Puerto Montt, Chile Port

Despite its relatively large population, Puerto Montt has the feel of a small town. The sedate lifestyle here gives the town a wonderful charm, perfect for a relaxing stroll along the waterfront as you sample the wares of the small cafes and artisan stalls. The town is the gateway to the Chilean Lake District, a breath-taking destination where towering volcanoes, capped with snow, lean over luscious alpine forests and sparkling lakes that were formed by glaciers that have carved their way through the land.

Some of the highlights of the Lake District include the Petrohue River - renowned for its fantastic outdoor sporting activities such as fishing, horseback riding and white-water rafting – and Lake Esmerelda, which is famous in the region for its emerald-green waters that shimmer under the sunlight. You can climb the Osorno Volcano, one of the most active in the Andes, to enjoy spectacular views, or visit Fundo Olguita – a traditional ranch similar in style to those manned by Argentinian gaucho, where you can enjoy a rodeo demonstration and delicious barbeque food.

The currency in Puerto Montt is the Chilean Peso. Puerto Montt is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT -4).