Overview

Chile’s lake district is a picturesque region of ancient forests straddling rugged hills lorded over by snow-capped volcanoes, hot springs and crystalline streams, interspersed by flowery meadows and cattle pasture.

The southern part of the region includes the Bavarian-style resort Puerto Varas on the shores of the vast lake Llanquihue, overlooked by the perfect cone of the Osorno volcano. Not far from here are the Petrohue Falls, a popular break in the journey for visitors on the Lakes Crossing route to Argentina. Puerto Montt is a large town with a busy fishing port from where it’s a short ferry ride to the deeply traditional island of Chiloe.

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Holidays Chilean Lake District (south)

We have a selection of unique and memorable holidays in the Chilean Lake District. Find out more and book now with Journey Latin America.

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Private Journeys

Chile / Patagonia

Active Chile: Trek in Torres Del Paine

13 days from £4,490pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Torres del Paine

Group - Discovery

Chile / Argentina / Patagonia

Charito: Pure Patagonia

12 days from £3,304pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

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Private Journeys

Chile

Luxury Chile: Patagonia, Chiloe and Maipo valley vineyards

13 days from £7,910pp

(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 (south)

Puerto Varas

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

Twisted ancient forests, flowery meadows and snow-dipped volcanoes are mirrored in the glassy surfaces of the lakes in this serene region. December - March offers the driest and warmest weather - temperatures hover in the 20°Cs, though it still rains on about half the days of each month. Breathtaking views await those who climb to the icy summit of the imposing Osorno volcano, which rises from the vast Lago Llanquinhue. In January and February you can enjoy the traditional music, dances, feasts and activities of the local festivals held across local towns. Take a boat out to the charming island of Chiloé, renowned for its brightly painted stilt houses, UNESCO world heritage churches and rolling green pastures. Visit between October - March to witness Magellanic and Humbodlt penguins nesting in Puñihuíl, and with any luck you’ll also spot whales from the shore. From May onwards the rain sets in with more frequency and many trails will be muddy, though most hotels and restaurants remain open. This could be a good time to soak in the warm natural springs of Ralun.

View our Chilean Lake District (south) weather guide

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Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Kathryn
    Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

    Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

  • Carrie
    Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert

    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

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