Arriving in Puerto Varas, Chile, was a delightful surprise. Nestled beside the serene Llanquihue Lake and with the striking Osorno volcano looming nearby—often compared to Mount Fuji—I decided to make a stop here on my return journey from Torres del Paine to Santiago.
I flew into Puerto Montt, rented a car, and made the scenic drive to Puerto Varas. After stocking up on groceries at a local supermarket, I returned to my homestay, prepared a meal, and settled in for the night, filled with excitement about seeing the “South American Mount Fuji” the next day.
However, when I awoke the following morning, I was met with a disappointing sight: a heavy downpour outside. Ascending Monte Calvario, I could only see the misty lake, with thick fog obscuring everything beyond. The volcano, which should have been a majestic presence, was nowhere to be seen.
Undeterred, I waited another day, and then another… In the meantime, I explored Frutillar, a charming town founded by German immigrants in 1856. The quaint houses, built in a traditional southern German style, are a rare sight even in Germany. Yet, when I attempted to converse in German with the waitstaff at cafes and restaurants, as well as my homestay host, they all replied that they didn’t understand.
Despite the prominent German Club, proudly flying its black, red, and yellow flag 🇩🇪 in the town center, it seems the legacy of German immigration has nearly vanished.
Initially, I thought, “Let it rain; I’ll return another time to see Mount Fuji.” But after three days of relentless rain, my patience began to wear thin. The weather forecast promised sunshine in two days, so I extended my stay by an additional two days and relocated to Puerto Montt, hoping for a break in the clouds.
Unfortunately, since I had only rented the car for three days, I had to make a trip to the airport to return it, and then return the next day to pick up another one when the weather improved.
Finally, the day before my departure, the sun broke through. I drove to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park to get a close-up view of the volcano. The “South American Mount Fuji” did not disappoint, and all the effort was worth it. I was able to see both Osorno and Calbuco mountains, and the resemblance between Osorno and Mount Fuji was uncanny.
Over half a month ago, as I left Bariloche, I had glimpsed this prominent snow-capped mountain from the plane and even snapped a photo, never imagining that I would spend several days and extra money in Chile just to see it again.
On my final day, with a morning car rental and an evening flight to Santiago, time was tight. I managed to visit the national park but didn’t have the chance to capture sunny photos of Puerto Varas (traffic and parking took up much of the day). The contrast between sunny and rainy days is like night and day. It’s a bit of a regret, but I know I’ll be back.
In the morning, I arrived at the rental car office only to find it eerily empty, which set me back by an hour. Later that evening, in a mad dash to the airport, I neglected to fill up the gas tank, only to discover that my flight was delayed by two hours. It seems that my determination to see the mountain was met with a series of comical mishaps [Laughing and Crying]. Despite the chaos, I still feel a sense of satisfaction with how things turned out [Eating Melon].
Until next time, South American Mount Fuji!
