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Chile

Classic Chile / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Biking / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises
Fiord Cruises / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Hacienda Life

The Lake District Nature Tour

Day 1 Reception: Puerto Montt airport. Transfer to Puerto Varas. Brief tour of the City of the Roses. After our tour of town, we shall return to your selected hotel and you will have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure. In the evening you will inevitably be drawn to enjoy a stroll along the shore of Lago Llanquihue.

Day 2 (B) Early departure to drive south and out toward the Pacific, where we cross the straights of Pargua by ferry to the Island of Chiloé. Upon arriving on the island we drive to Bay of Caulin. Here we can experience the fascination of untouched nature, silence and solitude. . Swans and other birds can be easily
watched and when the tide is out you can search for shells and crawfish on the ground of the tideland – as the locals do.
Afterwards we continue to the former capital Ancud. Here we shall take time to walk and explore. Rustic homes and traditional, colorful fishing boats offer ample photo opportunities in Ancud. We will look at the historic Spanish forts, and a wonderful market filled with local traders and artisans selling souvenirs. Chiloé is an island full of legends and superstition, and the locals whisper that century-old monsters roam the night and sail upon elaborately painted ghost ships, frightening even the bravest of fishermen.
From Ancud we continue on to the northern coast of the island, where we visit the WWF World Wildlife Fund penguin colony, one of the few places where Magellan and Humboldt penguins live and breed together. A trip in a zodiac brings us amongst the small islands of the penguin rookeries. Depending on weather conditions, we might observe a sea lion colony as well. A picnic on the beach will be the highlight of this day. Arrival back in Puerto Varas late evening.

or

Full day excursion to National Park Puyehue. At 2.000 m, the Volcano Antillanca towers above the entire park which offers dozens of walking trails through native rainforest with many indigenous trees unique to this area such as the Coigue (pronounced co-ee-goo-ay) and Arrayanes (aurayanis). The wet winters here draw a thick vegetation of lichens, moss and huge native rhubarb called Nalca. Nalca is much coarser than our rhubarb and interestingly, the Chilean natives enjoy it salted, not sweetened. This part of Chile is still active volcanically and as a result there are many natural hot springs here to relax and soak in after a walk. The “Termas de Aguas Calientes“ (hot springs) bubble out of the earth with a temperature of 42°C (107°F) and invite you to soak in and relax. After a good rewarding soak we shall return to Puerto Varas.

Day 3 (B) Early morning drive south to the Llanquihue Nature Reserve. This Nature Reserve sits on the Western Slope of the Volcano Calbuco. Without hiking trails it would be impossible to get through the Valdivian rain forest: the dense vegetation, with huge ferns, Nalcas (gunnera), mosses and majestic tree-giants form the highest biomass on earth! The rich, green, fragrant and humid environment accompanies us on our way to the tree line. To our surprise, we emerge from the rain forest to a wide panoramic view across to the Pacific. Above us towers the immense Volcano Calbuco, which last erupted in 1961. In the evening we
return to Puerto Varas.
Hike: moderate, about 5-6 hours, partly steep rise on well prepared trails.

or

In the morning we set out along the southern shore of Lago Llanquihue. Osorno Volcano stands tall behind the lake. From Ensenada we turn south and continue on to Ralún which sits at the upper end of the Reloncaví estuary. Ralún is a small, peaceful fishing village and we shall take the time to walk around and explore. The fiord is full of birds, sea lions and dolphins. In the afternoon we shall continue on to the town of Cochamó where there is a small historic church built at the turn of the century of Alerce. It sits in a striking setting with the fiord in the background. This excursion is designed to be less active, and so for those who wish for a
short hike some terrific scenery awaits them along the crystal clear waters of the Cochamó River.

Day 4 (B) Transfer to airport in Puerto Montt after breakfast.

Hotel Bellavista (4*)
This is a cozily furnished hotel with terrific views of the Llanquihue Lake and surrounding volcanoes. All rooms have these views and are comfortable they are equipped with cable TV and telephone. The hotel offers a very good restaurant, bar, cafeteria and sauna. It is located on the riverside of the Llanquihue Lake, about
100 meters away from the Main Square and the Puerto Varas Casino.

Gran Hotel Colonos del Sur (4*)
Cozy, historic German style wooden hotel right on the lake in the center of town, with a tremendous view. Artfully finished with antiques and local historical knickknacks. Lots of cozy spaces. All of the amenities including: telephone, television, small indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, bar, tea room (excellent kuchen here), restaurant "Westfalia".

Hotel Cabañas del Lago (4*)
Very comfortable hotel, perched up on the hillside in front of the lake (close to the casino), with terrific view of the lake and the Osorno Volcano. 5 minutes walk to the center of town. Spacious comfortable rooms, telephone, television, restaurant and bar with tremendous views (good wine selection here), gardens, sauna, swimming-pool.

Hotel Colonos del Sur Express (3*)
Tastefully restored historic shingle house, that has been rebuilt into a small hotel. Quiet location (5 minutes walk to the center of town). Comfortable rooms with private bathroom and television, restaurant for breakfast.

Hotel & Cabañas Los Alerces (3*)
Cozily furnished hotel with terrific views of the Llanquihue Lake and surrounding volcanoes. In addition to 44 comfortable rooms, the hotel offers 10 completely furnished Cabins with kitchenette, cable TV and telephone. Services include a very good restaurant, bar, cafeteria, sauna, swimming pool and a conference room.