Chilean Lake District Hiking Tour, Green Patagonia, Puerto Varas

Few landscapes in the world can offer such beautiful natural scenery. Crystal lakes next to stunning volcanoes and ancient forests make the region an unforgettable experience.

Product

Introduction

Code:

SUR 020P

Trip Style:

Connect with Nature

Operational Season:

All year round

Departures:

Every day on request

Accommodation:

2 nights hotel, 2 nights mountain lodge

Highlights:

Hike in Alerce Andino NP
Private Services
Explore Perez Rosales NP
Visit Petrohue waterfalls
Excellent Food & Accommodation
Northern Patagonia Scenery

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Puerto Montt, visit Frutillar
Day 2: Excursion to Alerce Andino NP
Day 3: Excursion to Perez Rosales NP
Day 4: Lake Todos los Santos
Day 5: Depart Puerto Montt

Itinerary

Tour Itinerary

Day 1, Lake District Arrival

Lake District, Chile

We start our trip in Puerto Montt in the morning and are met by our guide at the airport. We start the drive to Puerto Varas, a beautiful town just 15 minutes away located on the shore of Lake Llanquihue - just before entering the town we get a great view of the Lake’s bay and the magnificent Osorno Volcano behind it. Puerto Varas has a marked German architectural style due to significant German immigration in early twentieth century and is known for its delicious German kuchen.

After checking into the hotel, we have a couple of hours free to have lunch on our own and explore or rest for a while. Then our guide picks us up and takes us to nearby village Frutillar, another example of old German architecture. We visit the local museum and enjoy Frutillar's unique cakes at tea time before heading back to Puerto Varas for the evening. Our first choice hotel will be Puelche Hotel.

Day 2, Alerce Andino National Park

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.

We arrive at the 39,255 hectare park and start a beautiful hike on the different trails going through the Park. If we are lucky we see some of the interesting fauna that lives in the park including the Chilean deer (huemul), puma, pudú (the smallest deer in the world), condor, black carpenter bird and many other birds. We stop for lunch in one of the picnic facilities then continue hiking among the ancient trees, looking out over the lake. We return to Puerto Varas and go for dinner and enjoy a chilled pisco sour, a reward for all our walking effort!

Day 3, Perez Rosales National Park

Lake District, Chile

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 of the wild areas near the volcano. We have the option to do a short hike called El Solitario where we get to see the best of the local flora. Then we continue to Petrohue Falls where the turquoise waters of River Petrohue cascade down in multiple waterfalls!

We continue driving and reach our new home for the next two nights, Petrohue Lodge, on the shores of Lake Todos los Santos. We arrive, check-in, and have the evening to enjoy the landscape and enjoy dinner.

Day 4, Petrohue and Lake Todos los Santos

Lake District, Chile

We wake up in the middle of the Lake District, surrounded by magnificent views of Todos los Santos lake. Today we have the option of choosing an activity from the Lodge’s excursion menu, including kayaking on Todos los Santos, hiking through the dense millenary forest, or going fly fishing. In the afternoon we come back to the Lodge and have free time to relax and enjoy our final evening.

Day 5, Adios Lakes District

Lake District, Chile

After breakfast we have the option of doing a short walk along the Lake shores, enjoying our final views of the beautiful scenery. Around midday we are picked up and driven towards Puerto Montt. We go through Perez Rosales NP, along the shores of Lake Llanquihue, past Puerto Varas and to Puerto Montt airport. Adios Lake District!

Prices & Facts

Valid through April 2012

USD 1,659 / 1 person

USD 1,257 p.p. / 2 people

USD 1,178 p.p. / 3 people

USD 1,113 p.p. / 4 people

Single Supplement: USD 514 p.p.

Starting / Finishing Points
The trip starts on the day of your choice either at Puerto Montt airport or in your hotel in Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas. The trip finishes on day 5 at Puerto Montt Airport or back at your hotel in Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas. Please contact us for information about which domestic flights fit best with the program itinerary.

Included

One expert English speaking guide
All ground private transportation as indicated in the itinerary
All excursions as indicated in the itinerary
2 nights in Hotel Puelche, superior room, or similar if not available
2 nights in Lodge Petrohue, superior room
Parks and museum entrance fees
Meals:
day 1: tea and cake
day 2: B, BL
day 3: B, L, D
day 4: B, BL, D
day 5: B
B: breakfast, L: lunch, BL: box lunch, D: dinner

Excluded

Domestic flight tickets
Insurance (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this kind of trips)
Voluntary tipping of guides and staff
Items of personal nature

Accommodation Details

2 nights in Hotel Puelche

2 nights in Lodge Petrohue

Group Size & Guiding Staff

Guide to passenger ratio: 1:10

Transport

The vehicle will depend on the size of the group. Normally groups of 2 people will be transported in minivans with an 8 persons capacity.

Weather

From November to April expect generally good weather, with temperatures varying from a maximum of 30°C/86ºF to a minimum of 8°C/46ºF. However, it does tend to rain one or two days a week in summer. From May to October rain is more abundant and the temperature drops to an average of max. 15°C/59ºF to min. -2°C/28ºF

Physical Demands

This trip does not demand physical activity other than walking a maximum of two consecutive hours over fairly flat terrain, with as many stops as necessary to fit in with the rhythm of the group. If you feel that you want to be more active during excursions then our local guides will be ready to incorporate more action into the excursions.

What You Need to Bring

The following items are recommended: small day backpack, waterproof hiking shoes and socks, waterproof parka & trousers, sun hat, sun screen, sunglasses, bathing suit, towel (if going to hot springs).

Itinerary Modifications

We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the sole discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.

Distances and other Details:

Day 1, Puerto Varas, Lake District, Chile

From Puerto Montt to Puerto Varas: 20 km / 12 miles / 15 min driving.

From Puerto Varas to Frutillar: 50 km / 31 miles / 40 min driving.

Day 2, Alerce Andino NP, Lake District, Chile

From Puerto Varas to Alerce Andino NP: 67 km / 41.5 miles / 1.5 hrs driving

Approximate walking time: 3-4 hrs in total, in different spots.

Altitude: low altitude trails, no need to worry.

Day 3, Perez Rosales NP, Lake District, Chile

From Puerto Varas to Perez Rosales NP: 47 km / 29 miles / 35 min driving

Approximate walking time: 2-3 hrs in total in different spots.

Altitude: low altitude trails, no need to worry.

Day 4, Perez Rosales NP, Lake District, Chile

Activity details: depending on activity chosen, info to be provided locally.

Altitude: low altitude trails, no need to worry.

Day 5, Puerto Varas, Lake District, Chile

From Petrohue to Puerto Montt: 85 km / 53 miles / 1.5 hrs driving.

Testimonials

Peter and Pam Cross (5 Days Lake Disctrict Passage)

... We are still in Chile in Atacama and I just looked thru our photos of the lakes district. Be assured that we were very satisfied with the entire portion of the trip you booked for us. Our guide Christian was very good and was always on time. We especially enjoyed the zip line down Osorno Volcano, something he mentioned to us. We were suprised at the lack of tourists, but that was a good thing for us.

Travellers Departure:

Apr 12, 2009

Martin Brock, UK (Patagonia + Atacama + Lake District)

Just to say I have now got back to the UK from Chile. I had an amazing time - the EcoCamp in particular was fantastic. Thank you so much for all your help and advice - everything worked out incredibly smoothly and efficiently. All the best, Martin Brock (UK)

Travellers Departure:

Mar 22, 2006

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