This area is home to one of the most remarkable indigenous
cultures in the Americas, the Mapuches. For nearly three
centuries, the Mapuches defended their homeland, La Araucania,
from the Spanish conquistadors. Three centuries: such
vigor! But that is the nature of the lake region.
Vigorous, yes; but safe and with a European elegance
which is surprisingly familiar. As the Mapuches ceded
their territory to the newly independent republic, European
settlers flocked to this paradise of rich volcanic soils,
ancient forests, and clear glacially formed lakes whose
waters reflect the chain of active volcanoes along the
eastern horizon.
These settlers cut and burned the massive tracts of temperate
rainforest back into the mountains and built their towns
throughout the central valley, in select ports along
the wild Pacific coast, and upon the shores of myriad
rivers and lakes. The pastoral landscape which characterizes
the central valley in this region - broad undulant pastures,
German-style farmhouses, quiet tidy lakeside pueblos
- can be attributed largely to the industry and vision
of these 19th century immigrants.
If the Lake Region's forests were a challenge and threat
to these first settlers, to the modern-day traveler they
are a source of wonder. In the northern portion of the
Lake Region, La Araucania, national and private parks
protect the last tracts of Araucaria trees, an ancient
conifer dating from the Jurassic age and now a Chilean
natural monument. The towns of Temuco and Pucón,
built in the heart of the Mapuche homeland, provide access
to the rivers, lakes, forests and volcanoes that make
this one of Chile's prime adventure travel destinations.
Further south, the Valdivian Rainforest - the second
largest temperate rainforest in the world - blankets
the mountains of the coast and the Andes. The cities
of Valdivia, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt are jumping-off
points for excursions among the chain of beautiful lakes,
which nose into the Andes, in some places straddling
the continental divide, which marks the Chile-Argentina
border.
Where the Central Valley finally sinks into the Pacific
and Chilean Patagonia begins, magnificent old-growth
Alerce forests are home to the world's second longest-lived
tree: examples of this endangered conifer surpass 3500
years of age.
Each of the destination cities in the Lake Region feature
excellent hotels, dining, shopping and transportation
services, and put you within reach of diverse attractions
for all tastes, ages, and levels of fitness. Of particular
interest is the chain of National Parks that extends
along the Argentine border, protecting habitats ranging
from forest to volcanic plateaus.
Visits to these parks, Andean lake cruises to Argentina,
and numerous lakeside resorts are excellent great trip
ideas for families or the general interest traveler.
More adventurous or specialized travelers will find nearly
limitless opportunities for hiking and mountaineering,
whitewater rafting, bird watching, mountain biking and
horseback riding, among other activities.
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