Day 1
Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas
After reception at the airport in Puerto Montt, we begin with a city tour of Puerto Montt itself. The capital of the Lake District, Puerto Montt was founded in 1853 by German colonists on the site of an indigenous Mapuche community. Downtown, we will take time to walk about the main squares and historical monuments. Afterwards we will visit the port itself, including the fish market of Angelmó where there is a large handicraft market full of artisans and lots of fresh shellfish.
From Angelmó, we continue on to Puerto Varas where we will be staying (half an hour north on the shores of Lago Llanquihue). Once here, we will enjoy a brief tour of the City of the Roses, as it has come to be called, because of the tremendous variety of roses all over town. Later, we will take you to your selected hotel. After dinner, you will inevitably be drawn to stroll along the shore of Lago Llanquihue with terrific views of the surrounding landscape of volcanoes and the deep blue sea.
Day 2
Frutillar
In the morning, we will set out on a half-day excursion to the lakeside town of Frutillar. Driving along the lakeshore to visit Frutillar is like taking a step back in time. We find a wonderful open-air museum with restored colonial homes and furnishings from the early German settlement period, with an operating blacksmith shop. Throughout the summer, various high-caliber classical music festivals organized there.
Day 3
Classic Lake Crossing to Bariloche
In the morning, we set out driving along the southern shore of Lago Llanquihue and enjoy breathtaking views of the volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco. Our first real stop, however, will be at the Saltos de Petrohue. This series of rapids and waterfalls was formed a long time ago by the cooling lava from the volcano towering behind them. They form an impressive sculpture of extruded volcanic rock shaped by thousands of years of thundering water flow.
Upon arriving at the landing at Petrohue, we will board the catamaran and prepare for our crossing of Lago Todos los Santos (All Saints Lake). It is surrounded by high mountains whose lower slopes are thickly forested. As we pull away from the landing and the source of the River Petrohue, the view is quickly stolen away by the tremendous size and proximity of snow-capped Volcano Osorno behind us. The rest of the morning will pass on the water. To the south and high above the forested shore, you will see the peculiar shape of Volcano Puntiagudo and a series of waterfalls. We will arrive in Peulla, at the eastern end of the lake, about lunchtime. This is the heart of National Park Vicente Pérez Rosales. Here we will enjoy a lovely hike to the Cascada de la Novia or, the Bride’s Waterfall, a hike amidst native growth Valdivian rainforest. Many of the native trees and plants are explained on the interesting nature trail.
In the afternoon, the trip continues by motor coach over the Pérez Rosales Pass and into Argentina. On the Argentine side, we meet a ferry which takes us across Lago Frias and afterward a bus to shuttle us to the final boat ride across Lago Nahuel Huapi. All over there are terrific views of the unspoiled Andean landscape. Truly it is a special gift that there has never been a public road on this lonesome route, and even today the people experience traveling much as the first settlers did more than 100 years ago. Arriving in Puerto Panuelo at Lago Nahuel Huapi, you will transfer to your selected hotel in Bariloche.
Day 4
Bariloche
Day of leisure with time to explore Bariloche and its surroundings.
Day 5
Bariloche - San Martín de los Andes
After breakfast, we set out by public bus from Bariloche heading north toward San Martín de los Andes taking La Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Route of the Seven Lakes). The road passes through Villa La Angostura (Town of the Narrow Pass), where we leave the paved road behind and continue on through the forests of Nahuel Huapi and Lanín National Park. This is a tremendous drive through natural wilderness. There are only a few small settlements, mostly of rangers who tend to the national parks. In the afternoon, we will arrive in San Martín de los Andes. Transfer to the 4-star Hotel Le Chatelet . This is a traditional wooden chalet-style San Martín hotel with a cozy breakfast area and a small swimming pool.
Day 6
San Martín de los Andes - Pucon
Today we set out in the early morning by public motor coach to cross over the Andes back to Chile through the Tromen Pass. While ascending through Lanín National Park, the landscape will change many times until we finally rise above the tree line. Close to our route, Volcano Lanín (3,776 meters) stands high above the rest of the surrounding mountains with its majestic and perfectly conical snow-capped peak.
Native Araucaria trees shaped like giant umbrellas dominate the landscape. These trees are actually one of the oldest species of trees on earth having survived almost unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs. After crossing the pass, the landscape on the Chilean side changes suddenly: All at once the nature seems to be incredibly green. Now lichens, mosses and the rhubarb-like Nalca plants are our constant companion. On this side of the Andes, the humid influence of the climate of the Pacific Ocean can be felt. In the evening, we arrive in picturesque Pucón at the feet of Volcano Villarrica. Transfer to Hotel Munich (or similar). Later you may want to stroll through the lively town with many good restaurants or along the shore of Villarrica Lake.
Day 7
Pucón
Leisure time to explore Pucón. We highly recommend an active day here—climbing the local volcano; hiking in the National Park Huerquehue located nearby; or rafting or relaxing in one of the natural hot springs. Villarrica Lake invites you to any kind of watersports, like sailing, surfing, kayaking, water-skiing or simply enjoying a sunbath at the fine-grained beach.
Day 8
Pucon - Temuco
Transfer to airport in Temuco for connecting flight and overlap with the add-on of your choice.
Chile
Bariloche
San Martin de Los Andes
Pucon
