by Allan Taylor

Created on: June 14, 2009   Last Updated: June 07, 2011

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 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 tops many spectacular volcanoes that occur every 70 kms or so. Each lake has at least one adjacent volcano on the horizon which gives the

Chilean Lake District a unique landscape.

There are two main entry points for tourists to visit the Lake District. They are Pucón in the north, and Puerto Montt or 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. Alternatively, first class buses run overnight from Santiago to Pucón, and also to Puerto Montt via Puerto Varas.

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

Main street Pucón, Avenida O’Higgins, is awash with adventure sport agencies enticing young backpackers eager to test their daring at white water rafting, mountain climbing, trekking, skiing and snow boarding. 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 Volcán 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 .Pucón.

More gentle and contemplative activities abound for the less active tourist. You don’t have to climb to the top of the volcano to get a fantastic view of the countryside. Take a half day trip by minibus to the Villarica ski lodge and have a frolic in the snow. The view is just as good. You can study the recent lava flows and all the wonderful alpine vegetation, noting how it changes with altitude, from the lowlands all the way up to the snow level.

White water rafting is promoted on the boisterous glacier-fed Rio Trancura.

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