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Focus on Brazil


Brazil is a vast country with several distinctly different biomes. Discover them all with Focus Tours: Brazil

Focus on Argentina

The 8th largest country in the world, Argentina offers a wealth of experiences. From the subtropical rain forests of Iguazú Falls to the high Andes. Discover more with Focus Tours: Argentina 

Focus on Bolivia

Bolivia, nestled between Brazil, Peru, Chile and Paraguay, is the poorest and least developed country in South America, but also biologically and culturally the richest, safest and friendliest. Discover more with Focus Tours: Bolivia

Focus on Chile

Chile is the only truly temperate country in the Neotropics, and occupies more degrees of latitude than any other nation worldwide. Perhaps it is not surprising that Chile offers several extremes of the natural world. Discover more with Focus Tours: Chile

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Jaguar Tours

The northern Pantanal is the richest area in the world for spotting Jaguars in the wild and, our naturalist guides are some of the best. Together with our boatmen we can take you into the best areas for jaguars and many other creatures. Read more about Jaguar Tours.

Bird Watching Tours

Douglas Trent is a scientist, bird watcher and wildlife photographer and his be operating Bird Watcing Tours for around two decades now. The tour possibilities in South America are many. Read more about Bird Watching Tours.

Wildlife Photography Tours

Douglas Trent is a wildlife photographer and guides groups of professional, or enthusiastc amateur, photographers and film crews on focused wildlife tours. Read more about Wildlife Photography Tours 

Funding Conservation

 

A percentage of our profits has been funding in-country conservation projects since 1981. They directly benefit the local communities we visit and, when possible, are self-sustable, generating benefits long after our initial donation. Your visit will benefit you, the environment and your hosts.

THE LAKE DISTRICT: Snow-capped Volcanoes, Ancient Forests and Scenic Villages


The region between parallels 39º and 42º S give the world one of the most picturesque lake regions anywhere. Twelve great lakes of varying sizes host imposing waterfalls, snow-capped volcanoes, and lush mountain greenery. Starting in the North at the city of Temuco, we suggest leaving immediately for Parque Nacional Conguillio near the Argentine border. Alpine lakes, deep canyons and extensive groves of Araucaria pines (Monkey-puzzle trees) are found within Nothofagus "false" beech trees. The canyon around the Truful-Truful River is spectacular, in contrast to the stark lava fields around the Laguna Verde. A short drive to the South takes us to Parque Nacional Villarica, which hosts three snow-capped volcanoes and lush forests. A good paved road leading to the Argentine border gives us excellent access. A third park worth visiting for its scenic beauty alone is Parque Nacional Huerquehue. A trail wanders through 4.2 miles of impressive forest and mountains to Lago Verde.

The road from Villarica to Osorno and then east to Parque Nacional Puyehue crosses forests, mountains and lakes. The park is one of the nicest in South America. Ancient Andean Valdivian forest covers the mountains, and an excellent trail system allows access. For those not up to hiking, the International Highway provides access. We get into the range of the impressive Magellenic Woodpecker, Torrent Duck and Chilean Pintail here, and all three can be seen. At least four species of large tapaculos are found in this park, along with a number of other great birds. We'll also look for the endemic and very local Slender-billed Parakeet. Pudu, the world's smallest deer, are also found here, but are quite elusive.

It seems that much of the Lake District is made of parks and reserves, while much of the unprotected land is well preserved. Swiss and German architecture are found in the delightful towns of Frutillar, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt. It is also in this region that one can take a fascinating trip across the turquoise lakes past snow-capped volcanoes into Bariloche, Argentina.

Puerto Montt, a port city reminiscent of the Pacific northwest, is the region's capital. The city and nearby fishing port of Angelmó have become a popular tourist center, with many seafood restaurants and an interesting handicraft market. This is also the "end of the road" in the sense that you can fly south to Punta Arenas from here, but even dirt roads do not go more than a few hundred miles further south.