How to Explore the Most Relaxing Mountain for a Budget-Friendly Escape in Spring

Arriving in Puerto Varas, Chile, was an unexpected yet delightful detour. Nestled beside the serene Llanquihue Lake and with a striking volcano named Osorno that bears a striking resemblance to Mount Fuji, I couldn’t resist making a stop on my way back from Torres del Paine to Santiago.

I flew into Puerto Montt, rented a car, and made the scenic drive to Puerto Varas. After a quick trip to the supermarket for some essentials, I returned to my cozy homestay, cooked a simple meal, and settled in for the night, eagerly anticipating the next day’s view of the “South American Fuji.”

However, the next morning greeted me with a heavy downpour. Climbing up Monte Calvario, all I could see was the misty expanse of the lake, with the volcano, which should have been a prominent feature, completely shrouded in fog.

Undeterred, I waited another day, and then another… In the meantime, I explored Frutillar, a charming town founded by German immigrants in 1856. The quaint, southern German-style houses were a picturesque sight, even rarer than in Germany itself. Yet, when I tried conversing in German with the locals, they looked at me blankly.

Despite the German Club, proudly flying the black, red, and yellow flag 🇩🇪, standing prominently in the town center, it seemed the legacy of German immigration had largely faded away.

Initially, I thought, let it rain; I’ll return another time to see the mountain. But after three days of relentless rain, my patience began to wear thin. The weather forecast promised sunshine in two days, so I extended my stay by two more days and relocated to Puerto Montt, hoping for a break in the clouds. Since my car rental was only for three days, I had to make a trip to the airport to return it and then pick up another one once the weather cleared.

Finally, the day before my departure, the sun broke through. I drove to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park for a closer look at the elusive volcano. The “South American Fuji” did not disappoint; all the waiting and extra expenses were worth it. Both Osorno and Calbuco mountains came into view, and the former truly resembled a long-lost sibling of Mount Fuji.

More than half a month ago, I had seen this majestic, snow-capped peak from the plane as I left Bariloche, and even snapped a photo. I never imagined I would end up spending several days and extra money in Chile just to see it up close.

With my flight to Santiago scheduled for around 6:30 PM and having picked up the car in the morning, the last day was a whirlwind. I managed to visit the national park but didn’t have the chance to capture Puerto Varas under the sun (traffic and parking took up a lot of time). Sunny and rainy days are like two different worlds, and it was a bit of a regret, but I’m already planning my return.

In the morning, I found the rental car company’s office eerily empty, which left me twiddling my thumbs for a whole hour. Later that evening, in a mad dash to the airport, I didn’t even have time to fill up the gas tank, only to discover that my flight was delayed by two hours. The consequences of stubbornly defying fate to see the mountain were indeed troublesome [Laughing and Crying]. But despite the chaos, I still felt a deep satisfaction with the experience [Eating Watermelon].

Until next time, South American Fuji!