Cochamó, Mountain valley commune in Llanquihue Province, Chile.
Cochamó is a valley settlement in Llanquihue Province surrounded by steep granite walls and dense rainforest that extends down from the surrounding peaks. Rivers cut through the landscape toward the Reloncaví estuary, creating a pattern of waterways that defines the terrain and accessibility.
Indigenous peoples inhabited the area for centuries before permanent European settlement took root. The region gained official status as a commune in 1979, formalizing its administrative structure and place in the regional system.
Horse-based transportation remains central to how people move through the valley's rugged terrain and connect distant communities. This practice shapes daily life and reflects the area's remote geography and pastoral heritage.
The settlement is accessible by daily buses departing from Puerto Montt, though travel times can be lengthy through mountain terrain. Visitors should expect wet conditions year-round and plan activities accordingly.
The valley holds ancient Alerce trees, some over a thousand years old and among the oldest living trees in South America. A striking natural formation called El Arco creates a granite arch that rises above the surrounding forest.
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