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.
