Chilean Lake District 4 Day Adventure

 

Our trip begins in the morning in Puerto Montt where we are met by our guide at the airport. We drive to Puerto Varas, a beautiful town just 15 minutes away located on the shore of Lake Llanquihue. Puerto Varas has a marked German architectural style, due to significant German immigration in early twentieth century. Just before entering the town we get a great view of the lake’s bay and the magnificent Osorno Volcano behind it. We arrive at our hotel, have some free time to rest and have a light lunch – yes, light, because we are going rafting!

 

After lunch, we board the van that will take us to the Petrohue sector in Perez Rosales NP. We drive towards the Park, located at the foot of Osorno Volcano next to the flowing turquoise waters of the Petrohue river. Upon arrive we meet our skilled guides who will equip us will all the rafting gear needed (wetsuit, helmet, paddle jacket and life jacket) and then talk us through safety instructions. We mount the rafts and start paddling down this beautiful class III river, enjoying the rapids and the scenic views. After our adventure we have a snack on the river banks and then return to Puerto Varas. Our first choice hotel will be Hotel Casa Kalfu.

 

After breakfast we drive to one of Chile's oldest and most beautiful parks, home to impressive flora and fauna, famous walking trails and a multitude of water sports. Once we enter the Park we head towards the mighty Osorno Volcano, a cone-shaped volcano framing the surrounding lakes. We drive up steep hills, reaching a viewpoint in the wild areas near the volcanoes. From this point there is an optional ascent, taking the ski lift up to an incredible viewpoint of Llanquihue lake and its surroundings. After a short walk around the volcano slopes we continue to Petrohue falls where the turquoise waters of River Petrohue cascade down in multiple waterfalls.

 

After we've soaked up the views, we drive to Todos los Santos lake, surrounded by evergreen trees reflected in its calm blue waters. From here we head back to Puerto Varas and have the afternoon and evening free to relax, wander around and explore a local restaurant.

Alerce Andino NP, Lake District, Chile

 

Today we visit a National Park named after the millenary Alerce tree, native to the region and undoubtedly one of the most interesting species of tree in Chile. In this park some of the Alerce trees are more than 3,000 years old! We drive down Los Colonos route heading to the city of Puerto Montt, passing by the small town of Alerce, then we meet the Carretera Austral. This famous road, carved through Northern Patagonia, is lined with abundant fauna, flora and the beautiful lowlands of the Andean Cordillera. Along the road there are also small farming villages with a marked European look.

 

Today we enjoy our final views of the Lake District before being driven to Puerto Montt airport to board our onward flight.