Lake District and volcanoes
Perfect volcanic cones mirrored in steel-blue lakes, forests of prehistoric araucarias and hot springs under fine drizzle: the Chilean Switzerland, in tectonic version.
Suggested stay — 3 to 4 nights
Green Chile begins 700 km south of Santiago: glacial lakes, snow-capped volcanoes and rainforest. Pucón, on lake Villarrica, is its adrenaline capital: the guided climb of Villarrica volcano (2,847 m, crampons and ice axe provided, a smoking crater at the top) remains one of the finest days money can buy in South America, and the Termas Geométricas — seventeen hot pools linked by red walkways in a fern-filled gorge — the finest of recoveries.
North of Pucón, Conguillío park earns the detour: black lava flows from Llaima volcano and forests of thousand-year-old araucarias, those umbrella conifers seemingly escaped from the Jurassic. Further south, Puerto Varas and lake Llanquihue offer Chile's German postcard, with Osorno's perfect cone and the turquoise waters of the Saltos del Petrohué. It is also the gateway to Chiloé and the Carretera Austral.
Don't miss
- The guided climb of Villarrica volcano from Pucón (full day, decent fitness)
- The Termas Geométricas, ideally late afternoon under the drizzle
- Conguillío park: Llaima lava, araucarias and lagoons (ripio access track)
- Puerto Varas, the Saltos del Petrohué and the Osorno volcano road
Our tips on the ground
- Book the Villarrica climb two or three days ahead and keep a buffer day: guides cancel at the first strong wind, and roughly one day in three is a no-go.
- Conguillío is earned: the access tracks (especially via Melipeuco) are sometimes deep ripio — check conditions with CONAF before committing a city car.
- It rains here even in summer: that is the price of the forests. Slot volcano and lake activities into the weather windows, and keep hot springs and museums for the grey days.
Our flagship guide — €29
Guide available“Chile on Your Own”, the complete edition, is out
10 chapters: day-by-day itineraries, driving and transport, a costed budget and checklists — the same method as our Namibia guide.
The guide is currently written in French — an English edition is in the works.
Before you go
Readers' questions about Lake District and volcanoes
Is the Villarrica climb accessible to everyone?
To anyone reasonably fit, yes: 4-5 h of steady ascent on snow with a compulsory guide, crampons and ice axe provided and taught at the start. No climbing moves, but endurance and some grit in cold wind. Part of the descent is done sliding down snow chutes — the trip's best laugh. Children are generally accepted from 12-14 depending on the agency.
Pucón or Puerto Varas as a base?
Both, ideally, 3.5 h of road apart: Pucón for Villarrica, the hot springs and the sporty vibe; Puerto Varas for Osorno, Petrohué, the German architecture and the departure towards Chiloé or the Carretera Austral. If forced to choose: Pucón in summer for the climb, Puerto Varas if you are continuing further south.