Chile: The Lake District

The rivers and volcanoes in the south form a scenario of wide valleys, with a steep drop toward the Pacific Ocean, an environment surrounded by large lakes. The region is also characterized by cities that show signs of a large European immigration, especially German. Urban centers such as Valdivia, Osorno, Frutillar, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt have incorporated features of this culture into their architecture and gastronomy.

National parks and reserves

National parks and reserves are one of the biggest attractions in the area and protect native forests that include millenarian tree species, such as the larch. The area from take Calafaquen to lake Pirihueico is known as the Seven Lakes district, because they share the same river basin and are interconnected by rivers. From a traveler's point of view, the most outstanding lakes are the Catafquen, Rinihue and Panguipulli.

Further south, the city of Valdivia is the gateway to the coast, where the remains of Spanish forts can be admired at the mouth of the Valdivia river The origin of the city's name is found in a special type of vegetation known as "Selva Valdiviana'- evergreen forests with endemic species.

Near the city of Osorno, you may enjoy the landscape formed by lake Puyehue and the national park of the same name, as well as lakes Rupanco or Lianquihue. On the shores of the latter lake, the most outstanding destinations are Frutillar and Puerto Varas, and also the beautiful Saltos del Petrohud waterfall. Following the road south, we come to the Todos Los Santos lake.

In a straight line from Puerto Varas, you reach Puerto Montt, starting point for the Southern Road, which takes you to the Patagonia and Chiloé, an island whose traditions and mysticism fill visitors with awe.

This dramatic environment and geography have made this Lake Region the capital of adventure and nature tourism in Chile. You have here all types of comforts, hotel facilities as well as the possibility of going trekking, fishing, doing sports, mountain biking, rafting, skiing in Antillanca, taking cruises, relaxing at the Puyehue hotsprings and observing the flora and fauna. Also cultura activities and outings will teach you more about the historic of chile south.

History

With Chilean independence, pressure to settle these lands increased, and unoccupied land was distributed to a brimming tide of European settlers. These settlers, many of them German, cut and burned the rainforest back from the western shores of the great lakes, creating a new landscape of manicured farms and tidy villages.

Recreation and relaxation

Natural beauty and excellent tourist services meet halfway in the lake region. On the shore of Calafquén lake, the town of Lican Ray boasts a lovely black sand beach and a full range of accommodations. Further south on LLanquihue lake, Puerto Varas and Frutillar are top resort destinations, with unbelievable views across the lake towards Osorno volcano.

Gastronomy

The city of Puerto Montt is the seafood capital of Chile. Visitors will be astounded at the bounty of shellfish, salmon, and other delicacies that await them in Angelmó, Puerto Montt's port district.

Navigation

The Cruce de Lagos Trans-Andes cruise connects Puerto Montt with Bariloche, Argentina, via a series of ferry crossings of Andean lakes, including the spectacular glacially-carved Todos Los Santos lake. Cruises through the fjords and glaciers of Patagonia typically depart from Puerto Montt.

Trekking

Trekking routes in this area focus upon national parks such as Puyehue, Vicente Pérez Rosales and Alerce Andino, which protect great tracts of temperate rainforest, volcanic terrain, waterfalls and clear-flowing streams.

 

Observation of flora and fauna

Southern Chile's evergreen temperate rainforest - also known as the Valdivian rainforest- contains some 25% of the world's remaining reserves of this vastly productive forest community. Even more impressive are old-growth stands of alerce, a towering conifer that ranks as the second longest-lived tree in the world. Near Valdivia, the Cruces River Nature Sanctuary provide habitat for a wide variety of birds.

Fishing

Float trips, trolling and bank fishing are all good ways to fish the abundant rivers and lakes of this region, where rainbows, brown trout and salmon find ideal habitat. Top destinations include the Petrohué river and the Puerto river, both accessed from fishing 'mecca' Puerto Varas.

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