Chile: Puerto Montt, Lake District, Punta Arenas

Hi,

My name is Ganesh. I'm an Indian national currently living in Boston, USA. I and my wife Lalitha are planning on traveling to the Lake District and Chilean Patagonia from the 1st of April to the 11th of April.

Can someone please suggest the best itinerary based from Puerto Montt and involving any combination of day trips (boat, car, bus) to puerto varas, vulcan osorno, petrohue, chiloe, puella through the lagos (not to bariloche, because i don't have an argentine visa; unless i can get an argentine visa at the border). We are looking for breathtaking scenario and photography opportunities (not much hiking for this trip because of limited time)

I have around 4-5 days to spend around Puerto Montt, after which I want to fly to Punta Arenas (don't want to risk taking the Navimag, because it looks like the weather is dicy) and visit the Torres Del Paine for another 4-5 days (can i include trips to the bernardo and serrano, and the isla magalleno?). I'm not counting my cents, but of course I don't want to be splurging money needlessly on touristy things.

Would renting a car help? If yes, do you have any suggestions for a car rental company? Are car rental comapnies located in/have transfers from the Punta Arenas and Puerto Montt Airports?

Also, how is the weather in April? Would you recommend starting our trip from Torres Del Paine and then going to Puerto Montt and finally return to Santiago, or shall we do the Lake District first and then go to Chilean Patagonia?

Is it better to do it on my own and rent hospedejas when and as I go, or to get it pre-booked through some travel agency and get the tour trips?

Sorry for the deluge of questions and the long post. Thanks very much in anticipation of any help you can offer. I promise I'll "pay you back" with a detailed report of my trip and photos 😊

Cheers 'n Thanks,
Ganesh. Reply to this

I have travelled to The Puerto Montt region for a few days, see my Chile Post for some pics. There are a few things that are not to be missed in that area! Puerto Varas is a cute little town, and I would recomend staying there as it is smaller and less industrious feeling than Puerto Montt. Puerto Montt does have an amazing place down by the docks where you can get Curantos, a Chilean meal of seafood, sausages and vegetables cooked together that is delicious. Most of the good restaurants for this are located in an area known as "Palafitos de Angelmo", or just "Angelmo". Theres also a craft market nearby and good ooportunities to see downtown puerto montt, although my impression of the town was that there was far too many spectacular things to see in the area in 4 days that to be hanging around a big fishing and transportation city!

Personally I think you would be best renting a car. I rented mine through Hertz in Santiago and drove to the lake district, but there is an office in Puerto Montt most likely near the airport. Renting a car is essential because you are on time constraints. The public transp. in Chile is fantastic, however...

Ohh crap I just noticed this was post LAST year!! Son of a biscuit!! I hope you have pics posted!! Reply to this