Region Overviews: South America Travel Guide: Overview
Bordered by two oceans and spanning two hemispheres, South America is a vibrant, diverse continent comprised of twelve sovereign states.
Chile is a land of old and new. Where glaciers and volcanoes continue to sculpt the terrain. Where nature reserves and national parks protect pristine lakes and ancient forests. Where indigenous Mapuche culture and Germanic heritage weave through contemporary life. Come with your family to witness this magical blend, walking and hiking through Chile's Lakes and Volcanoes District.
THIS ITINERARY: 7 days, 6 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels
Start Pucón / End Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt Airport
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Welcome to Villarica National Park where spectacular volcano and lake views unfold as we trek through forest | Discover a lava field with a row of ancient craters | On our private volcano cave tour, descend toward the Earth's core while learning about volcanology | Near the border with Argentina, hike along the Lagunas Andinas trail for spectacular scenery and vistas of the mighty volcano Lanín | Meet a famous Mapuche woman and local community leader at her restaurant | Learn about the area’s indigenous people and their community, plus try a taste of traditional wheat coffee | Wine tasting and dinner—a perfect end to a day of exploration.
Perched above Lake Villarica within a private park, this hotel boasts a Bauhaus-inspired design and floor-to-ceiling windows framing epic lake views. (pool, spa)
Villarrica Volcano greets you with its smoking fumarole and glowing crater dominating the skyline of Pucón | Hike through stands of araucaria (monkey puzzle) trees, glacial streams and lava fields | Experience a traditional asado (barbecue) dinner accompanied by local folkloric music and Chilean wines | Trek through Parque Futangue, a remote private nature reserve | Hike past turquoise waterfalls and breathtaking lookouts to deep-blue lagoons.
Surrounded by gardens, meadows and lush forest, this remote lodge is set within the borders of a private reserve. (pool, spa)
Follow a rushing river until reaching its source—a pristine alpine lake surrounded by lush scenery | Make your way to our lakeside hotel on the outskirts of Puerto Varas, known for its traditional German-style architecture and stunning backdrop of snowcapped volcanoes | Take in epic views of neighboring peaks and glacial-fed lakes on our hike along the base of Osorno Volcano | Views of the emerald waters and dark volcanic sand of Todos los Santos Lake unfold before encountering the cascading waters of Petrohué River's waterfalls.
Savor superb lakefront views from floor-to-ceiling windows at this design hotel featuring contemporary architecture that melds modern style with local materials. (pool, spa)
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do. LEARN MORE.
Note: The terrain on this trip includes rolling tree-lined paths and mountain trails along streams, lakes and forests. We may encounter dusty sections of volcanic ash.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
In order to experience the full grandeur of Chile's Lakes & Volcanoes District, we spend more time shuttling on this trip than on a typical Backroads trip. This enables us to explore the incredible variety of ecosystems and scenery this region has to offer. Rest assured, the views from these shuttles are spectacular.
Bordered by two oceans and spanning two hemispheres, South America is a vibrant, diverse continent comprised of twelve sovereign states.
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