Promotion / Araucanía

This full day trip explores the biodiversity of landscapes which were shaped by the continuous activity of Llaima volcano, in the beautiful Conguillío National Park. This is an invitation to discover the birth of life after eruptive processes caused by one of the most active volcanoes in South America. In this trip, some Andean lakes, valleys, waterfalls and araucaria trees are going to be visited. We will also hike to Sierra Nevada Lookout point, N° 1.

A beautiful journey through the valley starting where the Cautín river begins, until we get an amazing view of the valley of Lonquimay.  Here, we go up over the old road “Las Raíces” to Lonquimay.  There, we do a tour in the city.  In the afternoon, we visit the Galletue lake, then we go back through the oldest and longest tunnel in South America “Las Raíces”.  On our way back to Temuco, we visit the “Princesa” and “Indio” magnificent falls.

The expedition starts at 1629 m.a.s.l. and after and hour of journey we will do the first break.  From that point, we will see our objective, the Navidad Crater, which is a beautiful conic formation that strongly burst in the Christmas day in 1988.  After this, we’ll access to a small valley and we’ll reach the crater base. Then, we’ll embark on the ascent which takes 40 min and is 260m high in vertical.  Finally, we’ll reach the crest of this formation, which is about 1m wide and here we’ll walk for some minutes. In some cases, the wind is too strong so its better to stop in a place so we can see the gorgeous view from 2000 m.a.s.l: to the North, we can contemplate the artificial Ralco Lagoon which was formed after the construction of Ralco Reservoir in the area of high Bío-Bío; to the East, Argentinian side, we have the Copahue volcano; some degrees to the West, we have the Sierra Velluda hill.  Continuing with our “sweep” of images, we’ll have the Tolhuaca volcano; and in front of us, we’ll have the Lonquimay volcano; to finish the 360º, we’ll have the beauty of the Cautín hill.

A journey and a cultural speech about the traditions of the Mapuche people in the Araucanía valley, knowing its forests and medicinal plants. A typical local lunch that includes: lamb and potatoes specially cooked in the Mapuche traditional way, two glasses of wine or juice prepared at home, salads, bread baked at home or «sopaipillas», dessert and  a handmade local coffee specially prepared.  The community, also, offers large eathernware jars where you can take baths with herbal infusions which are very useful for health and to the skin care.

A spectacular tour ascending one of the five volcanoes of Andean Araucanian Region, which reaches an altitude of 2,865 meters above sea level. An amazing route of incredible geography, shaped by the action of the volcanic complex Lonquimay-Tolhuaca-Llaima, which ascend slowly in order to discover the landscape, and observe a 360-degree view from the viewpoint, offering panoramic views to different volcanoes on a sunny clear day. You can also sign up the Summit Book and descend to the crater’s glacier.

Adrenaline circuit: 4-station canopy, 90-meter-long Tibetan bridge come-and-go (hanging bridge), 7.30-meter-high climbing walls, 60-meter-long double handriles come-and-go.

ON BIKE visit to the main cultural attractions in downtown Temuco, such as Regional Museum of Araucania, Municipal Market, Pinto Fruit and Groceries Market, and Railroad Museum

ON MOUNTAIN BIKE visiting the main natural attractions in Temuco, such as Ñielol Natural Monument, and Conun Hueno Hill with the vocanoes lookout point.

Its mystical, natural landscapes, along with one of the most beautiful lakes in Araucania Region, offer a wide diversity in its fauna and flora, featured by black necked swans. The Budi Lake, the only salt lake in Chile, is immersed into the history and tradition of its people, reflecting with their name, its connection with nature. The Mapuche, or the People from Earth, welcomes you! MARI-MARI!”

Time for getting some relaxing hours at Tolhuaca Hot Springs, named after the local National Park, and located amid an ancient native forest and river. It has a large thermal pool with 8 whirlpool beds. An under floor heating system around the pool was implemented to allow barefoot walking in cold winter days, feeling a pleasant temperature in the feet in every step. It also has an amazing geyser .