HD Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas & Frutillar

Duration: 1 day

Highlights: Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas, Frutillar.

Half day tour of main highlights of Puerto Montt and nearby towns.

Itinerary

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
This excursion takes in the main attractions of Puerto Montt and the nearby towns of Puerto Varas and Frutillar, both located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, with spectacular views of the snow-capped Osorno Volcano.

Puerto Montt was founded in 1853 by German immigrants and their stalwart promoter Vicente Pérez Rosales, who named the town after another promoter of immigration, President Manuel Montt. The waterfront here was rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1960, which had destroyed the city's port, church, and neighbourhood of Angelmó. Today it is the capital of Chile's Southern Lake District, a thriving city that invests heavily in salmon farming, shipping, and tourism. Puerto Montt is commercially and strategically very important to this region. Settled by German colonists in the mid-19th century, it features middle-European architecture, with high-pitched, redwood-shingled roofs and ornate balconies.

On leaving the port there will be a short drive through the centre of the city for a glimpse of highlights such as the redwood cathedral on the city's plaza, which is the city's oldest building, dating back to 1856. Continue north to the historic town of Frutillar. Founded in 1856 by German settlers, this is one the most charming towns in Chile. A visit will be made to the Settlers Museum, which features a collection of 19th-century antiques, clothing, and artefacts gathered from various immigrant German families around the area. There will also be a visit to the Teatro del Lago Concert Hall, an open-air venue that is gaining prestige on both a national and international level, and which is home to Frutillar’s famous Music Festival. Once an event for local and regional artists, this annual festival now draws international performers.

A brief visit to the town of Puerto Varas offers an opportunity to take a photograph across the waters of the Llanquihue to one of the regions icons; the mighty Osorno Volcano. Puerto Varas is one of Chile's most charming towns, not only because of its privileged lakeside location, but also because of its quaint, German-influenced architecture, and its friendly, laid-back atmosphere. The city was built by the sweat and tenacity of German immigrants, and later it became a port for goods being shipped from the Lago Llanquihue area to Puerto Montt (mostly timber). Today most of the area's middle- and upper-middle-class residents call Puerto Varas home and commute to Puerto Montt and other surrounding places for work.

Return to Puerto Montt, stopping briefly at an observation point for a view across Tenglo Bay with the ship in port. The transfer will end either on the pier or for those who choose to browse for bargains, at the Angelmó Handicraft Market, just a few minutes’ walk from the dock gates.
 
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
This excursion takes in the main attractions of Puerto Montt and the nearby towns of Puerto Varas and Frutillar, both located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, with spectacular views of the snow-capped Osorno Volcano.
 
 TIMING BREAKDOWN
00:00 - 00:10 Drive from the pier through Puerto Montt
00:10 - 01:10 Drive to Frutillar
01:10 - 01:45 Pioneers Museum in Frutillar
01:45 - 01:55 Walk to the Teatro del Lago Concert Hall
02:20 - 02:45 Drive to Puerto Varas
02:45 - 03:30 Puerto Varas; comfort stop
03:30 - 04:00 Return drive to the pier OR Angelmó Handicrafts Mkt.

Approximate duration: 4 hours
 
OPERATIONAL NOTES
- Includes the services of an English-speaking guide
- Bottled mineral water included
- Participants may be dropped off at the Angelmó Handicrafts market at the end of the tour
- Activity level is Easy