Learn Spanish & Study Spanish In Chile

Lake District of Chile

The Lake district in the southern part of the country has been one of the most visited tourist destinations in all of Chile.  The combination of rivers and steep volcanoes heading down to valleys near the Pacific create the various large lakes that the region is named for.  The district officially begins at the Bio Bio river and runs south to Isla Tenglo. Sites of interest include the many modern towns settled by German and other European immigrants, stunning snow capped volcanoes, national parks, and of course the lakes.

History

As Chile gained its freedom from Spain they made headway in capturing the lands of the Lake District from the Mapuche Indians. Many Europeans settled the lands which lead to the destruction of many forests to make way for towns and pastures. You can definitely sense the German and Scandinavian influence on the towns, but at the same time feel that the region is integrated into Chile’s diverse geography and culture.

National Parks

Due to the draw of the amazing natural settings of the Lake District, the Nation Parks play a major role in the area’s tourist industry. The remaining forests of the area are protected and include Na tional parks and  trees that are over a thousand years old, like the Larch.

Many of the lakes lay within the national parks, some of the most stunning include the Piriheico and the Catafaquen. These 2 lakes as well as 5 others are fed bay the same rivers. South of these lakes you find Valdivia at the mouth of the river with the same name. This city includes forts from Spanish colonial times. This area around the city is well known for its broadleaf evergreen trees.

Puerto Montt borders the southernmost point of the Lake District. From here you can head to Patagonia or the island of Chiloe. The culture of the mostly indigenous inhabitants on the island have been a great draw for tourism due to their mythological beliefs and interesting traditions.

Rest and Fun

Since the Lake District relies a lot on its tourist industry you can find many modern amenities in the hotels of the area. The eco-tourism based activities provide outdoorsman with all kinds of interesting activities including fishing, hiking, skiing, nature watching, and much more.

Due to the size of the lakes and volcanic activity in the area, you can find many luxurious beaches as well as hot water baths. Lican Ray located on Calafquen lake and Frutillar boast as having some of the best resorts in the country.  

Cuisine

Seafood is king in the Lake District. Puerto Montt hosts many great restaurants in the area around its port that serve different  types of fish and bounties from the sea. You can also find artisan cheeses, cured meats, and some of the finest wines in Chile. Meat lovers can also find roasted meats including beef steak.

Fishing

Many tour groups host fishing expeditions. These including fishing by boat as well as along the banks of the rivers. The various rivers that feed the lakes provide great Salmon or Trout fishing. Some of the best fishing can be found near Puerto Varas and its connecting rivers.

Boat Tours

Cruise ships can guide you through Patagonia with its world famous glaciers. The most popular trip heads out from Puerto Montt to the town of Bariloche in Argentina.  

Flora and Fauna

The Valdivian forest hosts many species of birds as well a diverse selection of tree varieties including the Larch The Larch is a massive standing tree which is considered to be one of the oldest trees in the world.