Posada Queulat

This is one of the more secluded cabins, located further into the forest than the others. It sits right underneath a beautiful Arrayan tree, which blooms with white flowers every December.

The Arrayan cabin is ideal for small families: the bedroom has a double bed, and there are two twin beds in the living room. There is a log burner and a small porch.

The Chucao and the Huemul cabins are the only two cabins that are next to each other, sharing a wall, perfect for two families. Both cabins are large, open plan spaces, with wood stoves and private bathrooms. The surrounding forest is a haven for hummingbirds.

The Chucao cabin sleeps up to 3 people, with one double bed and a single bed. The Huemul cabin also sleeps 3, with one double bed and a futon.

The Martin Pescador Cabin is the biggest cabin, suitable for large family. It is furnished with two futons, a double bed and three single beds, split over large open plan spaces on two levels.

Some of the best views can be found here, you can gaze across to the Vida Salvaje waterfall right from the cabin. There's easy access to the river, and you've got a high chance of meeting one of the resident kingfishers that sing at sunrise and sunset, and gave the cabin its name.

If seclusion is a deal-breaker, then this hidden cabin should be high on the list. Tucked right in amongst the surrounding foliage it's almost hard to see where the forest ends and the cabin begins. The exotic leaves don't block the views though, you can still see the Vida Salvaje waterfall from the cabin.

Cabin Poyeguapy is furnished with one king size bed, private bathroom and log burner.

Meal times are sociable affairs with breakfast and dinner served at a large dining table by the wood burner in the club house, so you can get to know your fellow guests. Your hosts usually join you at dinner to share tips for your stay and stories from 30 years at the lodge. You will eat delicious, regional dishes that are homemade by their excellent chef with produce from their organic greenhouse and sourced locally.

You can't visit Queulat National Park without a visit to the dramatic 'Ventisquero Colgante' - the hanging glacier - perched between two mountains covered in evergreen forest. The main entrance and car park for visiting the glacier is only 30 minutes' drive north on the Carretera Austral from the lodge.

Accessible to all, you can either follow a short trail to a viewpoint of the glacier, or embark on a longer hike that takes you across an impressive suspension bridge, past lagoons and up through the forest to get a closer view of the glacier. The hikes are self-guided so you can easily do this on your own if you have a hire car. You just pay a small fee to the ranger at the park entrance.

Approximately an hour's drive south of the lodge on the Carretera Austral is the jumping off point for the Enchanted Forest hike. This is a magical trail through the verdant rainforest, a world of giant ferns, moss, lichens and ancient trees. As you make your way up through the forest, you eventually get up to the tree line and it opens out into a rocky landscape.Continue until you reach the viewpoint of a small hanging glacier and the turquoise lagoon at its base.

This is a moderate three-hour roundtrip trek that can be done self-guided with your own vehicle. It is slippy underfoot in wet conditions. Please note that, at the time of writing,  only the first half of this trail is open to the public, yet it is still well worth exploring.

Start your excursion with a zodiac rubber boat trip across the Queulat river in order to hike deeper into the native rainforest. You will have the chance to really appreciate the biodiversity of the area as your guide points out many different tree, plant and bird species.

The trail winds its way up through the trees and eventually you come to a wonderful viewpoint overlooking the fjord. If you wish to extend this three-hour hike, you can follow a trail to the beach of the fjord.

Poyeguapi Island forms part of the land owned by the lodge and is made up of two tiny islands where the Queulat Fjord meets the Puyuhuapi Sound. An excursion that the lodge offers is to embark on a journey along the fjord on an eight-metre-long wooden boat until you reach the shores of the island. You disembark on one of its three beaches from where there are superb views of the Hanging Glacier, Puyuhuapi Sound and Magdalena Island National park. Swim, snorkel, fish or just relax on the island.

This is an exclusive trip for lodge guests only so you can really make the most of the total peace and beauty of the surrounding nature. It's also a great opportunity to spot dolphins, sea lions and seabirds.

A fantastic kayaking trip for all abilities and levels of experience is the lodge's half-day sea kayaking trip on the Queulat Fjord. You start by following the Queulat River downstream, out to sea. Once you reach the fjord, you follow the southern shore, passing pristine, white sand bays and gliding through crystal clear water. You return as the tide comes in, making it relatively easy to come back the same way.

If you have some kayaking experience and are looking for something slightly more challenging, you can do a full-day excursion which allows you to explore stunning bays dotted along the Ventisquero Sound, as well as Poyeguapi Island. There are chances to spot dolphins and sea lions en route.

There are two natural hot springs near to the lodge that are the perfect places to completely unwind and take in the beauty of the surrounding scenery. You can reach Puyuhuapi hot springs by taking a boat ride across Puyuhuapi Sound from the dock 14 kilometres north of the lodge.

Ventisquero hot springs are just off the Carretera Austral 22 kilometres north of the lodge, so you can drive there if you have your own hire car. There are pools of different temperatures, a cafe, a changing area, toilets, lockers and towels available.