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.

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

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

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Hotel Antumalal £££££

  • Chile

Concealed within a remarkable 14-acre private park, Hotel Antumalal is a boutique property that benefits from its own private beach and staggering panoramic views over Lake Villarrica. Sculpted from native rock, the on-site spa offers an indoor-outdoor heated swimming pool, a spacious sauna with lake views and a hydro massage pool.

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Hotel Puelche £££££

  • Chile

Hotel Puelche is a mountain-style property situated in a stunning location just a short walking distance from the charming city of Puerto Varas. The Hotel is a great base from which to explore the local Lake District area and has incredible views of Lake Llanquihue and Volcano Osorno. Rooms at Hotel Puelche come equipped with en suite facilities. There is a spa with a sauna, plus a dining room, bar and living room which is beautifully furnished in local wood and stone.

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Hacienda Vira Vira £££££

  • Chile
  • Boutique

Nestled within a sprawling 55-acre estate in the Chilean Lake District, Hacienda Vira Vira is set on an organic vegetable garden and is surrounded by natural lagoons and flowing rivers. Its 21 homely and spacious rooms are individually decorated with hand-woven tapestries, local bohemian furnishings, textured Chilean rugs and Mapuche artefacts, while the ultra-exclusive villa suites also boast an outdoor jacuzzi that overlooks the river. Every morning, guests are invited to sit in discussion with the expert guides to decide on the days’ adventures, ensuring that a stay at Hacienda Vira Vira is tailor-made at every turn.

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Awa Hotel £££££

  • Chile

Combining contemporary architecture with the traditional materials of the region, Awa Hotel is a striking building set within 50 acres of private land, in a magical lakeside setting. Facing the hotel is the imposing Osorno Volcano and all of the 16 spacious rooms boast views of the lake and volcano.

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Tierra Chiloe Hotel & Spa £££££

  • Chile
  • Wilderness

Set on 25 acres of land that stretches inland from the coast, Tierra Chiloe Hotel & Spa can be found on the enchanting and folklore-full Chilean island of Chiloe. Offering an immersive experience that honours local island traditions and takes advantage of its unique location and awe-inspiring scenic clifftops, the property has been built in the style of the “palafitos” traditional stilt-houses, but with a modern twist. Its 12 rooms, decorated with handmade textiles and traditional woodcarvings, are completely exclusive in feeling and boast wonderful panoramic views from the upper floor.

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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.

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.

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