Days 3, 4, & 5 could take anything from 5 – 8 hours (depending very much on fitness & stamina and, occasionally, on the weather).
Visitors' requirements are assesed on arrival and there is flexibility to shorten/lengthen or suggest other routes, based on discussions.
Treks based from Mountain Lodge, La Junta:
Cerro Trinidad. 7-8 hours round trip. Approx. 4 kms. Elev. Gain: +/- 900 m . Steep.
Arco Iris Rainbow trail. 6 - 7 hours round trip. Approx. 3.5 kms. Elev Gain: +/- 900 m . Steep.
La Paloma ice valley. 5-6 hours round trip. Elev. Gain: +/- 300 m . Some steep, some flat.
Nature Trail (easy). 1 – 2 hours round trip. 1.5 kms. Elev. Gain: +/- 100m
On a couple of the trails (Arco Iris & Cerro Trinidad), there are logical ‘half-way’ points, at which one could stop and decide to turn back, still very satisfied with the exercise and the scenery.
Included
Transfers from & to Pto Varas/Pto Montt; Activities & meals as described; Accommodation in cabaña with private bath (Day 1);
Accommodation in lodge with shared bath (Days 2 to 5); Services of English/Spanish speaking guide; Riding helmets, rain gear, outfitted horse.
Not Included
Bottled drinks; laundry; sauna; guide tips; insurance; items not noted.
Accommodation
Riverside Lodge (Day 1):
Located at the mouth of the Rio Cochamó, where it flows into Chile’s northernmost fjord, the Estuario Reloncaví.
The garden blooms with deep-blue hydrangeas, shocking pink fuschias, bright orange michays and other native plants.
Three cosy shared cabañas and cottage, all with en suite bathrooms, can accommodate up to a dozen guests.
A sandy riverside beach, outdoor tables, a wood-fired sauna, a couple of hammocks, and laundry service are among the facilities available at the Riverside Lodge.
The owners live on-site at Riverside Lodge and, along with their international staff, are always available for information, requests, comments – or just a chat!
Mountainside Lodge (Days 2 to 5):
Located in La Junta Valley at the “junction” of two rivers, peacefully awaiting guests who have chosen an overnight horse-trek or hiking package.
Set amid a sprawling 50 hectares, bounded by two rivers, boasting a small lake, two waterfalls and its own marked nature trail, the Mountainside Lodge is a little piece of paradise!
Accommodation is in a traditional, converted mountain cabin – with two double rooms, and a 5-7 bed family or dorm-style room. There are two shared bathrooms with hot showers.
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