Exploring Santiago & Chile's Lake District - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago de Chile, Food Tour

Welcome to Chile! Upon arrival at Santiago International Airport, a driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. But rather than idle indoors, we want you to get out and experience the pulse of this Latin American metropolis. And like any great city, that pulse is found in its people, marketplaces, and cuisine. To that end, you'll immediately head back out on an easy and delicious half-day tour of the city. By the end of it, you'll be an honorary Santiaguino. 

Highlights of the tour include:

• Wandering the aisles of Santiago's labyrinthine central market. This is the beating heart of the city, overflowing with vendors and local residents eager to get their hands on the freshest of the day's produce. With the assistance of an English-speaking guide, you'll engage with these vendors and shoppers, learning about their daily routine while getting the inside track on the most delicious tidbits to try.
  
  
• A tasting of traditional Chilen dishes. It's not enough to experience the kinetic energy of the marketplace—you'll want to do like a local and indulge your taste buds as well. You'll also get a glimpse into how some of Chile's most famous dishes are prepared.
  
  
• Ascend to the top of Cerro San Cristóbal. After the market, it's time to hop on a cable car to the top of this hill that sits about 984 feet (300 m) above the city. Enjoy the 360 degrees panoramas and take plenty of photos, as these are the most incredible views in Santiago.
  
  
• Take a lunch break in the fashionably bohemian enclave of Barrio Bellavista. It's time for even more food, this time in the trendiest neighborhood in the city: Bellavista. Here, you'll find a diverse array of funky cafés, international eateries, and high-end restaurants.

 After the tour, you'll return to your hotel and can spend the remainder of the day relaxing. 

Day 2: Day Trip to Valparaíso & Wine Tour

After breakfast, you'll depart from your hotel bound for the historic Chilean coastal city of Valparaíso. This is a special treat because Valparaíso isn't only a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's also the most romantic and artistic city in the country.

But that's not all. En route, you'll stop at an organic winery in the Casablanca Valley for a guided tour and tasting. The owners of the Emiliana Winery pride themselves on their all-natural approach to growing grapes, which utilizes the combined efforts of plants and livestock to help fertilize the crops. You'll tour the vineyard and the production facilities and then taste four different wines paired with local cheeses and chocolates.

Shortly after the tour, you'll arrive in Valparaíso. This colorful, well-preserved seaport is a throwback to the turn of the 20th century when electric trolleys coasted along the waterfront, and lurching funicular elevators carried passengers to the highest points in the city. The tour of Valparaíso begins at the port, where you'll travel by trolley between Plaza Sotomayor and Plaza Aníbal Pinto. Then, it's time to hop in the Reina Victoria funicular and ascend to the top, where you'll be greeted with panoramic views of the city.

You'll then wander the high streets through hilly neighborhoods like Cerro Alegre, Cerro Concepción, and Cerro Florida. This is the best way to get to know Valparaíso, as there's nothing quite like strolling among the brightly painted houses, old churches, and cobbled squares that comprise this city. And no matter where you happen to be, you can always find sweeping views of the Pacific coast and the blanket of blue water running out to the horizon. After the tour, you can enjoy an optional lunch in a local restaurant (try the seafood; it's some of the best in South America). Then, it's time to hop back in the minivan, transfer back to Santiago, and return to your hotel.

Day 3: Maipo Valley Full-Day Tour

Today, you'll experience even more of Chile's famous natural beauty with a visit to Cajón del Maipu. After breakfast, you'll embark on a 45-minute road trip southeast of Santiago to this popular gorge. You'll first arrive in the fertile San José de Maipo region, with its hills and vineyards. Then it's an ascent into the mountains, and the landscapes become even more dramatic as massifs and snowcapped peaks dominate the skyline. That's to say, nothing of the sparkling rivers and streams that wind through this paradise.

After reaching 9,843 feet (3,000 m) above sea level, you'll exit the vehicle at the shores of the Embalse de Yeso, a reservoir nestled in the Andes whose glassy surface shines bright turquoise. There will be ample time to marvel at this landscape and snap photos of the panoramic vistas. You'll also walk around the shore as your expert guide offers insight into the geology of the area as well as the history of the reservoir, a result of damming the Yeso River back in 1964.

For lunch, pull up a seat near the water and enjoy a picnic accompanied by a selection of top Chilean wine. Afterward, you'll return to San José de Maipo and stop in at a local restaurant to try a traditional Chilean empanada. Finally, you'll transfer back to your hotel in Santiago.

Day 4: Transfer to Castro (Chiloé Island)

Today, you'll fly from Santiago to Puerto Montt, located in the Lake District. This windy port city is the jumping-off point for epic journeys into southern Chile along the Carretera Austral and even deeper into Patagonia. For your purposes, it will serve as the gateway for excursions to some of the most beautiful towns and villages in the nation.

Upon arrival to Puerto Montt, you'll transfer directly to Chilóe Island. Both geographically and culturally, this is one of the most distinctive areas of the country. Chiloé is an archipelago comprised of many little islands and one main one, Isla Grande. However, despite Isla Grande's relatively close proximity to Puerto Montt, arriving here is a bit of an adventure in its own right.

Your journey involves a road trip and a ferry crossing to arrive at Isla Grande. Then it's another hour or so drive to reach the southern shore and the small capital city of Castro, where you'll overnight. The scenery during each leg of this journey is spectacular, and once on the island, you'll see how Chiloé became such a desirable locale. Isla Grande is all rolling green hills, dense forests, and patchwork fields. The coast is never far off, no matter your location, and it's in the coastal coves and bays where Chiloé's mythic legends were born. Supposedly, the island is inhabited by witches who fly from the caves after dark and can be seen as lights zipping across the night sky.

Arriving in the fishing city of Castro is a bit like stepping back in time. You'll be enamored with the colorful houses and old German colonial churches found here. If you're not too tired, head out and do some sightseeing. Visit the Plaza de Armas (central plaza) before taking a stroll along the waterfront, which runs along a fjord. For dinner, get out and sample the local cuisine, like curanto. This rich seafood stew has been around as long as the island has been settled, maybe even longer (perhaps dating back to the Indigenous). Typically, the dish is prepared by burying shellfish, meat, and potatoes in the ground and cooking it over hot rocks.

Day 5: Chiloé National Park Full-Day Tour

After breakfast, a driver will meet you, and you'll embark on your full-day tour of Chiloé National Park, one of the natural highlights of the island. This 166 square miles (430 square km) protected area encompasses a large portion of the western side of Chiloé. The region is notable for its vast Valdivian forest comprised of southern beech and alerce trees.

Your journey will take you south from Castro and across the island to Playa Rahue, where you'll embark on a short hike to the famous Punta Pirulil. This lookout point offers sweeping vistas of the green Chiloé coastline and the Pacific Ocean beyond. Also, here is the symbolic Muelle del Alma ("dock of the soul"), a wooden boardwalk that rises over the grassland and looks out over the western edge of the island. You'll rest nearby as your guide recounts some of the local history and lore.

Afterward, you'll head back to the car and transfer to Quilque, an Indigenous community where you'll stop in at a local house for a traditional lunch. Later in the afternoon, you'll make one last stop in Chiloé National Park for an easy hike into a forest at El Tepual Trail, which will take you along more boardwalks surrounded by stunning temperate rainforests. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel in Castro and have the rest of the day free.

Day 6: Ancud Full-Day Tour & Transfer to Puerto Varas

Today, you'll be leaving Chilóe for Puerto Varas, a quiet Lake District town located on the shore of Lago Llanquihue. Before that, though, you'll transfer to the northernmost point of the island, where you'll enjoy a full-day tour of the surroundings. This tour starts in Ancud, the second largest city in Chiloé after Castro.

Even though this is a mostly modern seaside city (many older buildings were destroyed after a major earthquake in 1960), there are some impressive historical sites here. One of which you'll visit is the Fuerte San Antonio. This fort, constructed in 1770, played an important role in the wars for independence, as Chiloé was one of colonial Spain's last strongholds in Chile.

You'll also visit the municipal market, Ancud's Regional Museum (which features displays celebrating the history and patrimony of the island), the Plaza de Armas (main square), and a bird sanctuary at Caulín Bay that in the summertime is home to thousands of unique birds, including black-necked swans and pink flamingoes.

Afterward, you'll head to the nearby beach of Puñihuil and hop a boat bound for some nearby islets. This area is noteworthy in ornithological circles, as it's the only place where both Magellanic and Humboldt penguins cohabitate. You'll be able to view both species from the boat and take plenty of photos. Afterward, you'll transfer off the island for the drive to your hotel in Puerto Varas.

Day 7: Rafting on the RÍo Petrohué

At the scheduled time, a guide will meet you at your hotel in Puerto Varas, whereupon you'll hop in a van and take a scenic 40-minute drive along Lago Llanquihue to the town of Ensenada, located on the eastern shore. This will be the base for your half-day rafting excursion on the RÍo Petrohué.

After a mandatory safety talk, you'll drive five more minutes to the river's put-in. At this point, you'll be in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Chile's first-ever national park, founded in 1926. The river flows out from Lago Todos los Santos and makes its way south to the Reloncavi Estuary. This jaw-droppingly beautiful fjord is surrounded by snowcapped volcanoes such as Osorno, Calbuco, and Puntiagudo.

The rafting team will put in on a calm section of water, allowing everyone some time to practice rowing. You'll then embark down the river, really getting into the action at the first set of rapids called Ciao Seco ("goodbye dry land"). From here, you'll experience 8 miles (13 km) of fun-filled Class III and IV rapids. Breaking up the action will be the occasional stop for a bit of riverbank cliff diving into the crystalline water.

After two hours of wild rafting adventure, you'll disembark the raft and hit the changing rooms before heading back to the base. Here, you can enjoy a local craft beer and some snacks before driving back to Puerto Varas, which you should reach at about 5:30 pm.

Day 8: Kayaking on the Reloncaví Fjord

You'll depart your hotel in Puerto Varas at 8:30 am and drive 40 minutes east along the shore of Lago Llanquihue to the town of Ensenada. This will be the base for today's kayak excursion. Here, you'll pick up your gear and choose between a single or tandem expedition. After driving another 30 minutes, you'll arrive at the town of Ralún and the mouth of Patagonia's northernmost fjord: Reloncaví.

You'll put in on the shores of this estuary and begin the journey south. Soon enough, it will be time for lunch, and there's a perfect spot for it on a peninsula with a small cove lined with green meadows. Here, Señora Yolanda will welcome you to her family farm, and everyone will share a mate (an herbal tea beverage) around a wood stove. After enjoying a traditional lunch and some freshly brewed coffee, you'll take a short tour around the woods. Then, it's time to get back on the water.

The schedule for the rest of the trip involves little more than enjoying the scenery as you glide along the surface of the fjord. Surrounding you'll be wide panoramas featuring the snowcapped Yate and Hornopirén volcanoes. Flying over, you'll see an array of birds, like pelicans and cormorants, and frolicking in the water beside will be sea lions, dolphins, and the occasional penguin.

The kayak excursion comes to an end at Cochamó, a village that sits on the coast between the Andes and the Pacific. You'll leave the water behind, change your clothes, drop off your gear, and hop in a waiting van that will transport you back to Puerto Varas. You should arrive in town at around 7 pm.

Day 9: Trekking Alerce Andino National Park

Today, you have an early start and a full day of trekking ahead of you. After breakfast, you'll depart Puerto Varas for the 30-minute journey to Puerto Montt. Then, it's another 30 minutes south to the coastal town of Lenca and the gateway to Alerce Andino National Park.

The trek follows a route that runs along the edge of the Chaicas River. The scenery in this part of Chile's Lake District is nothing short of spectacular. You'll pass through great swaths of temperate forests abounding with mañio, tepa, arrayán, and alerce trees. You'll stop at Lagos Chaiquenes and Triangulo, two glassy mountain lagoons that happen to be great spots for bird-watching. At the end of the trek, you'll return to Puerto Varas by van.

Day 10: Drive to Pucón, Optional Activities

Today, you'll be transferring from one stunning locale to another. It's a journey that will take you from Puerto Varas to the northern end of Chile's Lake District and the town of Pucón. This village is deservedly famous as it sits on the shore of Lago Villarrica in the shadow of the towering Volcán Villarrica.

The day begins with a private transfer of four hours to Pucón. At that point, the famous volcano will come into view, and you'll see why Pucón is such a tourist draw. More than the beautiful views, however, Pucón is a popular destination for those looking for seasonal activities, such as hiking and skiing. Ziplining is a fun activity as well, and there are a number of nearby excursions you can make from town, such as to the geothermic pools.

But that's for another day. For now, you're probably tired after the long drive. If you would like to get out and stretch your legs, then here are a couple of options for easy activities in and around Pucón:

• Stroll the city center and waterfront: Pucon's main drag, Av. Bernardo O'Higgins is the epicenter of activity in town. Here, you'll find any number of bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Also, you can walk down the road to where it terminates at the lakeshore.
  
  
• Go on a boat tour around the lake. Many tour operators offer boat excursions around Lake Villarrica. This is a fun and relaxing way to experience the natural beauty of the area. Depending on the climate, you'll also be able to take a dip in the water.
  
  
• Dine out. Because Pucón is such a hotbed of tourism, many quality international restaurants have opened up to cater to the crowds. In this town, you'll find everything from sushi to Italian to Arabian to Uruguayan and Argentine steakhouses.

Day 11: Full-Day El Cañi Trekking & Hot Springs

Today, you'll venture a mere 13 miles (20 km) out of town on a private full-day tour and enjoy some vigorous outdoor exercise in the form of mountain trekking. Your destination is the Santuario El Cañi. This 1,500-acre private reserve makes for one of the best hikes in the entire region.

There's an incredible diversity of nature on this hike, which you'll notice immediately once you embark. Over six to eight hours, you'll ascend in altitude as you traverse the Andes, passing by lagoons and observing the unique flora. This region is the natural home of the Araucaria, or "monkey puzzle" tree, a type of evergreen conifer that can live an impressive 2,000 years. Lenga and coihue trees are also common here.

Along the way, your guide will also point out the various wildlife species that call the area home, such as foxes, pudus, and even pumas and condors. Eventually, at 5,085 feet (1,550 m) above sea level, you'll reach a mirador (lookout) that affords 360 degrees panoramic views of the surrounding volcanoes and lakes. Short of hiking up Volcán Villarrica, you won't find better views anywhere nearby.

Immediately after the hike, you can soak your beleaguered muscles in the geothermal pools at Termas Pucón Indomito, which is located near El Cañi. So relax and let the soothing waters in this natural spa ease the day's exertions. When finished, you'll return to Pucón and can spend the evening farther relaxing and unwinding after your hard day's trek.

Day 12: Full-Day Pichillancahue Glacier Tour & Waterfall

Today, you'll enjoy another trekking adventure, this time to the Pichillancahue Glacier, located at the foot of Villarrica Volcano. A driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Palguin, a region in the interior of Chile's Lake District. You'll embark on an easy and well-marked trail through the native Araucaria forest.

As you ascend in altitude, you'll stop at viewpoints that offer 360 degrees views of the surrounding volcanoes. Eventually, you'll reach the Pichillancahue Glacier, which is unique in that it has been colored black by all the volcanic ash that has fallen on it over the years. The trek culminates with a visit to a towering 100-foot (30 m) waterfall tucked away in the native forest. Afterward, you'll transfer back to your hotel in Pucón.

Day 13: Full-Day Huerquehue Trekking & Kayak

It's an early start today as a driver will pick you up after breakfast and transfer you 21 miles (35 km) from Pucón to Huerquehue National Park. This protected area encompasses over 30,000 acres of virgin forest abounding with Araucaria, lenga, coihue, and other trees native to the Lake District and Patagonia.

The adventure begins with a kayak trip from one side of Tinquilco Lake to the other. After disembarking on shore, you'll start an hour-long trek into the woods, experiencing firsthand the region's exotic flora and fauna. As you head deeper into the wilderness, you'll pass by a number of lakes and waterfalls. There should be ample opportunity for wildlife spotting, too, in the form of condors and pudús. With luck, you may even catch a glimpse of a puma. Afterward, you'll cross the lake again back to the starting point, whereupon you'll transfer back to Pucón.

Day 14: Transfer to Temuco, Depart

Your great Patagonian adventure has now come to an end. In the morning, savor one last leisurely breakfast in Chile before a driver meets you and transfers you 1.5 hours to the airport in the city of Temuco. Here, you'll catch a flight to Santiago and make your connecting flight home.

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