The Lake District
Length: 4 Days/3 Nights from Santiago
Season: Mid-October – Mid-April
A lovely region of rolling hills, with glacier-clad volcanoes and sparkling lakes colonized by German immigrants, the Lake District is one of the most attractive destinations in Chile. Starting in Puerto Montt on the Pacific coast, we travel through some of the region’s most iconic landscapes, including visits to typical communities like Frutillar and Ensenada, a hike along the slopes of Osorno Volcano and an afternoon visit to the enchanting Lake Todos los Santos.
Day-by-Day Itinerary:
DAY 01: USA / SANTIAGO
After an overnight flight from the US, arrive in Santiago this morning, reception at the airport by our local staff and transfer to the Atton el Bosque Hotel in Santiago’s quiet, tree-lined suburb of Las Condes. The remainder of the morning is at leisure with lunch on your own. This afternoon, join your guide for a tour of the city and the pre-Columbian Museum. Back at the hotel, dinner is on your own to try some of the excellent restaurants nearby.
DAY 02: SANTIAGO / PUERTO VARAS
Transfer to the airport for the 2 hour LATAM Chile flight to Puerto Montt. Reception on arrival and brief tour of this port city and the Angelmo market before transferring 30 min to Puerto Varas (“City of Roses”) and the Radisson Hotel (formerly Colonos del Sur), overlooking Lake Llanquihue. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure to stroll the scenic lakeside boulevard of this friendly town or relax. Dinner is on your own. The Balandra restaurant at the hotel offers international cuisine made from regional products and ingredients. (B)
DAY 03: FRUTILLAR / PUERTO OCTAY
Heading out north from Puerto Varas, we drive a winding road to Puerto Octay, a picturesque village located on a quiet bay. Walk along the peninsula and visit the small historical museum before driving to the farming town of Frutillar. Settled by German immigrants in 1856, Frutillar has preserved much of its traditional architecture as well as its German customs such as afternoon tea with kuchen. For lunch, dine at one of the best local restaurants. Then, visit the state-of-the art building of Del Lago Theater overlooking Lake Llanquihue. Later on, walk for about one hour the temperate rainforest trails of nearby Edmundo Wrinkler Forest Reserve to learn about the local birdlife, plant and flower diversity before returning to Puerto Varas and the Radisson Hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner is on your own this evening to sample the local cuisine at one of the gourmet restaurants in town. (B,L)
DAY 04: OSORNO / TODOS LOS SANTOS LAKE
Leaving early this morning, we drive past the community of Ensenada and up the slopes of the Osorno Volcano (8,725′) to the Tesky climber’s refuge (5,085′). Here, those that wish can hike up to the lower snowfields. The drive back towards Ensenada offers incredible views of the entire region. Lunch is at Don Salmon restaurant before continuing through dense forests to reach Petrohué Falls – a series of seven twisting black lava chutes gushing with clear, green waters. We continue to Todos los Santos Lake for a short hike with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains reflected in its deep emerald green waters. We return to Puerto Varas and the Radisson Hotel for the night. Dinner is on your own. (B,L)
DAY 05: PUERTO MONTT / SANTIAGO
The morning is at leisure for personal explorations. Early afternoon pick-up at the hotel and transfer to the airport with check-in assistance for a flight to Santiago or another South American city if joining a different Southwind adventure.
Prices from:
$2,800 p.p.d. for 2 participants.
p.p.d.= per person based on double or triple occupancy. Price does not include local flights.
ESTIMATED AIRFARE: Round-trip airfare between Santiago and Puerto Montt is estimated at $450-$600 per person. If you are flying Santiago-Punta Arenas or Punta Arenas-Santiago, you can add a stop-over in Puerto Montt (PMC) to your in-country itinerary with LATAM for a more convenient route.
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