Skip to content
LarkTours

Routes · South America

Los Angeles to Chile's Lake District: Pucón and Valdivia

Los Angeles → Pucón → Valdivia

Pucón
"Pucón, Villarrica 01.jpg" by Draceane, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Flag of Valdivia, Chile (Valdivia)
Photo: SVG version by MeekMark, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Volcanoes, hot springs & river forts Best season (general guide): Dec–Mar

Chile's Lake District has volcanoes, lakes and forest. This route spends three nights in Pucón and three in Valdivia. From Los Angeles you'll connect via Santiago to Temuco. Pucón sits on Lake Villarrica below the Villarrica volcano, one of Chile's most active. Huerquehue National Park has trails to lakes and araucaria trees. Hot springs are found in the valleys around Pucón.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Pucón: day one, Lake Villarrica; day two, Huerquehue lakes hike; day three, hot springs. Then spend days four to six in Valdivia: day four, drive to Valdivia; day five, river fort cruise; day six, riverside market.

Valdivia is a river city. Spanish colonial forts, the Valdivian Fort System, guard the river mouth. At the riverside market, sea lions wait for fish scraps. December to March is the best season.

Good to know: A car helps for the lakes. Volcano climbs depend on activity.

Temuco's airport is a drive of a few hours or less from Pucón, and buses and transfers are available. Pucón is busy in summer, with tour agencies offering rafting, hiking and volcano trips. Climbing Villarrica requires a guide and depends on volcanic activity and weather. Huerquehue National Park has well-marked trails, and buses run from Pucón in season. Hot springs range from simple pools to developed spas. The drive to Valdivia takes a few hours, passing farmland and lakes. In Valdivia, boats cruise to the river forts. The market by the river is a good place for seafood and local produce. Rain is common, even in summer, so bring a waterproof jacket.

Valdivia is known for its beer. Lake Villarrica's black-sand beaches are busy on summer weekends but quiet in the mornings. Kayaks and paddleboards can be hired for a calm session on the water. In the evenings, Pucón's restaurants serve grilled meat and local trout. Book activities a day or two ahead in peak season. Allow a slow day in Valdivia to walk the riverside, its parks and its old wooden houses.

Suggested outline

  1. Los Angeles

    Start

  2. Pucón

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    A lake town below Villarrica volcano.

  3. Valdivia

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    A river city with Spanish forts.

    Valdivia Chile river Calle-Calle
    "Rio Calle Calle, Valdivia. - panoramio.jpg" by Adolto Toloza, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Pucón — Arrive; Lake Villarrica· Los Angeles → Temuco (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day, then Temuco → Pucón (overland)
  2. Day 2 · Pucón — Huerquehue lakes hike
  3. Day 3 · Pucón — Hot springs
  4. Day 4 · Valdivia — Drive to Valdivia· Pucón → Valdivia (overland)
  5. Day 5 · Valdivia — River fort cruise
  6. Day 6 · Valdivia — Riverside market
  7. Day 7 · Valdivia — Travel home from Valdivia· Valdivia → Los Angeles (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

Each button opens a live, dated search. We don't show stored fares here: check today's price on the booking site.

Showing dates about a month ahead — change them when you search.

Pucón

Nearest airport: Temuco Search fares · Temuco ↗

Valdivia

More about Valdivia →

Plan the trip: Valdivia

These links go to partner sites. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices and terms are set by the partner.

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.