Puerto Montt
Back to the airport for a short hop to Puerto Montt. We originally were going to catch a ferry here and cruise down to Puerto Natales through the Chilean fjords. BUT, since the ferry company, Navimag, couldn’t figure out when they were going, we canceled. Of course, this was after we had rented a hotel room that had a “no refund” policy, so off to Puerto Montt. Besides, Puerto Montt will give us time to relax, catch up on our writing and do a bit of sightseeing in the Vincente Perez Rosales National Park.
Puerto Montt harbor
Puerto Montt shopping center
Chilean depiction of a happy couple
Our first meal in Puerto Montt
The city
We’re staying in one of the few 4-satr hotels in Puerto Montt, the Grand Pacifico, in a corner room suite with views of the ocean and harbor. The hotel and room were very nice and closer to a 3-star than 4 but I don’t make the ratings. Breakfast is included with the room and has a good selection of pastries, prepared meats, some cheeses, scrambled eggs in just the right amount of water, and hot dogs. These were truly hot dogs, not some meat blend that resembled hot dogs, but hot dogs. I had to try one just to do a taste test and yep, it was a hot dog. Don’t need to do that again.
Our hotel-The Grand Pacifico
Finished breakfast and grabbed our things for the trek to Vincente Perez Rosales Park. This is all on us so we’ll Uber to the town of Puerto Varas, about 20 minutes away, then catch the local bus to the park. That will take about 1.5hrs. Cost for this round trip is around $30, cheapest tour will cost you about $150.00 for two.
All went well, we made it to Puerto Varas with no issues, found the bus and grabbed a couple of seats and waited about 15 minutes to head out for the park. The bus was a bit crowded. Several people were getting on and off at various stops just to transit from one place to another, but the bulk of those riding, were going to the park. Beautiful day for seeing the park. Warm, around 74F, slight clouds with no rain in the forecast.
Standin room only!
Das bus
More people at the park than I anticipated. This is Friday and shouldn’t these people be working??? Guess it was such a nice day, lots of people took the day off to spend with family hiking in the park. Don’t get the wrong impression. Hiking in this park can be done with tennis shoes or sandals, and wearing casual clothes. This isn’t a technical climb or strenuous mountain climb by any means.
Lava formation
Hiking style in the park
Thankfully someone put a brace under this rock. Someone could have been seriously hurt.
The park is named after Vicente Perez Rosales who was an adventurer, and trader turned diplomat and senator in southern Chile. He served two terms in the Senate and was responsible for promoting colonization of southern Chile in the late 1800’s.
What we hope to see here is the volcano, Orsono, one of the most perfectly shaped volcanos in the world. If the clouds break up, we have a good chance to see it.
The park is also known for the waterfalls and rapids that cover most of it. During the rainy season, the rapids turn into falls, but during the dry season (now) there are fewer falls and more rapids over giant lava fields. This entire area is one big lava field!
THE waterfall
The jungle
We hiked the three trails through the park and came across this red fox that was going the opposite direction. He didn’t seem to mind that we were there, just continued on looking for a mouse or something small to eat. The last trial we were on went by an area where we could see Orsono. Wouldn’t you know it, the clouds had moved on and there it was, a perfectly formed volcano. Our lucky day.
Mount Orsono
A red fox along our path
We caught the bus back to Puerto Varas, and decided to walk about the lake shore and find a place to have our picnic lunch. Puerto Varas is located on the southern shore of the largest lake in Chile, Lago Llanquihue (pronounced, “Zan cue hay”). This lake is 860 sq. km or 332 square miles! The depth of this lake has never been measured but just to say it’s deep may be an understatement.
Lago Llanquihue
The lake was the perfect place for a picnic lunch. Sunny, warm, light breeze and lots of people walking around enjoying the day. Good end to a great day exploring, and done all on our own, no guided tour.
Next stop on our adventure is Puerto Natales, farther south in Chile and the jumping off spot for hikers going to Torres del Paine National Park. We’ll be here for two days and squeeze in the park one of those days on a guided tour. This park is too big for us to try an see in one day on our own, we’ll rely on a tour.
Just a heads up. Internet service is getting worse the farther south we go in Chile, so posting to the blog may have to wait a few days. Do the best we can.
Later…