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Lago Villarrica The town of Pucon on Lago Villarrica
has just a spectacular view of the smoking Villarrica volcano. |
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In
summer, the lake has swimming and water sports. Or you can
just sit on the black sand beaches along the lake and build sand castles.
Pucon also has horseback riding, bike rental and fly fishing in streams in the area. Outside of town, soak in the Termas de Huife, Termas
de Quimaico, Termas de Palguin and Termas de Panqui hot springs. |
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In winter,
head up to the popular Villarrica-Pucon ski resorts on slopes of
the volcano.
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Conguillio National Park East of Temuco, Conguillio
National Park is the home of the araucaria trees (also called monkey
puzzle trees). Araucarias are very old trees, some over a thousand years
old. This park is attractive for kids the weird and wonderful trees,
a smoking volcano (Llaima Volcano), and lakes. The visitor's center
has more information about the flora and fauna, or take the nature trail
through araucaria forest. |
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Puerto Montt Puerto Montt is a gateway to Patagonian
Chile and port for boats for the Chilean "fjords." Wander down to Angelmo,
a fishing port with a crafts market and good seafood restaurants. Take a
boat ride through the Tenglo canal to the Island of Tenglo (Isla Tenglo).
Or, make a day trip to the Alerce Andino National Park to see the
thousand year old Alerce trees in the dense rain forest. For relaxation
on the lake, Lago Llanquihue is a good day trip from Puerto Montt. |
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Cruise
the "fjords" The boat from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales provides
spectacular scenery, mountains and glaciers right down to the sea. In
general, the four day trip is in the protected waters, but one section,
the Golfo de Penas, can be rough. Another popular cruise is the round
trip from Puerto Montt to the San Rafael Glacier (Parque Nacional Laguna
San Rafael).
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Isla Grande de Chiloe The island of Chiloe is
like Ireland, only rainier and warmer. On the island, kids can walk for
miles and miles on long sandy beaches and you won't see a soul. Ancud,
Dalcahue and Castro are picturesque fishing villages with seafood
restaurants on stilts above the water, 19th century wooden churches, and
handicrafts fairs. In Ancud, visit the Museo Regional Audelio Borquez
Canobra, a history museum with a replica of a 19th century schooner
or run around the old cannons on the grass in the Fuerte San Antonio. |