Trekking in Alerce Andino National Park, Puerto Varas

Start your trekking adventure with hotel pick-up in Puerto Varas to enjoy a scenic drive along the Paseo Pelluco with views of the Pacific Ocean. The route weaves you through the alluring town of Lenca, leading to Alerce Andino National Park. Upon arrival, perhaps you'll meet with a guide or park ranger who can provide crucial safety instructions and walk you through the day's itinerary.

Next, setting out on a 2.5-mile (4-km) trail to the Chaica River waterfalls is common. This route is mostly flat and meanders alongside the river, penetrating deep into one of the world's oldest rainforests. As you hike, observe the lush greenery teeming with exotic birds like woodpeckers, hummingbirds, the endemic chucao tapaculo, and other creatures, including pudus, Chilean deer, and pumas. Your guide may lead you to a staircase, where you can climb up to the Salto del Río Chaica. Here, you can enjoy a moment of tranquility as you watch the powerful waterfall cascading onto the rocks below.

A little further up, you might encounter the park's towering Alerce trees, the tallest in South America. These ancient trees have been growing here for millennia and can live up to 2,500 years. From here, you'll venture back along the loop trail lined with forest flowers and ferns to the starting point. Next, you'll enjoy transportation back along Settlers Road to your hotel, enjoying Chile's Lake District's natural beauty as your adventure ends.