The Lake District

When you fly south to the Chilean Lake District, be sure to get a seat on the left-hand side of the plane. From there, you can see the volcanoes and lakes in their entire splendor, with the magnificent Andes towering behind them. If scenery is all you came for, you are in for a surprise! Within a day's excursion from Puerto Varas, there are walks, hikes, treks and rafting experiences. You can enjoy horseback riding adventures, sailing and kayaking trips, fly fishing, wildlife, southern markets, historic settlers’ homesteads and veritable cathedrals of old-growth Alerce forests. There is an abundance of oysters, erizos and cold smoked salmon - not to mention the classic boat crossing through the Andes to Argentina.

Riverside Market

Puerto Montt

German colonists on the site of an ancient Mapuche community founded Puerto Montt, capital of the Chilean Lake District, in 1853.

Puerto Montt and Environs - Half Day

Travel along Costanera Avenue, visit the cathedral and continue to an observation point for a panoramic view of the city. The port and surroundings have an appealing European atmosphere - particularly in the Angelmo district. Here, the colorful scene of the fishing fleet left high and dry daily by the ever-changing tides has inspired Chilean artists. There is also a large handicraft market full of artisan’s goods and mountains of fresh shellfish.

Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas, called the "City of the Roses", is only 10 miles from Puerto Montt. When waking, one sees across Lago Llanquihue and the volcanoes jutting into the distant blue sky. German settlers founded Puerto Varas in the year 1854 and the German culture continues to have a presence in the area.

Frutillar - Half Day

In the morning, set out to the lakeside town of Frutillar. Driving around the lakeshore from Puerto Varas to visit Frutillar is like taking a step back in time. In Frutillar itself, there is a colorful open-air museum with restored colonial homes and furnishings from the period, as well as an operating blacksmith shop.

Pucon & Valdivia Interlude - 4 Days

Day 1 - Pucon - After arrival at the airport in Temuco, take a scenic drive along the shore of Lago Villarica to Pucon. En route, visit the town of Villarica, located on the western end of the lake. Stay at the Hotel del Lago in Pucon. There will be time to explore the town of Pucon on foot.

Day 2 - Pucon - Full day at leisure, a time to relax or enjoy an optional excursion in these unique surroundings.

Day 3 - Pucon / Valdivia - Morning drive to the city of Valdivia and the Hotel Puerto del Sur. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of the city, including the Plaza de la Libertad and the modern cathedral. From the city center, set out for the nearby coast following many bends in the river and stopping at Isla Teja, the site of the Austral University and Botanical Garden. Continue on towards Niebla and one of the historic forts of the region. Further on, in the middle of the Valdivia River on the Island of Mancera, the Castle of San Pedro de Alcantara can be seen. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 4 - Pucon - After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Lake District Crossings

Crossing Lake Todos Los Santos - 1 Day

Drive along the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue towards Ensenada. Stop at the Saltos de Petrohue, a series of rapids and waterfalls formed long ago by the cooling lava from the volcano towering behind them. At Petrohue, board the catamaran and cross Lake Todos los Santos. High mountains whose lower slopes are thickly forested surround the lake. Pulling away from the landing and the mouth of the Petrohue River, the view is quickly stolen away by the tremendous size and proximity of ice-capped Volcano Osorno. Arrive in Peulla, at the eastern end of the lake, about lunchtime. This is tile heart of the Vincente Perez Rosales National Park. Here, enjoy a lovely hike to the "Cascada de la Novia" or the Bride’s Waterfall, amidst the native "Valdivian Rain Forest". In the late afternoon, return by boat to Petrohue and by road to Puerto Varas.

The "Express Crossing" From Puerto Montt to Bariloche - 1 Day

Drive along the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue towards Ensenada. Stop at the Saltos de Petrohue, a series of rapids and waterfalls formed long ago by the cooling lava from the volcano behind them. They form an impressive sculpture of extruded volcanic rock shaped by thousands of years of thundering water flow. Upon arrival at Petrohue, board the catamaran and cross Lake lodos los Santos. The rest of the morning will pass on the water. To the south, high above the forested shore, there is the peculiar shape of Volcano Puntiagudo and a series of waterfalls. Arrive in Peulla, at the eastern end of the lake, about lunchtime. This is the heart of the Vincente Perez Rosales National Park. Here, enjoy a lovely hike to the ‘Cascada de la Novia’ or the Bride’s Waterfall amidst the native "Valdivian Rain Forest". In the afternoon, the trip continues over the Perez Rosales Pass into Argentina. On the Argentinean side, take a ferry across Lake Frias, continuing by road until the final boat ride - across Lake Nahuel Huapi. This crossing was pioneered many years ago for its spectacular beauty. It is, in a word, breathtaking. The program ends with arrival in Puerto Panuelo in Bariloche!

Note: The above program can operate in either direction.

Puerto Montt / Frutillar / Lake Todos Los Santos - 4 Day

Day 1 - Arrive Puerto Montt - Upon arrival in Puerto Montt, begin a tour of the city, known as the capital of the Lake District. Walk about the main squares and historical monumnets. Afterwards, visit the port, the fish market of Angelmo and the large handicraft market full off artisan's creations. Continue to Puerto Vara, for a tour of Puerto Varas, the "City of Roses." Stay at the Hotel Viento Sur in Puerto Montt.

Day 2 - Frutillar - In the morning, take an excursion to the lakeside town of Frutillar. Visiting Frutillar is like taking a step back in time. In Frutillar, there is a one-of-a-kind open-air museum with restored colonial homes and furnishings from the early German settlement. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3 - Puerto Montt / Peulla - Drive along the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue towards Ensenada. Stop at the Saltos de Petrohue, a series of rapids and waterfalls formed long ago by the cooling lava. At Petrohue, board the catamaran and cross Lago Todos los Santos. High mountains whose lower slopes are thickly forested surround the lake. Arrive at Peulla, in the heart of the Vincente Perez National Park Rosales, and enjoy a lovely hike to the "Cascada de la Novia" or the Bride's Waterfall amidst the native "Valdivian Rain Forest". In the late afternoon, return by boat to Petrohue and by road to Puerto Varas. Stay at the Peulla Hotel.

Day 4 - Depart Puerto Montt - After breakfast, transfer to the Puerto Montt airport.

The Classic Crossing to Bariloche - 3 Days

Day 1 - Arrive Puerto Montt - Arrive in Puerto Montt, capital of the Chilean Lake District. A sightseeing tour of the city begins with a drive along Costanera Avenue. Visit the cathedral and continue to an observation point to enjoy a panaoramic view of the city. The surroundings have an appealing European atmosphere - particularly the Angelmor district, where the colorful scene of the fishing fleet left high and dry daily inspires Chilean artists by the ever-changing tides. There is a large handicraft market full of artisan's creations. Stay at the Hotel Viento Sur.

Day 2 - Puerto Montt / Peulla - Drive via Puerto Varas to Petrohue, at the foot of the impressive snow covered Osorno Volcano, skirting beautiful Lake Llanquihue, the biggest of all the Chilean lakes. En route, stop to visit the colorful Petrohue River Falls, set against a stunning backdrop of Argentinean Mountains. At Petrohue, take launch across Lake Todos los Santos to Peulla. Star an the Peulla Hotel.

Day 3 - Peulla / San Carlos de Bariloche - This morning, continue the crossing of the lakes with a drive through heavily wooded forests to Puerto Frias. Here, cross into the Argentinean side of the Andes, where there is a twenty-minute boat ride acrss lovely Lake Frias and a short bus jaunt to Puerto Blest. Then enjoy a two and a half-hour cruise by yet another boat across the most scenic lake of all, Nahuel Huapi, to Puerto Panuelo. The program ends with arrival in Puerto Panuelo in Bariloche!