The Chilean Lake District

The Chilean Lake District, stretching through the south, is a beautiful region of deep-blue lakes mirroring a line of perfect, snow-capped volcanic cones, wrapped in ancient forests, rivers and waterfalls. Centred on the adventure resort town of Pucon beneath the smoking Villarrica volcano, it is a playground for hiking, climbing the volcano, white-water rafting, and soaking in natural hot springs, and is home to the indigenous Mapuche culture and their heritage.

What you actually see

• The volcanoes - the perfect cones, including the smoking Villarrica.
• The lakes - the deep-blue lakes and their forested shores.
• Pucon and the hot springs - the adventure town and thermal baths.
• The national parks - the araucaria forests and waterfalls.

When to go

December to March, the southern summer, for the warmest weather, open trails and lake activities; the region is green and can be wet the rest of the year, and winter brings skiing on the volcanoes. It is a car-touring region best over several days.

Honest expectations

It is a large region best explored with a car over several days, as the lakes, volcanoes and parks are spread out. The weather in the south is changeable and often wet outside high summer. Climbing the Villarrica volcano is a guided, weather-dependent activity that can be cancelled by conditions or volcanic activity. Pucon is touristy in peak summer.

Nearby

Chiloe Island, the fjords and Patagonia lie to the south; the Argentine lakes are over the border.