15 December 2018
Puerto Montt, Chile
As indicated on our cruise itinerary, Puerto Montt is a tender port, since it lacks the facilities for even smaller cruise ships like the Zaandam. We decide to skip Porto Montt itself, and opt instead for an all-day excursion that takes us into the Lake District, where we can witness the variety of scenery that central Chile has to offer--and indeed, much of the scenery is reminiscent of the lakes in northern England. Other travelers tell us that is a smart move, since Puerto Montt has little to offer other than some waterside views.
Our excursion today gives us the opportunity to see the variety of landscapes and attractions that flow through Chile’s Lake District as we head north from Puerto Montt to the smaller city of Puerto Varas, the touristic center of the area, also known as the “City of Roses.”
We will return to Porto Varas for lunch after further morning explorations. For now we are on our way to a catamaran ride on one of the larger lakes.
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| Magnificent Color of Glacier-Sourced Lake Water |
We also have a brief stop at a small farm with very friendly llamas.
The next stop is at one of the most famous Lake Country natural wonders: Petrohue Falls.
We are then ready to return to Porto Varas for a late lunch (and free wifi) at the Radisson Hotel. Porto Varas is very popular with tourists, offering easy access to the various sights in the area, a good selection of hotels, restaurants, and shopping, and the wonderful roses that blossom all over the city.
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| Radisson Hotel, Porto Varas |
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| Porto Varas Lake-front Promenade
The City of Roses
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Then it's time for the coach ride back to Porta Montt and the tender ride back to the ms Zaandam, to prepare for our last two nights on board.
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