THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Walk under millennia-old alerce and through southern rainforest on a private full-day trip from Puerto Montt. Choose a 4-hour hike to the Millennial Alerce or a longer 6-hour route along Río Chaicas to Laguna Triángulo.
Walk under millennia-old alerce and through southern rainforest on a private full-day trip from Puerto Montt. Choose a 4-hour hike to the Millennial Alerce or a longer 6-hour route along Río Chaicas to Laguna Triángulo.
You step off the private vehicle into a humid hush: trunks of alerce lift like the ribs of an ancient ship, moss and ferns softening every sound. The trail through Las Chaicas threads a southern temperate rainforest—roots, slick stones and sun-dappled clearings—leading either to a millennial alerce or to the glassy calm of Laguna Chaiquenes.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by HANU FRANCISCO JAVIER UGARTE ANDREU · Puerto Montt, Los Lagos
You step off the private vehicle into a humid hush: trunks of alerce lift like the ribs of an ancient ship, moss and ferns softening every sound. The trail through Las Chaicas threads a southern temperate rainforest—roots, slick stones and sun-dappled clearings—leading either to a millennial alerce or to the glassy calm of Laguna Chaiquenes.
Alerce Andino National Park was established in 1982 to protect over 20,000 hectares of Patagonian alerce forest, trees that can live thousands of years. The park sits on the western flank of the Andes in Chile’s Los Lagos Region, where glacial carving and long wet seasons shaped deep valleys, steep ridges and clear river corridors. Cultural history here ties to Mapuche and Huilliche communities who have long used these forests; modern conservation recognizes both ecological and cultural value.
On this private excursion you’ll cover roughly 188 km round-trip by road from Puerto Montt and choose a 4-hour forest hike to the Alerce Milenario or Laguna Chaiquenes, or a longer 6-hour route following Río Chaicas to Laguna Triángulo framed by steep rock walls. Expect uneven, sometimes muddy terrain and several short climbs; elevation change is moderate but sustained. The tour includes private transport, a French-speaking driver-guide and a boxed lunch.
Practical notes: start early to avoid afternoon rain and low light in the canopy, wear waterproof hiking boots and layered rain gear, bring at least 2 liters of water and insect repellent, and carry a small first-aid kit. Respect signage—alerces are protected and fragile. With careful planning, the day offers close encounters with ancient trees and crystalline alpine water in one of Chile’s most accessible old-growth forests.
Round-trip road distance is about 188 km; travel time varies with traffic and weather but plan for 1.5–2 hours each way by private vehicle.
Entrance procedures can vary; this private tour typically handles access and local fees—confirm with the operator before travel.
Shorter 4-hour hikes are suitable for active children and fit seniors with moderate mobility; longer routes require better endurance and stable footing.
Expect forest birds, small mammals and possibly huemul sign; bring insect repellent—black flies and mosquitoes can be present in wetter seasons.
HANU FRANCISCO JAVIER UGARTE ANDREU operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You step off the private vehicle into a humid hush: trunks of alerce lift like the ribs of an ancient ship, moss and ferns softening every sound. The trail through Las Chaicas threads a southern temperate rainforest—roots, slick stones and sun-dappled clearings—leading either to a millennial alerce or to the glassy calm of Laguna Chaiquenes.
You step off the private vehicle into a humid hush: trunks of alerce lift like the ribs of an ancient ship, moss and ferns softening every sound. The trail through Las Chaicas threads a southern temperate rainforest—roots, slick stones and sun-dappled clearings—leading either to a millennial alerce or to the glassy calm of Laguna Chaiquenes.
Alerce Andino National Park was established in 1982 to protect over 20,000 hectares of Patagonian alerce forest, trees that can live thousands of years. The park sits on the western flank of the Andes in Chile’s Los Lagos Region, where glacial carving and long wet seasons shaped deep valleys, steep ridges and clear river corridors. Cultural history here ties to Mapuche and Huilliche communities who have long used these forests; modern conservation recognizes both ecological and cultural value.
On this private excursion you’ll cover roughly 188 km round-trip by road from Puerto Montt and choose a 4-hour forest hike to the Alerce Milenario or Laguna Chaiquenes, or a longer 6-hour route following Río Chaicas to Laguna Triángulo framed by steep rock walls. Expect uneven, sometimes muddy terrain and several short climbs; elevation change is moderate but sustained. The tour includes private transport, a French-speaking driver-guide and a boxed lunch.
Practical notes: start early to avoid afternoon rain and low light in the canopy, wear waterproof hiking boots and layered rain gear, bring at least 2 liters of water and insect repellent, and carry a small first-aid kit. Respect signage—alerces are protected and fragile. With careful planning, the day offers close encounters with ancient trees and crystalline alpine water in one of Chile’s most accessible old-growth forests.