My wife and I were in Puerto Montt on business and had a few days to explore (and be pampered a little). We chose Alerce because it seemed to offer the opportunity to experience a wild, natural setting -- and to be honest, it looked of a very high quality. We were nogt disappointed.

It is a very rough 2-3 hour drive from Puerto Montt, the last section up a rutted gravel and wood-plank road that seems almost impossible. (Don't even THINK about trying to get to the Lodge on your own)

Granted, we were spoiled, since we were the only guests, but the Lodge was marvelous. The young woman who served us was lovely and attentive, and the chef superb. (The kind you want to ask : why are you working way out here??) Really, the food was superb, creative and fresh. The rooms are big, and elegantly comfortable. The lodge itself is a beauty, with a wooden rustic design but with no sacrifice of quality or comfort.

Activities are limited : bird-watching and... more