Silversea Luxury Cruises To PUERTO MONTT

Discover the unique history, mythology, traditions and flora of northern Patagonia during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion. Puerto Montt, tucked into a V-shaped opening along the side of a mountain, isn't a big city, and when you arrive you might think you've been transported into a corner of Bavaria, if it weren't for the signs in Spanish. Founded in 1852 and named for Manuel Montt, the president of Chile at the time, Puerto Montt was populated by German immigrants who brought with them their architecture, customs and culture.

Scenic Drive to Ayaltue

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 45-minute drive to Ayaltue. En route, pass by the colourful Angelmó fishing and handicraft areas, and then drive along the coastal road by the Chinquihue shipbuilding docks and marina, and Panitao and Ilque. Upon arrival at the Ayaltue Private Park, proceed to the Reception House. Here, you are greeted by the owners, and receive information about the park and a bottle of mineral water before commencing your guided walking tour through the natural temperate rainforest.

Ayaltue Cultural Park Walking Tour

Stroll along different paths within the ulmos, hazel and cinnamon trees, the latter considered sacred by the ancient people of Chile. Along the way, explore a vast variety of birds and mythological sculptures, learn about the history, religion and rituals of the local indigenes, and observe the park's organic farmers harvest potatoes, strawberries and medicinal herbs. In addition, view examples of traditional 'ruca' homes built by the agrarian Veliches natives, and the 'dalca', a vessel built by the seafaring Chono Indians.

Food & Wine Tasting and Angelmó Handicraft Market

A stop is made at the gastronomical station for a tasting of Chilean wines accompanied by smoked salmon and other regional specialities. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier. En route, you may opt to return directly to the pier, or be dropped off at the main gate of the port for independent shopping at the Angelmó Handicraft Market. Afterward, walk approximately 219 yards (about 200 metres) back to the ship.

Experience Chilean food, music, rodeo, dance, and culture during this memorable, half-day excursion to a traditional Chilean ranch. Puerto Montt is the capital of the Lakes District and the region's commercial and transportation hub; from here you will find southern Chile's ominous volcanoes, its celestial glacial lakes and its mountainous national parks.

Puerto Montt and Fundo Olguita

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive through downtown Puerto Montt en route to Fundo Olguita, a traditional ranch boasting Chilean horses and 'los huasos', who are similar to America's cowboys or Argentina's gauchos. Upon arrival, you are greeted by the owners and served a buffet breakfast accompanied by Chilean music.

Chilean Rodeo Demonstration, Horses and Culture

After breakfast, proceed for a look at the animals and riding gear, and observe a Chilean rodeo demonstration. Next, walk to the stables area. Here, relax with a tasty, home-made empanada and Pisco sour, and learn about the Chilean horses, culture and national dance, the 'cueca'. Following your visit, re-board your coach and continue on to Puerto Varas.

Puerto Varas, Lake Llanquihue and Osorno Volcano

Take a short orientation drive through this lakeside town, which features quaint, German-influenced architecture and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere. A stop is made at the main square, located next to Lake Llanquihue, for some free time at your leisure. You can stroll about Puerto Varas and take photographs of the iconic, snow-covered Osorno Volcano, located across Lake Llanquihue.

At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier, with an optional stop at the Angelmó Handicraft Market.

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking for approximately 164 yards (about 150 metres), at times over uneven and unpaved surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 10 steps at the rodeo/restaurant area. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Warm, layered clothing, a waterproof windbreaker, non-slip walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Guests must be at least 21 years old to participate in tastings of alcoholic beverages.

Unlock the secrets to preparing southern Chilean cuisine at a local home during this interactive, full-day culinary excursion with lunch.

Market, Orchard and Dairy Visits

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the local market with your guides, Andres and Maite, a married couple who are both journalists, and share a passion for travelling and cooking. Upon arrival, take a guided stroll through the colourful stalls, learn about the available products, and buy the ingredients for your cooking class and lunch. Depending upon the menu selected, a visit may also be made to purchase fresh vegetables from small orchards, and/or milk products from a local dairy.

Local Home Visit and Chilean Cooking Lesson with Lunch

Next, continue to Andres' and Maite's house, and begin your interactive cooking lesson in their kitchen. Along the way, learn the secrets to preparing southern Chilean cuisine, and appreciate its cultural value. Following your cooking lesson, sit down to a lunch consisting of the menu you have helped to prepare, which is accompanied by Chilean wine, local beer, mineral water and soft drinks. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 1,006 yards (about 920 metres), at times over uneven and grassy surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and five steps at the house. This tour is not suitable for guests who are allergic to meat, shellfish and/or fish, guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear comfortable clothing in layers with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, raingear and a jacket from the ship. Guests must be at least 21 years old to participate on this tour, and be served alcoholic beverages. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Leaving the pier you will head north into the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. After a 1 ½ hour drive, board a motorboat for your 45-minute cruise on the Todos los Santos Lake, also known as Emerald Lake for the color of its waters.

During your cruise, enjoy the beautiful forests with Coigües, Ulmos and Olivillos and the snow covered volcanoes Osorno, Puntiagudo and Tronador. After the cruise, board the bus for the drive to Petrohue Rapids. Walk along several paths through the forest to reach the picturesque setting with the series of emerald green rapids against a backdrop of mountains.

Embrace the stunning natural beauty of Chile during this panoramic, half-day sightseeing excursion. Puerto Varas' surroundings contain a diverse array of natural wonders with many activities where you can marvel at the view of the Osorno Volcano. Ensenada, a village with a distinctly German feel, is located close by and can be reached via a picturesque highway running along Lake Llanquihue.

Puerto Varas, Lake Llanquihue and View of Osorno Volcano

Depart the pier for the short, scenic drive through the city of Puerto Varas, located on the western shore of picturesque Lake Llanquihue. Here, take in breath-taking vistas (weather permitting) across the lake of the snow-covered Osorno Volcano.

Ensenada

Afterward, continue along the shores of Lake Llanquihue and up to the Ensenada area. Following a photo stop here, return to the same route to Puerto Montt. Upon arrival, you may up to visit independently Angelmó Handicraft Market, located at the main gate of the port.

Enjoy the scenic beauty and the incredible power of the region with a visit to the Petrohué Rapids and views of the snow-capped Osorno Volcano.

Puerto Montt is the capital of Chile's Southern Lake District. Founded in 1853 by German immigrants it features middle-European architecture, with high-pitched, redwood-shingled roofs and ornate balconies. The small downtown offers a quick, pleasant stroll on a sunny day, and there is an extensive outdoor market that sells Chilean handicrafts.

Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park

This tour commences with a direct drive towards the Petrohue area, along the southern shores of Lake Llanquihue with a stunning view. During the journey, you will pass by Villa Ensenada. Petrohue Rapids is one of the most famous spots in Chile's Lake District. It lies in Chile's oldest National Park, the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park which covers an area of 251,000 hectares (619,970 acres), incorporating the park's centrepieces Lake Todos, Los Santos, the Petrohué Rapids, and three commanding volcanoes; Osorno, Calbuco, and Puntiagudo.

Petrohué Rapids

The mighty Petrohué is one of Chile's most beautiful and exciting glacial rivers, marvel at the spectacular scenery of ancient forests, waterfalls and breath-taking views of the surrounding mountains and volcanoes. Upon arrival to the rapids, enjoy the spectacle of the turquoise waters as they crash through lava channels formed after the eruption of the Osorno in 1850.

Puerto Varas

After an approximate 50-minute visit, head towards Puerto Varas. This charming city lies on the western shore of Lake Llanquihue and offers its visitors a breath-taking view of one of the regions icons; the snow-covered Volcano Osorno (weather permitting). It is one of the most active volcanoes of southern Chile reaching a height of 2661 meters (8730.32 feet) above the sea level and represents a typical postcard picture of this region. Here, there will be an opportunity to take photographs of this spectacular view, while enjoying a stroll along the lakeshore or browsing for souvenirs and local crafts at the stalls nearby.

Return to Puerto Montt to re-join the ship. If you wish, you may be dropped off at the main entrance of the port to stroll independently over Anglemó handicraft market located nearby. Independent return to the ship/port.

The scenic beauty and historic landmarks of Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Frutillar are yours to discover during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion. This excursion takes in the main attractions of Puerto Montt and the nearby towns of Puerto Varas and Frutillar, both cities located on the shores of one of the largest lakes in Chile, the Lake Llanquihue, with spectacular views of the snow-capped Osorno Volcano.

Puerto Montt

Puerto Montt was founded in 1853 by German immigrants and their stalwart promoter Vicente Pérez Rosales, who named the town after another promoter of immigration, President Manuel Montt. Today it is the commercially and strategically very important capital of Chile's Lake Region featuring middle-European architecture, with high-pitched, redwood-shingled roofs and ornate balconies.

Leave the pier and drive through the city to see some of its colourful shingled houses as well as highlights such as the redwood cathedral on the city's plaza, which is the city's oldest building (dating back to 1856).

Frutillar

Continue towards Frutillar town for a sightseeing drive. This lakeside town offers a rich example of the lovely architecture popular with German immigrants to the lake Llanquihue area, and some spectacular views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes (if weather permitting). The town was founded in 1856 as an embarkation point with four piers. A visit will be made to the Regional Settlers Museum, which features a collection of 19th-century antiques, clothing, and artefacts gathered from various immigrant German families around the area.

Puerto Varas

Then continue to Puerto Varas where a short orientation drive is included. During a stop at the main square, next to Lake Llanquihue, you have the opportunity to walk around this charming town and take photographs across the waters of the Llanquihue to one of the regions icons; the mighty Volcano Osorno. Puerto Varas is one of Chile's most charming towns, not only because of its privileged lakeside location, but also because of its quaint, German-influenced architecture, and its friendly, laid-back atmosphere.

The city was built by the sweat and tenacity of German immigrants, and later it became a port for goods being shipped from the lake Llanquihue area to Puerto Montt (mostly timber). Today most of the area's middle- and upper-middle-class residents call Puerto Varas home and commute to Puerto Montt and other surrounding places for work.

Before returning back to the pier in Puerto Montt, an optional drop off will be offered at the colourful Angelmo Handicraft Market.

Escape into unspoiled nature as you hike through a temperate Chilean rain forest. Visit Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, where you'll walk approximately 4 miles through old nothofagus trees on the Solitario pathway, located at the foot of the Osorno Volcano. You'll also visit the mighty Petrohué River that is one of Chile's most beautiful and exciting glacial rivers, marvel at the spectacular scenery of ancient forests, waterfalls and breath-taking views of the surrounding mountains and volcanoes. Upon arrival to the rapids, enjoy the spectacle of the turquoise waters as they crash through lava channels formed after the eruption of the Osorno in 1850.

Return to the pier in Puerto Montt.

Learn to make the traditional dish of Pulmay (also called curanto), guided by a knowledgeable chef. Transfer 20 minutes from the pier to the market Presidente Ibañez, browsing the local products and select the freshest vegetables to cook.

With the ingredients for lunch in hand, continue to the Puerto Varas area to participate of a cooking experience at Inal Lewfu. Guided by a professional chef, learn while helping to prepare a delicious welcome drink, a starter plate and a Pulmay, a soup with beef and seafood that's very traditional to the south of Chile.

After your lesson, enjoy some free time on this farm, scenically located on the shore of the Maullin River. Stroll around and learn about the Mapuche culture before proceeding to try the amazing lunch you have helped to cook.

You can take home your apron, great memories and new recipes as you make your way back to the ship (one-hour drive).