Chile: The Lake District & Patagonia

Chile is a land of contrasts in bold shades of natural beauty. Roughly 2,700 miles long and only 110
miles wide on average, the country is like a compass needle guiding you through some of the most
varied terrain in the world. This eleven-day exploration of Southern Chile is divided between the Lake
District and Patagonia in the Magallanes region at the southern tip. You walk in several national parks,
including the incomparable Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
    Your journey begins amidst the ecological wonders of Chile’s Lake District, Los Lagos. The scenery in this temperate climate includes volcanoes, waterfalls cascading over volcanic rock, and sleepy forest lagoons. A ferry conveys you to the captivating Chiloé Island, at one time a Spanish colonial outpost, and visited by Charles Darwin on his well-chronicled voyage. Now it is populated by fishermen in small villages, homesteads in rolling hills, and abundant bird life. A short plane ride south lands you in the rugged Patagonia region—at the continent’s southernmost tip—a mountainous landscape of fjords, pristine glacial lakes, and open pampas (grassy plain). You encounter colorful creatures—flamingos, penguins, sea lions, condors, and perhaps the rare Andean deer. The walks skirt the base of rock spires in the Torres del Paine National Park—some of the most striking mountain scenery in the world.
    Living off the land means enjoying Chile’s fresh seafood—oysters and salmon are in abundance—and, of course, its excellent wines. Trailside dining treats you to the striking ambiance of national parks, while accommodations feature scenic lake views and stargazing from awe-inspiring locales.