Trekking in Chile
Chile | Mar 25 - Apr 7, 2023

S
Sharon A.
Milpitas, CA | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2023

Dear KimKim,
I am writing this review in Miami on my way home to San Francisco following our two week trip to Chili. Lorena and Jesse provided a fantastic itinerary. Our lodgings and points of interest suggestions were excellent (especially Futangue and Peyuhue). On their advice, we had no issues renting a car and locating our destinations. It would have been helpful to know details of the bookings (ie meal plans) and tours just to make tipping appropriate. Thank you for the prompt refunds of tours we chose not to take. We enjoyed the beauty of this country and the warm reception we received by everyone.
This is my second trip with KimKim and I would definitely use them again.
Thank you for everything!!!
Sherry (Marian and Danny)

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Ladera
Providencia

To be fair, we arrived in Pucon at the end of the high season. There were very few people in the hotel (which was good) but breakfast was super sparse as was the hot water. Great location close to town and parking was secure.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to town and near the lake.
Staff
No coffee and no effort to get more.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Pucon Indomito
Pucón

Oops I put my review for Pucon in the Santiago section.

Futangue Hotel & Spa
Futangue

Amazing place in every way!!! Cozy, wonderful meals, clean and comfortable rooms. We loved this one!!!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Puyehue Wellness & SPA Resort
Puyehue

Over the top buffet meals. Good location to the National Park but plenty to do right at the hotel. We loved experiencing the giant hot pools! Beautiful area.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Cabaña Del Lago Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas

We loved the big rooms and view of the beautiful lake. Having the pool across the street was also a plus. Great location to town.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Santiago City Tour
Santiago City Tour
Chile

It was nice to get out and walk the city of Santiago after a long flight from San Francisco. Our guide Philipe was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. We appreciated walking the less touristy areas of the city in addition as well as the traditional centers. Chile's history is fascinating. He recommended a great restaurant for dinner as well!

Quality of Experience
We had a private tour!!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide and driver were right on time!!!
Transport
Full-Day Huerquehue Hiking
Full-Day Huerquehue Hiking
Pucón

This park was a 50 minute minute drive from Pucon. It is a dirt road so best maneuvered by an SUV vs a Sedan. We had no trouble finding the park and the trail was well marked. We visited during the fall so we had no trouble making a reservation but apparently it is quite popular so best to register online beforehand. At the entrance, the fee is only collected in pesos.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
N/A
Transport
N/A
Ascent to Villarrica Volcano
Ascent to Villarrica Volcano
Pucón

We visited when the volcano was under a yellow alert so we were unable to hike to the crater. Still it was an amazing experience with beautiful views of the area.

Quality of Experience
One of a kind but not recommended for people not use to hiking at elevation.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ricardo and Hermin were terrific. Once again we had a private tour. They were informative about the area, helpful with equipment and adjusted their trekking speeds to fit our abilities.
Transport
Geometric Hot Springs
Geometric Hot Springs
Pucón

What a unique spot!!! It was a beautiful one hour and a half drive from Pucon but well worth the drive on a dirt road. Once again, best to travel in an SUV vs a Sedan. We spent three and hours investigating these natural hot springs set in an amazing tropical landscape. These pools were quite different then the man made thermal pools in other areas because of the setting and waterfall. We met travelers from all over world and appreciated the soak after our volcano hike.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
N/A
Free day in Futangue
Free day in Futangue
Futangue

This was our favorite spot!!! The location was magical!!! The hotel rooms, staff, food and facilities were top notched!! The weather was not clear when we visited so we missed the views from the top of the mountain but still enjoyed the beautiful setting and tropical landscape. We enjoyed the common spaces with comfortable seating and roaring fire places.

Quality of Experience
Absolutely amazing!!!
Free day in Puyehue
Free day in Puyehue
Puyehue

Historical hotel amazing food and thermal pools. A wide array of activity options (guided tours of the park, horseback riding, tennis, guided nature walks) available through the hotel activity desk.

Quality of Experience
Excursion to Petrohué Falls
Excursion to Petrohué Falls
Chile

We were able to visit these falls on the day we drove from Puyehyue. It was a beautiful day and despite the lower water levels due to the time of the year, the Petrohue Falls and river were beautiful and well worth the drive. We were also able to visit Todos Los Santos lake and drove to the top of the Orsono volcano for some beautiful views of the valley that same day.

Trekking in Alerce Andino National Park
Trekking in Alerce Andino National Park
Puerto Varas

This beautiful park was an hour and a half drive from Puerto Varas the last section on a dirt road. Again, not all of the trails were open because of the weather but we were able to experience an easy walk to the falls and see the giant Alerce trees. The trail was well marked and the ranger was informative. It was well worth the drive to experience fishing villages on the coast and the beautiful lush landscape and river on this hike.

Local specialist: Jesse Barrera
Jesse
Jesse Barrera
Local specialist in Santiago | Replied on Apr 10, 2023

So happy you enjoyed :) Futangue and Puyehue truly are wonderful parks that not many people take the time to know!

All the best in your future travels,
Jesse