LAKES AND VOLCANOS REGION

The Lake and Volcano District is one of the most beautiful regions of Chile.  It has valleys, abundant rivers, large and deep lakes, and the Andean mountain range – which serves as a backdrop to the picturesque nature.   

The city of Puerto Montt, whose commercial and administrative activity centers around fishing, serves as the entryway to this region.  In this city you should visit the colorful and active port with its excellent handicraft market.  Here you can also try exquisite seafood and the internationally known Chilean salmon.  Towards the Andes Mountains is Lake Llanquihue, the third largest natural lake in South America.  The waters of this lake reflect the Osorno, Puntiagudo, Cabulco, and Tronador Volcanoes.  On its west bank are the tourist locales of Puerto Octal, Frutillar, Puerto Varas and Llanquihue.  Next to this lake is Lake Todos los Santos, one of the most beautiful of the country.  Throughout the Lake and Volcano District, you are able to see the legacy of the German immigrants who arrived around the year 1852.  This legacy can be seen in the buildings and food which, mixed with the Chilean styles and products, have created a unique identity for the south of Chile.  To learn more about these unique traditions, you should visit Frutillar.

Another important destination is the great Chiloe Island, located in the archipelago of the same name (90 km to the south of Puerto Montt).  In order to reach the island, you must take a ferry.  The island’s most important city is Ancud; here you can appreciate the Chilote culture.  However, the capital of the Chiloe province is Castro.  The numerous churches found on the island are true architectural relics.  In fact, 16 of the 150 churches were name World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

The cities of Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas offer tourists varied and excellent services, whether in lodging or gastronomy.  There are numerous nature activities which allow you to experience the area to its maximum splendor.

One of the most important tours is the Cruce de Lagos, a trip through mountains and lakes to the Argentine city of Bariloche.  The fascinating trip consists of crossing the Andes mountain range in a catamaran, navigating along beautiful Lake Todos los Santos and Lake Nahuel Huapi, in Chile and Argentina respectively.  En route to Bariloche is the town of Peulla; here are lodging and restaurant services, as well as the border control between the two countries.