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The Chilean Lake District has about ten major lakes located between the foothills of the Andes and the Pacific Ocean coast. They are of glacial-volcanic origin and were covered in snow and ice for most of the last Ice Age going back some 100,000 years. Nowadays the permanent snow is confined to the high Andes and the many spectacular volcanoes that occur every 70 kms or so along the Chilean side of the Andes. Each lake has at least one adjacent volcano which makes the Chilean Lake District a unique landscape.

There are two main entry points for tourists to visit the Lake District; they are Pucon in the north and Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, in the south. The quickest way is to fly from Santiago to southern seaport of Puerto Montt (ca 950 kms) and stay at a hotel there, initially. First class buses run overnight from Santiago to Pucon, and also to Puerto Montt via Puerto Varas.

Pucon is the adventure play ground for the northern lake district. It is a village size resort on the shore of Lago Villarica. Accommodation is plentiful ranging from the huge Gran Hotel Pucon on the lake shore to many motels, guest houses and inexpensive hospedajes; these rapidly fill up with Chileans over public holidays to go skiiing or participate in other outdoor activities. Tourists should book ahead at these times.

Main street Pucon, Avenida O'Higgins, is awash with adventure sport agencies enticing young backpackers eager to test their daring at white water rafting, mountain climbing and snow boarding etc. Rubber boats, canoes, kayaks, climbing ropes, crampons and ice axes clutter these establishments making you feel you should join in the fun. A popular excursion is the guided climb to the summit of nearby snowcapped Volcan Villarica (2847 meters). Always it has a column of steam wafting from the crater. It provides superb views of Lago Villarica and the towns of Villarica and Pucon.

More gentile and contemplative activities abound for the less active tourist. Volcan Villarica is a "must do". Take a half day trip by minibus to the ski lodge and have a frolic in the snow. The view is just as good from there. I was quite happy to study the recent lava flows and all the wonderful alpine vegetation, watching how it changes with altitude, from lowlands up to the snow fields.

I have never gone white water rafting and don't want to. However, I have done several "float trips" which I can recommend. These are totally different in objective for there is no white water to traverse.

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