Northern Patagonia Adventure

Our first outing on foot in this region is a hike to Cerro Llao Llao. After breakfast Patagonian style, we’ll take a short ride along the shoreline of Lago Nahuel Huapi to the trail head of Cerro Llao Llao. The trail weaves through spectacular forest and zig-zags its way up to the rocky outcrops that dot the ridge line, overlooking three different lakes as well as the peaks of Cerro Lopez and Cerro Capilla. Not a bad place for a morning tea break!

After soaking in the spectacular views we’ll descend to lake level and walk the shoreline to the pristine lake beach Playa Tacul. Patagonian rivers and lakes are pure, clean and refreshing – we’ll have time to take a dip in the crisp lake waters and soak in the views before heading back to Bariloche.

Accommodation:

Las Marianas Family Hotel, Bariloche

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking:

5.6 miles (9 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 656 feet (200 meters) ascent, 656 feet (200 meters) descent

After breakfast this morning, we’ll head a short distance out of Bariloche and begin our hike to the Cerro Bella Vista, which literally means “beautiful view”. No surprises as to what’s in store for us today then! It’s a heart-pumping hike as we head above the treeline of the Cerro Bella Vista peak, but the views are well worth the effort as we’ll take in 360-degree views of the myriad lakes and crowded horizon line of huge peaks.

If you’d prefer to spend the day with some downtime or with other activities, the day is yours to explore Bariloche and its surroundings.

Accommodation:

Las Marianas Family Hotel, Bariloche

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking:

7.5 miles (12 kilometers), 6-7 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,624 feet (800 meters) ascent, 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) descent

We’ll leave Bariloche this morning and head through the renowned “Road of the Seven Lakes”, a journey of extraordinary beauty. We’ll wind through lush forests, skirt crystal clear lakes and pass dramatic waterfalls, and a stop for a swim is certainly an option if you’re keen! Once we reach Lake Machonico, we’ll don lifejackets and head out for a paddle in the kayaks, our kayak guide will share insights about the surrounding landscape, including Volcan Lanin, the immense cone which dominates as the centerpiece of the National Park of the same name.

Afterward, we’ll drive a short distance to San Martin de Los Andes, a beautiful little town on the shore of Lago Lácar that proudly enjoys a laid-back pace of life and some of the best mountain views anywhere in the world.

For our evening meal, we’ll be treated to views overlooking Lago Lácar, a perfect closing to a wonderful day.

Accommodation:

Le Village Hotel, San Martin

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kayaking: 2 hours

As well as being famous for dramatic granite peaks and lakes, Northern Patagonia and the lakes district is equally renowned for its perfectly conical volcanic peaks. 

 We’ll begin our hike at Puerto Canoa on the shores of Huechulafquen Lake. The trail is well-marked, initially crossing a pampa of radales before we embark on a smooth, gradual ascent into a forest of cohiues and araucarias. After a while we’ll encounter a steep step to navigate around an old volcanic slag covered with vegetation. As the forest ends, the trail opens to a perfect view of the hanging glacier on the southern slope of the volcano.

We’ll return along the same route and head back to San Martin with time to relax before dinner.

Accommodation:

Le Village Hotel, San Martin

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking:

12.4 miles (20 kilometers), 8 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,346 feet (1,020 meters) ascent, 3,346 feet (1,020 meters) descent

This morning our hike crosses land belonging to the Mapuche people of this region, skirting around the base of Cerro Curru-Huinca hill, and after a couple of hours or so, leading us to the road where our transport will be waiting.

We’ll then take a stunning drive through the Parque Nacional Lanin to the Chilean border crossing. With another stamp in the passport we’ll board a ferry on the shores of Lago Pirihueico (can you keep up with all these lakes?!), and head across to the Huilo Huilo Reserve. This is a 600 km2 private biological reserve in the heart of the Chilean temperate rainforest with a high amount of precipitation and relatively warm temperatures during summer. Nature lovers will find themselves in paradise here, with 81 known bird species, and even the elusive puma living here.

Today is a day full of highlights, and there’s one more to come – our home for the evening – the Reino Funghi Hotel. Shaped like a mushroom, paying homage to the fungi found in the surrounding forest, this hotel is a feat of architecture and unlike anything you’ll have ever stayed in! Settle in this evening with an onsite brewed beer and views to die for!

Accommodation:

Reino Funghi Hotel, Huilo Huilo

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking:

1.9 miles (3 kilometers), 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,899 feet (579 meters) ascent, 1,899 feet (579 meters) descent

This morning you’ll wake up feeling like you’re part of a fairy tale, as you stare out at the forest and volcano. Whoever thought a mushroom-shaped hotel could be so cozy? Today we’re lucky to have an extraordinary walking trail right on our doorstep! Stretching along the banks of the Fuy River, which originates from the glacial runoff on the slopes of the Mocho-Choshuenco Volcano, a stunning trail weaves its way through lush Valdivian forest with abundant birdlife, crystal clear tributary streams and picture-perfect waterfalls. Of course, if you’d prefer to kick back and soak in the hot pools at our lodgings, or soak in the lakeside views with a coffee or hot chocolate, there’s no better place to do it!

Afterward, we’ll take a guided tour through the Botanical Gardens where we’ll be taught all about the flora and fauna of the natural reserve. Later today, we’ll head south to yet another picture-perfect settlement - Puerto Varas, nestled on the shoreline of Lago Llanquihue, the second largest lake in Chile.

Accommodation:

Hotel Cabana del lago, Puerto Varas

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking:

2.1 miles (3.4 kilotmeters), 2-3 hours, flat

Looming large across the shores of Lago Llanquihue, are the conical peaks of Volcán Osorno and Volcán Calbuco. The views of these imposing peaks are a great indicator of the array of options available to you here in Puerto Varas. The day is yours to explore this incredible adventure playground. Take a boat trip across the lake, walk the plethora of trails just outside town, work on your biking skills on the Osorno Volcano pump track, enjoy the view of four volcanoes whilst rafting the rapids of the Petrohué River - the options are endless.

If you’re unsure what to do today, don’t worry, your guides will help you with planning (including the best places to eat), and there’s always another approach – simply soak in the Patagonia vibe whilst relaxing by the lake, just as the locals do. You're on your own for lunch and dinner today, check out the fantastic array of restaurants in Puerto Varas.

Accommodation:

Hotel Cabaña del lago, Puerto Varas

Meals:

Breakfast

This morning we’ll continue our journey south along the shores of the Pacific Ocean, until we reach our second mode of transport for the day, a ferry ride that will take us across the Reloncavi Fiord. We’ll head for Hornopirén, a village that gets its name from the nearby volcano and which means “Snow Oven” in Mapudungun, the Mapuche language. There are amazing views here, between the glacier of the volcano and the Andes that fall into Chilean fiords.

We’ll grab lunch at the local market – we highly recommend a fresh catch of Merluza or Congrio (Southern Hake and Conger Eel). With our bellies full, and depending on time, we’ll stop off along the drive through Hornopirén National Park for a wander. Renowned for its mountains, glaciers and volcanoes all packed into a relatively small area, along with a wide variety of fauna residing in the untouched temperate rainforest – this is a dreamlike setting.

Later, we’ll take a quick boat ride alongside the Isla Pelada and across to Llancahué Island, our home for the evening. After another meal of delicious local fare, we’ll sit in hot pools and stare at the vast night sky.

Accommodation:

Llancahué Hotel, Llancahué Island

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking:

3-4 hours, flat

Today we’ll hop on board a working boat to cross a very short stretch of water to reach Isla Cabras. Our captain, Claudio, owns a couple of mussels farms around the fjord and he will give us an introduction to his job, learning about the process of mussel farming! Mussel culture has been growing in Chile for the last 15 years and offers another sea-based income for the country which is also one of the main producers of salmons in the world. We will have the opportunity to pull out a rope full of shellfish, harvesting some to enjoy for dinner later. 

We will head back to our hotel for lunch before taking a short boat ride to the entrance of one of the world’s most dramatic fiords, Cahuelmo, where we’ll encounter a South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) colony. On our way back to Llancahue island we discover a very narrow sea entrance towards the East, Quintupeu fiord, one of the world’s most dramatic fiords, home to incredible waterfalls and granite peaks (think Milford Sound in New Zealand). The deep blue waters of the fiord are met with the steep green forested walls of the Andes, rising over 4,200 feet (1,280 meters) above the water.  

We’ll disembark on a small beach on Quintupeu fiord for a short hike to reach the base of an amazing waterfall, with a perfect pool for a swim at the foot of the fall. We’ll spend the evening back on the island, enjoy a soak in the hot pools before dinner, and reflect on a day full of mesmerizing landscapes.   

Accommodation:

Llancahué Hotel, Llancahué Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking:

0.5-1 hour

After an early breakfast, those who’ve not yet had their fill of springs may have time for a quick dip before we head back to Hornopirén village and along the shores of Reloncavi Fiord to Cochamo. We’ll grab a hearty snack before hitting the water on tandem sea kayaks for a paddle in the calm waters of this fiord. Here the clear waters of the Petrohué River meet the salt waters of the Gulf, passing snow-capped peaks, cascading waterfalls and oftentimes the occasional visitor in the form of a sea lion or dolphin! Lunch today is a highlight, as we’ll stop at a small, locally owned farm for a local meal. This is a great opportunity to spend time with the Yolanda family, who’ve been living on the banks of this fiord for three generations.

After our paddle, we’ll head through the wilderness to our lodging for the evening, the stunning and homely Petrohué Lodge. This beautiful place sits on the very edge of the Lago Todos Los Santos and the mouth of the Petrohué River.

With the Osorno Volcano in the background, it’s the perfect place to kick back, relax and soak in the views of both the lake and the volcano.

Accommodation:

Petrohue Lodge, Petrohue

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kayaking: 2 hours

Petrohué Lodge has its very own pioneer’s museum, which you’ll likely have discovered the night before. When you awake today, you’ll feel like a pioneer as you stare over the lake and imagine what Swiss visionary Don Ricardo Roth imagined when he set out to transform the lodge from a failing transport company to a charming wilderness lodge. In those days travelers would undertake an arduous multi-day journey to get to the lodge, a strategic resting point on the way to Peulla. These days, it’s the perfect base to enjoy Volcán Osorno, standing tall on the edge of Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. We’ll begin our hike through the barren, tortured volcanic landscape that gradually transforms into lush woodland and finally reveals an astonishing view of Lago Todos Los Santos, when we reach the high point of the hike – Desolation Pass. It’s a breathtaking sight!

We’ll return to Petrohué Lodge for the evening and celebrate the days hike with a glass of red wine and an open fire. As if that’s not enough, there are wonderful wood-fired hot tubs dotted around the hotel ready for an evening soak.
Accommodation: Petrohue Lodge, Petrohue

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking:

8.7 miles (12 kilometers), 4-6 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,940 feet (592 meters) ascent, 1,940 feet (592 meters) descent

This morning’s journey will take us on the pioneering lakes route (also known as ‘Cruce Andino’) that you’ll have heard so much about whilst staying at Petrohué Lodge. We’ll board a catamaran for a cruise across Lago Todo Los Santos to Peulla where we’ll stop for lunch.

Then, after a dramatic crossing of the Andes into Argentina, it’s a short boat trip across Lago Frías to Puerto Alegre, and a bus to Puerto Blest. A catamaran departs from Puerto Blest for a beautiful one-hour trip along Lago Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Panuelo, from there the final stretch takes us back on terra firma to Bariloche. This is an outstandingly beautiful trip that’ll immerse you in the landscapes that Patagonia is so well-known for!

We’ll arrive back in the relative hustle and bustle of Bariloche, in time to enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating our discovery of Patagonia’s natural wilderness.

Accommodation:

Las Marianas Family Hotel, Bariloche

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is the final day of your trip to explore the incredible diversity and beauty of Northern Patagonia. You’ll leave feeling relaxed, refreshed and invigorated after exploring one of the most dramatically beautiful places on Earth. Your trip leader will arrange transport to the airport for you, if you’re flying out today. If you’ve made your own arrangements to stay on a bit longer, enjoy your time!

Accommodation:

Not applicable

Meals:

Breakfast