Andes Mountains

Comprising ancient forests, rugged peaks, simmering volcanoes and emerald lakes, the Patagonian Lake District is a sparkling jewel in the Andean crown. You’ll be captivated by the diversity of the landscape which stretches from the eastern cordillera of the Andes and along the Chilean border. The monumental peaks of the Andes hug the shores of glacial lakes, forming the most beautiful reflections on the water’s surface. The region is made up of several national parks and winding tracks lead you through wildflower meadows, forests and mountains, where occasionally you’ll arrive at a pretty alpine village.

On the southern tip of the Andes, Torres del Paine National Park boasts a rich biodiversity where glacial valleys play host to a wealth of flora and fauna. The Torres del Paine is a series of granite pillars that dominate the landscape above the Patagonian Steppe and the hike up to its foothills guides you through sprawling forest to amazing views over the national park. Here you’ll find a sapphire blue lake that completes this almost fantastical scene which lies below the peaks. As well as hiking through Torres del Paine National Park, it’s great to explore by bike, adding another dimension to your experience.

 More commonly known as the Seven Lakes Road, the Camino de los Siete Lagos is one of the most picturesque driving routes in the world, which runs for 114 miles from Villa La Angostura and San Martin de los Andes. The road snakes past alpine lakes and forests and you’re treated to epic panoramas that stretch uninterrupted over the Chilean landscape. While the name of the road suggests there are seven lakes en route, there are actually many more than this, each as beautiful as the next. The entire road takes approximately 3.5 hours to drive along but owing to the spellbinding scenery, it feels much shorter.

Spanning an incredible 150,000 acres in the Chilean Lake District, Conguillio National Park plays host to ancient beech and araucaria forests, river canyons, alpine lakes and volcanic landscapes. It’s this diversity that makes the park so popular on Andes tours and is great for exploring on foot or by bike. Th most notable landmark is the active Llaima Volcano which soars over 3,000 metres high. Other sights of interest include Laguna Arco Iris, Conguillio Lake, Laguna Verde and, of course, the famous monkey puzzle trees (araucaria).