Day 1 Puerto Varas
We will meet at the Puerto Montt airport, where you will be transferred to your hotel in Puerto Varas.
Day 2 Puerto Varas
Leaving Puerto Varas, we will venture out to explore the northern shore of the Lake Llanquihue and the little German town of Frutillar. Lake Llanquihue, the second largest lake in Chile, is a beautiful sight with the magnificent backdrop of the impressive snow-capped peaks of the Osorno Volcano and Mt. Calbuco and Mt. Tronador. Frutillar, on the shores of the lake, provides travellers a glimpse into the past of this picturesque colonial town.
Once we arrive in the town, we will spend some time admiring the beautiful colonial architecture of Frutillar. While touring the town, we will visit the Opera House of Frutillar. This modern wooden-stone building extending out into the lake opened just a few years ago, with exhibitions every day, complete with good classical music and wonderful views.
While walking along the waterfront we will make a stop at a typical teahouse to enjoy a piece of kuchen and a tea or coffee before heading back to Puerto Varas.
Day 3 Puerto Varas/Petrohue
Departing from Puerto Varas, we’ll travel by auto to the trail head of the Solitary Trail (El Solitario). From this point at the base of the Osorno Volcano, you’ll take in stunning views of the surrounding scenery and be lead through an ancient forest, over volcanic rock and between renewed native forests. Meanwhile, the trio of nearby volcanos are within sight: Osorno, Calbuco, and Puntiagudo. Ending the trek, we’ll head to the Petrohué Waterfalls, where turquoise waters flow over jagged rocks. Finally, you’ll make a stop at Lake Todos Los Santos, where the Andes provide a magnificent backdrop for a peaceful rest and gorgeous photos.
Overnight at Petrohue Lodge
Day 4 Petrohue/Cochamo
Tailor your second day by choosing from a wide range of excursions. We recommend visiting the Villaseñor vineyard for a glass of their delicious Pinot Noir. To get to the scenic vineyard you’ll cast off directly from the hotel dock and set sail up the Puelo River towards “La Murra”, where we’ll disembark to start an easy walk towards the vineyard. Villaseñor Wines is the southernmost vineyard in the world and the first of its kind in the Valdivian rain forest. You’ll get to check out different vines, including the Marzan, Pino Gris and Pinot Noir- the latter of which is planted at a higher altitude than any other vine. From here, you’ll enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the Puelo River Valley.
Overnight at Barraco Lodge
Day 5 Cochamo
Tailor your day by choosing from a wide range of excursions. We recommend:
Andean Lake Hikes
Early in the morning we’ll set out from the lodge by boat and then by car to an area past the Mapocho River, near Lake Totoral. We’ll begin our trek on a footpath through the native Valdivian rainforests to the incredible views overlooking Lake Azul. We’ll climb down to the lakeside, where a boat will be waiting to take us to a beautiful beach for lunch and a swim in its pure crystalline
waters. Forty more minutes of trekking will take us past the adult forests of Coihue and its younger trees lined up around a small lagoon. Finally, we’ll arrive at “Puerto Palas” on the banks of Lake Las Rocas. If weather conditions permit, a second boat will bring us to the lake’s eastern side. Finally, we’ll return to “Puerto viejo” for a third 40-minute trek to our van that will bring us back to the Lodge.
Overnight at Barraco Lodge
Day 6 Cochamo
Tailor your day by choosing from a wide range of excursions. We recommend:
Kayak the Huge “Salto” Waterfall
Surrounded by mountains with wind blowing on our faces, we’ll paddle along the Tagua Tagua Lake for 4 hours until we reach the enormous waterfall directly above the lake. An experience of mythical proportion in the Chilean Patagonia.
Overnight at Barraco Lodge
Day 7 Cochamo/Bandurria Island
The adventure of day five is really in the journey of arriving at Bandurria Island (Islas Bandurrias).
Private transportation will take you from the hotel to the shores of lake Tagua Tagua where we will sail the lake for 45 minutes. Once you arrive at La Colina Farm, pack horses will be waiting to carry your luggage. We will walk for about 40 minutes on easy terrain until we reach Las Rocas Lake. After a short motorboat ride, you will arrive at Las Bandurrias Island. Here you will enjoy a warm welcome with tea and home-made cakes and cookies, walk around the island or go for a swim as you wish.
Overnight at Isla Bandurrias Cottage Lodge
Day 8 Bandurria Island
This morning we will enjoy visiting the Azul Lake with its crystal-clear waters and abundant fish life. The majestic peaks and stunning landscapes will not escape your memory! Our trek follows deep and straight passes into the forest along the mountains, which will take us to the southern part of this lake. We will pass through the a type of ‘cold jungle’, Valdivian-type rain forest with its ancient “Alerce” trees as well as other local “giants” such as the “Coihue” and “Arrayanes” (the cold tree). After a picnic lunch on the lake’s shore in the afternoon, we will return back to the island and enjoy the rest of the evening there.
Overnight at Isla Bandurrias Cottage Lodge
Day 9 Bandurria Island/Bariloche
After a home-made breakfast, we have a half-hour hike to the Chilean Mountain Police Station to cross the border officially. The Station is located on a hill from which we will be able to see the Inferior Lake and the beginning of the Puelo River. Our hike continues along the Inferior Lake, on the same path once used by settlers on their way to Argentina. After about four more hours we will reach Argentina, where a jet boat will be waiting to take us to Lago Puelo National Park’s dock. From there, private transportation will take us to the city of Bariloche, stopping only for lunch in the town of El Bolsón.
Day 10 Bariloche
You will be picked up at your Hotel in Bariloche and transferred to Bariloche airport for your outgoing flight.