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The Chilean Lake District

The Chilean Lake District is stunning. Think glacial lakes, ancient forests of monkey puzzle trees (Araucaria araucana) some over three thousand years old, mountain pastures, snow-capped volcanoes, green green grass, rolling hills…. Sounds idyllic? Well it is and you must go there. It lends itself perfectly to walking, riding etc..

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The region is unofficially Chile’s adventurous sports centre and the towns of Pucon and Villarica are popular with both Chileans and Argentines. You can go white-water rafting (float or serious rapids), climb volcanoes (the Villarica volcano is a strenuous, all day hike or the Osorno volcano with its chair lift up to the top), fish in crystal clear lakes and streams, mountain bike or ride through the forests and after all that activity take a long soak in some of the best hot springs around.

Volcanoes dominate this beautiful lake-dotted region. The snow covered Andes form a constant backdrop to vistas of clear blue or even turquoise waters.

The rivers that descend from the Andes rush over volcanic rocks, forming numerous white-water sections and waterfalls. The vegetation, including many ferns in the shady areas, is a lush green. Some sections still consist of old-growth forests, and in all seasons, but especially in the spring and summer, there are plenty of wildflowers and flowering trees. The pastures in the northernmost section, around Osorno, are well suited for raising cattle; milk, cheese and butter are important products of the area. All kinds of berries grow here too, some of which are exported and freshwater farming of various species of trout and salmon has developed with cultivators taking advantage of the abundant supply of clear running water. The timber industry is also important.

Huife Hotel and Hotsprings is just forty minutes from Pucon, on the banks of the Liucura and just up the road from Huepil-Malal. The small hotel is surrounded by 741 acres of grassland and native forest, where you can also find monkey puzzle trees. The hot springs are situated deep in the forest and there are three pools to enjoy: lovely, quite lovely and really lovely! More…

Villarica Park Lake Hotel is a luxurious and elegant hotel located in the Araucania region of Chile, right by the lakeside of Lake Villarica. With 139 rooms, it is surrounded by beautiful gardens and boasts lovely views across the lake, which is at the foot of the Villarica volcano. More…

Hotel Antumalal is 2km from Pucon. It is well-established and has a unique character. Built as a tribute to ‘Bauhaus’ architecture, the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired building is a mix of concrete and glass and the interior décor gives the place a hip 1960s feel. More…

Quincho Country House is an exclusive country home under the management of a dedicated Chilean/German team. The house, located about 6 miles outside of the village of Puerto Varas, with just four guest rooms, is surrounded by a four hectare garden of lawns and woodland. More…

Hotel Cabañas del Lago is a medium-sized hotel with 130 guestrooms, located in the high part of the city of Puerto Varas, just 5 blocks away from the main square and downtown. It is a great location allowing you to enjoy the best view of the city, Llanquihue´s lake bay, plus the Osorno, Calbuco and Tronador volcanoes. More…

The famous and beautiful ‘Lake Crossing’ is a full day trip which is essentially a linked series of bus trips and boats across the mountains and lakes bringing you from either Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and Ensenada to Petrohue and lands you at the end of the day in Bariloche, Argentina. More… (Suspended since April 10th 2008, please contact us for the latest information).

5 things not to miss in the Lake District. More…

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