Where to Stay
Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.
Chilean Lake District
The Chilean Lake District is a land of beautiful glacial lakes, snow-capped volcanoes, hot springs and national parks stretching from Temuco in the north to Chaiten in the south.
This region has so much to offer, with exploration made easy by a good road network allowing visitors to spend days in their own hire car travelling from north to south or even cross the Andes to the Argentine Lake District.
Find pretty Pucon to the north with its idyllic setting on the edge of Lake Villarrica beneath snow-capped Villarrica Volcano. Visit hot springs and waterfalls, walk through the Huerquehue National Park, raft and fly-fish the Trancura River (October to April) or horse ride.
Landscape
Highlights of Chile
Explore the length of this filament of a country, full of vast and varied landscapes, from the finger-like granite peaks of the Torres del Paine National Park in the south to the lunar-like Atacama Desert in the north, with time spent among the snow-capped volcanoes and hot springs of the Chilean Lake District.
Great Drives
Drive the Carretera Austral
This self-drive adventure follows one of the world’s greatest routes – the Carretera Austral. Without another car in sight, and only the tell-tale sign of dust in the distance to let you know that humanity is still out there, this is an almost-otherworldly journey in one of the most extreme and beautiful places on the planet.
A Little More About the Chilean Lake District
Puerto Varas to the south, on the corner of stunning Lago Llanquihue, is a popular destination and base. Overlooked by the impressive snow-capped cone of Osorno Volcano, this pretty resort town is a good starting point for a wide variety of excursions in the surrounding area. These include walking amongst 4000-year-old alerce trees in Alerce Andino National Park, and exploring the lush, green and cultural Chiloe Island with its tight-knit farming and fishing communities. Heading east from Puerto Varas by road and boat, travellers can traverse the Andes via a series of lakes en route to Bariloche in Argentina, or head south through the magnificent glaciers, isles and fjords of remote Patagonia all the way down to Cape Horn.
Experiences
What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.
Chile
Hotel Antumalal
Concealed within a remarkable 14-acre private park, Hotel Antumalal is a boutique property that benefits from its own private beach and staggering panoramic views over Lake Villarrica. Sculpted from native rock, the on-site spa offers an…
Chile
Hotel Puelche
Hotel Puelche is a mountain-style property situated in a stunning location just a short walking distance from the charming city of Puerto Varas. The Hotel is a great base from which to explore the local Lake…
Chile
Hacienda Vira Vira
Nestled within a sprawling 55-acre estate in the Chilean Lake District, Hacienda Vira Vira is set on an organic vegetable garden and is surrounded by natural lagoons and flowing rivers. Its 21 homely and spacious rooms…
Meet our experts
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Paul Bird
Combining the arid Atacama Desert and iconic Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonia, the dramatic contrasts of its landscapes make Chile one of Paul’s most treasured travel destinations.
Talk with our experts
- 01285 880 980
Start planning your trip
Explore other regions
Atacama Desert
The driest desert in the world, the Atacama Desert is a largely desolate landscape freckled with lagoons, hot springs, geysers and salt…
Chilean Patagonia
Patagonia covers the tip of the South American continent, shared by both Argentina and Chile. The area is about the same size…
Chilean Winelands
The green and rugged Maipo Valley southeast of Santiago is considered by many experts to be the best wine-producing area in Chile…
Easter Island
Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is merely a dot in the vast Pacific Ocean, located some 3,700 kilometres off the…
Santiago
Sandwiched between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, South America’s fifth-largest city commands a striking setting with a Mediterranean climate for much…
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
Featured in the press
