Puerto Montt is the Pacific's entry point to Chile's Lake District, a verdant strip of land surrounded by lakes, rivers, volcanoes and of course, the Pacific Ocean. The city itself is situated on hills that climb in a V-shape from the natural harbor. It usually rains every day in the summer, but when we arrived, we were told it had been sunny for almost a week.There's actually plenty to see just by walking around the town, and great shopping opportunities at the artisan's markets and malls, but most guests chose a shore excursion because there are so many diversions in the region. Want to hike up a volcano? Try your hand at fly-fishing? Kayak under waterfalls or go whitewater rafting? It's all available here.
We ( Marilyn, Steve, Les, Joyce Ruth & I) ~ got up very early & were ready at 745am for tendering into the Puerto Montt Pier and arrived just before 9am to terra firma. We met Carlos Nado our tour guide who speaks perfect English – email & tel.
Our tour includes on the way to the mountains a quick Puerto Montt City Tour then heads to Puerto Varas & Llanquihue Lake, an Llama & Emu Farm with a absolutely beautiful view of Osorno, the Petrohue Falls in the Perez Rosales National, Emerald lake, an Frutillar and afterwards the local Fish market & Angelmo the local market place. See below for more specifics on these areas.
Puerto Varas: is located about 12 miles northeast of Puerto Montt, this "City of Roses" is quaint and charming, perfect for a nice walk along the shores of Lake Llanquihue with the reflection of the cone-shaped, snow-covered Osorno volcano always present. There's a great craft market and several cafes to enjoy a nice coffee and a raspberry kuchen.
Petrohue Falls and Vicente Perez Rosales National Park: The gorgeous route through this national park on the way to the foot of the Osorno Volcano takes you slightly off the main road to these falls. Created from an eruption of the Osorno several centuries ago, the large volcanic rocks form the basis of the multiple cascades. The falls aren't high or as impressive as Niagra, Victoria or Iguazu, but there are several pathways and bridges that traverse the river, offering incredible photo ops, especially with the ever-present Osorno in the distance (and the sound is nice too). It is for these views that people love visiting this region. *This park is not scooter friendly.
Frutillar: This small hamlet perfectly preserves the German and Austrian architecture from the immigrants in the late 1800's; talk about a picture-perfect postcard view! The town edges onto Lake Llanquihue, is filled with flowers and timbered chalets, and if you're lucky, you'll be there for the Semanas Musicales de Frutillar, a series of weekly outdoor concerts (mostly classical, some jazz) held during the months of January and February. *** We stopped at one of these timbered chalets café’s on the way back for many fruited varieties of German cheesecake & coffee ~ yummy! ~ See picture of café.
Feria Artesenal Angelmo: The artisan market stretches for blocks and blocks, and is reportedly the best place in all of Chile to purchase Chilotan products (woven items of wool and alpaca) from Chiloe, an island off the coast near Puerto Montt. You have to bargain, but even if you don't, the posted prices are low enough to make you want to empty your wallet. Baskets, hand-spun and hand-dyed wool sweaters, blankets, Chilote ponchos, hand-made boots, leather goods, carved wood figurines, jewelry and alpaca rugs are all offered at the craft market. To give you an idea of the great prices ~ Alpaca & silk scarves went for $4.00 each, shawls, $8.00 each and sweaters = $23.00 each.
We ( Marilyn, Steve, Les, Joyce Ruth & I) ~ got up very early & were ready at 745am for tendering into the Puerto Montt Pier and arrived just before 9am to terra firma. We met Carlos Nado our tour guide who speaks perfect English – email & tel.
Our tour includes on the way to the mountains a quick Puerto Montt City Tour then heads to Puerto Varas & Llanquihue Lake, an Llama & Emu Farm with a absolutely beautiful view of Osorno, the Petrohue Falls in the Perez Rosales National, Emerald lake, an Frutillar and afterwards the local Fish market & Angelmo the local market place. See below for more specifics on these areas.
Puerto Varas: is located about 12 miles northeast of Puerto Montt, this "City of Roses" is quaint and charming, perfect for a nice walk along the shores of Lake Llanquihue with the reflection of the cone-shaped, snow-covered Osorno volcano always present. There's a great craft market and several cafes to enjoy a nice coffee and a raspberry kuchen.
Petrohue Falls and Vicente Perez Rosales National Park: The gorgeous route through this national park on the way to the foot of the Osorno Volcano takes you slightly off the main road to these falls. Created from an eruption of the Osorno several centuries ago, the large volcanic rocks form the basis of the multiple cascades. The falls aren't high or as impressive as Niagra, Victoria or Iguazu, but there are several pathways and bridges that traverse the river, offering incredible photo ops, especially with the ever-present Osorno in the distance (and the sound is nice too). It is for these views that people love visiting this region. *This park is not scooter friendly.
Frutillar: This small hamlet perfectly preserves the German and Austrian architecture from the immigrants in the late 1800's; talk about a picture-perfect postcard view! The town edges onto Lake Llanquihue, is filled with flowers and timbered chalets, and if you're lucky, you'll be there for the Semanas Musicales de Frutillar, a series of weekly outdoor concerts (mostly classical, some jazz) held during the months of January and February. *** We stopped at one of these timbered chalets café’s on the way back for many fruited varieties of German cheesecake & coffee ~ yummy! ~ See picture of café.
Feria Artesenal Angelmo: The artisan market stretches for blocks and blocks, and is reportedly the best place in all of Chile to purchase Chilotan products (woven items of wool and alpaca) from Chiloe, an island off the coast near Puerto Montt. You have to bargain, but even if you don't, the posted prices are low enough to make you want to empty your wallet. Baskets, hand-spun and hand-dyed wool sweaters, blankets, Chilote ponchos, hand-made boots, leather goods, carved wood figurines, jewelry and alpaca rugs are all offered at the craft market. To give you an idea of the great prices ~ Alpaca & silk scarves went for $4.00 each, shawls, $8.00 each and sweaters = $23.00 each.
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