Experiences and local guides in Cochamó

Nature

Cochamó is a village on the Reloncaví Estuary, a calm fjord between forested mountains. From there, a trail of about 12 km follows the Cochamó river up to La Junta, a valley ringed by granite domes and walls hundreds of metres high that many compare to Yosemite. The path, an old muleteers' route to Argentina, crosses Valdivian rainforest with alerce trees and receives some 3,000 mm of rain a year. Part of the valley is a Nature Sanctuary and the rest is private land; there are no roads, no electricity and no phone signal.

Activities

• Trek to La Junta: about 12 km and 4 to 6 hours on a muddy, root-covered trail; overnight stays require a campsite or refuge booked in advance
• Day visit only for fit hikers: about 24 km return, starting early because trail access closes in the mid-afternoon
• Rock and big-wall climbing on granite walls such as Trinidad, Anfiteatro or Cerro Arcoíris, for experienced climbers or with a guide
• Horse rides with local muleteers (arrieros) to La Junta and multi-day treks over the El León pass towards Argentina; pack horses for luggage too
• From La Junta, hikes to the Cerro Arcoíris viewpoint and to the Toboganes, river pools and rock slides that call for great caution
• Kayaking and boat trips on the Reloncaví Estuary, in front of the village

When to go

The season runs from December to March; in January and February the La Junta campsites usually fill up, so book weeks ahead. Early December and the second half of March are quieter. It rains in any month, the trail is muddy all year and the campsites close in winter.

How to get there

Puerto Montt airport (PMC). By car from Puerto Varas: 97 km via Ensenada (route 225) and route V-69 along the Reloncaví Estuary, about 2 hours. Buses from the Puerto Montt terminal (Río Puelo, Estuario de Reloncaví, Trans HAR) take 2 to 3 hours, with tickets sold only at the terminal. The trailhead to La Junta is 10 km beyond the village, reached by local transport or taxi.