View of Osorno Volcano, Lake District, Chile

Chilean Lake District

The Chilean Lake District is a land of beautiful glacial lakes, snow-capped volcanoes, hot springs and national parks stretching from Temuco in the north to Chaiten in the south.

This region has so much to offer, with exploration made easy by a good road network allowing visitors to spend days in their own hire car travelling from north to south or even cross the Andes to the Argentine Lake District.

Find pretty Pucon to the north with its idyllic setting on the edge of Lake Villarrica beneath snow-capped Villarrica Volcano. Visit hot springs and waterfalls, walk through the Huerquehue National Park, raft and fly-fish the Trancura River (October to April) or horse ride.

Atacama Sunset, Chile
Chile

Highlights of Chile

Explore the length of this filament of a country, full of vast and varied landscapes, from the finger-like granite peaks of the Torres del Paine National Park in the south to the lunar-like Atacama Desert in the north, with time spent among the snow-capped volcanoes and hot springs of the Chilean Lake District.

11 days

from £6,995 pp

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Carretera Austral, Cerro Castillo, Patagonia, Chile
Carretera Austral, Cerro Castillo, Patagonia, Chile

Drive the Carretera Austral

This self-drive adventure follows one of the world’s greatest routes – the Carretera Austral. Without another car in sight, and only the tell-tale sign of dust in the distance to let you know that humanity is still out there, this is an almost-otherworldly journey in one of the most extreme and beautiful places on the planet.

12 days

from £4,995 pp

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Osorno Volcano, Lake District, Chile
Osorno Volcano, Lake District, Chile

A Little More About the Chilean Lake District

Puerto Varas to the south, on the corner of stunning Lago Llanquihue, is a popular destination and base. Overlooked by the impressive snow-capped cone of Osorno Volcano, this pretty resort town is a good starting point for a wide variety of excursions in the surrounding area. These include walking amongst 4000-year-old alerce trees in Alerce Andino National Park, and exploring the lush, green and cultural Chiloe Island with its tight-knit farming and fishing communities. Heading east from Puerto Varas by road and boat, travellers can traverse the Andes via a series of lakes en route to Bariloche in Argentina, or head south through the magnificent glaciers, isles and fjords of remote Patagonia all the way down to Cape Horn.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.

Houses and Harbour, Chiloe Island, Chile

Journey to Chiloe Island

Discover this island of huge cultural and historical interest, keeping a keen lookout for the resident whales and penguin colonies that thrive off its shoreline.

Suggested property

Osorno Volcano, Lake District, Chile

Self Drive the Lake District

Explore this majestic region by car, experiencing the freedom that comes with having road access to remote lakes, verdant forests, and other off-the-beaten-track locations.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Pouring Red Wine

Taste Chilean Cuisine

Sip wines from local vineyards and sample fresh local dishes from market stalls.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Where to Stay

Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Rachael Tallents

Adventure, discovery and my curiosity for people and the natural world is what drives my love of travelling.  I am grateful for my parents’ desire to explore, and from an early age my eyes were open to diverse landscapes, cultures, and underwater worlds.

For the last 16 years, I have worked for a leading luxury tour operator designing incredible journeys for discerning clients and travelled to some magical places. I am excited to have joined Steppes Travel, and to be working for a company with such strong ethical and sustainable values.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Paul Bird

Combining the arid Atacama Desert and iconic Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonia, the dramatic contrasts of its landscapes make Chile one of Paul’s most treasured travel destinations.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

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Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

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