Introduction
The Termas (which means hot springs) de Puyuhuapi, which is now known as Puyuhuapi Lodge, is nestled beside an inlet (Dorita Bay) off the Puyuhuapi fiord. It offers 30 guest rooms enabling it to be a “personal” hotel.
To get here requires a short boat ride across the fiord from the Carretera Austral, otherwise this is a totally “cut off”, secluded place.
The main hotel building is constructed from natural, wood with some sectors in stone. It is a high-end lodge emanating warmth and cosiness to those who enter.
On one side of the property is dense, natural, native Patagonian forest and in front is the Dorita Bay, which connects into the fiord of Puyuhuapi with forested hills the other side. The land the property sits upon is fed by natural hot-spring water from the ground, hence the name “termas”, and a number of pools have been created so that guests can bathe in the mineral-rich, heated waters.
It was opened in the early 1990’s, but it was ahead of its time. Today Puyuhuapi Lodge is one of those perfect places to unwind, relax, enjoy the natural beauty of nature all around. Activities and excursions here include walking in native, temperate rainforest, visiting the nearby Queulat National Park, sailing between Patagonian islands and fjords, enjoying thermal spring waters, relaxing with thalassotherapy treatments or massages in the spa, and then treating yourself to good food and a selection of wines at the end of the day.
About
The common areas of the Puyuhuapi Lodge enjoy large, picture windows that expose the magnificent exterior views to the stunning nature outside. There is a good, indoor pool and spa that offers personal health treatments. Then there are some outdoor heated, hot-spring pools where guests can bathe in warmth and, at the same time, breathe in clean, natural Patagonian air whilst also taking in the view be it during the day or maybe the spectacular star-lit night sky.
The exterior of the main building and accommodation sector is reminiscent of the historical buildings found in Chiloe island. These are constructions, not built up from foundations, but placed on stilts with the roof covered over with small wooden tiles.
The rooms are all finished to a high level of comfort with a great used of finished, natural wood, well-chosen colours and mand made bed coverings.
The key to staying at Puyuhuapi Lodge is to provide great comfort whilst being able to totally disconnect from the usual hustle and bustle of most people’s normal life style. One can opt to just relax here or participate in activities that include hiking, kayaking, boat trips, visits to National Parks.
Do not come here if you need the internet! The hotel does not have televisions or internet in the rooms specifically so that guests can “cut off” from the World.
The lodge spa treatments are many including an algae bath and hot stones as options to choose from.
The Puyuhuapi Lodge offers these excursions to guests:
The Hanging Glacier Trek
- Duration: Half-day.
- Difficulty: Medium.
Description
The hanging glacier is within the Queulat National Park and to get here requires a 15-minute boat crossing to the opposite shore of the Puyuhuapi fiord. Once the other side it is another 15 minutes in a vehicle to the Ventisquero Colgante (hanging glacier) area of Queulat National Park. The glacier is clearly visible from the car park as a large white and blue area at height, nestled in a valley from where there is a gushing waterfall.
There is a river, called the Ventisquero (which means glacier) that flows through the ancient glacial moraine. Guests will need to walk over the river via a hanging, pedestrian bridge where, once at the other side, the trail enters the forest.
Tempanos Lagoon Trek
- Duration: 3hrs.
- Difficulty: Low.
Description
This is a hike, or walk, for most people. The first part involves the short boat crossing of the Puyuhuapi fiord to the other side where the Carretera Austral is. From here there will be a 15-minute transfer by minivan to the Queulat National Park and the hanging glacier.
After walking 600 metres along the path that leads to the lagoon there will be great views of the glacier and any calving of the glacial face. The guide will also provide educational information about the geology of the area as well as the flora and fauna.
Enchanted Forest Trek
- Duration: Half- to full day.
- Difficulty: Medium to High.
Description
This is a trek that will expose an extraordinary amount of botanical variation; however, this path is located on one of the highest points along the Carretera Austral and therefore it is not for everyone.
To get to the start point a boat crossing to the other side of the Puyuhuapi fiord and a road transfer is required.
The trek will expose the extensive and steep snow caps of the Queulat mountain, along with the humid vegetation growing in the lower valleys. The mountain summits and snowdrifts are impressive to see on the southern slopes of the Queulat National Park.
The initial sector of the trek will penetrate through the lush rainforest where there are lichens, fungi, mosses, algae, ferns, and numerous wildflowers. The walk will take in the Cascadas River, the valley floor, and the Los Gnomos lagoon, from where the river is born.
Los Pumas Trek
- Duration: Full day.
- Difficulty: High.
Description
In the northern sector of the Queulat National Park there is a steep-climbing path that covers 5.6km through the native forest. In the final sector it leads to Los Pumas Lagoon.
From here is a great view of Lake Risopatrón and the dense, green forest.
At the highest point, at 1,060m there is an impressive view of the Andes that encloses the “Ventisquero Sound”. In other words, the mountains that surround the fiords.
Los Canelos Trek with Kayak Option
- Duration: 2.5 hrs.
- Difficulty: Low to Medium.
Description
This walk begins from the Puyuhuapi Lodge and enters the Vanelo woods where there are viewpoints that open up sights of the Dorita Bay and Puyuhupai fiord. Along the way there will be a variety of ferns and, of course, native trees to see.
The Los Canelos trail is part of the original path that led to the nearby Puyuhuapi village, which is an important piece of the local history.
Puyuhuapi Lodge has taken care to keep part of the route open, but at the same time careful not to interfere with the symbiosis of the natural area.
For those who like the water the return journey can done in a kayak, which will take approximately 30 minutes, on the calm, Dorita Bay.
El Chucao Trek
- Duration: 1.5hrs
- Difficulty: Low to Medium
Description
This is a relatively easy, level trek through the woods where you will be able to see a variety of tree types including coigües, tepas, and mañíos. It is also an excellent place for bird watching such as chucao, kingfishers, black woodpeckers, huet-huets, rayaditos, hummingbirds, among others.
Sea Nomads Kayak
Starting at the Puyuhuapi Lodge there is a 1 – 2 hr sea-kayak excursion that will navigate past the small islands and inlets between the Dorita bay and Puyuhuapi fiord. Hopefully, if one is lucky, you should be able to spot a variety of marine birds including black-necked swans, herons, wandering albatross, steamer ducks, coots, and even penguins, among others.
Motorboat Excursion
The natural scenery each side of the Puyuhuapi fiord is stunning. The Puyuhuapi motorboat excursion offers an opportunity to navigate the Puyuhuapi fiord, passing by islands and inlets as well as opening up the breath-taking 360 degree view. If you are fortunate, you may see seals and bottlenose dolphins as well as birds.
Where is Puyuhuapi Lodge
The Puyuhuapi lodge is located on the western shore of the Puyuhuapi fiord, south of the village of Puyuhupi. Access is only by passenger motorboat from a point located 12.8km south of Puyuhupai village beside the Carretera Austral. Here, you park your car, if self-driving.
The Rooms
Puyuhuapi Lodge offers 30 well-appointed guest bedrooms. Each is decorated to a high level of comfort. With a combined use of finished, natural wood, well chosen colours and natural textiles, the overall effect is one of warmth and cosiness.
From room son the fiord side there is a fine view out to the channel and forested mountains on the opposite side.
The rooms categories are:
Superior King Room
This is a cosy room facing the bay and fiord. It has its own terrace and offers wonderful views through the bedroom window.
Services Include:
- 1 King Size bed (180x200 cm)
- Supply of thermal water in bathroom
- Living room
- Telephone
- Hairdryer
- Bottle of fountain water
- Balcony with bay view
- Private Bathroom
- Writing Desk
- Room safe
- Central heating operating with thermal water.
Superior Twin Room
This is a cosy room with its own terrace, facing the fjord. Great views to the fiord and mountains on the other side.
Services:
- 2 very wide single beds (90x200 cm)
- Living room
- Telephone
- Hairdryer
- Bottle of fountain water
- Balcony with bay view
- Private Bathroom
- Escritoire
- Room safe
- Central heating operating with thermal water
Capitanía Room
This a cosy with its own terrace facing the fjord from where there are wonderful views of the channel and the mountains on the other side.
Services:
- 1 Super King Size bed (200 x 220 cm)
- Living room
- Telephone
- Hairdryer
- Bottle of fountain water
- Balcony with bay view
- Private Bathroom
- Escritoire
- Room safe
- Central heating operating with thermal water.
We will include this hotel as part of your itinerary if requested to do so, or if required for a logistical reason, or if it suits your itinerary budget.
If you're interested in this hotel, please don't hesitate contacting us or fill out our enquiry form below.
Nothing specifically relating to this hotel at this time – however, depending on the rest of your itinerary, as long as we are arranging it, we may well be able to include an offer connected to this hotel.
What we can offer always depends on the content of your itinerary, so please, get in touch.
If you're interested in this hotel, please don't hesitate contacting us or fill out our enquiry form below.