On this 10-day Rincon Bonito: Patagonia's Hidden North tour exploring Puerto Varas, you arrive in the Lake District of Chilean Patagonia. The adventure begins with a drive from Puerto Montt to Puerto Varas, then 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.
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 Reloncaví Fjord
Hike from Puelo to Rincon Bonito, trekking through stunning landscapes
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
Your local team is waiting for you at Puerto Montt Airport for a 25-minute transfer to your base in Puerto Varas. After quickly dropping off your luggage and checking into the hotel, you 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.
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, you 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. You navigate 11 km of class III+ and IV rapids. After rafting, you have lunch at a local restaurant in Ensenada before continuing to Cochamo Valley, enjoying views of the Reloncaví Fjord and mountain range. After about a 50-minute drive, you arrive at your lodging, drop off your luggage, and explore the small village. You take a hike in the area, observing the birdlife along the shores of Patagonia's first fjord, preparing for the hike ahead.
Distances and terrain:
Driving distance: 55 kilometers (50 minutes); Hike to the viewpoint of Cochamo: 8 kilometers (3 hours).
Today, you have a long day hike ahead. After enjoying breakfast, you're driven to the trailhead, which takes about 5 minutes. The trail to La Junta is 23 kilometers (approximately 15 miles) and can be muddy in spots. The elevation gain is steady, climbing from sea level to about 900 feet (300 meters). After hiking for about 4 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 the hostel in the valley, just in time for a well-deserved dinner.
Distances and terrain:
Driving distance: 5 minutes; Hike to La Junta: 23 kilometers (8-9 hours total).
After an early breakfast, you head to Cochamo Dock, where local kayak guides are waiting for you. You can 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 5 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, you 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 (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 to start the journey to Puelo, traveling 229 kilometers by vehicle 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 P. Canelo to P. Maldonado, local trucks transport you to the footbridge by noon.
At Correntoso, you load your luggage onto pack horses and begin a 15-kilometer 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 by car, 7 km by boat, 64 km by truck, and 15 km on foot with a +70-meter elevation gain.
You 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. You 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.
Distances and terrain: 10 km round trip, 900 m ascent, approximately 6 hours, moderate to demanding.
You embark on a 22 km round-trip hike that takes about 5 hours, with easy to moderate difficulty suitable for beginners. Along the way, you cross the Universo River, the Ventisquero River, and the Raquelita River multiple times. You 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, you begin the return trip to Rincón Bonito.
Distances and terrain: 18 km round trip, approximately 5 hours, flat, easy to moderate.
You paddle the Ventisquero and Puelo Rivers in a pack raft, heading to the Puelo Libre pizzeria in Puerto Urrutia. Here, trucks await to take you to Lake Tagua Tagua, which you cross by private boat. After that, you 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.
Distances and terrain: Pack raft to Puerto Urrutia (28 km, 6 hours, class II+), 150 km driving (2 hours).
Day 9: The Lakes District Region: Rewilding and Breweries
You 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.
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
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge
TrustScore 4.8 | 350 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 350 reviews on
7 hours ago
We were referred by a satisfied client and the booking of the trip was everything we wanted to do, and they listened to the types of hotels, sightseeing, etc. we wanted to do.
Jan S
1 day ago
Rapa Nui was on my bucket list for a long time so I worried that it would not meet my expectations. Our tour could not have been better. Our guide was knowledgeable and professional with an understanding of the island that made it come alive. I would and have recommended this trip to everyone that will listen.
elisa wright
1 week ago
Mary Curry is the BEST! I have worked with her for multiple family trips for over 10 years, and she is responsive, works within your preferences and budget, has great suggestions and has personal travel experience at many of the locations. We prefer active family vacations and Adventure Life and Mary Curry make sure that is what we get!
Heather Spanbauer
3 weeks ago
My tour operator was helpful. Unfortunately she was unable to get my single-supplement canceled. Not too many tours charge for that anymore and I almost canceled my trip because of that.
Joel
1 month ago
Excellent communication and coordination for our proposed trip. It couldn't have been smoother, and any question we did have was rapidly addressed. It has made the whole process nearly seamless.