Welcome to the Lake District! Upon your arrival in Puerto Montt, meet your guide at El Tepual Airport and transfer to the bustling town of Puerto Varas, located on the shore of Llanquihue Lake. Enjoy the views of Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes from the shoreline of Chile's second-largest lake, before exploring the walkable downtown of Puerto Varas this evening. 

Today, head out for an adventure on the Desolation Hiking trail. This active 12 km hike takes you through a large and scenic section of Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, the first park to open in Chile, in 1926. As you progress, experience ascents that reward you with stunning views of the surrounding volcanoes and lakes. The landscape shifts dramatically from temperate rainforest to volcanic steppe and then to the shores of the Andean lakes. The Andes mountains appear on the horizon as you reach the emerald waters of Lake Todos Los Santos, marking the end of your hike and the start of your trip back to town.

Hike Distance: 12 kilometers / 7.4 miles
Difficulty: High

After breakfast, head to Alerce Andino National Park, the first of the 17 parks that make up the Route of the Parks of Patagonia.

This protected area lies between mountains, volcanoes, and the Pacific Ocean. On this full-day excursion, you travel along the coast at the beginning of the highway known as the Carretera Austral. Hike for approximately five hours within the park, surrounded by temperate rainforest and old Alerce trees (Fitzroya cupressoides). Millions of years of transformation have shaped this landscape, creating rivers, waterfalls, and lagoons. During the drive to the park, stop at local villages and enjoy views of the first fjord of Patagonia.

Hike Distance: 15 kilometers / 9 miles (5 hours)

After breakfast in the morning, head southwest for one hour from Puerto Varas to the ferry terminal. From here, hop on a 35-minute ferry ride to Chiloé. Once there, enjoy a comprehensive exploration of the northern part of the island. Here, experience Chiloe's perfect blend of natural history and cultural heritage. Explore this land of myths, traditions, and unique biodiversity, a world away from mainland Chile. Your guide will take you to visit a breeding colony of Humboldt and Magellanic penguins that arrive at Puñihuil each spring and summer. Observe the penguins and many other birds from a boat as you get close to the protected islets off the beach during a 30-minute ride. After the boat trip, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean before returning to Puerto Varas this afternoon. 

Today, you hike the south face of Calbuco Volcano, part of a group of stratovolcanoes in the Lake District. As you move through the Llanquihue National Reserve, you will see this active volcano, which last erupted in 2015, changing the surrounding landscape significantly. The trail takes you high enough to view the crater and dome, with views of the Reloncaví Estuary and the city of Puerto Montt.

Along the way,  cross streams and see ancient Alerce redwood trees, waterfalls, and exposed lava formations that show the changes since the eruption. This medium-difficulty trail is 14 kilometers long, starting with a gentle ascent toward the volcano viewpoint. As you continue, the terrain becomes steeper and muddier, especially in the final section leading to the shelter at the top, which may even have snow during the spring.

Hike Distance: 14 kilometers / 8.6 miles
Difficulty: Medium 

After breakfast, head out along the south shore of Lake Llanquihue for about an hour to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. From there, take a short walk through the temperate rainforest to explore the Petrohué River waterfalls. After capturing photos of the stunning falls and the perfectly conical shape of Osorno Volcano, return to the entrance of the El Solitario trail. This 6 km path runs along the southwestern slope of the volcano, showcasing diverse landscapes that transition from forested areas to volcanic terrain, with washouts connecting the Petrohué River to the glacier of the volcano.

Hike Distance: 6 kilometers / 3.7 miles
Difficulty: Medium

After breakfast, transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport to continue on to your next destination or begin your journey home.