Discover the thrilling snow adventure in southern Chile with our exclusive itinerary. Explore the stunning destinations of Osorno and Puyehue, where you can enjoy exciting snow activities and unique experiences amidst the region’s breathtaking landscape.
Located in the heart of the Los Lagos region, Osorno stands out not only for its impressive natural landscape but also for its exquisite cuisine. In this land of abundant meadows and fresh air, the quality of free-range meats is unmatched. The farms and fertile fields surrounding the city provide ideal conditions for raising livestock, resulting in juicy and flavorful meats. From succulent cuts of beef to tender pieces of lamb, Osorno’s cuisine celebrates the richness of local products and the livestock tradition that has made this charming city in southern Chile famous. Notable events include the Milk and Meat Festival, the Country Folk Festival, and Osorno a Fuego Lento.
What to visit:
Chuyaca Park, located on the banks of the Damas River, features the Pleistocene Park with life-size sculptures of prehistoric animals that inhabited this area of southern Chile approximately 12,500 years ago.
Reina Luisa Fortress, situated on the banks of the Rahue River, is an attractive spot especially for history lovers. It includes an exhibition hall with miniature models and life-size figures of historical characters from our country.
The Municipal Market offers a wide variety of restaurants with typical dishes from our country and craft shops with souvenirs for travelers who like to take a souvenir of the place they visit.
Day 2: Puyehue
Located 47 km from Osorno, the name Puyehue originates from the Mapudungun words “Puye,” a fish that inhabits Lake Puyehue, and “We,” which means place. Therefore, Puyehue translates to “Place of Puyes.”
A short walk along the international route 215 takes you to the Moncopulli Automobile Museum, the first museum of classic and antique cars in Chile. It has a collection of 140 vehicles, 70 of which are Studebakers, making this collection the largest outside the United States.
At 80 km from Osorno, along the route, we find Puyehue National Park, where you can enjoy nature and appreciate each of its tourist attractions.
In the Anticura sector, you can find several waterfalls such as:
– Del Indio Waterfall
– Repucura Waterfall
– De la Princesa Waterfall
– Los Novios Waterfall
At 18 km from the Anticura sector, continuing along the same international route 215, we have the Puyehue Hot Springs, the first 5-star complex in Chile, whose hotel began construction in 1937. This marks the beginning of the history surrounding this place, which has grown to become an international destination with a variety of services, cuisine, thermal pools, and excursions.
Day 3:
Approximately 25 km from the Puyehue Hot Springs is Lake Rupanco, one of the major tourist destinations in the area. With its deep blue waters, it offers views of the imposing Puntiagudo volcano and the surrounding nature with beautiful forests. In this lake, you will find Isla Cabras and Isla Los Ciervos; on the latter, you can observe animals from the boats, a great and beautiful experience.
On the shores of this lake, in the Santa Elvira sector, is the El Calzoncillo waterfall, the highest in Chile, with an approximately 230-meter drop. It is a beautiful natural spectacle in this region of Puyehue.
If you enjoy snow, this area also offers expeditions to the Pantoja and Sarnoso valleys, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Rupanco, Puyehue, Osorno Volcano, and Puntiagudo.
It is worth mentioning that this Osorno-Puyehue route is notable for its thermal areas and direct connection to history, nature, and heritage. On the shores of Lake Rupanco are the Rupanco Natural Hot Springs, where you can dig your own spot to enjoy natural thermal baths. You will need to regulate the temperature as it can reach up to 92°C, making this an adventurous and rewarding experience. To get there, take a boat from Puerto El Buey.
Day 4:
For snow sports enthusiasts, the fourth day is dedicated to the Antillanca Ski Resort. Located near Puyehue, the resort offers a variety of exciting activities such as alpine skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and sledding. With stunning views of the snow-covered landscape, it is the perfect place to enjoy a day full of fun and adventure in the mountains.
On this day, you can take advantage of the well-maintained slopes for skiing or snowboarding, or simply take a snowshoe walk to appreciate the natural beauty of southern Chile. For the more adventurous, there is also the option of sledding pulled by huskies, an exciting experience that allows you to explore the region in a unique way.
Regardless of your choice of activity, a day at the Antillanca Ski Resort promises to be an unforgettable experience, where you can enjoy the thrilling winter atmosphere and create lasting memories with friends and family.
AUTOR: @NICO.FALEGRIA
Nicolás Faúndez Alegría
Estudiante de TNS en Turismo, cursando actualmente el último semestre de la carrera. Amante de la naturaleza, viajes, fotografía y la música, guitarrista hace años y formando grupos musicales de distintos estilos. Con conocimientos en áreas de medio ambiente (No Deje Rastro y reciclaje). Motivado a desarrollar un completo desempeño en Turismo y compartir mis conocimientos con otras personas y lograr la concientización del cuidado y protección de los espacios naturales de nuestro país. Con interés en el turismo vitivinícola, ecoturismo, hotelería y el rescate del patrimonio cultural.