The Lakes District

Frutillar, Puerto Varas, Petrohué Waterfalls from Puerto Montt

After pickup from cruise port or hotel, you will head to Frutillar. Walk alongside Lake Llanquihue, the largest lake in Chile, with the view of Volcano Osorno in the background. Here, you shall enjoy seeing the majestic German houses with beautiful gardens full of fragrant roses, and the begonias. After you have walked around town accompanied by your expert guide, head to the van where you will go see the monumental “Theatre of the Lake” of Frutillar. You can enjoy some "kuchen" (Chilean dessert) in this town or at any of the other stops during the day. From here, head back south to the town of Puerto Varas. Puerto Varas was colonized by German settlers and is known for its German traditions, seafood, natural scenery and luxurious hotels. This town is located on the shores of Llanquihue Lake and the perfect cone of Osorno Volcano and the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Calbuco and Mt Tronador are visible from the lakefront. You will enjoy walking around town filled with fragrant roses and historical statues that represent the history and founding of the town. If you enjoy shopping for souvenirs to take back home or simply enjoy looking at the local crafts this is a great place to do it. You can also enjoy having a cold German beer at one of the many cafes in front of the lake. The German beers they sell were all originated and are still made right here, in southern Chile. From here, we continue our journey to Ensenada, and then towards Petrohue Waterfalls which is the cherry on the top of this great excursion. If time allows, we always stop along the way and visit the friendly llamas and alpacas that love to be fed! Once you get to the location where the falls are located, you'll embark on an easy walk with your guide to a pathway that leads to the waterfalls. You will see water tumbling over the lip of volcanic rocks, with the waters turning beautiful shades of blue and green. Surrounded by a thick forest, the falls stand against the gorgeous backdrop of Osorno Volcano, making for amazing photo opportunities. The mysterious and breathtaking emerald color of the lake is due to a microscopic algae and minerals in the water. Legend says that whoever drinks from its waters will have good luck for the rest of his or her life.

Puerto Montt Shore Excursion: Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas Tours

When your cruise ship docks at the Puerto Montt port, your professional guide will take you on a 3.5-hour shore excursion to give you a great overview of the scenery, culture and architecture of this area of Chile. First, drive north to the town of Puerto Varas, which was founded by German settlers and is known for its German traditions, seafood, natural scenery and luxury hotels. This town is located on the shore of Llanquihue Lake, one of the largest natural lakes in South America, and the perfect cone of Osorno Volcano and the snow-capped peaks of Mt Calbuco and Mt Tronador are visible from the lakefront. Drive up Phillipi Hill for an even better vantage point!You’ll then travel along the lakeside road on your return to Puerto Montt for a city tour. Drive through the beachside village of Pelluco, visit the Tenglo Canal, and end with some free time in the picturesque village of Angelmó, where you can stroll through the streets at your leisure, dine on freshly caught seafood, and shop for locally crafted wooden and woolen items. After your tour, your guide will drop you off at the Puerto Montt port. Note: beginning January 1, 2014, all services are private

Puerto Varas to Bariloche Andean Lakes Crossing, Return Option

One-Way Lakes Crossing: Puerto Varas to Bariloche (1 day)After meeting in our local offices, head northeast toward Petrohué, a town bordering Llanquihue Lake, the second largest lake in Chile. During the drive, gaze in awe at two snowcapped volcanoes stealing the show, Calbuco and the perfectly cone-shaped Osorno.Enter Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, expansive landscapes of soaring volcanoes, fragrant forests, rivers and glassy lakes, and learn about the park’s history with a knowledgeable guide. Disembark and stroll toward one of the park’s top attractions, the raging Petrohué Waterfalls, cascading down lava beds created by Osorno volcano looming in the background.Next, board a ferry and sail across Todos los Santos Lake, enveloped by the foothills of the Andes, to Peulla, a hamlet near the Argentina border. During the 2-hour boat ride on the shimmering green waters, weather permitting, be dazzled by views of Osorno, the ‘sharp-pointed’ Pontiagudo volcano, and El Tronador volcano, ‘The Thunderer,’ located in the southern Andes.Disembark at Peulla and enjoy a leisurely lunch (own expense) at a hotel, perhaps following it up with a pisco sour in the lounge.Then go through customs, board a bus and capture amazing views as you cross the border in the Andes range at 3,202 feet (976 meters) above sea level. Snake your way down the mountains to Puerto Frías, sail across the deep turquoise-colored Felix Frías Lake to Puerto Alegre, where you’ll take a bus to Puerto Blest. In the evening, cruise from Puerto Blest across the last of your lakes of the day, the sapphire-blue waters of Nahuel Huapi, spanning 346 square miles (897 sq km), its fingers stretching deep into beech and cypress woods.Arrive at Puerto Pañuelo after an hour and take a bus ride to the city of Bariloche, a tourism hotspot sprawled along the shoreline of Nahuel Huapi Lake.If you've opted for the round trip back to Chile, see Itinerary below for details.

Puerto Montt Shore Excursion: Petrohué Falls Tour

When your cruise ship docks at the Puerto Montt port, your guide will pick you up and take you on a half-day tour to Petrohué Falls, a chute-type waterfall in Chile’s upper Petrohué River that spills into Todos los Santos Lake. Travel along the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue and enter Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, where you'll then embark on an easy walk with your guide to a pathway that leads to the falls. See waterfalls tumbling over a lip of volcanic rock, with waters turning beautiful shades of blue and green. Surrounded by a thick forest, the falls stand against the gorgeous backdrop of Osorno Volcano, making for amazing photo opportunities. You'll then continue to All Saints Lake, also known as Emerald Lake due to the striking emerald hue in its water. Enjoy free time here to enjoy an optional boat ride or to simply take in the wonderful scenery. Head to Ensenada village for lunch (own expense) and visit Laguna Verde, a lake hidden along a pathway in a thick forest of coihue trees. You’ll then return to the Puerto Montt port to conclude your tour. Note: beginning January 1, 2014, all services are privateWorry-Free Shore ExcursionWe will ensure your timely return to the Puerto Montt port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.

Private Shore Excursion Tour to Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Frutillar

You start the tour from the port visiting the main square, the most important church and the viewpoint of Puerto Montt from where you can appreciate all the city located in front of the Bay of Seno de Reloncaví.You continue visiting the city of Puerto Varas, which has a population of 35 thousand people. This city is known for its streets adorned with roses and beautiful gardens, located in front of Llanquihue Lake, an icon of tourism in southern Chile, which still retains the typical wooden houses of larch and a rich cuisine, the result of the legacy of German colonization since 1852.Later you arrive at Frutillar, a typical small town of German colonization, a pearl in the south of Chile. An oasis of peace and calm with wooden houses, beautiful gardens and the incredible Lake Theathre, where they perform important classical music events. Walk on his lakefront street, with the Andes Mountains and volcanoes line view. Visit its craft emporiums, take a delicious coffee (optional) with a rich German cake, it is a delight difficult to compare.At the end you return to the port to complete this tour.Optional services: coffee/food and German Museum ticket.

Petrohue Falls from Puerto Varas

During this tour we will see the main attractions that gain the interest of nature´s lovers. Wonderful places like Pescado river, small community in the edge of the LLanquihue lake.In the mouth of Pescado river it will be possible for us to see a church dating back to early 20th century.We will visit the waterwheel El Condor and the Puerto Humos, a special place where the delicious smoked salmon fish is prepared.The tourist will have time for shopping and tasting the fish. After 15 minutes drive arrival at the Ensenada village and we will go to The Laguna Verde which is located on the foothills of the majestic Osorno volcano.Time to walk around and soon afterward we move to a local restaurant called “El fogón Pucarà”, a place where the bovine and pork stick-roasts are prepared. Time for lunch.In the afternoon we will be arriving at Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, to see the world famous Petrohuè falls, and then we finish our excursion in the area of Todos Los Santos (All Saints Lake).A little trek is possible here, or you can take some pictures or rent a boat to sail the wonderful deep emerald lake.We return to Puerto Varas at dusk.