Central Chile extends from Santiago to the river Bio Bio which is situated to the southern of Los Angeles. This region is famous because of its wine-growing areas, wide beaches and unbelievable trails of the Andes. The climate can be compared to the Californian or Mediterranean climate. It’s possible to go for outings in the National Parks from September to May. Because of the higher population density the streets are much better prepared than in other areas.
The region besides the Panamerica isn’t really interesting so that nature lovers need to leave the highway. In Chile are vacations during midsummer from January to February, too, and therefore traffic jams can be expected on the highway. There are masses of people at beaches during this time, too.
The lake district of Chile is often compared to Switzerland. But in Switzerland there are no Araukarias forests, no swarms of parrots or active volcanoes so that this comparison isn’t the best. The climate is stable but mostly stable rainy. The whole district has a great infrastructure with a tight gas station network, supermarkets and camping grounds.
As in the whole country the nature is the real highlight. Some places are overcrowded during the summertime and others are less visited. During the winter from May to October the whole lake district isn’t visited well because it rains continuously. Be careful with the Andes passes to Argentina as snow chains can become important during spring and autumn.
Routes course
Day 1 |
Santiago - Rancagua - San Fernando - Santa Cruz - Curicó - Talca
As usual not everybody likes the capital with a population of 6 million. Travelers who rent a caravan or a camper are more interested in nature than in cities with their smog. Nevertheless it’s worth to visit Santiago even to have been there. Outside of the city are many highlights. The Maipo Valley leads eastwards in direction of Argentina up to the Andes. The road to Banos Morales is in a good condition. From here some different roads lead even further to the mountains above 6000 m which are covered with glaciers. There are some National Parks and hot springs, too. To the west of Santiago are beautiful beaches and the national park La Campana is situated here. A visit is worth because of the palm forests which you can find here.
The stay at the city isn’t worth. From Rancagua a road leads to the national park Cipreses. This place is famous for its parrot swarms and offers great hiking possibilities for more than one day. The volcano Palomo with a height of nearly 5000 m is situated at the end of the valley. A short time before you reach the volcano branches off another valley with a lagoon in the wilderness.
A road from the colonial place San Fernando leads to the hot springs “Flaco”. It’s a nice way to go there. The thermal bathes aren’t really good but one can use them as starting point for some beautiful excursions to the surrounded mountains. The footprints of dinosaurs which one will reach after 1 hour are really interesting. Passionated mountaineers will find the second biggest glacier of Chile.
The town has become famous during the last years because it becomes the wine capital of Chile. Since 2004 a small steam engine runs between the different vineyards. In direction of the coast one can find some nature reserves which are mainly interesting for ornithologists.
Curico can be compared to other Chilean cities. The national park which is situated in the east of Curico is really nice. Here one can find the famous waterfall called “Siete Tazas”. It’s possible to go for hikes for one or over more days. For six weeks the park is visited mainly by Chileans during the summer.
Talca is a good starting point for visiting vineyards. But it’s better to announce a visit before. From Talca runs the last local train to the seaside town Constitución. To the east there is the national park Vilches which is only 60 km away from Talca. This place offers countless hikes and real reasonable possibilities for riders.
Day 2 |
Talca - Constitución - Linares - Chillán
Different small lakes offer best nature reserves for ornithologists. The sand dunes of Putu are situated 20 km in the north of Constitución and shouldn’t be passed. The beaches which are southern wards are black colored because of their volcanic origin. Here one can find cactuses as well as many bird species like Pelicans or Sulidaes. In Constitución are some simple restaurants which offer fresh fish. And there is a small steam engine running between Talca and Constitución.
In the east of Linares the Andes offer more wilderness than whole Europe: glaciers, volcanoes, primeval forest, lakes and countless possibilities for hiking. One can get to this place by taking a road through the Melado Valley, the Ancao Valley or along the Rio Achibueno. Just search for a nice place to park the car and then discover the valley by horse or hiking. The resident farmers lease out horses for almost US$ 12 per day and per guide.
The area around the volcano Chillan is famous for its hot springs and offers really good possibilities for excursions to nature lovers. Especially the 3-hour-tour to the valley “Aguas calientes” needs to be recommended. Many hot brooks with natural pools flow down the volcano, it’s amazing.
Day 3 |
Chillán - Los Angeles - Curacautin
The national park Laguna de Laja with iths 3000 m high volcano Antuco in the centre is almost 2 hours away from Los Angeles. A nice daytrip leads above between the volcano and the glacier mountain Sierra Velluda. In direction to the coast is a beautiful Araukania forest in the national park Nahuelbuta with a good camping ground.
The place can be reached from Victoria or Lautaro. Here you can find some of the most beautiful national parks of the country. One shouldn’t pass the view to the volcano Lonquimau or a trip to the national park Conguillio. The way from Lago Gualletue and to the head of the Rio Bio Bio is scenically beautiful, too. On this road a pass leads to Argentina which is opened the whole year.
Day 4 |
Curacautin – Paso de Pino Hachado- Copahue – Seven Lake District – Bariloche
The volcano Copahue with its hot springs is situated next the Chilean border. Its crater is filled with an acid lake and can be discovered by hikers in one day. The town of the same name is situated 15 km away and offers different hotels. The hot springs are in a natural amphitheatre with high stone walls near the town Caviahue.
The Seven Lake District extends near the border to Chile in the north of Bariloche. It’s like a colored mosaic out of forests and lakes. The area is a really loved holiday region for Argentineans. Therefore the Cabañas and hotels are often overrun during January and February. You should plan boat trips and hikes for your journey because then you get to know the area and you will join the unspoiled nature and the silence.
The city is near the oldest national park of Argentina. It’s difficult to find a special highlight in the surrounding area because of the mix of glaciers, lakes, mountains and waterfalls. Many hikes are possible to do from hat to hat. But most of the tours are really demanding. Be careful because of the changing weather. One can reach the Chilean city Osorno by the well prepared Puyehue pass.
Day 5 |
Bariloche – National Park Puyehue – Osorno –Puerto Varas – Puerto Montt
The international street from Osorno in Chile to Barioche in Argentina is the most used road although it’s not completely asphalted. On the way one passes the National Park Puyehue with its very good hiking possibilities, camping grounds, lakes and hot springs. Especially the view from the skiing district Antillanca over the volcanoes is really worth. One gets good information in the visitor centre of the National Park.
It’s a typical Chilean city which doesn’t mean much. The Rio Bueno is situated in the North of the town. The last steam boat of the whole country runs from here. At the coast near Bahia Mansa one can watch dolphins while playing in the waves.
The town still has that certain something. A casino with a beautiful view over the lake is available too. There are varied possibilities for excursions like visiting the island Chiloe or the National Park Vicente as well as walking round the lake Llanquihue or visiting the volcano Osorno.
Puerto Montt is real bigger than Puerto Varas but the place doesn’t belong to the most beautiful cities of Chile as well. It’s important because of its ferry mooring with direction to the Carretera Austral, Puerto Natales and Chacabuco. The ferry for going to Chiloe starts almost 50 km in the South of Puerto Montt near Pargua.
Detour 1 1 |
Temuco - Pucón - Valdivia
Here starts the “German district” of Chile. Don’t be scared, the people lived there since the 19th century and not after the Second World War. Temuco is the Capital of the Region Araukarien. The Mapuche Museum and the market in the centre are may be worth seeing but the National Parks are more interesting.
Pucón is a real touristic place. The excursion possibilities are very good but the surrounded camping grounds are really bad during the high season. But more outside there are amazing places. Really popular is the ascent up the volcano Villarica. Sometime one can see the red-hot lava in its crater. At this place one can book the most reasonable rafting tours of whole Chile. Tours in the Rio Trancura are available at a price of almost US$ 12. There are many German-speaking organizers who offer horse trekking tours.
Beer lovers will enjoy themselves because of the brewery Kunstmann which offers beer as well as good meals. In the Rio Cruces and the Rio Calle Calle one can do nice boat trips. Therefore many boats can be found at the mall in the centre of the city. A botanical garden which belongs to the University is situated in the district Isla Teja. A guide can be rented in the small kiosk.
Detour 2 |
Puerto Montt – National Park Vincente Perez Rosales
This National Park needs to be visited. The waterfall Salto Petrohue can’t be compared to the Niagara Falls but the scenery with the volcano in the background is amazing. A small gravel road leads to the skiing area of the volcano Osorno. During the summer one can go to the glacier by walking or taking the lift. The view over the lake Llanquihue to the Pacific is spectacular.
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