An Adventure at the Lake District

Upon arrival at Puerto Montt airport, transfer to the charming town of Puerto Varas nestled along the shores of Lake Llanquihue, offering stunning vistas of the Calbuco and Osorno volcanoes. Following a swift hotel check-in, embark on a leisurely 2-hour walking tour, meandering through picturesque streets adorned with iconic German-style buildings and exploring the local market. Indulge in a quick lunch at the food truck station, then enjoy the afternoon for personal exploration. Later, convene for a delightful welcome dinner hosted by a local chef and wine sommelier, located just a short distance from town.

Setting off early, you will journey along the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue to reach Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. Upon a brief ascent, you will arrive at La Picada refugio to commence the Desolación trail, a breathtaking 12-kilometer hike along the slopes of Osorno volcano, culminating at the emerald shores of Lake Todos Los Santos. After marveling at the rapids of the Petrohué River, you will retire to your lodge for the night, preparing for the exploration of the Puntiagudo volcano valley the next day.

Following a hearty breakfast overlooking the lake, stroll to the deck where your host awaits for a 45 minutes to 1-hour boat ride to the valley shore, marking the start of your trek. The day's hike spans 5-6 hours, weaving through grasslands, farms, and temperate rainforest, crossing rivers, suspended bridges, and waterfalls. By late afternoon you will reach El Callao for an overnight stay at a family lodging, with an optional visit to the rustic yet rejuvenating El Callao hot springs, perfect for unwinding after a day's journey.

Today's adventure entails a challenging 16-kilometer hike with a 700-meter ascent, followed by a descent of 500 meters to reach the shores of Lake Rupanco. Hidden beneath the sandy shore lies a special secret: natural hot springs waiting to be uncovered. With the aid of a shovel you will unearth these springs and soak in their warmth as you witness the sunset. Later on head to the home of a local family to savor a well-deserved dinner.

Following breakfast you rendezvous with your vehicle for a scenic drive south back to the Lake Llanquihue base in Puerto Varas. Along the way, you will savor stunning views of the northern section of the lake and make a stop at one of the favorite spots: microbrewery 860. Indulge in local beer tasting, enjoy lunch, and even try your hand at brewing. In the afternoon, you will join the conservation and rewilding team from NGO Legado Chile for a hands-on experience in conservation and nature restoration. Later, you return to Puerto Varas for an evening of leisure.

The first day of exploration of the island of Chiloe starts early in the morning through a ferry navigation of 3 kilometers and the arrival to the small village of Chacao from where you will head north-west to get to the reach waters of the Humboldt current for a navigation to visit the only breeding colony of Humboldt & Magellanic penguins of the southern hemisphere. After a short hike to a lookout point where a wooden bridge will put you facing the ocean, you will drive for 45 minutes to enjoy a typical meal of the island: the Curanto. A strange but delicious preparation cooked in a pit in the ground on hot stones. Be ready to participate in the cooking preparation and to meet your loving host: Maria Luisa. In the evening you will drive to Castro, your base for the next two days where you will sleep at a real palafito.

Embark on a delightful journey exploring the charming fishing villages of Chiloe's main island. Admire the iconic colorful houses on stilts, surrounded by UNESCO-listed wooden churches. After a walking tour and a visit to Castro's local market, venture west to Chiloe National Park for a scenic 3-hour hike to the mystical Deck of Souls overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy a quick lunch at a local restaurant before relaxing at your hotel. Later, you will drive south to the home of one of Chile's most renowned chefs, owner of El Cazador restaurant, for a special culinary experience, a fitting finale to your North Patagonian adventure.

Transfer to the local airport of Castro or the airport of Puerto Montt.