The Lake District is one of Chile’s greatest lesser known gems - a lush region of immense forests, pristine lakes, epic rivers, steaming volcanoes, and rich culture just waiting for you to discover it!
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 the early twentieth century and is known for its delicious German kuchen.
From Puerto Varas we drive around the shore of Llanquihue lake to Frutillar, passing the German colony monument. In Frutillar we visit the Colonial museum and enjoy a stroll along the promenade, then we head to the little town of Puerto Octay before returning to our hotel in Puerto Varas.
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!
Please Note: From April to September (Autumn/Winter months) there are constant precipitations in the area, so please be prepared for a rainy and muddy day and bring the necessary equipment!
We depart Puerto Varas for Ensenada and drive to the Osorno Volcano and ski center. From here we get an incredible view of Lake Llanquihue and the surrounding volcanoes. After taking in the view, we head back down the hill and start our trek along the El Solitario trail, a small track formed by lava which weaves its way through an ancient native forest. After 6 kilometers of this undulating trail, with constant views of the volcanoes and the lake, we reach Saltos de Petrohue, close to Lake Todos Los Santos.
Please Note: This excursion does not operate between ends of April and beginnings of September. A similar alternative will be offered during these months.
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.
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!
Private. Every day on request.
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.
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.
Guide to passenger ratio: 1:10.
The vehicle will depend on the size of the group. Normally groups of 2 people will be transported in minivans with an 8 person capacity.
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.
The following items are recommended: small day backpack, waterproof hiking shoes, and socks, waterproof parka trousers, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, bathing suit, towel (if going to hot springs).
We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the 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.
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Updated October 4th, 2022
Dear Traveler,
We are very happy to announce that there are currently no travel restrictions in Chile.
Together with the above mentioned, it is mandatory to comply with the following requirements:
In case you have any questions, we will be happy to help you!
Best,
The Team at Cascada Expediciones & EcoCamp Patagonia