Overview

It seems that each of the royal blue lakes in this region of chocolate-box prettiness is overlooked by its own snow-dipped volcano. On the lake shores are resort towns with an Alpine flavour and traditional villages of neat wooden cottages, while the landscape is carpeted with forests and studded with youthful streams.

Arriving from the airport at Temuco, the snowy peak of the volcano Villarrica towers over the lake of the same name. The surroundings of the lively lakeshore resort of Pucón are a base for walking in glorious national parks, climbing Villarrica, rafting on the Rio Trancura or luxuriating in hot springs. To the south, scenic roads lead to a necklet of seven exquisite, sinuous lakes, their shores enveloped by temperate rainforest.

To the west, port city of Valdivia sits at the confluence of three rivers which debouch into the Pacific half-way between Temuco and Puerto Montt. A lively university city, it has a multitude of cultural events celebrating its diversity and is famed for its seafood.

Read More

THE UK’S NO. 1 SPECIALIST IN TRAVEL TO LATIN AMERICA

What our clients say Contact Us

Holidays Chilean Lake District (north)

Browse our selection of unique and memorable holidays that include a visit to the Chilean Lake District. Book now with Journey Latin America.

Hotel Owned ©

Private Journeys

Chile

Luxury Chile: Exclusive lodges and untamed landscapes

13 days from £10,700pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

ShutterStock ©

Group - Discovery

Chile / Argentina / Patagonia

Nandu: Peaks and plains of Patagonia

20 days from £4,900pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Things to do

There is lots to see and do in the Chilean Lake District, from climbing an active volcano, to white-water rafting. Book now with Journey Latin America.

Where to go when - our guide to Chilean Lake District (north)

Pucon

The weather in Chilean Lake District (north) is wide and varied

In this natural haven, deep blue lakes mirror the thick alpine forests, picturesque towns and snow-dusted volcanoes that define the region. Like much of Chile, this is a year-round destination, with access to a diverse range of adventurous activities dependent upon seasonal changes in weather conditions. In the height of summer (December - March) you may enjoy rafting down the tumultuous waters of the Trancura river, or hiking in the deliciously cool shade of the monkey puzzle forests which skirt the serene lakes. As the weather cools off in the winter months, there are plenty of thrilling snow sports to partake in - you may wish to try your hand at tobogganing down the side of an active volcano, for example. Numerous local festivities celebrating the winter solstice and indigenous new year brighten up these months too. In the autumn or spring shoulder seasons, you’ll find fewer visitors and a real chance to relax in peace and quiet - this is a particularly good time to unwind with a dip in the naturally heated thermal springs.

View our Chilean Lake District (north) weather guide

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Heloise
    Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

    Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Paul Winrow Giffin
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • Chris
    Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

  • Charlotte
    Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

    Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

0 1 2 3 4 5