Top Things to do in Araucania Region
The 10 Best Things to Do in Araucania Region, Chile
Discover the best top things to do in Araucania Region, Chile including Volcan Villarica, Villarrica Volcano, Conguillio National Park, Huerquehue National Park, Termas Geometricas, Santuario el Cani, Lake Villarrica, Reserva Nacional Malalcahuello, Estadio German Becker, Salto El Leon.
Restaurants in Araucania Region
1. Volcan Villarica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
You can see the red magma (molten rock) at the top of this still active volcano.
Reviewed By Leandro C
Climbing the active volcano and making it all the way to the crater is a lifetime experience! Not only the challenging of the ascent is rewarding but also the view from the top as well as the fun from the way down sliding on ice and snow!
2. Villarrica Volcano
Overall Ratings
5 based on 274 reviews
Reviewed By Melanie B - Canmore, Canada
We hiked the easy Sendero de Los Craters in Villerrica National Park. 8 km totally round trip. About 208 metres in elevation. Takes you across lava rock, through lush forest, to a viewpoint looking at the surrounding Mountains and the volcano. You can go further onto the lava rock with more panoramic views before turning around.
3. Conguillio National Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 163 reviews
Reviewed By MatiassF - Santiago, Chile
My partner and I loved this Park! The diversity of natural beauty was stunning. We entered the Park through Melipeuco (highly recommend if you want to see the lusher forests). There's min development in the Park, which makes It feel very pristine. We stayed at Los Ñirres campground, which had Hot showers, a communal fire pit and shelter. Theres a fair distance between Camp sites, and with the Woods, it feels private. There's lots of small and medium trails. But the big hike to do is Sierra Nevada, which is gorgeous!
4. Huerquehue National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Carol T - Antofagasta, Chile
For 10,000 peso a night, Camping Olga was the best bargain for camping in Huerquehue (pronounced Waar-key-way).
Buses leave from Pucon everyday 3-4 times a day (depending on the season) from Caburga bus station on Palguin St, just beside the much bigger JAC bus terminal. You can't book this bus ahead of time because its just a local bus, so show up at least 1/2 an hour before departure and don't be too polite when its time to board the bus or you might find yourself standing in the aisle for an, at times, bumpy, windy 1 hour and 10 minute trip. Cost currently is $2,000CLP one way or $3,600CLP return. The bus driver will collect your fare and give you your return ticket once everyone is on the bus. They will want to know your return date to write on the ticket and you must stick to it, or forfeit the return fare you paid.
After a few stops along the way for locals, the bus drops you at the end of the road, Huerquehue CONAF office where foreigners currently pay $5,000CLP to enter the park. Just on the other side of the COMAF office carpark is the CONAF managed campground at $15,000CLP per night. 1.6km walk up the road or along the lakeside track is El Rincon campground at $18,000CLP per night. Olga camping is another 800m or so along the track. The entrance is at the beginning of the Los Lagos trail, the same entrance for the Refugio Tinquilco.
Alternatively when you book your campsite (they except a 10,000CLP deposit into the owners Banco Estado account to reserve your space which you can do in person at any Banco Estado), you can arrange for the owners to pick you up (one way courtesy only) in a row boat from CONAF. (no motor boats allowed on the lake. Yaaaay!) The campground has a range of campsites of different sizes tucked into a forested area along the stream which feeds Lake Tinquilco. It's a stunning little spot in good weather, but can be very soggy in wet. 20m from campsite to the stunning lake with small beach. There are flushing toilets, a campfire area, hot showers for 500peso, SUP boards, kayaks and row boats for rent. The camp office has a small range of food and drink items and also sells homemade kuchen!
If you want to access Olga camping by car then four wheel drive or powerful two wheel drive is advised. There is a rocky stream to ford and the water level can be anywhere from 1/3 - 1m with swift flow. The track also gets very boggy in some parts after heavy rain.
At the entrance to the campground is the stunning Los Lagos trail. Its all uphill for the first 2-3 hours with two short detours to two different Waterfalls and two miradors which provide stunning views across Lago Tinquilco and beyond to Volcan Villarica . The short circuit (4-5 hours) takes you past Lago Chico, Lago Verde and Lago Toro. A photo of the park map on your camera or phone either at CONAF, the campground or the trail entrance is all you need, as the short track is well worn and signposted. If you have a little more time, the longer circuit to Lagoonas Los Platos and Huerquehue adds an extra 1-1 1/2 hours. The track from Lago Verde to Lagoona Los Platos is not signposted but is just beside the small beach at Lago Verde. I recommend taking this route instead of visiting Lago Toro first and continuing in an anticlockwise direction, as the climb from Lago Toro to Lagoona Huerquehue is much steeper. Beware of fallen trees, pockets of snow and minor slips along the track which need to be navigated around. Just after Lagoona Huerquehue going clockwise) the track forks and one way leads up to Refugio Renahue and a campground (40mins one way). It is well signposted.
The other amazing hike is the track up San Sebastian. At just under 1900m, the miradors on the way and at the top provide unobstructed views of all the cerros and Volcans in the area on a clear day. It takes you well above the snow line, and in early January still has considerable sized areas of snow and ice at the top.
5. Termas Geometricas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Twenty-one slate covered pools with hot and cold thermal water in Chile's lake district.
6. Santuario el Cani
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
Si Es Posible, Incluyan Este Santuario De La Naturaleza, Es Un Lugar Soñado, Ideal Para La Gente Que Gusta Del Montañismo
Reviewed By faggio58 - Milan, Italy
It’s required a good physical condition to enjoy this splendid track which conducts through a beautiful forest with lenga trees and aurucarias 40 meters tall. The final point consents a fantastic view. Better in a clear day but I made it in a (relatively) cloudy day with full satisfaction.
7. Lake Villarrica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 212 reviews
Reviewed By amitabhsinghal - New Delhi, India
Another fantastic place that i have been fortunate to visit in this lifetime. An hours flight away from Santiago to Temuco and a little drive into Villarrica, during their winters was magical. Staying at one of their spa resports hanging over the lake and the Andes in the background was pretty magical. Crispy -4 degree early morning runs there were to die for with the stars looking like you could pluck them right out of the skies, hanging so close. Pure bliss. I miss not having gone up the volcano though.
8. Reserva Nacional Malalcahuello
Overall Ratings
5 based on 151 reviews
Reviewed By FoodxFood
Very few hiking destinations in the world have such incredible infrastructure and so few hikers! Make a multiday trip here and you will have total solitude and an infinity of hikes. Hike up a volcano, run down a scree chute, camp where you like; you have total freedom here. Grab a local bus or hitch-hike from Curacautin. Make sure to hike in a water purification device. Water is available but the streams are frequently visited by roaming cattle.
9. Estadio German Becker
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By Patrick F - Temuco, Chile
It's a small stadium for Europeans but pretty new with enough entrance's so you'll wait not too long. Some food courts, clean toilettes. I love the park next to the stadium, perfect to hang out in the sun also when nobodys playing. The expo's in front of the stadium aren't specially good but worth a visit.
10. Salto El Leon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By huys25 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
For this Leon Waterfalls you need to pay a small entry fee for the construction and maintenance of the walkways. At this location there is a full size restaurant next to the parking. The water fall has a distinctive step and is the largers in water volume of the three in the region.
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