Winding through mighty rivers and pristine lakes, surrounded by mountains, volcanoes and glaciers, Patagonia Verde in the Los Lagos Region is the ideal destination for those seeking contact with nature and a friendly encounter with local communities.
Cochamó, known as the Chilean Yosemite, is a paradise for rock climbing. Just one day from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas it is possible to enter the deep Valdivian jungle which these granite walls rise from. A multitude of estuaries, lakes and rivers nurture this unique landscape. With no entrance fees, the Valley Trail is the start of a journey to an area of outstanding natural beauty full of activities: trekking, rock climbing, caving, natural water slides, swimming, hiking, tubing, or just lounging on the beach.
How to get there
Cochamó is 116 kms from Puerto Montt. From Puerto Varas, take Route 225 that encircles Lake Llanquihue, towards Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park.
Upon reaching Ensenada, it connects with Route V-69 to the district of Cochamó.
It is also possible to access the Carretera Austral towards Caleta La Arena, where you must take a ferry that will take you to Caleta Puelche (no prior reservation required) and from there take Route V-69 to Cochamó.
Practical tips
-
- In 2013, the Cochamó muleteers were recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
- Remember to bring cash, since there is no ATM in Cochamó, only cajas vecinas (cash service provided for Banco Estado account holders), but they have wire transfer and Transbank payment system.
- Always wear, even in summer, a jacket and rain pants.
- It is necessary to make prior reservations to camp (overnight) in the Junta de Cochamó sector. The demand in summer is very high. Plan ahead.
- If you like to observe birds and marine fauna, you can organize boat trips through the estuary, as well as kayak trips.
- If you lover trekking, there are several trails that you can follow from the valley to the La Junta sector with different intensity and length (Cerro La Paloma, Cerro Trinidad Base, Cascadas Circuit, Matelandia, El Arco, Anfiteatro, Paso El León and Cerro Rainbow).
