A Guide to Spending the Day Around Lake Llanquihue
Planning a visit to Puerto Varas in southern Chile? Then make sure to set aside a day to take in the stunning views and delicious food of Lake Llanquihue and its neighboring towns. Here’s our guide to making the most of a day trip to this spectacular area.
Rent a car the night before
While there are minibuses that can take you from town to town for just CLP$600 (about US$1), they don’t make a full loop around the lake. Renting a car provides an affordable (starting at CLP$25,000 (about US$37) per day) and satisfaction guaranteed day trip – if you know how to drive stick shift (the majority of the cars are manual, so if you don’t feel comfortable be sure to specify you want an automatic). Renting the night before will save you time on the day, and make for more sightseeing. Consider renting from Varas Car Tour or Hunter Rent a Car, both conveniently located and reliable.
Hunter Rent a Car, San Jose 130, Puerto Varas, X Region, Chile, +56 65 223 7950
http://instagram.com/p/BRXE8meDbv9/?taken-by=jlcandia_&hl=es
Eat a hearty breakfast
Before heading out on your day around the lake, stop by Café Mawen, as early as 7.30am, for scrambled eggs, hearty toast with avocado and hot coffee or tea. If you prefer to start the morning with something sweet, there are muffins, croissants granola and yogurt, too. After fueling up, hit the road, with the map of the lake (ask your hostel) in hand.
Café Mawen, Santa Rosa 218, Puerto Varas, X Region, Chile, +56 65 223 6971
http://instagram.com/p/BEBjNwpo5v2/?taken-by=mawen_cafe&hl=es
Route
Saltos de Petrohue
45 minutes east of Puerto Varas, inside of Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, you’ll find los Saltos de Petrohue, a chute-type waterfall at the top of Petrohué River. The water is clear with a hint of green and splashes high off of the balsaltic lava and rocks. In the background, you’ll see Volcan Osorno, magnificent and tall. Plan to spend 45 min – 1.5 hrs here.
http://instagram.com/p/BWfzl9uBklk/?tagged=saltosdepetrohue&hl=es
Volcan Osorno
A visit to Volcan Osorno is a great option year-round. In the winter, you can ski, snowboard, tube or trek. In the summer, you can also trek, take the chair lift for panoramic views, or zip line. During either season, just driving up the volcano is spectacular, so even if money is tight or time is short, enjoying one of Chile’s most active volcanoes is possible; the options are endless and guaranteed fun. Plan to spend 2 hrs – full day here.
http://instagram.com/p/BQdV6FrAWNB/?tagged=volcanoosorno&hl=es
Rancho Espantapajaros
Time for lunch! In Puerto Octay you’ll find Rancho Espantapajaros, a buffet-style German restaurant with a killer lakeside view. Complete with a gift shop of local goods, a play area, farm animals and a panoramic view of Lake Llanquihue, Espantapajaros is a great spot for a lunchtime destination. Come hungry, as the buffet is full of savory meats, roasted vegetables and other German-Chilean dishes, and stay as long as you like.
http://instagram.com/p/BBjNjxUGBn0/?tagged=ranchoespantap%C3%A1jaros&hl=es
Frutillar
Just 25 minutes from Rancho Espantapajaros is Frutillar, divided into two areas: Alto (high) and Bajo (low). Head to Frutillar Bajo for a lakeside stroll and a different view of Volcan Osorno. After walking around and checking out Teatro del Lago (Lake Theater), one of the most popular cultural centers in the southern cone, pop into KuchenLaden, a cozy German café for afternoon Kuchen, a delicious German dessert, and an espresso. Plan on spending 1 – 1.5 hrs here.
KunchenLaden, Av. Thinnl 1155, Frutillar, X Región, Chile, +56 65 242 2917
http://instagram.com/p/BWk9OvtFx1h/?taken-by=teatrodellago&hl=es
Puerto Varas
What a day – after you’ve taken in everything from volcanoes and pastures, to quaint German farms and a quiet town, head back to Puerto Varas, where you’ll likely catch the sunset along the shore of the lake. Afterwards, go get a refreshing drink – German beer, Chilean wine or maybe Chile’s pisco sour – and a good dinner. Restaurants line the coastal street here, from craft beer joints to pizza places and high end seafood restaurants, and you’ll find a little bit of everything on Costa Vicente Pérez Rosales, which eventually runs into Santa Rosa.
http://instagram.com/p/BWniVZgDE8Z/?taken-at=215485234&hl=es
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.