Collection from your hotel in Puerto Varas (please speak about hotel options) and a drive along the scenic coastal road that will take us through Ensenada to the town of Cochamo located by the Reloncavi Estuary, the first fjord of Patagonia.

Here we will meet our guide and local arriero and load the horses that are going to carry all our gear. Once this is done we will pack our day packs with our personal items and start hiking up into the valley through the thick rainforest and with incredible views of the huge granite walls all around us.

Once in Las Juntas we will rest at the new mountain refuge which has incredible views of the surrounding valley with its granite peaks, cascading waterfalls and pretty rivers. For those with some energy left, we will hike around the Juntas Valley before returning to the refuge for the night.

Accommodation in the mountain refuge with private rooms available. Hot showers, bathrooms, living and dining areas, large roofed deck, book and games library. All meals included with wine and cheese board at dinner.

Hiking: 5hrs/9km/5.6 mi/350mts ascent.

Today is a big day. When the sun rises the granite mountains all around us will be spectacularly lit up. After breakfast we will climb up and into this incredible old growth forest consisting of various species of southern beech and the fabulous, towering, evergreen alerce trees.

After about five hours walking and climbing (with two fixed ropes, easy and safe to do) we will be in the highlands of Cochamo Valley home to both the immense Andean condors and climbers alike.

After a nice picnic lunch we will walk back to Las Juntas to celebrate the day's hike with a delicious dinner washed down with Chilean wine. Night at the refugio as above. All meals included with wine and cheese board at dinner.

Hiking: 7hrs/ 4km/2.5 mi/900mts ascent.

After a good breakfast we will start our trip back to Puerto Varas. We will walk approximately 9km back to the road - a relatively easy descent to where our private van will be waiting for us to drive us back to Puerto Varas.

Arrive into Puerto Varas and drive to Casa Kalfu for the night. Dinner at leisure in this pretty town with its excellent choice of restaurants.

Note today, there is an option to hire a horse to ride back to the vehicle, prices on request.

Night at Casa Kalfu, a comfortable 3* hotel or similar (www.casakalfu.cl). Breakfast and lunch included.

Hiking: 4hrs/9km/5.6mi/350mts descent

Today you can relax in the cute town of Puerto Varas before continuing your onward travel.

Breakfast only.