Explore Chile’s Lake District with day hikes from Puerto Varas on this 7-day Active Hiking Adventure. Start in Puerto Varas, a town on Lake Llanquihue with views of Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. Hike 12 km through Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, moving from rainforest to volcanic steppe and ending at Lake Todos Los Santos. Visit Alerce Andino National Park, home to ancient Alerce trees, and waterfalls, with stops in nearby coastal villages to see Patagonia’s first fjords. A ferry trip to Chiloé Island offers a chance to see Humboldt and Magellanic penguins at Puñihuil. Continue to Llanquihue National Reserve to hike near Calbuco Volcano, crossing streams, and exposed lava formations. Then, follow the El Solitario trail near Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Waterfalls. Finish your trip to Puerto Varas.
Highlights
Discover Lake Llanquihue, with views of Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes
Explore Alerce Andino National Park with stops in nearby coastal villages
Visit Chiloé Island to see Humboldt and Magellanic penguins at Puñihuil
Hike Llanquihue National Reserve, exploring streams and lava formations
Visit the El Solitario trail by Osorno Volcano and the Petrohue Waterfalls
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Welcome to the Lake District! Upon your arrival in Puerto Montt, meet your guide at El Tepual Airport and transfer to the bustling town of Puerto Varas, located on the shore of Llanquihue Lake. Enjoy the views of Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes from the shoreline of Chile's second-largest lake, before exploring the walkable downtown of Puerto Varas this evening.
Day 2: Vicente Perez Rosales National Park | Desolacion Hike
Today, head out for an adventure on the Desolation Hiking trail. This active 12 km hike takes you through a large and scenic section of Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, the first park to open in Chile, in 1926. As you progress, experience ascents that reward you with stunning views of the surrounding volcanoes and lakes. The landscape shifts dramatically from temperate rainforest to volcanic steppe and then to the shores of the Andean lakes. The Andes mountains appear on the horizon as you reach the emerald waters of Lake Todos Los Santos, marking the end of your hike and the start of your trip back to town.
Hike Distance: 12 kilometers / 7.4 miles
Difficulty: High
After breakfast, head to Alerce Andino National Park, the first of the 17 parks that make up the Route of the Parks of Patagonia.
This protected area lies between mountains, volcanoes, and the Pacific Ocean. On this full-day excursion, you travel along the coast at the beginning of the highway known as the Carretera Austral. Hike for approximately five hours within the park, surrounded by temperate rainforest and old Alerce trees (Fitzroya cupressoides). Millions of years of transformation have shaped this landscape, creating rivers, waterfalls, and lagoons. During the drive to the park, stop at local villages and enjoy views of the first fjord of Patagonia.
Hike Distance: 15 kilometers / 9 miles (5 hours)
Day 4: Ferry to Chiloe Island | Puñihuil Exploration
After breakfast in the morning, head southwest for one hour from Puerto Varas to the ferry terminal. From here, hop on a 35-minute ferry ride to Chiloé. Once there, enjoy a comprehensive exploration of the northern part of the island. Here, experience Chiloe's perfect blend of natural history and cultural heritage. Explore this land of myths, traditions, and unique biodiversity, a world away from mainland Chile. Your guide will take you to visit a breeding colony of Humboldt and Magellanic penguins that arrive at Puñihuil each spring and summer. Observe the penguins and many other birds from a boat as you get close to the protected islets off the beach during a 30-minute ride. After the boat trip, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean before returning to Puerto Varas this afternoon.
Day 5: Llanquihue National Reserve | Calbuco Volcano Crater Hike
Today, you hike the south face of Calbuco Volcano, part of a group of stratovolcanoes in the Lake District. As you move through the Llanquihue National Reserve, you will see this active volcano, which last erupted in 2015, changing the surrounding landscape significantly. The trail takes you high enough to view the crater and dome, with views of the Reloncaví Estuary and the city of Puerto Montt.
Along the way, cross streams and see ancient Alerce redwood trees, waterfalls, and exposed lava formations that show the changes since the eruption. This medium-difficulty trail is 14 kilometers long, starting with a gentle ascent toward the volcano viewpoint. As you continue, the terrain becomes steeper and muddier, especially in the final section leading to the shelter at the top, which may even have snow during the spring.
Hike Distance: 14 kilometers / 8.6 miles
Difficulty: Medium
Day 6: Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park | El Solitario Hike | Petrohue Waterfalls
After breakfast, head out along the south shore of Lake Llanquihue for about an hour to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. From there, take a short walk through the temperate rainforest to explore the Petrohué River waterfalls. After capturing photos of the stunning falls and the perfectly conical shape of Osorno Volcano, return to the entrance of the El Solitario trail. This 6 km path runs along the southwestern slope of the volcano, showcasing diverse landscapes that transition from forested areas to volcanic terrain, with washouts connecting the Petrohué River to the glacier of the volcano.
Hike Distance: 6 kilometers / 3.7 miles
Difficulty: Medium
Day 7: Depart Lake District
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport to continue on to your next destination or begin your journey home.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
We worked with Franny initially and then once we booked we worked with Phen. Franny was very patient and not pushy as we considered our choices. They both got back to us immediately when we had questions.
Expedition cruises are very weather dependent, we knew we were going to see Glaciers, Marine Life, Landscapes but just didn't know when and where. We had some rain, sleet and snow then followed by absolutely beautiful weather. The captain and expedition team were very conscientious for our safety as well as providing us with a fulfilling and educational experience.
Misti
1 month ago
Adventure Life made the whole trip process smooth and worry free from planning and throughout the entire trip. Communication was excellent and the trip to Chile and Easter Island was amazing. We were able to customize the entire trip and use the experience of other travelers to ensure each day was amazing.
Quinn Johnson
1 month ago
Erin and Juliane have been very helpful. The planning has been smooth and stress-free. My concerns and questions have been answered on a timely manner. I was referred to a booking agent for flights that made it easier to plan international and local flights. There's also a Trip Planner website that provides good information as well as a single location for documents related to this trip.
Noel Mozo
3 months ago
Very prompt replies and very knowledgeable
Christine Guthrie
3 months ago
Adventure Life planned a stunner of a trip for our family ONCE AGAIN! This is our 7th trip with Adventure Life. We chose the Chile North to South adventure with add-ons of Magdalena Island to see the penguins; Las Torres hotel in Patagonia; Calafate, Argentina to see the Perito Moreno glacier and finally, Buenos Aires. We were active every day! Biking in vineyards, trekking at 14,000 ft above sea level and seeing vicuña and vizcacha everywhere after having almost the entire El Tatio geyser park to ourselves, an evening tour viewing the stars and galaxies in the Atacama Desert, River Rafting and hiking between volcanoes and glacial lakes in the mountain lake region of Peurto Varas, hiking the French Valley, Las Torres and riding horses in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, walking on the glacier and drinking glacial water and hearing those thunderous booms of ice calving at Perito Moreno in Calafate, Argentina and biking 30 miles through Buenos Aires to the suburbs where we kayaked the Tigre River Delta. So much fun!! I even wore my adult children out!!
