Activities in The Lakes District
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Puerto Montt City Tour
by Viator
Explore the streets of Puerto Montt on a two hour city tour. You'll see Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, Town Hall and monuments to the German Colonizers before…Not LP reviewed
from USD$34.99 -
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Cruce de Lagos
Many travelers enjoy the scenery around Lago Todos Los Santos, which can be crossed either as a day tour or as part of the bus-boat excursion across the Andes to Bariloche, Argentina. If the weather is clear it's a pleasant tour, but otherwise it can be quite frustrating. Only one company, Cruce de Lagos, does the trip; reservations are made through Andina del Sud.
reviewed
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Mountain Biking
Mountain bikes can be rented all over town. Some of the small unnamed bike shops along the side streets (Arauco for example) have just as good bikes and better prices than the larger agencies on Av O'Higgins. Daily rental prices are negotiable and a brand new bike with full suspension will set you back a bit more than an older bike will.
The most popular route is the Ojos de Caburgua Loop. Take the turnoff to the airfield about 4km east of town and across Río Trancura. (Extensions off this route include the Lago Caburga to Río Liucura Loop and the full Río Trancura Loop.) Two other popular trails that are close to town are Correntoso and Alto Palguín Chinay (to the…
reviewed
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Termas de Puyehue
Alcohol problem? Can’t shake cigarettes? Battling a time-consuming porn habit? There’s no cure here for those, but the therapeutic waters at Termas de Puyehue are said to cure just about everything else. This baronial destination resort, set on an elegant 36 sq km just off Ruta 215, 76km east of Osorno, bills itself as Chile’s first five-star, all-inclusive resort. It is indeed impressive: colossal stone archways, never-ending staircases, heated hallways, three thermal pools, a full-blown spa and three restaurants. The waters aren’t in as good a shape as the resort itself (the outdoor option with views is preferred), but if it eases your arthritis and rheumatism, who…
reviewed
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Rafting & Kayaking
Pucón is known for both its river sports and the quality of the rafting/kayaking infrastructure. Most of the larger agencies run rafting trips. The rivers near Pucón and their corresponding rapids classifications are: the Lower Trancura (III), the Upper Trancura (IV), Liucura (II-III), The Puesco Run (V) and Maichín (IV-V). When negotiating a rafting or kayaking trip, recognize that stated trip durations often include transportation, not just the time spent on the water.
Prices vary depending on the season, the number of people per raft/kayaking trip, the company and level of challenge. Many of the rivers are swollen in the winter and closed for sports, although it is…
reviewed
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Cervecería Kunstmann
At Cervecería Kunstmann, on Isla Teja at Km5 on the road to Niebla, you’ll find the South’s best brewery. Call ahead if you’re interested in a free tour, but we know you’re really just here for the suds. Make sure to try the unfiltered versions of the Toro Bayo and lager at this large brewpub and beer museum – they aren’t available anywhere else. In the evening, the hearty German fare includes lots of pork chops, späetzle, sauerkraut, and apple sauce, which – let’s be frank – is only good if your name is Rolf and you suffer from a debilitating case of homesickness. Bus 20 from Carampague to Isla Teja (CH$300) can drop you off.
reviewed
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Termas Los Pozones
The most popular termas to visit from Pucón has six natural stone pools with a variety of temperatures spaced along the rushing Liucura river. It’s open nearly 24 hours but gets crowded, so come during nighttime hours (8pm to 6am). It can be a fun spot – people drink alcohol in the pools – so don’t count on a place to meditate. A few changing rooms are built overtop the main pool with ladders right into the water. Transportation from Pucón ($10,000) is included in the admission price. Keep an eye on your valuables.
reviewed
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Outdoor Experience
This small, highly recommended agency may not have the fancy vehicles and other ornaments of some of the large commercial operators, but it has an unparallel level of expertise and experience. It puts a lot more thought and personal touch into its excursions than the competition.
If you are motivated to not only get to the top of Volcán Villarrica or hike through El Cañi reserve, but to learn something about mountaineering, local history and geography in the process, this is your top choice in Pucón.
reviewed
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Termas de Panqui
Panqui, 58km east of Pucón, caters to a New Agey crowd and can get overrun in the summer, but these numerous baths are still quite good and are in a tranquil mountainous location. The place promotes itself as an ecological retreat and has a vegetarian restaurant. Come slide into the one of the four pools and soak away the stresses of a long day of enjoying yourself in and around Pucón – bathing suits have even been known to slip off here.
reviewed
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Termas Geométricas
For couples and design aficionados, this Asian-inspired, red-planked maze of 17 beautiful slate hot springs set upon a verdant canyon over a rushing stream is the top choice. It’s simply gorgeous. There are two waterfalls and three cold plunge pools to cool off and a fogón-heated café stocked with natural chicken soup and real coffee. If it weren’t for the Spanish, you’d think this was Kyoto. Located 15km north of Coñaripe.
reviewed
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La Comarca
This eco-sensitive collective marries smaller outfitters specializing in dramatic and custom-tailored adventure trips to less explored areas of the Rio Puelo Valley and Chiloé with independent travelers looking for an experience beyond the norm. Groups are never more than 10-strong and options include half-day bike trips to Volcán Osorno (CH$30,000) and full-day treks to Volcán Calbuco (CH$30,000). They rent bikes as well.
reviewed
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Reina Sofia
Valdivia's main and traditional tourist attraction is the boat cruises that ply the rivers to visit the different forts. Each tour says it's different, but most take the same route, stopping at Corral and Isla Mancera for 45 minutes to one hour each, and all include lunch and onces (afternoon tea). Outfitters include the Reina Sofia, which departs from Puerto Fluvial at the base of Arauco.
reviewed
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Ko'Kayak
Ko'Kayak has French-speaking, careful and fun-loving guides. Opportunities abound in Puerto Varas for great rafting and kayaking. Río Petrohué's diamond-blue waters churn up Class III and IV rapids. Rafting trips range from 5½ hours total, (two hours river time) to a full day rafting with canyoning. They will also take you all-day kayaking on Lago Todos Los Santos.
reviewed
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Centro de Información Ambiental
Conaf’s Centro de Información Ambiental offers a variety of programs mainly in the summer (January and February), including slideshows and ecology talks, hikes to the Sierra Nevada and outings for children. Good trail maps with basic topographic information and trail descriptions are available here, as are climbing permits.
reviewed
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Campo Aventura
The best spot for a horse trek is the Cochamó Valley. Campo Aventura offers singleday to multiday treks, often in conjunction with some hiking, rafting or kayaking. The most popular is a three-day jaunt that traverses the valley from its riverside lodge to its mountain lodge in the rainforest. English and German are spoken.
reviewed
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Fly Fishing
Local fishing is good, especially on the Río Toltén, but first obtain a license from the Municipalidad. The season runs from the second week of November to the second week of May. Fly-fishing operators include Süd Explorer, next to the tourist office, and Gastón Balboa is a knowledgeable fishing guide.
reviewed
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Centro de Ski Las Araucarias
The Centro de Ski Las Araucarias at Sector Los Paraguas has just three ski runs, but is a tranquil and scenic area to enjoy a day on the slopes. Ski and snowboard rental costs CH$12,000 per day. In winter, the center has an annex office in Hotel Panamericana Temuco.
reviewed
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Enjoy Tour
Enjoy Tour has unmatched resources (it's owned by the same company as the casino). It is stacked head to toe with brand new Salomon gear and is able to organize all sorts of excursions with its fleet of new minibuses and attentive office staff.
reviewed
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Antilco
This outfitter runs half- to six-day horse treks in Liucura Valley, Parque Nacional Huerquehue and Mapuche reservations, and half-day and two-day kayaking trips, designed for both beginners and experts, with English-speaking guides.
reviewed
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Huepilmalal Centro Ecuestre
This reputable equestrian center uses pure Chilean bred caballos (horses) for its half-day to multiday treks in the Cãni cordillera. It’s run by a charming couple with over 40 years experience in Europe and South America.
reviewed
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Gray Fly Fishing
Gray Fly Fishing, the local Orvis rep, runs half-day trips on the Río Maullin for around CH$39,805 per person (not including equipment) and can set you up at more remote, high-end fishing lodges as well.
reviewed
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Adriazola Turismo Expediciones
There are loads of places to cast a line, but knowing just where the best spots are will require some local knowledge. Adriazola is a worthwhile outfitter and offers day fishing trips, including guide, gear and meals.
reviewed
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Kayak Pucón
This well-regarded kayak operator with a clever slogan (‘Run the Shit’) offers a three-day kayak tour that will get you on five sections of river in the area, as well as a kayak school and longer expeditions.
reviewed
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Caminos del Sur, tour agency
Caminos del Sur, tour agency organizes a variety of tours including ethnotourism with an emphasis on rural communities, such as Mapuche villages. Has offices at the bus terminal and the airport.
reviewed
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Anticura Expediciones
Anticura Expediciones specializes in arranging trekking and climbing trips in remote areas of the region, tailored to individual skill levels. Trips go from three to five days.
reviewed