This is THE quintessential Lake District Trip. In 8 days of well paced comfortable traveling you will enjoy the best the Chilean and Argentine Lakes have to offer. You will cross from Chile through to Argentina on the classic Petrohue trip through to Peulla and Bariloche, travel north to San Martín and then cross back to Chile and Pucón. Terrific Lake country walks, spectacular scenery, volcanoes, waterfalls and soft adventure hiking and some of the most beautiful National Parks anywhere. Of course, do not forget the varied cuisine on both sides of a border that actually should not be a border

Day 1
Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas
After reception at the airport in Puerto Montt we begin with a city tour of Puerto Montt itself, the capital of the Lake District. Puerto Montt was founded in 1853 by German colonists on the site of an indigenous Mapuche community. Downtown we shall take time to walk about the main squares and historical monuments. Afterwards we shall visit the port itself including the fish market of Angelmó where there is a large handicraft market full of artisans and lots of fresh shellfish.
From Angelmó we continue on to Puerto Varas where we shall be staying (half an hour north on the shores of Lago Llanquihue). Once here we shall enjoy a brief tour of the City of the Roses as it has come to be called because of the tremendous variety of roses all over town. Afterwards, we shall take you to your selected hotel. After dinner you will inevitably be drawn to enjoy a stroll along the shore of Lago Llanquihue with terrific views to the surrounding landscape of volcanoes and the deep blue sea.

Day 2 .............B
Frutillar
In the morning we shall set out on a half-day excursion to the lakeside town of Frutillar. Driving along the lakeshore to visit Frutillar is like taking a step back in time. In Frutillar itself there is a wonderful open-air museum with restored colonial homes and furnishings from the early German settlement period, with an operating blacksmith shop. Throughout the summer there are various high-caliber classic music festivals organized in Frutillar. Nobody denies that from Frutillar you will have one of the most beautiful views to the large Lago Llanquihue and the chain of the snow-capped volcanoes.

Day 3 ................B
Classic Lake Crossing to Bariloche
In the morning we set out driving along the Southern shore of the Lago Llanquihue and enjoy breathtaking views of the volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco. Our first real stop however will be at the Saltos de Petrohue. This series of rapids and waterfalls were formed a long time ago by the cooling lava from the Volcano towering behind them. They form an impressive sculpture of extruded volcanic rock shaped by thousands of years of thundering water flow.
Upon arriving at the landing at Petrohue we shall board the catamaran and prepare for our crossing of Lago Todos los Santos. Lago Todos los Santos (All Saints Lake) is surrounded by high mountains whose lower slopes are thickly forested.
As we pull away from the landing and the source of the river Petrohue, the view is quickly stolen away by the tremendous size and proximity of snow-capped Volcano Osorno behind us. The rest of the morning will pass on the water. To the south high above the forested shore you will see the peculiar shape of Volcano Puntiagudo and a series of waterfalls. We shall arrive in Peulla (pronounced p-way-a), at the eastern end of the lake, about lunchtime. This is the heart of National Park Vicente Pérez Rosales. Here we shall enjoy a lovely hike to the Cascada de la Novia or, the Bride’s Waterfall, a hike amidst native growth "Valdivian Rainforest". Many of the native trees and plants are explained on the interesting nature trail.
In the afternoon the trip continues by motor coach over the Pérez Rosales Pass and into Argentina. On the Argentine side we meet a ferry which takes us across Lago Frias and afterwards a bus to shuttle us to the final boat ride across Lago Nahuel Huapi. All over there are terrific views to the unspoiled Andean landscape – truly it is a special gift that there has never been a public road on this lonesome route, and even today the people experience travelling as the first settlers did more than 100 years ago. Arriving in Puerto Panuelo at the Nahuel Huapi Lake we shall transfer to your selected hotel in Bariloche.

Day 4 ..............B
Bariloche
Day to be spent at your leisure with time to explore Bariloche and its surroundings.

Day 5 ...............B
Bariloche - San Martín de los Andes
After breakfast we set out by public bus from Bariloche heading north toward San Martín de los Andes taking "La Ruta de los Siete Lagos" or, "The Route of the Seven Lakes". The road passes through Villa La Angostura or, "town of the narrow pass", where we leave the paved road behind and continue on through the forests of Nahuel Huapi and Lanín National Park.
This is a tremendous drive through natural wilderness. There are only a few small settlements, mostly of rangers who tend to the National Parks. In the afternoon we shall arrive in San Martín de los Andes. Transfer to the 4-star Hotel "Le Chatelet". This is a traditional wooden chalet style San Martín hotel with a cozy breakfast area, and a small swimming-pool.

Day 6 ..............B
San Martín de los Andes - Pucón
Today we set out in the early morning by public motor coach to cross over the Andes back to Chile through the Tromen Pass. While ascending through Lanín National Park the landscape will change many times until we finally rise above the tree-line. Close to our route 3.776 m high Volcano Lanín stands high above the rest of the surrounding mountains with its majestic perfectly conical snow-capped peak.
Native Araucaria trees shaped like giant umbrellas dominate the landscape. These trees are actually one of the oldest species of trees on earth having survived almost unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs.
After crossing the pass, the landscape on the chilean side changes suddenly: all at once the nature seems to be incredible green. Now lichens, mosses and the rhubarblike Nalca-plants are our constant companion – at this side of the Andes the humid influence of the climate of the Pacific Ocean can be felt remarkable. In the evening we arrive in Pucón picturesque located at the feet of the volcano Villarrica. Transfer to hotel Munich (or similar). Later you surely like to enjoy a stroll through the lively town with many good restaurants or at the shore of the Villarrica Lake.

Day 7 .............B
Pucón
Leisure time to explore Pucón. See local excursions. We highly recommend an active day here climbing the local volcano, hiking in the National Park Huerquehue located nearby, go rafting or relaxing in one of the natural hot-springs. The Villarrica Lake invites you to any kind of watersports: sailing, surfing, kayaking, waterskiing or simply enjoying a sunbath at the lavagreyish, fine-grained beach?

Day 8 ..............B
Pucón - Temuco
Transfer to airport in Temuco after breakfast.

B = Breakfast
BL = Box-lunch or picnic
L = Lunch
D = Dinner

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