Puerto Varas

Sports & the Outdoors

Puerto Varas has a plethora of outdoor options. Fly-fishing is king in the region, with many rivers and the huge Lake Llanquihue making attractive targets. But the region has much more to offer: mountain biking, canyoning, hiking in Vicente Pérez Rosales Park, or just enjoying the lake by kayak. You can also hike up the nearby volcanoes, which makes for an exciting and scenic excursion. With so much attractive nature in its backyard, it's no wonder Puerto Varas is becoming a prime destination for outdoor-adventure enthusiasts.

Al Sur Expediciones (Del Salvador 100. 65/232-300. www.alsurexpeditions.com) is known for rafting and kayaking trips on the Class III Río Petrohué. It also runs horseback-riding and fly-fishing trips, and handles hotel reservations and guided tours for Pumalin Park. Aqua Motion (San Pedro 422. 65/232-747. www.aqua-motion.com) is a longtime provider of rafting and kayaking excursions on the nearby Río Petrohué, as well as trekking, horseback riding, helicopter rides, bird-watching, and fly-fishing tours. Margouya Tours (Santa Rosa 318. 65/237-640) specializes in half- and full-day canyoning and rappelling trips near Volcán Calbuco, in addition to kayaking and hiking excursions. Miralejos (San Pedro 311. 65/234-892. www.miralejos.com) offers trekking, kayaking, mountaineering, horseback-riding trips throughout the region.

For fly-fishing in Puerto Varas, try Tres Piedras (Ruta 225, Km 22, Los Riscos. 65/330-157. www.trespiedras.cl).