Osorno Volcano & Petrohué Waterfalls day trip from Puerto Montt

Turquoise rapids between ancient lava, a volcano's glaciers above

This 10-hour day trip from Puerto Montt takes you to two landmarks in Vicente Perez Rosales National Park: Osorno Volcano, where you spend an hour at the mountain center viewing the summit and its eternal snow, and Petrohué Waterfalls, where the river drops between crystallized lava formations. Hotel pickup and a local guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese are included; lunch and drinks are on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Osorno Volcano and Petrohue

• Travel from Puerto Varas to Ensenada
• Ascend to Osorno Volcano mountain center
• Enjoy landscape and take photographs
• Optional chairlift ride to higher viewpoints
• Visit Petrohué sector by Todos los Santos Lake
• Walk trails near Osorno Volcano and Petrohué River
• See Saltos del Petrohué waterfalls
• Have lunch and return to Puerto Montt

The Experience

The tour starts by driving through Puerto Varas along Llanquihue Lake, where Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes rise snowcapped across the water. You reach Ensenada and ascend to the Osorno ski and volcano mountain center at 1,240 meters, where you spend roughly an hour. From there the view opens to the volcano's summit with its glaciers, the lake below, and on clear days the Pacific Ocean. You can order coffee or hot chocolate at the center, or take the chairlift higher — to 1,450 meters in spring or 1,750 meters at the Glacier Station — for an even wider perspective.

From the volcano you drive to Petrohué, on the shores of Lake Todos los Santos. A gentle walk through evergreen forest brings you to the Petrohué Waterfalls, where the river drops between massive blocks of crystallized lava that have resisted erosion for centuries. The lava is studded with smaller stones fused by vitreous material, creating a landscape unlike typical waterfalls. You have time to walk the trails, photograph the turquoise water against the dark rock, and take in the Osorno Volcano framed across the lake before heading back to Puerto Montt.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as is transport by private vehicle and a guide who speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese. The tour runs 10 hours total. Lunch is not included, though you'll have time to eat at Petrohué before the return drive. Cruise ship passengers must provide ship name, docking time and re-boarding time at booking; refunds are not issued if the ship arrives late.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Puerto Montt.
• transport by private vehicle.
• local guide in your choice of English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• an hour at Osorno Volcano mountain center with views of the summit, glaciers and surrounding lakes.
• optional chairlift access to higher elevations.
• a gentle walk through evergreen forest to Petrohué Waterfalls.
• time to explore the waterfalls and lava formations.

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Ruta Chile

Is this one for you?You see Osorno Volcano and Petrohue River's turquoise waters in one day with hotel pickup, private transport, and a local guide handling the logistics—ideal if your cruise ship schedule demands a fixed return time.

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Top questions

What is the Petrohué Waterfalls like when you get there?

Petrohué Waterfalls is where the Petrohué River drops between massive blocks of crystallized lava that have resisted erosion for centuries. The lava is studded with smaller stones fused by vitreous material, and the river water is a striking turquoise color. You walk gentle trails through evergreen forest to reach it, with views of Osorno Volcano across Lake Todos los Santos.

How much time do you spend at Osorno Volcano?

You spend roughly an hour at the Osorno ski and volcano mountain center at 1,240 meters. During that time you can take photographs, enjoy the views of the summit with its glaciers, Lake Llanquihue and the Pacific Ocean, and order refreshments. You can also take the chairlift higher — to 1,450 meters in spring or 1,750 meters at the Glacier Station — if you want a different vantage point.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included, but you have time to eat at Petrohué before returning to Puerto Montt. Drinks are also on your own.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese, depending on the option you choose at checkout.

Does this tour work for cruise ship passengers?

Yes, the tour accommodates cruise ship passengers. At booking you must provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time so the guide can plan the return. Refunds are not issued if the ship arrives late and you miss the tour.

What is the drive like from Puerto Montt to the volcano?

The drive passes through Puerto Varas and follows Llanquihue Lake, where you see Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes snowcapped across the water. You continue to Ensenada and then ascend to the mountain center. The scenery frames the volcanoes throughout the approach.