Tours and Activities:

Getaways in Puerto Varas

The surroundings of the city offer various natural sceneries and activities to tour around and enjoy the beauty.

Puerto Varas is one of those cities in Southern Chile which may be enjoyed both during the day and at night at all seasons. Dynamic and attractive, Varas is the commercial navigation center towards Puerto Montt and one of the most chosen destinations in the region. Its fame resides in its urban identity, outlined by European immigration and an extraordinary natural environment made up by lakes, valleys, volcanoes and bays. For such reason, in addition to staying at the city, we recommend that you get away to its surroundings in order to discover its geography.

One proposal may be to go on a horseback excursion around Ralún, a small village reached through the coastline path to Ensenada 2 kilometers ahead of this district and taking a detour to the right on the road. On the way, several glacier valleys upholstered with vegetation typical of the Valdivian rainforest are crossed, as well as huge cliffs after which the place has been named, as Ralún means "valley between walls" in the Mapuche tongue.
The natural hot springs may be reached on horseback by bordering the Petrohué River, at 77 kilometer marker approximately. There are several camping sites, inns and lodgings on the way which give evidence of their German atmosphere and offer good regional cuisine.

Marvelous Emerald

Lake "Todos los Santos" (All Saints) comes to be called "Esmeralda" (Emerald) due to the extraordinary color of its waters. This is a place to be indulged by taking photographs as, in addition to the crystal-clear water body, the forests of coihues, ulmos and olivillos, and the presence of the Osorno, Puntiagudo and Tronador Volcanoes, make up a unique postcard.

Beyond its beauty, Lake Todos los Santos was the protagonist of a famous quest for a border pass carried out by Jesuits, natives and adventurers who longed to find the legendary City of the Caesars (a place with excessive gold and richness which, according to legends, was located in the surroundings of Lake Nahuel Huapi).

In order to sail across the emerald waters, the port lying on the mouth of thePetrohué River must be reached, where the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park Visitors' Center is located. Lake tours include half-a-day outings to Margarita Island and day-trips to the district of Peulla , situated right on the border with Argentina.

Another attractive choice is to visit the fish breeding post located near the Pescado River. This crystal-clear water course, which starts at the Calbuco Volcano and empties into Lake Llanquihue, is surrounded by a wonderful green environment.

See also: Hotels in Puerto Varas and other accommodation venues