Departing from Puerto Chucao, we embark on a catamaran journey across the turquoise waters of Lake Menéndez, to explore two of its three arms and uncover the stunning beauty within Alerces National Park.
This 5-hour voyage, guided by an expert, will reveal the area's secrets through stops at two of the park's most extraordinary sites: The base of Cerro Torrecillas, where we will gaze upon the namesake glacier with its timeless bluish ice, and El Puerto Sagrario, where we will disembark to venture into the Valdivian rainforest in search of “grandfather,” a larch tree over 2,600 years old, measuring 2.20 m in diameter and soaring 57 m high.
Undoubtedly, it will be a remarkable day amidst breathtaking beauty and the oldest living species on Earth.
Tour Description
Our meeting point is Puerto Chucao at approximately 11:00 am. Here, we will board the catamaran, which can accommodate up to 60 passengers, to embark on an unforgettable journey across the waters of Lake Menéndez. Please ensure you collect your navigation tickets at the designated location, either one day before or just prior to the activity.
Lake Menéndez, originating from glaciers, is encircled by towering mountains and stunning landscapes featuring lenga, fagaceae, and ancient larch forests. The vistas from the vessel are ideal for capturing memorable photos.
After a 45-minute sail, we will reach our first destination, the base of Cerro Torrecillas, where we will pause to admire the Torrecillas Glacier from the catamaran, one of the hidden gems of Los Alerces National Park. The glacier, formed on the mountain, boasts a brilliant white upper section covered in ice and a sediment-laden lower section, which ultimately deposits into the Laguna del Antiguo. This lagoon, with its vivid emerald hue, allows us to witness the basins that birthed glacial ice over 24,000 years ago.
Continuing our journey across Lake Menéndez, we will marvel at the magnificent mountain ranges, with their towering peaks perpetually capped in snow, until we arrive at Puerto Sagrario, situated at the northern arm of the lake. Here, we will disembark to begin a leisurely 2 km trek through the Valdivian jungle. The guided tour offers an opportunity to learn about the extraordinary species that inhabit the jungle. We will visit the Swan Lake viewpoint, where we can enjoy not only the scenery but also the sound of woodpeckers accompanying our walk.
The trail concludes with the encounter of the “grandfather”, a larch tree over 2,600 years old, undeniably the most remarkable feature of the Park as it represents one of the planet's oldest living species. Standing over 55 meters tall, with a trunk diameter exceeding 2 meters, it is truly awe-inspiring. We will have free time to explore the area, learn more about its flora and fauna, and capture unforgettable memories.
We will retrace our steps back to the boat, concluding our 5-hour adventure at Puerto Chucao where the services will wrap up. For additional transfer services to/from Puerto Chucao, feel free to contact us.
What’s included?
What’s included:
* Navigation on Lake Menéndez
* Guide in Spanish
What’s NOT included:
* Entrance to Los Alerces National Park
* Transfers to/from Puerto Chucao
* Lunch or snack
* Tips (Optional)
Frequently Asked Questions
The excursion lasts a total of 5 hours and begins in Puerto Chucao, where you will board a catamaran to sail across the crystal-clear waters of Lake Menéndez. During the trip, you will explore two of the lake's three arms, within the natural environment of Los Alerces National Park. The tour is designed to allow you to enjoy the scenery and beauty of this area near Esquel. For additional details regarding the organization, schedule, and conditions of the excursion, we recommend consulting the updated tour information.
The catamaran tour on Lake Menéndez includes two particularly noteworthy stops in Los Alerces National Park. The first is the base of Cerro Torrecillas, from where you can admire the imposing glacier of the same name and its distinctive blue ice. The second is Puerto Sagrario, where you disembark to venture into the Valdivian rainforest. There, you'll visit "El Abuelo" (The Grandfather), a larch tree over 2,600 years old, with a diameter of 2.20 meters and a height of 57 meters. The excursion combines sailing, natural landscapes, and environmental heritage.
Yes. The tour of Lake Menéndez is led by an expert guide who helps you discover the mysteries and features of this region within Los Alerces National Park. During the boat trip, the guide leads you through two of the lake's three arms and stops at the base of Cerro Torrecillas and Puerto Sagrario. The experience also includes a close-up view of the Torrecillas Glacier and the ancient alerce tree known as "El Abuelo" (The Grandfather). For specific services and other operational details, please refer to the current tour information.
Yes. In addition to sailing on two arms of Lake Menéndez, the excursion includes a stop at Puerto Sagrario. From there, visitors venture into the Valdivian rainforest to find "El Abuelo" (The Grandfather), an ancient alerce tree over 2,600 years old, 2.20 meters in diameter, and 57 meters tall. The itinerary also includes a stop at the base of Cerro Torrecillas, from where you can see the blue ice glacier. The experience combines sailing with direct contact with some of the most outstanding natural environments in Los Alerces National Park. Please check the tour details before booking.
The catamaran tour on Lake Menéndez allows you to enjoy the lake's crystal-clear waters and the majesty of Los Alerces National Park. The journey takes you along two of its three arms, offering diverse natural landscapes. Among the main attractions are Cerro Torrecillas and its imposing blue ice glacier, as well as the Valdivian rainforest of Puerto Sagrario. There, you'll visit the area surrounding "El Abuelo" (The Grandfather), a larch tree over 2,600 years old. It's an ideal nature tourism option for discovering a region of great beauty.
PRICES 2026-2027
Catamaran Lago Menéndez - Los Alerces National Park
Regular Group Service
- Start Time: 11:00
- Languages: ESP,ENG,POR
- Duration: 5 hrs
- Operation Days: Every day
Price per person based on a booking for 2 people. Prices may vary depending on the date and number of travelers.
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