Chile's Lakes District Extension

From El Tepual Airport near Puerto Montt, the gateway of the Andean fjords, you will be transferred to Puerto Varas.
Known as ‘La Ciudad de las Rosas’ or ‘The City of Roses,’ Puerto Varas is located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue at the southern end of Chile’s Lakes District.
Characterised by traditional German architecture, manicured gardens and the pristine lakeside scenery, Puerto Varas is a prime location for adventure sports. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, sailing, rafting, fishing and sailing as well as canyoning, rock climbing and mountain biking.
Today is an arrival day with no activities planned, so you are free to explore at your leisure.

Further around Lake Llanquihue is the city of Frutillar, the location of today’s half day excursion.
Enroute you will stop in the town of Llanquihue to visit a Memorial for German Colonists.
Fruitillar is known as the UNESCO city of music thanks to its year-round program of musical events. Founded in 1856 by German settlers, the city is undoubtedly one of Chile’s finest.
You will enjoy time to discover its beautiful houses and gardens, shop for souvenirs and take in magnificent views of the Osorno and Puntiagudo volcanos.
There’s also an opportunity to visit the German Museum, which chronicles the life of the early settlers of Fruitillar.

Today you join a small group tour for a closeup look of Osorno Volcano and the Petrohue Waterfalls.
Located on southeast shore of Lake Llanquihue, Osorno Volcano is a 2,652 metre tall conical volcano. The upper slopes are covered in glaciers and the view from the top is spectacular.
The Petrohue Falls are located in Vincente Perez Rosales National Park, Chile’s oldest National Park, on the eastern slope of the Osorno Volcano.
You can take the opportunity to view the turquoise waters of the chute-type falls tumble into the Petrohue River from their source at the Todos los Santos Lake.

You will enjoy a private guided tour of Chiloe Island. To get there, you will travel by road and ferry so you can enjoy the scenery and keep watch for birdlife on the crossing.
On Chiloe Island you will visit the village of Chacao, on the southern shore of the Chacao Channel. After a coffee stop, admire the colourful wooden buildings of the village and the Iglesia San Antonio de Chacao church.
Next you will cross the island to the city of Castro. There, colourful stilted houses called palafitos line the waterfront and you can discover its UNESCO world heritage listed churches.

From your hotel in Castro you will be taken to Chepu to board a boat and travel into the sunken forest of the Chepu River Valley.
Keep your eyes peeled for birdlife including herons and cormorants on your journey. If you’re really lucky you might spot a Huillan (Southern River Otter) or a Coypu (which is a large semi-aquatic rodent).
You will then sail towards the Pacific Ocean and disembark at a local beach before walking to the Muelle de Luz.
The Muelle de Luz (Pier of Light) is a wooden structure made by a local sculptor which has impressive views over the Pacific Ocean.
After time for photos we’ll continue to a local rural house for an opportunity to see how the locals live and enjoy lunch before returning to Castro.

Today you will tour Dalcahue, Curaco de Velez and Achao villages and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Dalcahue is a port city known for its UNESCO World Heritage listed Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de los Dolores (Church of our Lady of Sorrows). The town hosts a handicraft market where you can shop for woollen clothing.
Curaco de Velez is a commune known for its naval history. It too has a UNESCO World Heritage listed church, Iglesia de Curaco de Velez, and the houses in this district are quite colourful.
Finally, Achao is home to a third UNESCO World Heritage listed church, the Santa Maria de Loreto. The town also features a number of houses built with latch tiles, a sandy beach and several viewpoints from its surrounding hills including the Alto de Paloma. From these viewpoints keep your eyes peeled for the straight-billed curlew and the Chilean Flamingo.
As you travel the roads between these towns watch for farmers who use traditional Indigenous practices that promote the conservation of natural resources.

You will leave Chiloe Island after being transferred from your hotel in Castro for your next destination.