Top 5 Most popular Excursions in Puerto Varas

Here we are going to review the 5 most popular excursions done by most the agencies in Puerto Varas , this could be very useful , specially if you don’t have much time there…Here we go..

1. Saltos del Petrohue , Todos los Saltos Lake  ( Petrohue rapids and All saints Lake)

Is located about 65 kilometres (41 miles) from Puerto Varas, good condition road, last 6 kilometres (4 miles ) is a dirt roard not very good, there is one gas station in Ensenada but we recommend you fill your tank in Puerto Varas , Now this tour is very  interesting , because you will see a curious basaltic formation rocks, formed by pyroclastic explosions of Osorno Volcano thousands years ago, where the petrohue river “jump” over , forming this famous rapids.

The Rapids are located within the national park Vicente Perez Rosales, so involve a ticket cost of $1200 Chilean pesos (updated June 2009). If you are thinking to take a tour there is a great option, request your travel agency include the Osorno Volcano in the prize.  There is a public mini-bus to Petrohue every 30 minutes from downtown Puerto Varas , cost $ 2000 Chilean Pesos ( Updated June 2009 ) , its says ” PETROHUE” in the windshield and the bus stop is on Del Salvador Street next to Banco de Chile. (There are lot of restaurants along the route , we will review some of them soon)

2. Volcan Osorno Excursion

This Volcano is the symbol of the whole lakes district, is a perfect conic formation with a glacier on the top, there is a road that arrives till the ski centre up to almost 4000 feet which is open all year around, including in summer, due to, the chair lift is used either for skiers or for those who wants to appreciate the impressive vistas of the LLanquihue Lake (when is clear) the ticket cost around $ 15.000 Chilean Pesos. The ski centre counts with a nice cafeteria and a souvenir shop.

Try to take this excursion in a day without rain, otherwise, would be a waste of time, because most of the activities up there would be suspended, remember you go mainly for the vista or may be for a trek. Unless you are a skier, a day with rain or fog would be wasted. Call in advance to: 56-65-233445 ext. 601. Ask your agency to include, Petrohue rapids, on the cost, is perfectly doable both in one day.

3. Ancud and Puñihuil penguin Colony

This excursion is very recommendable from October till middle March, you got the best from the Island of Chiloe, plus a very interesting penguin colony where you can find 2 species, Magellan and Humboldt penguins, nesting practically together on volcanic rock islets very close from the beach, but anyway you have to rent a boat if you want to see something.

This excursion involves a ride of  2 ½ hours from Puerto Varas, for just 20 up to 25 minutes of penguins. The only way to do it, is driving towards Ancud then take the coastal road to Pumillahue (dirt road, not very good) and after 11 kilometres you will find the fishermen cove of Puñihuil. Once there, you have to make arrangements for take a boat ride to the islet, the fishermen is very organized, so, won’t be difficult to find a boat. Our recommendation is make previous arrangements with Katia cell : 99552417 (Spanish only).

Note from Alex: You have to consider the time you invest in this excursion, sometimes you have to wait up to 1 hour on high season (December to March) for boarding the ferry to the island , is a variable nobody can control. For Lunch we recommend, to taste the seafood empanadas in the same cove restaurant.

4.Frutillar Half Day Excursion

We really encourage to do this excursion in the afternoon, this town is very quite (too much some times), why in the afternoon? Because is really nice to appreciate the sunset here the location facing Llanquihue Lake is simply great! And you have better chances to find either shops or restaurants open either for lunch or tea.

Frutillar is located 25 Kilometres ( 16 miles) from Puerto Varas , around 30 minutes, About the activities here this is the town of music and high percentage of the original German settlers descendant still live here ,that’s why everything is centred around them. We recommend visiting the Colonial German Museum, just if you have a lot of time to spend, illustrating lifestyle of the second and third generation of the settlers around 1880 to 1920, this museum could be much better but it is not, much of the explanation is in Spanish, and there are no guides available inside unless you take your own, so, we prefer you spend your time appreciating the local architecture which is perfectly conserved in some cases, and the beautiful gardens.

You can also check the activities of “Teatro Del Lago “for your day visit. If you are in the mood of relaxing there is a hidden place which personally I love, in fact, I have to recognize I am a member, SPA SALZBURG, take your bathing suit and spend a delicious and relaxing afternoon, the Spa is located in front of the “Playa Maqui” and is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm and it counts with a heated pool with hydro massage and 4 hot tubs for 8 people , if you like swimming, this is a good option , the daily pass cost $ 10.500 Chilean pesos with lunch included .

The icing of the cake would be to finish your visit, having the local tea time with delicious pastry at “The Lavender Tea House”, is one of my favourite places to have tea, facing the lake this house is surrounded by lavender plantations and is beautifully decorated, our recco thou, Take cash with you ….they don’t accept neither dollars nor credit cards.

5. Peulla with navigation on Todos los Santos Lake

This is a full day excursion and is done by the company which the owner of the hotel in Peulla and the catamaran , we recommend this excursion, just if you have the time and you have a good weather forecast , because is mainly scenic, usually includes the stop over the Saltos de Petrohue. , so if you already booked this excursion, don’t book the Petrohue one, would be more of the same.

Once in Peulla you don’t have much option for lunch , unless you take your own snack, the alternatives are in both of the hotels located there . The company who own this route have a few alternative activities in Peulla , we recommend the canopy adventure and try to avoid any optional tour which has the word “safari” on it.

This excursion involves 1 , 15 hours from Puerto Varas to Petrohue pier, plus 1,40 hour of navigation .

How to avoid fines in Santiago’s Airport ?

Chile is a country free of some agricultural diseases such as :foot and mouth among others, so the agricultural airport control is ver strict at the arrivals.

In the last few moths a lot of travellers have been fined, sometimes over 200 dollars for bringing just an apple or a bag with peanuts, m&m’s and almonds and not declare them.

Because of sanitary issues, the airport control about any organic item that you bring is extremely tough, so declare everything ….where do I declare this?

Upon arrival an agricultural sworn statement will be given to you, some time is given on the plane, especially if you travel by LAN , be sure to declare there .

Tip from Alex : If you want to see the  sworn statement form click here

If you are still confused about this and you still have some wustions, pplease watch the following video:

VIDEO

Torres del Paine , Trekking the “W” route

Have you ever hear about the famous “W” circuit?, well is a circuit which could take you 5 days in average , starting  from the amazing  vistas of  Grey Glacier point 1 on the western side of the Paine massif , after that you trek till point 2 where is located the Valle del Frances ( French Valley) after that you will finish on point 3 on the eastern side of the masssif contemplating the amazing vistas at the base of the impressive torres ( towers ). November to March would be the best season.

Tatio Geysers, Atacama

Duration: 7 to 8 Hours

This excursion is one of the most popular one, because it takes you over 14000 feet high, over the geothermal area of the Tatio Volcano, the idea is reminisce about the former natives who wait for the sunset in the highest areas of the Andes, when the sun start rising, all this watery craters activate offering the most amazing spectacle that nature can offers in the Atacama desert , Also exist the possibility to swim in one the naturals pools formed by this geysers so take your swimsuit with you , but don’t except any dressing room . Not only the geysers gave

you an unbeatable show also in the way back you will have highly chances to see wild life such as: Vicuñas, Vizcachas , upland goose, crested ducks, Flamingos among others . If you want you can stop at Machuca Village for a toilette stop, also to taste the delicious goat cheese empanadas or a Llama kebab.  This excursion is very recommendable for photography, wild life and culture exchange enthusiastic travellers, not recommendable for people with heart condition or breathing illness, all this due to the altitude.

All our tours are just an idea what is commonly done , if you need something a little different , please just send us your request!!

Atacama Salt Flat Tour

Duration: 4 up to 5 hour

It is the second biggest salt flat in South America 4000 square kilometres and is located in a depression formed between the Andes range and the salt range , this excursion pass by the village of Toconao where you

might be interested in visiting the Saint Lucas church and bell tower declared national monument , also here you might purchase some handicrafts made by the locals in a very unique stone liparita , after this stop the excursion continues into the area of the flamingos National reserve which is located practically in the middle of the salt flat, here we will wait for the amazing sunset,observing the wildlife protected in this reserve mainly birds such as : Flamingos , Avocets, Sandpipers among others.

This excursion is very recommendable for sunset photographers and bird watching enthusiastic travellers.

All our tours are just an idea what is commonly done , if you need something a little different , please just send us your request!!

Altiplanic Lagoons

Duration: 6 to 8 Hours (from San Pedro de Atacama)

Our trip begins with the ascending by vehicle 7.874 feet of height, where we will reach our peak altitude of 13.779 feet in the Andes Mountain Range; we will visiting this valley surrounded by this beautiful mountains, during this excursion we have highly chances to observe wild life, such as: Vicuñas, Alpacas, Foxes, Rheas, Chilean Flamingos, Viscachas, Crested Ducks, Upland goose, among others.

Our main Objective is to be facing the Altiplanic Lagoons of Miscanti, Miñique and Tuyajto perfect blue lagoon that in a day without breeze you could take a great picture reflecting the mountains.

This excursion is very recommendable for Bird watching and photo enthusiastic travellers.

All our tours are just an idea what is commonly done , if you need something a little different , please just send us your request!!

Archeological Tour, San Pedro de Atacama

Duration: 3 Hours (without Lunch) or 6 Hours with Lunch

This excursion will take in to the deepness of the desert, discovering most of Atacama Archaeological Treasures, We will visit Tulor village a place discovered submerged in the sand that tells you the history of the first inhabitant of the driest desert of the world, also we can visit the Quitor Fortress an twelfth century Atacameño Fortress or locally named Pukara which remains intact and tells you many details about the daily life of this pre-Columbian culture. The tour

could finish in the Museum of Father Le Paige, and if you want we might include a home-hosted lunch which is the best way to get acquainted with the local culture.

All our tours are just an idea what is commonly done , if you need something a little different , please just send us your request!!

Penguin encounter at Otway sound

Duration: 4 hours (from Punta Arenas)

Take a deep look in to Patagonian steep for a while and make a stop at a penguin reserve, bordering Otway bay you will have wonderful views of these little friends.

Mainly Magellan penguin, they live and nest in this reserve so you will have the chance to have a very close look from them from the wooden stretch of this beautiful place, also some times, if you are lucky enough you could see another birds and wild life.

All our tours are just an idea what is commonly done , if you need something a little different , please just send us your request!!

Fort Bulnes Tour (PUNTA ARENAS)

Duration :4 hours ( From Punta Arenas )

We will drive along the Magellan strait , la leñadura , Santa Maria point Guairabo, Agua Fresca and Rinconada Bulnes, en route to Fort Bulnes. Chile took possession of the Strait and Patagonia in1843 by establishing its first settlement and fort at this site. Set

Strategically on a rocky bluff overlooking the Strait, the fort was soon abandoned in favour of Punta Arenas, where the climate was far more benign. The present fort is a re-creation of the original, with reconstructed buildings including a church, jail, post office

and stables. A short distance away is Puerto Hambre (Port Famine), the site of Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa’s ill-fated 1584 settlement under the orders of King Felipe of Spain. Little remains of the ruins except a memorial plaque. Thomas Cavendish landed

at this site and found only the remains of the city. He renamed it Port Famine. The drive back to Punta Arenas is along the coastal road with a stop at the lookout point at La Cruz Hill for a view of the city and the Strait of Magellan.

All our tours are just an idea what is commonly done , if you need something a little different , please just send us your request!!

Little trek in Andino Club ( Punta Arenas)

Duration : 4 Hours  (from Punta Arenas)

Patagonia now there’s a word that evokes images of cold, deserted, windswept landscapes, however, this vast and fascinating land often has pleasant summers and always offers great  vistas, some of which you could enjoy during this tour. We will drive first to the Club Andino (Andean Club)-a unique ski complex that is one of the very few in the world with a view of the ocean. This place can be used in summertime for great hikes on the tree covered slopes with lush forests of Patagonian natives such as

coigues, lengas, and ñirres (Nothophagus) . Upon arrival at the club, climb aboard the chair lift that covers a distance of approximately 1500 yards and affords beautiful regional views as it whisks you up the mountain. From the top, you will see the legendary Strait of Magellan and the city of Punta Arenas in the distance. At the descent point, start hiking downhill on a path that will lead you through the woods. Back to hotel.

All our tours are just an idea what is commonly done , if you need something a little different , please just send us your request!!

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