Southern Chile

A few words about the Southern Chile

Southern Chile, lakes and volcanoes, the Lake District and the Chiloé Archipelago, discover its unique scenic beauty and the cultural heritage of its native people. Among other cities: Concepción, Puerto Montt, Osorno, Puyehue, Puerto Varas, Frutillar, Valdivia, Corral, Pucón, Villarrica are cities so much worth to visit. Breathtaking views!

In Southern Chile, get ready for milder to colder weather

LLANQUIHUE LAKE

From Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas admire a landscape formed by the Llanquihue Lake and several stunning volcanoes.

The second largest lake in Chile, with an area of 860 square kilometres, after Lake General Carrera (shared with Argentina), renowned for its stunning natural beauty, surrounded by picturesque mountains and charming towns. The lake is fed by several rivers and is known for its clear blue waters.

One of the most notable features near the lake is the Osorno Volcano, which provides a dramatic backdrop for the area. The town of Puerto Varas, located on the lake’s shore, is a popular tourist destination, known for its German-influenced architecture, vibrant culture, and opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and water sports.

Lake Llanquihue also plays a significant role in the local economy, supporting fishing and tourism industries. The region is rich in biodiversity and offers various recreational options, making it a great spot for nature lovers.

VILLARICA VOLCANO

Climbing the Villarica volcano, this is without a doubt a challenge. 

The Villarica volcano is 2,847meters high, with volcanic rock, snow and not a single tree. Throughout the year the volcano is covered in snow almost entirely, so even in summer, it is necessary to climb with crampons, ice axe, leggings, gloves and mountain boots. 

Do not forget to put on sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.

Absolutely, not to be missed!

volcan villarica

FRUTILLAR

Is a city in the Los Lagos region, in southern Chile, overlooking the Osorno volcano. It is located on the western edge of the great Llanquihue Lake and has black sand beaches. The city is characterized by its German-style wooden buildings, which reflect its colonial past. The German Colonial Museum explores this history and has a nineteenth-century mill. The Teatro del Lago has a glass facade and hosts concerts and other shows, well worth a visit.

teatro del lago

PUERTO VARAS

Sail on the wonderful Todos Los Santos Lake, with its emerald-coloured waters and its surrounding forests.

You will get to see 2 stunning white-capped volvanoes: the Osono and the Calbuco.

Puerto Varas is a charming town in southern Chile, located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue and surrounded by stunning natural landscapes. Known for its German influence, you can find picturesque wooden architecture and delicious cuisine, including traditional kuchen.

The town is a gateway to explore the nearby Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, where you can enjoy activities like hiking, fishing, and visiting the impressive Petrohué Falls. The backdrop of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes adds to its beauty, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

puerto varas

PUCON

A vibrant resort, nestled at the foot of the stunning Villarrica Volcano and located on the shores of Lake Villarrica. It’s a popular destination offering a wide range of activities year-round. In winter, Pucón transforms into a ski resort, attracting visitors to its slopes. During the warmer months, you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and water sports like kayaking and fishing on the lake. The nearby Huerquehue National Park features beautiful trails and breathtaking views. Pucón also has a lively atmosphere, with plenty of restaurants, cafes, and shops, showcasing local culture and cuisine. The hot springs in the area, like Termas Geométricas, provide a perfect way to relax after a day of adventure. Whether you are seeking adrenaline or tranquility, Pucón has something for everyone! 

 

pucon

CHILOE

Travel to Chiloé Island through the Chacao Channel.See numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the island. Visit the magnificent churches that really put in the crowds, each with their unique colour scheme to provide a reference point for fishermen at sea. There are around 70 churches constructed almost entirely from native wood in the Chilota architectural style. Get beautiful views of the region and its rugged landscape.

 
chiloe
castro

Chilean Patagonia

Puerto Natales

A few words about Chilean Patagonia

Immerse yourself in the vast and wild nature of these remote destinations, General Carrera Lake, Tierra del Fuego, Coyhaique/Puerto Aysén, Carretera Austral (Southern Way), Torres del Paine, Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams.

In Chilean Patagonia

LAKE GENERAL CARRERA

Sail and discover the majesty of the largest lake in Chile. Visit by kayak the Capilla de Mármol Natural Sanctuary embarking from Puerto Rio Tranquilo. You will find yourself kayaking through the tunnels of this amazing marble chapel! A vivid postcard you do not want to miss!

TIERRA DEL FUEGO

Explore the Karukinka National Park and enjoy the view from Pietro Grande. Challenge yourself by trekking the Dientes of Navarino circuit, one of the southernmost hiking trails in the world. Coyhaique/Puerto Aysén, Carretera Austral, Torres del Paine, Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas and Chilean Antarctic.

COYHAIQUE

The city’s name comes from the Aonikenk word for «a place where there are lagoons”. The Aonikenk people long traveled Coyhaique’s pampas, while the Chono and Kawésqar people rowed along its coasts.

It is the starting point of all tours in the region of Aysén.

PUERTO AYSEN

120 km. away from the city there is Puerto Aysén, set on the shores of Aysén river, near Río Simpson National Reserve. This is the departure place of most expeditions to San Rafael Lagoon.

EL FRAILE SKI CENTER

Located 29 kms (18 mi) from Coyhaique city, with an altitude of 1,600 mts (5,250 ft) above sea level. It represents a meeting point for you, if you are a lover of the white sport.

LAKE ELIZALDE

It is a small lake, less than 3000 hectares, has abundant wild flora and fauna. This place is perfect if you like to be in touch with nature and practice outdoor activities. Elizalde lake provides great weather conditions for fly fishing and horseback riding

THE AUSTRAL HIGHWAY / CARRETERA AUSTRAL

Over 1,240 kilometres of natural beauty will take your breath away, this amazing Patagonian Route, unique in the world. The Austral Highway will enchant you, either by car or bicycle, with its pristine landscapes.

The journey along the Austral Highway offers access to various national parks, such as Queulat National Park, known for its hanging glaciers and beautiful waterfalls. You can also explore charming towns like Puyuhuapi and Coyhaique, where you can experience local culture and cuisine.

 

 

MARBLE CAVES

It is undoubtedly one of the main things to do in Carretera Austral. The starting point for the day trip is Puerto Rio Tranquilo. Marble Caves are strange mineral formations composed of calcium carbonate and located on the shore of General Carrera Lake. The beauty of the place is given as the caverns originated by the erosion of the water of the lake on the rock and where the different tonalities that acquire the rocky formations are observed together with the turquoise colour of the water of the lake.

PUYUHUAPI

Enjoy the Puyuhuapi hot springs and you will feel your body rejuvenated. Having this new energy, you can explore the exotic forests of the area on horseback, by trekking or even sailing along its beautiful rivers. Here, with a German influenced architecture, walk along its streets and you will get to see the wooden buildings, giving the town a unique touch.

The village also serves as a gateway for exploring the stunning fjords and waterways of the Chilean Patagonia, making it popular for kayaking and other water activities. 

FUTALEUFÚ

Right in the middle of the Andes, a true paradise for extreme sports, this river is considered among the three best rivers for kayaking and rafting in the world. If can also enjoy some relaxed activities, such as walking or biking around the paths of the Futaleufu National Reserve, which protects two incredibly important species of the area: the Andean Cypress and the shy huemul, an endemic deer which is also Chile’s national animal.

TORTEL-VILLA OHIGGINS

Known as the city of walkways, Tortel invites you to walk the seven and a half kilometers of platforms, bridges, and stairs built in cypress wood that interconnect the different areas of this picturesque place, declared a Typical Zone for its architecture and lifestyle. Also visit Villa O’Higgins, the last town on the Carretera Austral and an attractive place to rest. Enjoy fly fishing, mountain climbing or simply be enchanted by the ranch life.

CERRO CASTILLO NATIONAL RESERVE

Offers the best hiking in the whole of Aysén. Some of the largest mountains in the Patagonian Andes can be found here, including a rather unique mountain shaped like a castle of stone and ice. You can trek among the towering peaks, horse-ride in the steps of gauchos, and seek out the unexpected bright turquoise lagoon hidden within the range. A beautiful experience! The famous Austral Highway / Carretera Austral passes through the park, making it easily accessible during a road trip.

Torres del Paine

torres del paine

W TRAIL

The so-called W trekking trail one the main attractions of Torres del Paine. Is named by the union of the three large areas which the trail runs through: the Ascencio Valley, the Francés Valley and the Grey Glacier Valley. It is one of the favourite treks. This adventure lasts between 4 and 7 days, walking through lenga forests, amazing lookouts and steep slopes.

O TRAIL

A demanding and complete path along Torres del Paine, the so-called “O Trail”. The 93.2 km long walk begins in the Amarga Lake area and completely circles the famous mountain. This challenge, lasts between 7 and 10 days. You will get to know places such as, the John Garner Pass, the highest place on the circuit, at 1,350 meters, which has an impressive view of the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields.

GRAY LAKE

Beautiful lake inside the Torres del Paine National Park, declared International Biosphere Reserve, its waters covered by ice sediment and huge floating icebergs, so impressive! You can kayak and/or canoe across it. Simply wonderful.

PEHOE LAKE

Sail through the Patagonian crystal-clear waters of this breath-taking scenic lake. Surrounded by endemic vegetation, you can get to see animals and to practice sport fishing. Having the spectacular view of the Cuernos del Paine Mountains, you can try for the perfect picture: the reflection of the mountains on the water (if the weather allows it). A one-of-a-kind spectacle. You’ll be amazed.

PUERTO NATALES

Beautiful town located on the Señoret Channel along a scenic fjord, set against the dramatic backdrop of the southernmost peaks of the Andes, Puerto Natales is the gateway to the Torres del Paine National Park and outdoor adventure in the Patagonia region, you will be able to find great food, supplies, and more to fuel up for your trek, along with local attractions to explore.

Puerto Natales

BALMACEDA AND SERRANO GLACIER 

Balmaceda Glacier is known for its impressive blue ice formations and accessibility via boat tours on the Seno de Última Esperanza. The glacier descends dramatically from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, creating a spectacular sight as it flows into the fjord. You can take boat trip to get close to the glacier, where you can witness ice calving and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. 

Serrano Glacier, located nearby, is often visited in conjunction with Balmaceda. The glacier is less famous but equally stunning, and you can reach it via a hike or a kayak tour. The journey to Serrano Glacier typically includes a scenic boat ride and a chance to explore the lush landscapes of the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park.

glaciar serrano y balmaceda

MILODON CAVE

In 1896 Captain Eberhard discovered the remains of a giant ground sloth in the Milodon Cave, 18 miles from Puerto Natales. You can walk through this natural monument which is 30 metres high, 50 wide and 200 deep, and see the giant replica of the pre-historic creature at the entrance (twice the size of a man)

milodon cave

HORSE RIDING THE SIERRA DOROTEA

Combination of horseback riding, adventure and nature. You will be able to appreciate the city of Puerto Natales, the Almirante Montt Gulf, the Última Esperanza Fjord and a large part of the Patagonian steppe. You will reach a native forest and getting off the horse you will approach on foot to the main viewpoint.

KAYAK IN EBERHARD FJORD

Kayaking in the Eberhard Fjord offers the experience of contemplating the nature and wildlife of Patagonia from a sea kayak.

PUNTA ARENAS

The second southernmost town in Chile, Punta Arenas is a mishmash of corrugated-ironroofed buildings, a busy port and a small but steadily growing population, facing the Strait of Magellan. Punta Arenas has been Chile’s doorway to Antarctic exploration. Today, it’s also a major port for cruises into the icy reaches of Tierra del Fuego, and a gateway for fly-cruises to Antarctica.

Punta Arenas does have some notable monuments strewn along its waterfront, which the Avenida Costanera del Estrecho and 21 de Mayo roads run along. They include a replica of Ferdinand Magellan’s tall ship, Victoria, and the rusting remains of the shipwrecked Lord Lonsdale, an English frigate that now serves as a de facto monument to all seafaring explorers.

punta arenas

DOLPHIN AND WILDLIFE WATCHING

 Experience and exciting marine adventure. By Kayak or by zodiac boat or boat.

MAGDALENA ISLAND

A boat trip away from the town lies Magdalena Island, a wind-ravaged place that’s an important breeding site (and a protected area) for Magellan penguins. About 32 km northeast of Punta Arenas, in 1982, it and nearby Marta Island were declared a national monument—Los Pingüinos Natural Monument. The island is the breeding location for several species of seabirds, most notably the Magellan penguin. You can also get to walk with them!

CAPE FROWARD GUIDED SAIL AND TREKKING DAY

Experience this sailing and trekking adventure where you will get to explore the lush forests and dramatic landscapes. Sail the Strait of Magellan, disembark at Cape Froward finishing by a picnic lunch at the Cruz de los Mares.

PUERTO WILLIAMS

The southernmost town in Chile. A small town on Navarino Island in the Beagle Channel. Part of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, it´s known as a starting point for trips around Cape Horn. Also gateway to trails around the jagged peaks of the nearby Dientes de Navarino. Puerto Williams is one of the principal naval bases of the Chilean Navy. The base is used as start point for patrol, reconnaissance missions and rescues in the areas of Beagle Channel, Cape Horn, Drake Passage and the Antarctic Peninsula.

Puerto Williams - Chile

LAKE ZAÑARTU TREK

Enjoy some breathtaking views of the Beagle Channel and also you will get to know/hear facts about the history of Chile and Argentina.

DIENTES DE NAVARINO

Dare one of the Dientes de Navarino Trek. Absolutely the main attraction of the Navarino Island. Challenge yourself to 5 days or 2 days most incredible and amazing trek ever.

PUERTO WILLIAMS CITY TOUR

Discover the major sports of this city located on the southern shore of the Beagle Channel, among others, visiting the Martin Gusinde Anthropological Museum, the Villa Ukika, the Omora Ethnobotanical Park and finally Caleta Mejillones.

PUERTO WILLIAMS BIKE TOUR

An amazing experience waits for you when arriving to Los Bronces Bridge, where you will leave the bike and stars walking in one of the southernmost forests in the whole planet. Los Bronces Waterfall famous in the Navarino Island.

BEAGLE CHANNEL KAYAK

Definitely taking this kayak tour, you will enjoy a different view of the scenery from the waters of the Beagle Channel. You will discover vestiges of the Yaganes that originally inhabited the area. Also, you will get to see the birds that inhabit the coast of the Navarino Island and if the weather allows it, you will get to have a lovely view from the sea of Puerto Williams and the mounts of the island.