LLaima Vulcano, North Face

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Sur Chico

Hence begins the Chilean south. The regions of La Araucanía, Los Ríos and the Lakes District jar travelers with menacing ice-topped volcanoes, glacial lakes overflowing with what looks like melted jade, roaring rivers running through old-growth forests and coastal enclaves inhabited by the indomitable Mapuche people. Sur Chico is home to eight spectacular national parks, many harboring exquisitely conical volcanoes, and is a magnetic draw for outdoor-adventure enthusiasts and devil-may-care thrill seekers.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • LLaima Vulcano, North Face

    Parque Nacional Conguillío

    Sur Chico

    The 3125m Volcán Llaima, one of Chile's most active volcanoes, forms the focal point of Parque Nacional Conguillío and the Unesco Biosphere Reserve in…

  • Tolhuaca volcano in Malalcahuello and Nalcas National Park, Chile.

    Reserva Nacional Malalcahuello-Nalcas

    Sur Chico

    Serving up one of the most dramatic landscapes in all of Sur Chico and easily the jewel of northern Araucanía’s protected reserves, the 303 sq km Reserva…

  • Huilo huilo Waterfall at Biological Reserve Huilo-Huilo in Chile.

    Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve

    Sur Chico

    This conservation project, begun in 2000, encompasses 1000 sq km of private land that has been developed for low-impact ecotourism and falls within a much…

  • A man hiking Villarrica Traverse trail through Araucaria araucana forest on the mountainside in Villarrica National Park.

    Parque Nacional Villarrica

    Sur Chico

    Towering over the adventure capital of Pucón, Volcán Villarica is the centerpiece of Parque Nacional Villarrica, one of the most popular parks in Chile…

  • Museum of Volcanoes in the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, Chile.

    Museo de Volcanes

    Sur Chico

    The stone-domed Museo de Volcanes is Sur Chico's most impressive archeological museum, covering Chilean indigenous cultures, including one of the best…

  • Teatro del Lago

    Teatro del Lago

    The Lakes District

    This amazing 12-years-in-the-making, US$25-million world-class performing-arts center opened in 2010, and has single-handedly put Frutillar on the global…

  • Territorio Mapa Lahual

    Territorio Mapa Lahual

    The Lakes District

    Territorio Mapa Lahual protects some 60,000 hectares of mature forest and indigenous territories south of San Juan de la Costa and into Río Negro province…

  • Parque Nacional Huerquehue

    Parque Nacional Huerquehue

    Sur Chico

    The 125-sq-km preserve, founded in 1912, is a little wonderland of waterfalls, alpine lakes and araucaria forests and the creatures that traverse them,…

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Beyond Sur Chico
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