National park · Chile
Cochamó ValleyValle Cochamó
Visit Cochamó Valley for a day hike to La Junta (4‑5 h) in the dry season (Dec–Mar) or a multi‑day horseback trek (5‑6 h) in summer; avoid rainy months May–August.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
approximate
Established
1996
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Chile ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Chile's National Migration Service or a Chilean consulate; keep the entry slip or digital record you receive.
- Chile ↗Torres del Paine: campsites and refugios on the W and O treks must be booked in advance, and the park requires an entry ticket bought ahead; check the official park (CONAF) channels.
- Chile ↗Chile strictly controls food imports: declare fruit, meat, dairy, seeds and honey on arrival, or throw them away before customs.
At a glance
- Country
- Chile
- Area
- 120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²)
- Approximate; official park boundary not published.
- Established
- 1996
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Pucón
Cochamó Valley offers granite walls, old‑growth rainforest and diverse wildlife; a day hike to La Junta is ideal in the dry season, while multi‑day horseback treks require a guide and are best in summer.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1996.
Size and age
120 km² (46 sq mi)46 sq mi (120 km²) · national park since 1996
Approximate; official park boundary not published.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Pucón.
Why go
- Granite walls and domes up to 1 km (0.6 mi) high, comparable to Yosemite.Granite walls and domes up to 0.6 mi (1 km) high, comparable to Yosemite.
- Old‑growth temperate rainforest with alerce trees up to 3 000 years old.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanWarm, dry, clear days.
- FebWarm, dry, good for trekking.
- MarSpring, still dry, longer daylight.
- AprTransition, occasional rain.
- MayRain increases, trails muddy.
- JunCold, heavy rain.
- JulCold, heavy rain.
- AugCold, heavy rain.
- SepCool, occasional rain.
- OctDry, crisp, good for hiking.
- NovDry, cooler.
- DecDry, sunny, ideal conditions.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pudu (smallest deer)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Brown and rainbow trout in Rio CochamóAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Darwin's frog (endangered)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Puerto Montt
Bus to Cochamó town (3 000‑5 000 CLP), then taxi or walk 6 km (3.7 mi) to trailhead.Bus to Cochamó town (3 000‑5 000 CLP), then taxi or walk 3.7 mi (6 km) to trailhead.
2–3 h total
Open the page →
From Puerto Varas
Bus continues through Puerto Montt to Cochamó; same fee.
2.5–3.5 h
From Santiago
Fly to Puerto Montt (≈ 1 h) then follow bus route above.
≈ 4 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Trailhead gate | Entrance, parking, information board. | Open daily; fee payable. |
| La Junta sector | Core hiking and horseback area, lodges, campsites. | Open; guides required for multi‑day treks. |
| Upper valley / Argentina border | Historic Cochamó Trail to Paso El León. | Guided only; border crossing formalities. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the valley; exact trailhead location may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (trailhead gate) | CLP 3,000–5,000 | person | Collected at the gate; optional donation for maintenance (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Trail permit no permit
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed on trails; keep wildlife safe.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites (Refugio Cochamó, Campo Aventura).
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves only.
- Guides
- Required for multi‑day horseback treks and for crossing into Argentina.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins limited.
Where to stay
In the park
Refugio Cochamó
Private rooms and dormitory; meals included.
In the park
Campo Aventura Mountainside Lodge
Rooms, meals, and guided treks.
Near the park
Puerto Varas
Wide range of hotels and hostels; 30 km (19 mi) from gate.Wide range of hotels and hostels; 19 mi (30 km) from gate.
Safety
Mud and stream crossings medium
Getting lost on long trek high
Cold, wet weather medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailhead gate reachable by car; short walk to start.
- Main day hike includes steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use designated campsites and pay fees to support maintenance.
- Choose guides who follow low‑impact horse practices.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cochamó Valley?
The gate fee is 3 000‑5 000 CLP per person; payment is made at the trailhead.
What are the best hikes in Cochamó Valley?
The La Junta day hike (4‑5 h, moderate) and the Arco Iris ridge hike (6‑8 h, hard) are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Cochamó Valley?
December to March offers the driest, warmest conditions; October to November and October are also good.
Can I camp anywhere in the valley?
Camping is allowed only in designated sites such as Camping La Junta or Campo Aventura facilities.
Do I need a guide for a horseback trek?
Yes – a licensed guide and horse are required for multi‑day horseback trips.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go