Surprisingly narrow, averaging 100 miles in width, Chile offers a visual paradise for the travel photographer. The country’s length – 2,653 miles – guarantees a variety of great photography conditions, from the driest desert on the planet to a signature mountain landscape deep in Patagonia.
Travel activity
In between these extremes are fertile valleys, coastal ranges, and an area known as the Lakes District. While the tourist industry refers to this region as Los Lagos, Chileans refer to the northern part of the the Lakes District as La Araucania, reserving Los Lagos for the region’s southern part. While it’s safe to say much of the country enjoys the benefits of a strong international tourism base, the Lakes District is by far the most popular region in the country. During the height of tourist season, December through February, the Lakes District is a favorite getaway for Chilean nationals as well as international travelers.
The Pan American Highway runs down the middle of the country, making an easy transition from the wine country to lakes, volcanoes, waterfalls, and rivers. The northern part of the Lakes District is anchored by Lago Villarrica. Travel activity in this area will most likely have Pucon or Villarrica as a base. Either of these towns offer a variety of lodging choices, from hostels to charming bed and breakfasts. While Pucon gets the nod for sheer tourism numbers, Villarrica offers the equivalent in lodging, often without the prices associated with Pucon’s image.
Before deciding on a B&B, make sure your hosts will be able to serve you a very early or very late breakfast. Many times breakfasts are served during the optimum morning session for photography, so find a host who will accommodate those photography times. Many of these places also offer secure parking for your vehicle, so make sure someone can unlock the gate for those pre-dawn departures.
Pucon travel
Stunning photography compositions await the nature photographer in the northern part of Los Lagos. Volcan Villarrica dominates this part of the country, and is one of Chile’s most active volcanos. Because of the geological activity in the area, numerous thermal hot springs are scattered throughout the countryside. The wise photographer will devote some time to soothe a few aches after several days of beautiful photography.
Several bookstores have available a very good map of the area, the JLM mapa #07. It provides invaluable information on the Pucon-Villarrica region as well as on San Martin de los Andes, located on the other side of the Andes Mountains in Argentina.
One can easily spend a week in La Araucania, bringing back home countless images. East of Pucon, on the road to Termas de Huife, is a series of three intimate waterfalls. Los Tres Saltos is marked on the map, and is a great place to spend an afternoon of waterfall photography.
The next morning, start all over again just off the road to Termas de Palguin. Salto El Leon, Salto El Diablo, and Salto La China offer up another morning of great photography, with El Leon being the most impressive of the three. Great compositions can be made for those willing to venture within its spray zone.
Travel in Chile
Most travel guide books on Chile fail to mention countless miles of gravel roads scattered throughout the country. Although splendid views can be found all along paved roads, it is those rugged gravel roads that seem to offer special surprises. Careful study of the area maps, combined with resourcing information from photo essay books at bookstores can help place the savvy photographer in the right place at the right time.