I stumbled upon a breathtaking volcano in Chile’s Lake District—Osorno, which bears an uncanny resemblance to Mount Fuji. The very first photo I saw of it instantly made me add it to my South American travel plans. From Santiago, it’s just a two-hour flight to Puerto Montt, followed by a scenic 30-minute drive to Puerto Varas.
For accommodations, I highly recommend staying at Hotel Cumbres Puerto Varas (P8). Each balcony offers stunning lake views with two majestic volcanoes as the backdrop, and their restaurant is nothing short of exceptional. Be sure to try their seafood platter—it’s reasonably priced and absolutely delectable.
The entire Lake District can be explored comfortably in two and a half days: spend half a day wandering through charming Puerto Varas and enjoying afternoon tea, one full day exploring the left side of the lake, and another for the right.
To explore the left side, follow the picturesque lakeside road leading to Frutillar (take the highway before Llanquihue and then switch to the lakeside route). Along the way, you’ll pass enchanting farms and vibrant hydrangeas. Once in Frutillar, you might want to visit the colonial museum, but personally, I prefer finding a cozy café to relax in. Casa Lindemann – La crepería de Frutillar is a delightful spot to enjoy some light fare.
On the right side lies Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, where you can take a cable car that brings you tantalizingly close to Osorno Volcano. Begin your morning in the park, where you’ll find two trails to choose from. The left trail provides awe-inspiring views of Osorno Volcano and Tronador Mountain, framed by a cascading waterfall.
The right trail showcases rivers, waterfalls, and Calbuco Mountain, culminating in a mirror-like lake so serene that you’ll want to preserve its tranquility without a single sound disturbing it. There’s no need to start too early since the sun only reaches the river around 10 AM due to the deep valley.
Continue driving until you reach the end of the road at Puerto de Petrohué, where you can embark on a boat tour of the lake.
In the afternoon, head up the volcano to Volcán Osorno Centro de Ski y Montaña. With two ski lifts available, be sure to bundle up—it’s incredibly windy and cold up there. (Interestingly, I’ve noticed how some Caucasians seem unfazed by the cold, wearing shorts and short sleeves, while we were fully dressed and still shivering.)
As for dining recommendations:
– CasaValdés stands out as the best local eatery, offering exquisite oysters and lobsters—a must-try.
– La Olla serves hearty portions, particularly their flavorful seafood stew. Their sea urchin is average and not overly sweet, but overall, it’s a decent option.
– Helados Pudú, an ice cream shop recommended on Xiaohongshu, was unfortunately a major disappointment. I’m puzzled as to why anyone would recommend it.
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