Chile

A Pure Natural High

Biking, Hiking, Rafting, Sea Kayaking and Horseback Riding

(8 Days)

Slide Show

This action-packed journey is a passage through the primal wilderness of Chile’s Lake District. We bike along serene lakeshores and into quaint fishing villages. We tramp to a mountain refuge on the snowy-cone of Osorno Volcano. We ride horses through the deep valleys of the majestic Andes. We paddle sea kayaks along the gentle swells of Lake Llanquehue and finally, we chase the current down the wild Petrohue River in rafts. You'll test your endurance level, fill your belly with scrumptious meals and robust Chilean wines and immerse yourself in a natural setting that's truly out of this world.

Trip Highlights

• Biking along lakeshores and through fishing villages
• Whitewater rafting down the Petrohue River
• Hiking to the snowy base of Osorno Volcano

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas (Mountain Bike)

You will be met at the Puerto Montt airport and transferred to Puerto Varas, located on the marvelous Lake Llanquihue. There are no planned activities for the day, so you are free to explore the surroundings on our fleet of mountain bikes. This evening we'll meet for dinner and an orientation meeting about the adventure that lies ahead. Overnight accommodation in a cozy hotel. (D)

Day 2: Puerto Varas - Alerce Andino National Park (Hike)

This morning begins with a drive through the picturesque harbor town of Puerto Montt southbound along the Pacific Coast. The adventure today is on foot, hiking 12 km/8 miles through the Alerce Andino National Park. This park is the largest surviving Valdivian Rainforest in the world, 40,000 hectares in total. The road turns to a path and as the forest becomes thicker, we follow the trail to peaceful lagoons that lie between the giant Alerce trees. Similar to the American Sequoias, these trees live to be more than 3000 years old. We spend the afternoon in this majestic forest and return to Puerto Varas in the evening. Hiking: 12km/8 miles. (B,L)

Day 3: Puerto Varas - Volcano Osorno (Mountain Bike and Hike)

We leave Puerto Varas by bike for a smooth, scenic ride on a paved road along the lakeshore. The snowcapped volcanoes of the Andes grow steadily larger as we approach them. In Ensenada we hop aboard our vehicle and ascend up to the Osorno Mountain Lodge. Every meter we climb offers more breathtaking views of the snowy summit of Osorno Volcano. We picnic on the lowers slopes of the volcano and then set off on foot to conquer it, hiking on the base towards the sculpted lava and snowfields. We spend the night on the summit, at 1,300 meter/3,000 feet in a cozy mountain refuge. If we're lucky we'll have clear skies and panoramic views of Lake Llanquihue and the Calbuco Volcano as the sun sets. Biking: 10-40 km/6-25 miles. Hiking: 5-8 km/3-5 miles. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Osorno Volcano - Las Cascadas - Ensenada (Mountain Bike and Hike)

We refuel with a typical Chilean breakfast of fresh breads, cheeses, cold cuts, juice and coffee then depart on foot descending the Osorno Volcano. The panoramic vistas on the way down are breathtaking. Once we reach the bottom we break for a picnic lunch on the sandy lakeshore of Ensenda and take some time to absorb the pristine surroundings. From here we're on two-wheels, riding knobby tire mountain bikes along the lakeshore to the sleepy hamlet of Las Cascadas. Once the terrain gets rough, we dismount and scramble on foot into a mist-covered canyon housing a cascading waterfall. Sitting below the fall, the cool mist of the spray will be refreshing and the sharp beams of sunlight that flood into the gorge will keep us warm. We end early afternoon at The Ruca Chalhuafe Lodge and for the energetic, there are numerous optional activities available including horseback riding, fly fishing and hiking. Biking: 10-20 km/6-12 miles. Hiking: 2-3 km/1-2 miles (B,L,D)

Day 5: Petrohue (Mountain Bike, Whitewater Raft, Hike)

This morning we set off on mountain bikes to All Saints Lake in Petrohue, stopping en route at the Petrohue falls to admire another thundering cascade. Once we reach the lake we board a lake cruiser and travel across the emerald waters. The scenery is breathtaking with the snowy peaks of Osorno Volcano dominating the region. We have the option to hike back to Petrohue, or return to shore by boat. We break for a picnic lunch on the beach and then depart to our "put in" on the Petrohue River where our whitewater adventure begins. After an introduction to the equipment and safety talk we cast off downstream for a thrilling 2-hour run of class III rapids through 10-foot standing waves. The impressive snow-peaks of the Calbuco and Osorno Volcanoes are our backdrop for the entire journey. At take out we refuel with a light snack on the riverbank before driving to our cabins in Ensenda. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to swim in the refreshing lake, explore the town or relax with a good book. Overnight in our cabins in Ensenada. (B,D)

Day 6: Ensenada - Calbuco Volcano (Horseback)

After breakfast we set off for a full day on horseback to the Calbuco Volcano. The route links a series of trails and small rivers through various humid and deciduous forests. Lunch is a picnic next to a cascading waterfall. Once we reach the upper region of the Volcano the views are spectacular, with deep cobalt lakes and numerous snow-peaked volcanoes. The day concludes with a drive back to Puerto Varas. Overnight hotel. (B,L)

Day 7: Puerto Varas - Lake Llanquihue (Sea Kayak)

After breakfast we walk to the lakefront to get our sea kayaks then we're briefed on paddling and stability skills. We'll first drive along the lakeshore of Lake Llanquihue to either Puerto Octay or Laguna La Posa where we'll put in. We spend a half day exploring the lake from our crafts. Lunch is another picnic this time on the shores of the lake. The day concludes back in Puerto Varas at our cozy hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Puerto Varas - Puerto Montt (Departure)

A BikeHike Adventures representative will transfer you to the Puerto Montt airport to meet your international flight or to the start point to join with one of our Patagonia Adventures. (B)

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