Around Pucon
Our region is blessed with a divine natural beauty which can be appreciated from all angles depending on your own interests, wishes, and fitness levels of course! The principal characteristics of the area are the soft rolling hills and accompanying valleys, native forests and perfectly conical volcanoes. The lakes, national parks and hot springs are just the start of the natural beauty we can help you see, and feel a real part of, during your stay with us in Pucon.
Villarrica Volcano
Without doubt, the most omnipresent attraction here in Pucon. On a cloudless day, the perfect cone of the Villarrica volcano watches you wander around the town. Only 17km from the centre, the one day volcano hike to the crater to see the lava down below begins around 7am and takes between 6 and 8 hours return (depending on weather conditions and fitness levels of you and the rest of the group).
It is not a technical climb, the average slopes being between 25 and 35 degrees, yet a good physical condition is expected for all participants. Everything you need for the climb can be provided: experienced guides, boots, crampons and an ice axe. You will just need to bring yourself, good humour, a warm sweater or fleece, loose and warm trousers, an extra pair of socks, sunglasses, sun cream, a packed lunch and water.
Not to be missed, the hike up to the crater is essential for any active travellers here in Pucon. Bear in mind that it is most definitely worth waiting around for if you are unlucky enough to arrive during a bad weather spell.
River Rafting
Using Pucon as a base for your stay you have various rivers of varying difficulties to choose from. However, the most popular river to raft from here is the Trancura river offering half day descents of the lower and the upper parts. Accompanied by amazing scenery on all sides, this rafting is first class.
The Lower Trancura river involves a descent of 1,5 hours on rapids no higher than level 3 (on a scale of 1-6). The rafts have a maximum capacity of 10 people. Experienced guide, transport, life jacket, wind breaker, helmet and a clean towel are all included. You just need to bring yourselves, sandals (that fasten), swimming gear and a change of clothes.
If you fancy something a little more intrepid, then the Trancura Alto (Upper Trancura) river descent is a must for you. A 3 hour journey down level 3 to 4,5 rapids is fast and furious' a whole lot of fun! Once again, provided is an experienced guide, transport, life jacket, wind breaker, helmet and a clean towel. You just need to bring yourselves, sandals (that fasten), swimming gear and a change of clothes.
Huerquehue National Park
A stunning national park just 50 minutes from Pucon offers a wealth of options for hiking and trekking. You can visit Huerquehue for a one day hike, or you could pack up your tent and go off for a 4 day 3 night adventure staying at small campsites along the way and finishing at some natural hot springs.
The choice is yours, but the beauty is guaranteed. Even if you are unlucky enough to head out to Huerquehue with clouds overhead and a shower or two forecast for the day, the native forests, Araucaria trees, cobalt blue lakes, distant volcanic cones and the constantly changing scenery does not fail to impress.
We have fixed days when we head out to Huerquehue for a full day return hike, or if you are looking for something longer, please let us know in advance so we can provide guides, transport, equipment and anything else you might need.
Canopy
A fairly new adventure sport here in Pucon, the canopy rides in the area offer a great way to experience the native forests without leaving even a footprint on the soil. A network of wooden platforms links the series of canopy descents where you will be securely harnessed in order to cross the highest sections of the forest.
With the security aspect taken care of the by the canopy guides, you can enjoy the sensation of hanging freely as you fly over the tops of the native trees. Yet another experience to be included in the package of activities that The Tree House Hostel can organise for you.
Horse Riding
Once again, various options exist for you to experience the beautiful scenery on horseback. Diverse, short, long and unique routes that will allow you to observe, enjoy and photograph the flora, fauna and scenery of the area. It doesn't matter if you don't have any horse riding experience, we can help you find the best option according to what you and your travelling companions want.
Hot Springs
Pucon is famous for its abundance of natural hot springs which offer the perfect chance to relax at the end of a long and active day. Between 40 minutes and 2 hours away there are various pools and even 5 star resorts to choose from. We can offer transfers to get you there and back at any time of the day or evening. Could there be a better way to reflect on your days experiences than to lie in naturally divine hot water looking up at the stars?
Conguillio National Park
We offer a full day trekking leaving early in the morning and getting back to Pucon fairly late in the evening to visit this impressive national park which is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Chile. Prices depend on number of people so let us know in advance if you definitely want to go during your stay and we will work out the per person tariff.
Llaima Volcano
Climbing the Llaima volcano is a long day but the amazing views compensate for the early start. In just one day you can scale the 3,190 metres of this, one of the most active volcanoes in the Andes. This volcano ascent is physically more demanding than that of the Villarrica volcano; an excellent physical condition is required. Once again, prices depend on number of people so let us know in advance if you definitely want to go during your stay and we will work out the per person tariff.
Lanin Volcano
Lanin provides a unique climbing experience here in the region. The ascent of this non-active volcano requires a two-day expedition to 3,840 metres above sea level. The view is enjoyed from a hanging glacier at the summit. The overnight stay will be spent under canvas or in the refuge half way up the volcano itself. Once again, prices depend on number of people so let us know in advance if you definitely want to go during your stay and we will work out the per person tariff.
Others
If there is anything else you would like to have a go at here in Pucon, just drop us a line at info[a]treehousechile[dot]cl and we will do all we can to sort it out for you.
Don't forget that we have a link with the local Mapuche community in nearby Currarrehue where you can visit the cultural centre or alternatively do a stint of voluntary work at the local orphanage or school.
Araucania Region
Culture and history mix together in the Araucania region of Chile to make it one of the most beautiful areas of the country. Chile is a nation that, after 200 years of independence continues to integrate its Latin American culture with that of the native indigenous population, with Spaniards and immigrants from diverse countries of the world, the most marked being French, Swiss and Germans who arrived in the second half of the 18th century.
The native Mapuche community are well-known, feared and revered in this region for the strength and vision they showed against first the Incas in 1485 and then the Spaniards in the battle of 1599 where they held firm for almost 3 centuries. These indigenous populations are now very much integrated into the daily life here, yet they still have their own traditions and ceremonies that have lasted generations. There is currently a project that is aimed at keeping alive the use of the Mapudungun language in schools throughout the native communities of the region.
The region is bordered to the north by the 8th region of Bio Bio, to the south by the 10th region, the Lake District, to the east by Argentina and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. It extends from 37º 35º and 39º 37º latitude south and from 70º 50º longitude west towards the Pacific Ocean. The total surface area is of 31, 842,3 km2 and the regional capital is the city of Temuco. The total population is 869,535 inhabitants according to the last census which took place in 2002. 67,6% of the total population is urban and the density is 27,3% inhabitants per kilometre squared.
Without doubt the most impressive plant is the beautiful Araucaria tree, or Monkey Puzzle Tree in English. Together with Northofagus forests, these trees dominate the 8th to the 10th regions of Chile and the central northern province of Neuquen in Argentina.
The araucarias are ancient plants which formed part of the scenery way before the existence of plants with flowers, before dinosaurs and before the continental separation of Antarctica from Australia.
The Araucaria araucana are enormous trees that can reach 50 metres in height, and can live beyond 1300 years. Their seeds "piñones" measure 4cm in length and weigh approximately 3,5g. For the Mapuche communities the araucarias are sacred trees.
A global study of world biomass, led by the WWF, decided that this fragile ecosystem of North East Patagonia and Chile (Ecorregion Valdiviana), to which the Araucaria araucana belongs, will be included on a list of 200 areas given high priority for conservation.
The major economies of the region are: fruit and vegetable production, mainly apples, raspberries, strawberries, cherries and potatoes. It is the second most important region in Chile for farming, after the 10th Lake District region, and as a result provides high quantities of by-products such as cheese and butter.
Given that the 9th region has over 910,000 hectares of native forests and 360,000 hectares of forestry plantations it has become in turn a high producer of furniture. Wheat, oats and barley are amongst the most important cereal crops of the region. Rape seed oil is also a big earner here.
Concise Itinerary Suggestions
Why not come to The Tree House Hostel, use us as a base and let us enhance your trip by suggesting excursions, activities and maybe a day or two visiting, or even volunteering, in the local Mapuche community.
Of course, it all depends on your budget and on how much time you have available to travel but both Cristian and I have travelled extensively throughout the continent. We are still freelance tour leaders so, if we don't know the answer to your itinerary questions ourselves, we have the contacts to find out.
As an example, here is the outline of our suggested itinerary for a three week trip from Santiago to Buenos Aires.
- Day 1 Santiago
- Day 2 Santiago
- Day 3 Pucon
- Day 4 Pucon
- Day 5 Pucon
- Day 6 Puerto Varas
- Day 7 Chiloe Island
- Day 8 Chiloe Island
- Day 9 Puerto Natales
- Day 10 Torres Del Paine National Park
- Day 11 Torres Del Paine National Park
- Day 12 Torres Del Paine National Park
- Day 13 Puerto Natales
- Day 14 El Calafate
- Day 15 El Calafate
- Day 16 El Chalten (Los Glaciares National Park)
- Day 17 El Chalten (Los Glaciares National Park)
- Day 18 Ushuaia
- Day 19 Ushuaia
- Day 20 Buenos Aires
- Day 21 Buenos Aires
We can help you out with ideas for itineraries when you arrive here at the hostel. We do offer a travel consultancy service if you wish us to book accommodation and organise a more personalised itinerary for you. Click on the "Latin America Travel Consultancy" link on the top right for more information. We want to help you to maximize your enjoyment and minimize wasted time spent wandering around towns searching for somewhere to sleep and for reliable travel agencies.
If you have any of your own itinerary or excursion suggestions then click HERE to give us an update.
