Things to Do & Must-See Attractions in Patagonia

The Calbuco Volcano, one of two snow-capped volcanic cones rising above the town of Puerto Varas on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, is also one of Chile’s most active volcanoes with 36 confirmed eruptions — 13 recorded since 1893. In April 2015, Calbuco erupted three times in a period of eight days. While not a perfect cone like neighboring Osorno Volcano, the sight of Calbuco is equally magnificent. Calbuco Volcano is located within Llanquihue National Reserve. Some of the best views of the peak can be seen while trekking through the park.

Travelers can find close encounters of the penguin kind on a visit to Otway Sound and Penguin Reserve in Punta Arenas, where wooden walkways wind through the animal’s natural habitat. Travelers warn cold winds blow most any time of year. And while visitors have to stay in designated areas, penguins and other wildlife roam close and roam freely, making it a truly unique outdoor experience. Roughly 5,000 warm weather penguins make their way to the shores of the Otway Sound each September and begin laying eggs in October. By November, travelers can find plenty of fluffy gray chicks wandering the sound, which makes it one of the best times of year to visit.

Unforgiving winds, a rugged coastline and narrow passageways made the Strait of Magellan one of the most deadly channels for early explorers attempting to navigate by ship. But today, this historic route, which was successfully navigated for the first time by Ferdinand Magellan in 1520, has become a popular spot for adventurers, seamen and travelers looking to experience the treacherous waters of this South American spot. Luckily, new ship technology and expert captains make for a much safer passage, but the rich history, incredible landscapes and unforgettable historic tales still make for a truly remarkable experience on the sea.

Lago Todos los Santos, or All Saints Lake, is located within Vicente Perez Rosales National Park in the lakes region of southern Chile. Sometimes it is referred to as Lago Esmeralda, which means Emerald Lake, due to its emerald green color. It is one of the biggest attractions in the national park. The lake was formed by glacial and volcanic activities. It is covers an area of about 69 square miles, and it has a maximum depth of about 1,105 feet. The lake flows into the Petrohué River and the Petrohué Waterfalls.

Visitors come to Lake Todos los Santos for boating, kayaking, rafting, swimming, and fishing. You can also enjoy hiking near the lake and watching for native animals in the area. From the lake, you can also see Osorno Volcano, Puntiagudo Volcano, Tronador Volcano. The lake has two ports, Peulla and Petrohue, which are part of the Lakes Cross, connecting Puerto Varas to Argentina.

Torres Del Paine National Park (or Parque Nacional Torres del Paine) is one of the world's last great, unspoiled spaces, green fields and chill glittering lakes spread out beneath the naked granite spires of the Cordillera del Paine.

These epic massifs, with their wintry snow raiments, call rock climbers and ice hikers to their feet with promises of an adventure at the edge of their abilities. Less ambitious visitors will find all sorts of wonderful trails through the wilderness and herds of guanaco (a type of small, Patagonian llama) that can be enjoyed in a few hours; buses run between lodging and the different trailheads and vistas. The famous W trail takes 9 days for full circuit, and requires more serious preparation.

In 1896, German explorer Eberhard Hermann entered a cave and found strange remains inside, the fur and bones of the extinct Mylodon sloth. Named after the giant ground sloth found within, Milodon Cave (Cueva del Milodon) is the largest of several caves within Cueva del Milodon National Monument. But the sloth wasn’t the only inhabitant of the caves. Remains of other extinct species, including a saber-toothed cat and a dwarf horse, as well as evidence of human habitation from as early as 6,000 BC have been found within the caves.

As visitors enter the monument, they’re greeted by a full-size replica of the mylodon sloth, standing 13 feet (4 meters) tall. The mylodon was said to resemble a giant bear, though the mammal was in fact a very large herbivore that went extinct over 10,000 years ago. A viewing point atop the cathedral-sized cave affords visitors views of the surrounding mountains, glaciers and the Eberhard fjord.

Located in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, Chile’s Grey Glacier flows south into Grey Lake, though warmer temperatures in recent summers have seen the glacier retreat somewhat. A boat trip to see the Grey Glacier up close is one of the most spectacular excursions on offer inside Torres del Paine National Park. Seeing this ancient ice up close brings out its spectrum of colors and unusual shapes, and the sounds of the ice breaking apart are unlike anything else on earth.

Another way to experience Grey Glacier is to take the strenuous day hike from Paine Grande which leads to a lookout point where huge icebergs can be seen floating on the surface of Grey Lake in front of the glacier. The Grey Glacier is one of a few within the national park that visitors can trek across the surface of. Unlike the other glaciers in the park, this glacier has an island of land dividing it in two.

Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park was created in 1926, making it Chile's oldest national park. It covers an area of more than 620,000 acres in the Lakes region of Chile. The park is known for its volcanoes, mountains, forests, and lakes.

Some of the main attractions in the park include Osorno Volcano, Puntiagudo Volcano, and Tronador Volcano, which marks the border with Argentina. From higher areas of the park, you can see the lava flow paths to the rivers, lakes and waterfalls. The most famous waterfalls are the Petrohué Cascades, which flow through a canyon of volcanic rock formed by lava flows. Another big draw is Lago Todos los Santos, one of the most beautiful lakes in southern Chile. Visitors come to the park for rock climbing, mountain biking, river kayaking, boating, canyoning, fishing, and hiking. Popular hiking trails include Los Enamorados, Velo de la Novia, Rincón de Osorno, and Desolación.

Puerto Montt is located at the southern end of Chile’s Lake District, but you might feel like you have been transported across the ocean to Germany when you arrive. German settlers founded the city in 1852, bringing their architecture, customs and cuisine – and the influence is still apparent today. Squeezed among lakes, rivers and volcanoes, this small city offers enough outdoor activities to keep you busy for weeks.

Puerto Montt is a tender port – you will actually get to shore via large, flat-bottomed tender boats that dock at the Puerto Angelmo fishing cove. From there, you can walk into the city. Buses for shore excursions usually pick up in the parking lot adjacent to the dock.

Go water skiing on Lake Llanquihue or try your hand at fly fishing on the Maullin River. Soar 125 feet above ground on the Osorno Canopy Zipline while enjoying views of Lake Llanquihue and the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes.

Not nearly as foreboding as it sounds, the Channel of Las Hope (Ultima Esperanza) is in fact a calm inlet stretching from Eberhard Fjord to Monte Balmaceda. In 1557, Spanish explorer Juan Ladrillero gave the channel its ominous name when he believed navigating it was his last opportunity to reach the Strait of Magellan, though he was met with a dead end.

Boat expeditions up the channel offer stellar views of Balmaceda Mountain and the Serrano Glacier — accessible via a short hike — where visitors walk on the surface of the glacier, visit ice caves or kayak amid ice bergs on Serrano Glacier Lake. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot cormorants, sea lions, dolphins and a variety of shore birds nesting along the banks of the channel.

Punta Arenas is the largest and most commercially important city in Patagonian Chile. Located on the Strait of Magellan, it has long been a stop for European adventurers and traders and, as a result, is a true melting pot of cultures. In addition to being a port of call for South American cruises, this city of 100,000 is a departure point for expeditions to Antarctica.

Cruise ships dock at either Arturo Prat or Mardones/Bahia Catalina Pier. If you arrive at Arturo Prat, the center of town is an easy 10- to 15-minute walk from the port or a short taxi ride. Coming from Bahia Catalina, a taxi is your best option and should cost $10-$15.

Punta Arenas is easily walkable and you can see many of the main sights in a few hours – either on your own or with a guide. Your starting point should be the central plaza, Plaza Munoz Gamero, where you can pick up a map from the tourism kiosk. If the weather is good, you may also find locals selling their crafts in the plaza.