Puerto Varas

The Millenary Alerces ride & trek tour - Patagonia

One of Chile’s natural secrets, the Cochamo valley, is spread over 250.000 hectares of native Valdivian temperate rainforest, surrounded by mountains, lakes, waterfalls and rivers. The Riverside Lodge is used as a comfortable base for an Andean experience suitable for both horse riders and non-riders. Up in the mountains, a small cozy lodge provides a base for your exploration of the stunning surroundings.

The tour, which you can do in 2, 3 or 4 days, starts at the Riverside Hostel and follows up through the pristine wilderness to the Andean valley of La Junta in north Patagonia often called the "Yosemite of Chile".

 

Amidst the granite mountain peaks are stands of 3,000 year-old Alerce trees and an amazing variety of wildlife - condors, pumas and songbirds. This horseback riding tour is for non-riders and riders, who are accompanied by multilingual guides. They can choose from among 14 well-trained horses.

 The mountains are full of wild flowers and sparkling streams. Horseback riding is quite a bit less work than hiking and particularly appropriate for going long distances over rugged terrain. There is no other way than horseback riding to travel here and probably will never be.

The guides for these trips are Arrieros and baqueanos (cowboys). As there are no roads or steady trails here, they have learned the routes from their fathers and grandfathers before them. It is worth learning Spanish to understand their tales around the campfire!

Day by day

Day 1: Puerto Montt - Ensenada - Riverside Lodge

A 02:30 hrs transfer from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas takes you along Lake Llanquihue via the village of Ensenada to Cochamo and the close by Riverside Lodge.

You will enjoy wonderful views of several volcanoes and the Andes mountain range on the way. Arriving at the lodge, there is time to hike to a small hilltop farm overlooking the nearby Reloncavi fiord. Dinner and overnight in cabin with private bath. ( D )

Day 2: Chile's Yosemite

After a little riding school, we start our expedition up the Cochamo Valley. For five hours we will follow the trail of the gauchos into the Andes. Enjoy the silence in one of the most beautiful forests you can imagine, passing by waterfalls and pretty valley meadows.

 

Arriving at La Junta we will have an "asado", a typical Chilean barbecue, over the open fire. Dinner and overnight at the mountain lodge (shared bathroom ) ( B, BL, D )

Day 3: El Arco
The exploration of one of the oldest Alerce forests, El Arco, will be our activity today. El Arco features an arc of natural rock that crosses a small waterfall with a single Alerce on top. In the forest around El Arco you will encounter examples of giant Alerces, some 4,000 years old and so enormous that it takes five people to make a circle around them. Dinner under the starry sky and accommodation in tents. ( B, BL, D )
Day 4: La Junta
After breakfast we ride back to La Junta Valley. You should focus on the bird life - hummingbirds and condors are often seen. Dinner and overnight at the mountain lodge in La Junta ( shared bathroom ) ( B, BL, D )
Day 5: Riverside Lodge
Today we descend through the rainforest back to the Riverside Lodge. We will make our way slowly out of the Andes and into the valley. Picnic lunch on the way. We will be back for teatime with homemade cake. Farewell dinner at the Riverside Lodge. ( B, BL, D )
Day 6: Riverside Lodge - Puerto Montt / Puerto Varas
Riverside Lodge - Puerto Montt / Puerto Varas

Meals Included

  • Breakfast Served Daily
  • 5 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas
+1
Cochamo
The Millenary Alerces ride & trek tour
6 Days


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