Hike, Raft & Kayak in Chilean Patagonia: The Self-Launched Version

Fly into El Tepual Airport (PMC), Puerto Montt. From the airport, take a shared Turbus or Pullman bus shuttle to Puerto Varas — around 20 minutes and roughly £2-3. Alternatively, a taxi costs around £12-15. Check into your hostel in the charming lakeside town of Puerto Varas, founded by German settlers and now Chile's adventure basecamp. Spend the evening strolling the lakeshore of Lago Llanquihue, grab a craft beer and a chorrillana (classic Chilean chips and beef dish) at one of the local restaurants, and get an early night ahead of a big first activity day.

🚌Public shuttle bus from Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas, ~£3 per person

🛏Margouya Patagonie Hostel or Casa Azul Hostel, Puerto Varas — dorm from ~£14/night, private twin from ~£35/night

• →Arrive at Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) and transfer to Puerto Varas by public shuttle (Turbus/Pullman, ~£3)
• →Explore Puerto Varas town centre and lakefront
• →Dinner at a local restaurant on the waterfront

Head to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park — Chile's oldest — for a guided rafting session on the Petrohue River. Book directly with Ko'kayak (kokayak.cl) or Alsur Expediciones (alsurexpediciones.com), both established local operators offering guided Petrohue rafting with all gear included for around £35-50 per person. The river runs Class III rapids with stunning Andean and volcanic scenery. In the afternoon, take a shared minibus transfer south to Cochamo village (book via local transport hubs in Puerto Varas, ~£8). Walk to the Cochamo Valley lookout and settle into your eco-lodge for the night.

🚌Shared minibus Puerto Varas to Cochamo, ~£8 per person

🛏Campo Cochamo Lodge or El Arrebol Cochamo eco-lodge — dorm/multi-share from ~£18/night

• →Guided rafting on Petrohue River with local operator Ko'kayak or Alsur Expediciones (~£40pp, gear included)
• →Afternoon walk to the Cochamo Valley lookout
• →Birdlife introduction from lodge host or self-guided with a field guide

Today's highlight is the La Junta trail — a classic 16-mile trek through Cochamo Valley's temperate rainforest, often compared to Yosemite for its towering granite walls. The trail is well-marked and does not require a guide, though local arrieros (muleteers) can be hired at the trailhead for luggage support. Pay the park entrance fee (~£5) at the Cochamo CONAF ranger station. Carry a packed lunch (prepare the night before or ask your lodge), and stop at the famous granite-faced viewpoint mid-trail. Wear waterproof layers — this is rainforest terrain. Return to the lodge by early evening.

🚌On foot from lodge to trailhead

🛏Campo Cochamo Lodge or El Arrebol eco-lodge — dorm/multi-share from ~£18/night

• →Self-guided hike on La Junta trail (~16 miles, 6-7 hrs, temperate rainforest and granite viewpoints)
• →CONAF park entrance fee (~£5)
• →Packed lunch on the trail with granite wall views

Book a half-day guided sea kayaking excursion on Reloncavi Fjord directly with Ko'kayak or Alsur Expediciones — both offer fjord kayaking with all gear and English-speaking guides from around £45-60 per person. Where the Pacific meets glacial meltwater, you'll paddle past fishing villages, look for Chilean dolphins and sea lions, and stop for lunch at a local family farm on the fjord shore. This is one of Patagonia's most special water experiences and well worth booking ahead. Afternoons are free to relax at the lodge, explore the village, or chat to local fishermen.

🚌Short transfer to kayak launch point, typically included with operator or short walk from lodge

🛏Campo Cochamo Lodge or El Arrebol eco-lodge — dorm/multi-share from ~£18/night

• →Guided sea kayaking in Reloncavi Fjord with Ko'kayak or Alsur Expediciones (~£50pp, all gear included)
• →Lunch stop at a family farm on the fjord
• →Watch for Chilean dolphins and sea lions

Today is a long travel day deep into the Patagonian Andes — the kind of journey that becomes part of the adventure. From Cochamo, arrange a shared or private transfer south towards Puelo. You'll cross Lake Tagua Tagua by ferry (a short, scenic crossing, ~£3) then continue by local truck or arranged 4WD transfer — ask your lodge host or local operators in Cochamo to help arrange the final leg, as this is genuinely off-grid. The final 9 miles to El Rincon Bonito is on foot along the Ventisquero River trail (mules can be hired locally for luggage, ~£10-15). Book accommodation at El Rincon Bonito lodge directly via their local contacts or through operators in Puerto Varas. Total driving, boating and walking: 3-4 hours plus the 9-mile hike.

🚌Shared transfer Cochamo to Puelo (~£10), Lake Tagua Tagua ferry (~£3), truck to trailhead (~£8), then on foot

🛏El Rincon Bonito remote eco-lodge — full board packages available directly, approx £30-45/night including meals

• →Multi-leg journey south: shared transfer to Puelo, Lake Tagua Tagua ferry (~£3), truck/4WD to trailhead
• →9-mile forest hike along Ventisquero River to El Rincon Bonito
• →Optional mule hire for luggage (~£10-15)

Lace up for one of the most dramatic days of the trip: the Mirador del Valle trail, an old muleteer path that climbs nearly 3,000 feet above the valley floor, breaking through the tree line to reveal panoramic views of glaciers, hanging ice, and the Ventisquero Valley below. The trail passes through ancient Patagonian forest types endemic to this region. No technical skills needed, but the 6-hour round trip demands solid fitness. Scan the sky for Andean condors — sightings are common here. Return to El Rincon Bonito for a well-earned dinner included in your lodge package.

🚌On foot from lodge

🛏El Rincon Bonito remote eco-lodge — full board, approx £30-45/night including meals

• →Self-guided hike on the Mirador del Valle trail (~6 hrs, 2,953ft ascent, old muleteer path)
• →Glacier and valley views above the tree line
• →Condor spotting

Today's hike stays low on the valley floor — a flatter 4-mile route that criss-crosses rivers and leads to a spectacular waterfall. Slower pace, longer lingering. Your lodge hosts can point you toward the waterfall trail; no guide is needed. In the afternoon, learn about the endemic plant and animal life of the valley from any on-site naturalists or through field guides. This evening, the lodge typically holds a traditional Chilean asado (BBQ) — your last night in this remote paradise. A memorable send-off involving fire, smoke and excellent company.

🚌On foot from lodge

🛏El Rincon Bonito remote eco-lodge — full board, approx £30-45/night including meals

• →Self-guided valley floor hike (~4 miles, river crossings and waterfall)
• →Wildlife and plant spotting in the Ventisquero Valley
• →Traditional Chilean asado BBQ dinner at the lodge

One of the trip's headline experiences: packrafting the turquoise glacial waters of Rio Ventisquero and Rio Puelo downstream, covering around 17 miles of pristine Patagonian river. Book this as a guided packrafting day with a local operator — Alsur Expediciones and Patagonia Adventure Expeditions (patagoniaadventureexpeditions.com) both offer guided packrafting on this route with all gear provided, for approximately £65-90 per person. The route ends at Puelo Libre village, where a pre-arranged shared shuttle or local bus takes you back north via the Lake Tagua Tagua ferry crossing to Puerto Varas. Arrive back in time for a free evening — enjoy a lakeside craft beer. Check back into your Puerto Varas hostel.

🚌Packraft to Puelo Libre, then shared shuttle/bus back to Puerto Varas via Lake Tagua Tagua ferry (~£15 total)

🛏Margouya Patagonie Hostel or Casa Azul Hostel, Puerto Varas — dorm from ~£14/night, private twin from ~£35/night

• →Guided packrafting on Rio Ventisquero and Rio Puelo (~17 miles, 6 hrs) with Alsur Expediciones or Patagonia Adventure Expeditions (~£75pp, all gear included)
• →Ferry crossing of Lake Tagua Tagua (~£3)
• →Free evening in Puerto Varas — lakeside walk and craft beers

Take a local bus or shared taxi from Puerto Varas to Llanquihue village (~20 mins, ~£2). Legado Chile (legadochile.cl), the conservation foundation behind the Llanquihue wetlands restoration project, offers volunteer days and visits for independent travellers — contact them directly via their website to arrange a morning visit to learn about the migratory bird habitat where the Maullín River meets Lake Llanquihue. Now a designated nature sanctuary, the wetlands are home to a remarkable range of bird species. In the afternoon, visit a local craft brewery — Cervecería Cuello Negro and Kauri Cerveza Artesanal are both excellent local options in Puerto Varas. End with a swim in Lago Llanquihue and a final group dinner.

🚌Local bus Puerto Varas to Llanquihue village (~£2 return)

🛏Margouya Patagonie Hostel or Casa Azul Hostel, Puerto Varas — dorm from ~£14/night, private twin from ~£35/night

• →Visit Llanquihue wetlands with Legado Chile conservation foundation (contact legadochile.cl to arrange, free or small donation)
• →Birdwatching at the Maullín River/Lake Llanquihue nature sanctuary
• →Craft beer tasting at Cervecería Cuello Negro or Kauri Cerveza Artesanal, Puerto Varas (~£8-12)
• →Sunset swim in Lago Llanquihue
• →Final dinner in Puerto Varas

Grab a final breakfast at your hostel and check out at leisure. Take the public Turbus or Pullman shuttle from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport — around 20-30 minutes and roughly £3. Buses run regularly throughout the morning. If you have a late flight, consider stashing luggage at the airport and spending a couple of hours in Puerto Montt's excellent fish market, Mercado Angelmó, before flying onward to Santiago or beyond. ¡Hasta luego y buen viaje!

🚌Public shuttle bus Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport, ~£3 per person

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final breakfast at hostel
• →Optional: Mercado Angelmó fish market in Puerto Montt if time allows
• →Public shuttle to Puerto Montt Airport (~£3)