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Trek the Route of the Parks of Patagonia

Rincon Bonito: Patagonia's Hidden North

Example 10 Day Tour
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On this 10-day Rincon Bonito: Patagonia's Hidden North tour, you start in Puerto Varas in the Lake District of Chilean Patagonia. The adventure begins with a walking tour along Lake Llanquihue with views of the Andean volcanoes, followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Enjoy rafting the Petrohue River in Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, drive to Cochamo Valley, explore the village, and enjoy a short hike with birdwatching along the fjord. The following day, experience a 5-hour paddling adventure in the Reloncaví Fjord. Hike from Puelo to Rincon Bonito after a scenic 3-hour drive from Puerto Varas. Trek the North Patagonian Andes, passing by the views of glaciers and valleys. Discover further the lakes district region with a variety of tours.
Waterfall on the Petrohue River, ChilePetrohue Waterfalls, ChileView of Osorno volcano behind Puerto VarasBeautiful Puerto Varas sunsetRincon Bonito Shelter HouseViews from Osorno VolcanoPetrohoe WaterfallsTrek the Route of the Parks of Patagonia
Highlights
  • Experience rafting on the Petrohue River in Vicente Rosales National Park
  • Explore the village at Cochamo Valley and enjoy birdwatching during a hike
  • Participate in a 5-hour paddling adventure in the beautiful Reloncavi Fjord
  • Hike from Puelo to Rincon Bonito, trekking through stunning landscapes
Activity Level: Moderate
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive at Puerto Montt Airport | Puerto Varas

Your local guide will meet you at Puerto Montt Airport for a 25-minute transfer to your base in Puerto Varas today. After quickly dropping off your luggage and checking into the hotel, explore the town on a walking tour along the shores of Lake Llanquihue. With a bit of luck, you might enjoy spectacular views of the Andean volcanoes. After an afternoon of leisure, gather to walk to a local restaurant for a Chilean welcome dinner.

Driving distance: 25 kilometers / 15 miles (25 minutes)

Day 2: Petrohue River Rafting | Cochamo Valley

Start the morning by heading to the Petrohue River in Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. Your day begins with a pickup from your accommodation. After a 35-minute drive along Lake Llanquihue, arrive at the operations base in Ensenada. The trained and certified guides provide a safety briefing and distribute equipment. Once at the river, you practice different paddling techniques before tackling your first rapid. Navigate 11 km of class III+ and IV rapids. After rafting, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Ensenada before continuing to Cochamo Valley, taking in the views of the Reloncaví Fjord and mountain range. After about a 50-minute drive, arrive at your lodging, drop off your luggage, and explore the small village. Take a small hike in the area, observing the birdlife along the shores of Patagonia's first fjord, stretching your legs, and preparing for the hike ahead tomorrow.

Distances and terrain:
Driving distance: 55 kilometers / 34 miles (50 minutes)
Hike to the viewpoint of Cochamo: 8 kilometers / 4.9 miles (3 hours).

Day 3: Cochamo Valley | La Junta Hike

Today, you have a big day hike ahead. After enjoying breakfast, you're driven on a short transfer to the trailhead.  The trail to La Junta is 23 kilometers (approximately 15 miles) and can be muddy in spots, so be sure to dress accordingly. The elevation gain is steady, climbing from sea level to about 900 feet (300 meters). After hiking for about four hours, you reach La Junta, where you have a picnic lunch and take in the incredible views of the granite walls and stunning scenery around you. After retracing your steps on the trail, your driver will be waiting to take you back to your accommodations in the valley, just in time for a well-deserved dinner and an evening of relaxing.

Distances and terrain:
Driving distance: 5 minutes
Hike to La Junta: 23 kilometers / 14 miles (8-9 hours total).

Day 4: Paddling the First Fjord of Patagonia

After an early breakfast, head to Cochamo Dock, where local kayak guides will be waiting for you. Take in the beautiful landscapes of the Los Lagos Region, with views of Yates Volcano and native wildlife like Chilean dolphins and South American sea lions. Once all the equipment is ready, you launch into the sea. The valley opens up, leading you from Reloncaví Fjord, where the fresh river waters meet the salty sea. The paddling activity lasts about five hours, with a stop at Señora Yolanda's house in Peninsula Rollizo for lunch, featuring fresh produce from her garden, and a chance to meet and share with her welcoming family. Afterward, paddle to the calm waters at the mouth of the Petrohue River in Ralco, where your transfer awaits to take you to Ensenada.

Distances and terrain:
Driving distance: 45 minutes
Paddling: 8 km / 4.9 miles (approximately 4 hours).

Day 5: Hidden Treasures of North Patagonia: Rincon Bonito

You are picked up at your hotel in Puerto Varas at 7:00 AM this morning to start the journey to Puelo, traveling 229 kilometers to the Correntoso River Footbridge. This scenic route features both paved and gravel roads, taking about 3 hours to reach Lake Tagua Tagua. After a boat crossing from Puerto Canelo to Puerto Maldonado, you will arrive at the footbridge around noon.

At Correntoso, load your luggage onto pack horses and begin a 15-kilometer (9 mile) trail to Rincón Bonito, arriving around 6:00 PM. This well-marked trail, used since the early 20th century, runs along the southern bank of the Ventisquero River, showcasing forests and views of the Hanging Glaciers.

Distances: 165 km / 102 miles by car, 7 km / 4 miles by boat, 64 km / 40 miles by truck, and 15 km / 9 miles on foot (medium-high demanding terrain)
Elevation gain: 229 feet / 70 meters

Day 6: Trekking the North Patagonian Andes

Hike the Mirador del Valle Trail, an old muleteer path that takes you above the tree line, offering stunning views of the glaciers and the valley. The trail winds through ancient forests and reaches the lenga forests found in the higher elevations of Patagonia. Encounter several viewpoints at different heights, with sights stretching from the source of the Ventisquero River to its confluence with the Puelo River. If you're lucky, you may spot a condor soaring above.

Hike distance: 10 kilometers / 6 miles roundtrip (6 hours) 
Elevation Gain: 2,952 feet / 900 meters 
Difficulty: Moderate to demanding 

Day 7: Trekking the North Patagonian Andes

Today, head out on a 22 km round-trip hike that takes about five hours, with easy to moderate difficulty suitable for beginners. Along the way, cross the Universo River, the Ventisquero River, and the Raquelita River multiple times. Visit old muleteer posts, walk to a spectacular waterfall, explore stands of larch trees, and take in the stunning views of the surrounding glaciers. After enjoying lunch and some rest, begin the return trip to Rincón Bonito. 

Hike distance: 22 kilometers / 13 miles roundtrip (5 hours) 
​Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Day 8: The Rivers of North Patagonia | River Rafting

Today, paddle the Ventisquero and Puelo Rivers in a pack raft, heading to the Puelo Libre pizzeria in Puerto Urrutia. Here, transport awaits to take you to Lake Tagua Tagua, which you cross by private boat. After that, board a van that transports you to your accommodation in Puerto Varas or directly to Tepual Airport. The pilcheros carry the weight, and one of the vans collects your luggage at the Correntoso Bridge to ensure you have dry clothes when you finish paddling.

Pack raft distance: 28 kilometers / 17 miles (6 hours) / class II+
Drive distance: 150 kilometers / 93 miles (2 hours) 

Day 9: The Lakes District Region: Rewilding and Breweries

Start the day on the south shore of Lake Llanquihue for a rewilding activity with Legado Chile, an NGO that has been leading a natural restoration and environmental education program since 2016. You join scientists for fieldwork before heading north along the scenic lakeside road to a local brewery for a beer tasting. After the rewilding experience, you can choose to reach the brewery by bike or by car.

Option 1: By Bike
You begin biking from the village of Frutillar, known for its well-preserved German architecture and cultural ties to classical music and Teatro del Lago. After receiving safety instructions from your guide, you cycle along the lake, enjoying stunning views of the mountains and green landscapes. After 20 km of paved road, you arrive at a local brewery called 860, named after the total surface area of Lake Llanquihue. You learn about brewing while pairing mini burgers with the beers, including bock, stout, and pale ales, for a delightful end to your trip. A drive back to Puerto Varas follows.

Cycling distance: 20 kilometers / 12 miles 

Option 2: Beer Tasting by Car
Breakfast, beer tasting, and mini-burgers are included.

Day 10: Departure from the Lakes District

  • 1 Breakfast
Transfer from your hotel to the local airport for your different departure flights

Accommodations

Hotel Petrohue

Hotel Petrohue
Hotel Petrohue
Hotel Petrohue

Hotel Weisserhaus

Hotel Weisserhaus Public Area
Hotel Weisserhaus Public Area
Hotel Weisserhaus Furnishings

Las Bandurrias

Las Bandurrias Hostel Landscapes
Las Bandurrias Hostel Living Area
Las Bandurrias Hostel Outside View

Rincon Bonito

Refugio with additional tent
Rincon Bonito Refugio
Rincon Bonito

Dates & Prices

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Per person starting at
$5,357 2-3 travelers

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Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 8 Dinners, 5 Box Lunches
  • 9 Nights Accommodations
  • 9 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Bilingual guide
  • Entrance fees to sites visited (rates are subject to change without notice)
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)

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When to Go

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Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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