Patagonia’s Puerto Varas captivates you from the minute you get there. This southern Patagonia paradise is the gateway to the Lake District, one of the most beautiful places in all of Patagonia.  It is also one of the most important city for tourism in the South of Chile because of the sheer number of excellent, active outdoor adventures to be enjoyed in nature within this awesome unique region.

Puerto Varas also offers some of Chiles finest accommodation and its most unique. Below are some of what we consider the better choices of quality hotels in this area to help you make a decision  for planning a trip to this region.

El Quincho Country Home

From the moment you arrive at the gates of Quincho Country Home, you’ll feel you are entering a place of serenity at this amazing lakefront scenary. This cozy and unique hotel is located in the Lake District and it is a truly privileged place.  The Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes are your next-door neighbors!

Surrounding the Qunich Country Home,  there are four acres of garden and lawns at the shores of Lake Llanquihue.  Until you see it with your own eyes, you can only imagine how magical this setting is!

Watch the sunset with a glass of famed Chilean wines at the exquisite restaurant of el Quincho, where Chef Jordan Barrera will arouse your senses with the best dishes of the Chilean culture. As an insider of this hotel, we can tell you that most of the ingredients used in these spectacular meals are grown at the  local farms surrounding the wonderful EL Quincho Country Home .

Accommodating only 5 guests at a time, the this mansion’s rooms are very spacious and very tastefully designed. Constructed with wood log walls the suites are extremely comfy, with huge beds and panoramic windows that allow you to to take in all the vistas of this incredible natural paradise.

The quality of the stay is richly enhanced by the round the clock presence of your host (Silja,) who will attend to every detail and preference you may have.

The Cliff Preserve

We know we have mentioned this hotel before, but honestly we can’t get enough of it!  We are sure that once you visit you’ll never want to leave.

The Preserve is situated on a part of the Chilean Patagonia coastine that is  simply sublime. This property and setting are a perfect place for a family holiday. You are going to be overwhelmed with the ocean front villas which are super-spatious and refined, just perfect for families.

The service and quality of the excursions  are of the highest quality. The food is also the talk of the town.  You’ll enjoy exquisite Chilean cuisine and  the finest wines of the country. Private guides will help you plan your days and will make sure that you have the best time possible while you’re staying at The Cliffs.

We know It’s going to be a tough choice between these wonderful hotels.  Just contact us and we’ll help you  plan the prefect trip to South America for you and your family!

On July 11, large areas of Patagonia will be cast into darkness just before sunset due to a solar eclipse starting in French Polynesia and passing over Easter Island before dropping through the southern reaches of the South American Continent. Most, if not all hotels on Chile’s remote Easter Island long since full for the key date, but we do have space in both the Chilean and Argentina Patagonia, which would serve as an ideal alternative for the solar eclipse event.

For lodging, tour, and hotel arrangements visit the Latin Excursions South America Tours page.

Combine 2 or 3 Explora destinations from June to September

Travelers who combine two or more Explora destinations, with a minimum of 4 nights in Patagonia and 3 nights in Atacama or Rapa Nui, will receive a special rate of $600 USD per person per night when traveling between June 1st and September 30th, 2010.

Choose the Explora destination that you prefer during the month of September

For September only, we are offering a unique rate of $600 USD per person per night, with a 4 night minimum in any Explora destination, with no need to combine destinations.

Combine Easter Island with Atacama, or Atacama with Patagonia, or Easter Island with Patagonia!

Contact Latin Excursions for this exciting special.

About explora: explora travel offers lodge-based journeys in which an explora lodge is the central point for exploring the natural and cultural surroundings. Lodge bases include explora Atacama, explora Patagonia and explora Rapa Nui.

I was in Torres del Paine in December 2009 to explore some luxury properties within the park, experience the beautiful vistas and hike some of the legendary trails. It was, quite simply, the trip of a lifetime.

The experience begins in Punta Arenas with a five-six hour drive past the Straits of Magellan, through flat steppe-land, and finally into the foothills of the mountains. This region of Chile is the only area where the Andes are to the west. En route are quaint villages to stop for a quick snack, as well as the famed Milodon Cave, where a giant sloth fossil was found.

The road to the park turns to gravel after Puerto Natales and the stunning vistas across Last Hope Sound. The park itself is nearly 600,000 acres, and filled with lakes, rivers, glaciers, valleys, and mountains to explore by foot, boat, horseback or car (although we recommend by foot to truly experience the area’s beauty). Be prepared for some intense days of hiking, though, if you’re traveling by foot! I did the Base of the Towers hike, a 22 km trek from Hosteria Las Torres to the Base of the Towers. Much of the initial trek is uphill, but luckily there are lovely views of Almirante Nieto, forests, waterfalls, wildflowers, with the river down below. The hike is approximately six hours for fast movers, although that number can increase with rest stops, a lunch stop, and time spent enjoying the views at the end.

I arrived to the end point after 11 km and three hours of hot hiking, wondering if the trip was worth it. It was. I won’t spoil the end result, but suffice to say that coming over the last lip of boulders blocking the final view is breathtaking.

Another popular excursion is the navigation to Grey Glacier, which is a fun three hours for a day off from physical activity. The captain gets as close as possible to the glacier, and lucky passengers can spot the glacier calve huge chunks. For the more intrepid, there is a full day hike to the glacier, which I didn’t have a chance to do, but have heard it’s spectacular.

Just outside the park (literally 20 minutes to the entrance) is Patagonia Camp, a collection of luxury yurts with views over the immense Lake Toro, with the Paine Massif in the distance. The yurts are quite possibly one of the most romantic ways to experience Torres del Paine – with the sound of the wind in the evening (they provide earplugs for light sleepers), the privacy of individual yurts scattered through Patagonia forest, and the sense of peace and isolation are ideal for couples. Meals are delicious, and the camp often grills up cordero patagonico (Patagonian lamb) for a tasty local feast. Daily excursions with bilingual guides are arranged each evening, with guests choosing from a variety of full and half day trips into the park. And, after a long day of hiking, enjoy a massage at the camp, followed by a glass of Chilean wine paired with tasty appetizers in the dining room. Driving distances from excursions like Grey Glacier, French Valley and Base of the Towers ranges from 45-60 minutes.

Inside the park, with one of the most privileged locations, is Explora. The majority of the rooms have views of the Massif. Sumptuous hydromassage baths are ideal for relaxing after a full day, as is the full service spa and hot tubs overlooking one of the park’s rivers. Excursions are arranged in much the same fashion as at Patagonia Camp. Explora is a great option for upscale travelers interested in being right inside the park, and equidistant from most major excursions (approximately 45 minutes maximum).

On the opposite end of the park from Patagonia Camp is Estancia Cerro Guido, a traditional estancia (ranch) that is still working. You’ll stay in the buildings where the family and management lived (updated, of course) and have a chance to experience life on the ranch! This could include watching sheep shearing in the huge shed, corraling wild horses, collecting cattle, and various other daily tasks. It’s a great way to mix the natural wonders of the region with the cultural experience of the locals who have lived here for hundreds of years. The ride from the estancia to the park is also the best place to get close to troops of guanaco (wild relative of the llama).

After your trip, it’s a nice idea to spend a night in Puerto Natales, where boutique hotels combine style and service with views over Last Hope Sound – and they all have hot tubs and generally offer spa services for a great way to unwind and soothe sore muscles.

Contact us for more information on putting together your dream Torres del Paine trip, and on combining this destination with other places throughout Chile like the Atacama Desert, Easter Island, central coast, and more!

You’ll begin the trip in Puerto Montt, where you’ll board the boat and begin cruising around some of the most beautiful regions of Patagonia Chile. Each itinerary is different, and takes into account weather conditions and guests’ particular interests. Activities can include whale-watching, eco tourism, bird watching, jet boating, kayaking, trekking and horseback riding. Natural wonders are in abundance here, and there is plenty of wildlife.

There are dedicated nature and fly fishing departures throughout the fall, winter and spring (northern hemisphere), although travelers on nature cruises can add a handful of fly fishing excursions.

Cabins are spacious, with large picture windows to enjoy the view as you cruise along. The Atmosphere has large passenger areas, gourmet meals paired with Chilean wines, and spa treatments available.

Contact us for 2009 and 2010 special rates for the exciting Nomads of the Seas adventure!

The camp is committed to preserving the majestic beauty of this region, rich in local wildlife and populated with diverse bird species. Patagonia Camp uses only solar energy, incorporating waste treatment plants to ensure the water released from the camp is 100% void of toxins, and the design of property built in a style that harmonizes with the surrounding landscapes.

Five day programs are offered from Monday-Friday, or for those with limited time there are four day programs from Friday-Monday, beginning from Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas, Chile. Each program offers daily excursions into Torres del Paine Park, and are designed for adults or children with average fitness level. While not located directly within the Torres del Paine Park, the camp is a short drive away, offering a a tranquil retreat from an active day of sightseeing within the park. Patagonia Camp is perfect for nature enthusiasts looking for all the adventure of camping, without compromising on the comfort.