The Chilean Lake District, Chile

Volcán Osorno (snow-capped) and Calbuco, and Lago Llanquihue

 

Why you should go
Snow-dusted volcanoes, crystal clear lakes, stunning waterfalls, lush
vegetation and quaint villages ... need I go on?

Where is it?
The Chilean Lake District stretches from Puerto Montt in the south to Temuco in the north.

Where to base yourself
Sitting on the shores of Lake Llanquihue and watched over by the foreboding Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes, Puerto Varas is a pretty lakeside town. A short drive from Puerto Montt, it has a Germanic feel, a legacy of the settlers who started to come here in the mid-1800s, laced with Chilean spice. 

The Puntiagudo Volcano, and  Saltos de Petrohue (Petrohue Rapids)

What to do
A foodie haven, it has some lovely restaurants. Casavaldés should be top of your list to try if you like seafood. And as well as great food and good service, you get a stunning view of the lake. In town you will find some cute boutiques to mooch around. There are also some European-styled cake shops that will tempt you.

Walking around the lake is, arguably, the best activity to do here. Check out the beautiful squares filled with roses.

Visit Petrohué Falls, Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park
Take a drive along the edge of Lake Llanquihue to reach the Petrohué Falls (Saltos del Petrohué) in Chile’s oldest park. These rapids and waterfalls were formed many years ago. The waters cascading over the hard basaltic lava, which emanated from the Osorno Volcano lurking in the background, is magical.

Lago Todo los Santos

 

Take a cruise on the Lago Todo los Santos, Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, also named the Emerald Lake, as its waters are so clear and green (dependent on the light). It was given this name by the Jesuits from Europe who discovered it on All Saints Day in 1670. The lake is surrounded by steep mountains, and there are stunning views of three magnificent volcanoes, the Osorno to the west, the Puntiagudo in the north and to the east El Tronador. The scenery is simply amazing.

Taking a walk on Osorno Volcano

Get up close and personal with the Osorno Volcano, by the shore of Lake Llanquihue
Take a walk on the surface of this magnificent volcano. This stratovolcano is approximately 2,660 metres high (8.727 feet). The views of the Calbuco, Antillanca and Tronador with the Andes soaring sky-high behind is special.

You can take the chair lift to various stops. The first one is at a height
of 1,450 metres (4,757 feet).

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there
Fly from Santiago de Chile to Puerto Montt. For details visit latam.com Latam fly to Santiago from London via São Paulo, Brazil. Alternatively, you can fly from London directly with British Airways britishairways.com

Stay at Hotel Cumbres Puerto Varas, cumbrespuertovaras.com