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Top 21 Experiences Waiting for You in the Chile Lake District

Ishaan Govardhan
The diverse natural features of the Chilean Lake District are stunning in all their glory. For every cascading waterfall (and there are many), you'll also come across a towering volcano and a sparkling blue lake to boot.

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Dive into the turquoise beauty of 12 major lakes. Start from Pucon, trek the Los Lagos trail, and embrace 5 lakes, including majestic Lake Llanquihue.

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Get the thrill of pedal power on the Lake Llanquihue Loop! Discover wildlife-filled hills and catch stunning volcano views.

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Explore South Chile's granite peaks via trails like El Pionero. Base in picturesque Puerto Varas for the ultimate adventure!

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Ascend to the summit of Mt. Osorno (8,701 ft) and be captivated by the soothing sounds of Petrohue Falls along the way.

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Conquer 6 volcanoes in Chile's Lake District, including active Mt. Villarica (9,341 ft), and reach the tallest, Mt. Lanin (12,388 ft)!
Scaling snow-capped Chilean volcanoes is a thrill that's punctuated by moments of great beauty. On the way to Mt. Llaima (9,580 ft), you'll walk under the stunningly odd Araucaria (ancient Monkey Puzzle trees).

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Explore remote waterfalls near Pucon under Mt. Villarica's shadow: Salto el Claro, Salto el Leon, Ojos del Caburgua, and more await!

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From November to April, you'll be able to cast your fishing line into the Chilean lakes, where the trouts bite every time! You can even stay at one of the fishing lodges just south of Puerto Montt.

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Rivers in the lake district offer kayakers a playground. Don't miss paddling through the Comau, Quintupeu, and Cahuelmo fjords!

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Not ready to dry off? Take on the challenge of whitewater rafting on the fierce Petrohue River!

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The call of the wild may prove too strong to resist, and you'll find yourself wanting to sleep amongst nature. Stay at a lakeside campsite or one of the refuge huts in the Chile Lake District.

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Explore Caleta Cóndor, accessible only by boat from Bahía Mansa. It's an off-grid journey to pristine white sands!

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Tired of hiking? Strap yourself to a lofty zip line. From the steep slopes of Mt. Osorno to the thick canopy near Pucon, there are quite a few zip lines for you to conquer.

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Always wanted to try rock climbing? Chile Lake District is where you should start. The sheer rock faces of Mt. Calbuco make for good climbing lessons. Or you can head for the Cochamo valley which is like a paradise for climbers.

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There's always time for an epic roadtrip. Rent a car in Puerto Montt and set off on the highway to Chiloe Island.
Chiloe Island's city of Castro is well worth a visit. It's a city made of wood, with colorfully quaint houses (Palafitos) balanced on stilts. For an authentic experience, you can even stay at such a house.

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Before you leave Chiloe Island, head for the penguin colony at Puñihuil. This may be your only chance to see Magellanic and Humboldt penguins out in the wild (unless you plan on visiting Antarctica next).
Chile is home to the proud Mapuche people. A visit to the Chile Lake District will bring you in contact with their rich culture. Don't forget to buy a souvenir: traditionally crafted Indio Picaro statuettes.
You must try some Chilean beer, which is a result of the European influence, brought to this region by German immigrants. The Chile Lake district is more culturally diverse than one might assume.

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Once winter comes, the conical volcanoes of the area get blanketed in powdery snow and become the ideal ski slopes.
End your frigid day out on the ski slopes with a relaxing warm bath in one of the many hot springs in this region. There are plenty of natural as well as artificial geothermal pools for you to soak in.