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Highlights
Explore the beauty of Chile on the Self-Drive Chilean Lake District adventure
Discover the hidden valley’s of the Chilean Andes Cordillera as you drive, hike, and sail your way through its stunning landscapes.
Park your car and hike deep into the Ventisquero River Valley to reach the natural paradise of Rincon Bonito.
Set sail on the deep blue waters of Las Rocas Lake making your way to the island paradise of Isla Bandurrias to spend the night.
Disconnect, recharge and reinvigorate yourself in an oasis of peace and tranquility in the Chilean Lake District.
The 7-day Self-Drive Chile Lake District Tour invites you to experience one of Chile’s little-known paradises. Over one magical week in the Chilean Lake District, this self-guided tour will lead you into isolated river valleys hidden in the Andes Cordillera where you’ll combine comfort with adventure, and adventure with profound disconnection from the busy every-day world.
Follow the self-drive route of the emerald-colored Puelo River and hike on traditional gaucho farming trails into the spellbinding, remote valley of the glacier-fed Ventisquero River, where you’ll stay in a comfortable chalet. Set sail on Las Rocas Lake for Isla Bandurrias where you’ll spend the night on this remote island paradise covered in native forest.
Fill your days with joy-rides, epic hikes, and optional activities like kayaking or horseback riding. Stay in unique accommodations away from the hustle and bustle where you can reset and recharge.
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime where you are in the driver’s seat (literally!) while driving through Chile’s stunning Lake District.
Self-Drive Tours in Chile
Self-drive tours in Chile are a great choice for those who want to experience more of what the beautiful vast country has to offer. The pace on this Chilean Lake District self-drive will let you to explore some of the most stunning highlights in Chile. Journey with the people you want, on this self-guided adventure, without having to spend time with people you don't know.
The 7-day Self-Drive Chile Lake District Tour invites you to experience one of Chile’s little-known paradises. Over one magical week in the Chilean Lake District, this self-guided tour will lead you into isolated river valleys hidden in the Andes Cordillera where you’ll combine comfort with adventure, and adventure with profound disconnection from the busy every-day world.
Follow the self-drive route of the emerald-colored Puelo River and hike on traditional gaucho farming trails into the spellbinding, remote valley of the glacier-fed Ventisquero River, where you’ll stay in a comfortable chalet. Set sail on Las Rocas Lake for Isla Bandurrias where you’ll spend the night on this remote island paradise covered in native forest.
Fill your days with joy-rides, epic hikes, and optional activities like kayaking or horseback riding. Stay in unique accommodations away from the hustle and bustle where you can reset and recharge.
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime where you are in the driver’s seat (literally!) while driving through Chile’s stunning Lake District.
Self-Drive Tours in Chile
Self-drive tours in Chile are a great choice for those who want to experience more of what the beautiful vast country has to offer. The pace on this Chilean Lake District self-drive will let you to explore some of the most stunning highlights in Chile. Journey with the people you want, on this self-guided adventure, without having to spend time with people you don't know.
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Self-drive Tour in Chile Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival and transfer to Puerto Varas
The Self-Drive Chile Lake District Tour starts at the airport of Puerto Montt, in Southern Chile´s beautiful Lake Region. Pick up your rental car and smartphone and drive to nearby Puerto Varas on the shores of Llanquihue Lake. Spend the rest of the day walking along the beautiful coastal promenade and relax in one of the local cafés while enjoying the view of the area’s snow-covered volcanoes.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Puerto Varas
Distance: 30min drive
Meals: None
Day 2 Puerto Varas to Llanada Grande
From Puerto Varas, a scenic drive takes you along Llanquihue Lake and Reloncavi Fjord today. Near the village of Puelo, you’ll make your way to the shores of scenic Tagua-Tagua Lake where you’ll take the ferry to the other side of the dazzling lake. Follow the course of Puelo River deep into the valley that is framed by towering rock faces. Rather than people, you are most likely to encounter cows, sheep, goats or pigs along this quiet road. Eventually you’ll reach the small village of Llanada Grande, where you’ll spend the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Llanada Grande
Distance: 4,5h drive and 45min ferry transfer
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Hike the Ventisquero River Valley to Rincon Bonito
Leave your car and civilization behind this morning as you make your way deep into the valley of the Ventisquero River (Glacier River). Follow the waymarked trail as it takes you through a varied landscape of native forests and open meadows along the milky-white river, often revealing great views from above.
Even though not frequented by many hikers, this trail is still in use by the traditional gaucho farmers of the area, whose animals graze freely here. When you reach the remote farm of Rincon Bonito, located right between Hornopirén and Pumalin National Parks, you’ll be welcomed into the recently built chalet here where you’ll spend the next two nights surrounded by an incredible mountainous landscape. The chalet is completely equipped, and the storage room filled with food, allowing you to whip up some tasty meals in the kitchen. You are also free to source ingredients for your meals from the farm’s organic garden. Buen Provecho!
Overnight Location: Chalet in Rincon Bonito
Distance: 5-6h, 15km hike
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Explore Rincon Bonito
Today on the Self-Drive Chile Lake District Tour is dedicated to exploring the splendid natural surroundings of the farm which abounds in natural beauty. Opt to enjoy a demanding that hike leads up to a viewpoint overlooking the entire river valley, or take it easy and make your way just half-way up to the first look out. An easier alternative is the leisurely Ventisquero Loop that leads along the river, mostly through forest. It is also possible to arrange horseback riding or kayaking today.
Or decide to do nothing apart from feeling the joy of being in this natural paradise today! A special experience in the evening awaits: watching the rising moon and the completely undisturbed starry sky.
Overnight Location: Chalet in Rincon Bonito
Distance: 2-7h, up to 950m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Las Rocas Lake and Boat to Isla Bandurrias
This morning on your Chilean self-drive adventure, enjoy a final farm-fresh breakfast, then leave Rincón Bonito today to hike back to your car. From a nearby meeting point, a pleasant 45-min-walk takes you to the picture-perfect shores of Las Rocas Lake. A boat awaits here to take you over to the exclusive Bandurrias Island located on the lake. There is a comfortable lodge on this pristine piece of land, surrounded by native forest and shut off from the rest of the world. After a delicious dinner, you’ll spend the night in a quaint wooden cabin.
Overnight Location: Cabin in Isla Bandurrias
Distance: 6-7h hike, 30 min drive and 15 min boat ride
Meals: Dinner
Day 6 Isla Bandurrias to Puerto Varas
Wake up to the sound of birds chirping and start the day with a delicious homemade breakfast. Spend the morning however you like, perhaps taking a swim or exploring the lake with the lodge’s canoes. Leave the island around noon, when the boat takes you back to “mainland”. Drive back to Tagua-Tagua-Lake, the natural limitation to this hidden valley full of wonders. It’s then time to catch the ferry that takes you back to Puelo, from where you continue driving back to Puerto Varas.
Note: Add a second night on Bandurrias Island to fully take in the island’s tranquility and explore the pristine surroundings of the lake on a half-day hike to a view point!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Puerto Varas
Distance: 15min boat ride, 45min hike, 4.5h drive, 45 min ferry ride
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Depart
Your tour through this little explored section of Chile’s Lake Region ends today. Drive from Puerto Varas back to the airport, where you’ll drop off your car and continue your journey to another area of Chile or fly back home via Santiago.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 30min drive
Meals: Breakfast
Self-Drive Chile Lake District Tour Price and Dates
This self-drive tour in Andes Cordillera is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price per person depends on the types of the rooms that your group chooses. The prices below are per person:- Price per Solo Traveller: USD3270 per person
- Group of 2+: USD1995 per person
Accommodation on Self-Drive Chile Lake District Tour
This tour is based in hotels and chalets. Hotels on this trip are 2 and 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. The accommodation in chalets is more rustic, but full of character. You’ll be provided all the necessities, such as bedding, towels, kitchen utensils and food for purchase.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Standard rooms are of double occupancy and those willing to have single rooms will need to pay a supplement (on request).
What’s Included in the Self-Drive Chile Lake District Tour?
Meals
4 breakfasts and 1 dinner are included. Please note that in Rincon Bonito, you are required to cook for yourselves, but ingredients are available in the storage room (pay for what you use). There is the option to arrange barbecues and meals on-site, depending on the availability of caretakers.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This is a self-drive tour where you’ll be driving a rental car throughout the tour duration. It starts with picking your vehicle in Puerto Montt Airport and dropping it off in the same location on the last day of the tour. Boat transfers to and from the Bandurrias Island are included too. Ferry transfer is not included and is paid locally.
Also Included
- Car Rental for 7 days:
-
- Category F2 (SUV 4×4)
- Collision Damage Waiver insurance (USD240 deductible; exceptions to coverage apply)
- airport charge
- unlimited mileage
- second driver
- GPS-app with trek coordinates
Not included
- Guide services
- Meals not noted as included
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Ferry (around USD10)
- Fuel
Optional Extras
- Horses to carry your luggage to Chalet in Rincon Bonito
- Extra nights before or after the tour
- How hard is the Self-Drive Chilean Andes Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Chile?
- Are meals included on the Self-Drive Chilean Andes Tour?
- Do I need travel insurance?
- Is the vehicle insurance included?
- How do I get to Puerto Montt to start this tour?
- Is the Self-Drive Chilean Andes Tour in English?
- Where does the Self-Drive Chilean Andes Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Chile?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Chile?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. Although most of the hikes on this tour can be swapped for easier alternatives, being reasonably fit will help you to get the most out of this tour.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
4 breakfasts and 1 dinner are included. Please note that in Rincon Bonito, you are required to cook for yourselves, but ingredients are available in the storage room (pay for what you use). There is the option to arrange barbecues and meals on-site, depending on the availability of caretakers.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
Yes, vehicle rental includes Collision Damage Waiver, however, there is a 240 USD deductible and some exceptions apply. Please enquire for more info.
Fly into El Tepual International Airport in Puerto Montt which can be reached from several cities in Southern America.
This tour is self-guided, therefore guide services are not included. However, you will be provided with GPS-app with trek coordinates in English.
The tour ends where it starts, in Puerto Montt with your rental vehicle rental drop off.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Customer Ratings
In Andes Nativa, their name says it all. Their highest priority are authentic travel experiences in Chile, where the mighty Andes Mountains are a steady companion. NATIVA represents the pristine and fragile, worthy of protection.
