Chilean Lake District

Days

5+

Activity Level

Easy

Host City

Puerto Montt

From

$1,995 USD

Adventure in the Chilean Lakes District

Join The Explorer’s Passage (TEP) on a captivating journey through Chile’s stunning Lake District, where snowcapped volcanoes, emerald lakes, and rich cultural traditions await. Begin in Puerto Varas, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, known for its German-influenced charm. From there, explore Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, hike the slopes of Osorno Volcano, and witness the thundering Petrohué Falls. Experience the region’s wild beauty on a guided river fishing excursion, casting for rainbow trout or Chinook salmon in glacial waters. Then, bike through rolling countryside from Frutillar to a local craft brewery, taking in sweeping views of the Andes along the way. Discover the magic of the Chilean Lakes, where adventure, nature, and culture blend into memories that will last a lifetime.


Explore Chile with TEP

Trip Highlights

With German-influenced architecture and breathtaking views of Lake Llanquihue and the Osorno Volcano.

Casting for rainbow trout or Chinook salmon in the clear waters of the Petrohué or Maullín River.

Traverse lava flows, and witness the power of Petrohué Falls in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park.

And along shimmering lake shores from Frutillar to Puerto Varas, ending with a local craft beer tasting.

Let’s Plan Your Trip Today:

TRIP COST

From $1,995 USD per person
Our Chile trips are all-inclusive, crafted with the intent of providing you with an unforgettable adventure travel experience.

*More info. on pricing

More questions? Read more about pricing here

Start dates

Custom dates are available all year round.

To inquire about a custom date,
please contact us!

Duration

Starts at 5 Days / 4 Nights 

Accommodations

Relax in comfort & luxury

max. group size

No minimum or maximum

*All Private Groups

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate*

5 Day / 4 Night Trip Daily Overview

Sample Trip Itinerary

Custom trip itineraries are available for any size group. Please contact us for a complete detailed itinerary.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights, and more. It’s the perfect resource to help you choose!


Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Montt

Bienvenidos a Chile! Upon arrival at Puerto Montt Airport, you will be greeted by a member of our team. Experience the scenery and history in the city of Puerto Montt as you are transported to your hotel in Puerto Varas (about a 40 minute drive). For lunch and dinner, you will be able to explore the gastronomy of the city at your leisure, at restaurants of your choosing.

Day 2: River Fishing Excursion

Today you will have the opportunity to get your feet wet and fish in either Petrohué or Maullín River. This private, full day fishing excursion includes transportation to and from the river, as well as fishing and safety equipment, a bilingual fishing guide, and a packed lunch – or a Chilean barbecue if the weather is good! You can catch Rainbow trout or Chinook Salmon, either with Fly Fishing or Spinner.

Day 3: Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls

We’ll journey through Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, exploring the crater of Osorno Volcano, hiking the Solitario Trail, and witnessing the power of the Petrohué River rapids and the beauty of Emerald Lake. Along the way, enjoy sweeping views of Calbuco Volcano, ancient lava fields, and lush Andean forests before returning to the hotel around 6:00 PM.

Day 4: Bike Frutillar to Puerto Varas

Today you’ll embark on a 6-hour biking adventure beginning in Frutillar, a town known for its German heritage, classical music culture, and stunning views of Llanquihue Lake and the surrounding volcanoes. After riding past scenic farmland and into Llanquihue, the journey ends with a well-earned visit to Chester Beer Brewery, where you’ll enjoy craft beer before returning to Puerto Varas by car.

Day 5: Depart the Lake District

Today you will transfer to Puerto Montt Airport for your departure. We hope you had a wonderful journey exploring Chile’s beautiful Lake District.

Create your OWN Unique Experience

Customizing Your Adventure

Are you interested in another activity or destination in Chile? Planning to spend extra time in the region, or interested in specific travel dates? Prefer to start and end your trip in Santiago, Atacama, or Torres del Paine? No problem. As experts in tailored trip planning, we can weave your interests and your timeframe into our customizable itineraries so that every detail of your extraordinary trip unfolds precisely the way you want it to. Click the options below to learn more:

With The Explorer’s Passage, you can choose between a variety of destination options in Chilean Patagonia:

  • Torres del Paine National Park
  • Punta Arenas
  • Isla Magdalena and Isla Marta Penguin Tour
  • Puerto Natales
  • Bernardo O’Higgins National Park
  • Patagonia National Park (Parque Nacional Patagonia)
  • Laguna San Rafael National Park
  • Cerro Castillo National Park

With The Explorer’s Passage, you can choose between a variety of destination options in Argentinean Patagonia:

  • El Chalten
  • Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy Trek)
  • Laguna Torre
  • El Calafate
  • Perito Moreno Glacier
  • Bariloche
  • Ushuaia

In addition to their time in the Lake District, many travelers choose to add in other destinations to their trips, including (but not limited to) some of the following:

  • Santiago
  • Wine Country
  • Valparaíso
  • Atacama
  • Easter Island
  • Chiloé Island

Contact us today to get started customizing your dream trip to Chile!

Hear what travelers are saying:

5-Star Review Average on TripAdvisor! Read More >
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Just book with these guys, they are the best and I work in the industry! Had an amazing trip with Explorers Passage. Everyone from the start was so friendly and courteous and this got even better when we arrived in Chile. Guides, drivers and hotel staff were out of the world.
Couple this with the stunning scenery and it’s one of my top vacation ever!”
– Richard B.
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“Explorer’s Passage made our W trek adventure not only possible but seamless and amazing. It was clear from the start that they had thought of everything – from the transfers to tickets to gear. We were very prepared from all their detailed checklists and training guide. And we knew what to expect from all our pre-trip calls and emails. The level of detail in all they do is remarkable. We were able to enjoy the adventure that much more because we had so much trust in their guidance as well as execution of all those details.”
– Kate W.
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“My wife and I just got back from Patagonia after completing the W Trek that Explorers Passage had arranged for us. From our first contact with Jeff Bonaldi to our last transfer, our experience was stellar. Jeff guided us through the rather complicated logistics and was very responsive to concerns before and during the adventure. His focus was always on how to make the adventure memorable not on the bottom line for his company. I rarely write reviews but felt compelled to do so because our experience was beyond 5 stars.”
– Steve B.
relax in comfort and luxury

Trip Accommodations

For the nights before and after the Chilean Adventure, you can relax in the comfort and luxury of 3.5 / 4 and 4 / 5 Star premium accommodations – featuring some of the finest hotels in Chile Patagonia.

Hotel Cabaña del Lago | Puerto Varas, Chile

Sample Accommodations

Hotel Cabaña del Lago has 157 guest rooms, each with the most stunning view of Llanquihue Lake and the neighboring volcanoes. This is the ideal location for a relaxing vacation. The hotel is ensconced in a beautiful building that rises majestically over the city of Puerto Varas displaying its distinctive architecture. This is the doorway to all of the attractions that southern Chile has to offer.

Hotel Website

we’re always happy to help

Frequently Asked Questions

The best time to visit the Chilean Lake District is during the summer months from November to March, when the weather is warm and ideal for hiking, biking, and lake activities.

Top attractions include Osorno Volcano, Petrohué Falls, Llanquihue Lake, Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, and the charming towns of Puerto Varas and Frutillar.

A 5 to 7-day itinerary is ideal to explore the main highlights, enjoy outdoor adventures, and experience the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Yes, the Chilean Lake District is family-friendly, offering safe, scenic environments and a range of activities like nature walks, kayaking, cultural tours, and wildlife spotting.

Travelers can choose from guided multi-day tours, day hikes, bike excursions, volcano ascents, cultural heritage experiences, and custom private trips tailored to all levels of adventure.

Pack layers for changing weather, a waterproof jacket, comfortable hiking shoes, sunscreen, and a hat—temperatures can vary widely throughout the day, especially near the mountains.

The easiest way to reach the Chilean Lake District is by flying into Puerto Montt Airport (PMC), which is just a short drive from Puerto Varas, the region’s main gateway town.

we’re Here every step of the way

Trip Support

chile TRIP Support

There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to your travel experience.


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