Chile Lake District Hiking Tour

Chile Lake District Hiking Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival and Transfer to San Juan de la Costa

Your Chilean Lake District adventure begins in Southern Chile’s stunning Lake Region. Following your arrival, you’ll be picked up at Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt to make our way via Osorno to the Pacific coast. After two hours, you’ll reach the village of Bahia Mansa, located in the coastal district of San Juan de la Costa. On the way, you’ll visit the family of Maria Huisca — a charismatic pioneer for the preservation and revival of Mapuche traditions. After lunch, Maria takes you through a small forest to show you the ceremonial site where the most important rituals are held.
Overnight Location: Hostel in Maicolpue
Distance: 1 hour
Meals: Lunch, dinner

Day 2 Hike through Coastal Forests to Huellehue Village

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to lace up your boots for a stunning hike through dense coastal forests to the village of Huellehue, where you’ll spend the next two days.

On the way, you’ll pass through the typical native forest of Southern Chile with an impressive variety of plants, shrubs, vines, ferns and mosses, as well as mushrooms, insects, birds and other creatures! The trail leads alongside native trees, such as the coastal Olivillo, Luma, Tepu and the southern beech. A large part of these endemic plant species are found nowhere else in the world.

After a 20-minute boat ride, you’ll reach the small village of Huellelhue on the banks of the river of the same name. The center of this Huilliche community are three houses and the local school. With an average of 12 students, this school takes care of the education of all the children in the area, including those from Caleta Condor.
Overnight Location: Huilliche family house in Huellelhue
Distance: 8-9 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3 Free Day in Huellelhue

Today you are free to choose among various activities to spend the day in and around Huellelhue. Options include: a boat trip on the river, fishing, or a horse ride along the pristine beach. You can also opt in for a hike today to discover the diverse wildlife of the area.

Back in the village, join in on the fun in the kitchen and help to bake some fresh bread or mouth-watering empanadas.
Overnight Location: Huilliche family house in Huellelhue
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 Beaches and Rainforest Hike to Caleta Condor

A beautiful hike awaits you today, taking you past long sandy beaches that alternate with dense rainforest. You’ll cross the last meters to the village Caleta Condor by boat; where you’ll stay with a local family tonight.

Located in a secluded bay, Caleta Condor is made up of around 30 families, most of them part of the Huilliche indigenous people. Their main sources of income are fishing, tourism and the production of wooden shingles from dead Alerce wood. Due to its very remote location — beneath the coastal cordillera and without access roads – the village still has no public power supply. This isolation has led to the fact that the natural integrity of the valleys, forests, and rivers of this region has been incredibly well preserved to this day!
Overnight Location: Huilliche family house in Caleta Condor
Distance: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 Experience Caleta Condor

Today is all about exploring the stunning natural landscapes and getting to know the people of Caleta Condor. Take it slow or explore the beautiful surroundings on a short hike.

As an alternative, a local family offers diving excursions in the bay of Caleta Condor which are always a favourite among visitors here.
Overnight Location: Huilliche family house in Caleta Condor
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 Trek to Mountain Hut

This morning, on the Chilean Lake District Hiking Tour, you’ll leave the picturesque bay of Caleta Condor and cross through an area of untouched rainforests. Many young Alerce trees, once cut down for their precious wood and nowadays under protection, flank the way. After several hours of hiking, you’ll reach the mountain hut, where you’ll spend the last night in a natural oasis.
Overnight Location: Mountain hut
Distance: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 Hike to Manquemapu and Depart

A final hike today leads mostly downhill and invites you to enjoy beautiful sea views on the way! Once you arrive in Manquemapu, a transfer will take you back to “civilization” in either Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt where your adventure concludes.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch