Pucón

The small town of Pucón in the Lake District is one of the best places for adventure tourism and outdoor activities in Chile. Located at the far end of the Villarrica Lake, it is surrounded by national parks, mountains, waterfalls, rivers and lakes, but the highlight is the smoking Villarrica-Volcano which dominates the view.

Come and enjoy: 

• Climbing the active Villarrica Volcano and see the boiling lava
• Trekking through virgin forests discovering the magical araucaria trees in the National Parks Huerquehue and Villarrica
• Rafting the strong Trancura river or doing a canoe trip in the gentle Liucura
• Cycling through lovely countryside passing waterfalls
• Relaxing in hot springs, even in the moonshine
• Discover the wilderness on horseback – from half-day to nine-day-trips
• Summer days on the beach swimming or practicing all kind of water sports
• Skiing, snowboarding or hiking on snowshoes in the wintertime
• Trying new thrills like canyoning, hydrospeed or canopy
• Studying Spanish and learning more about Chileans and the Mapuche Culture

The countryside of Pucón

Only a few kilometers east of the turisty center of Pucón you can find the little explored countryside of this region. As this area is home to the Mapuches, Chile's largest native ethnic group, there is a lot to discover about their traditions. In the small village of Curarrehue it is possible to visit expositions of handcrafts, the local market or to eat typical food.

For the more adventurous, this region offers a lot of activities such as climbing on the volcanoes Villarica (2800 m), Lanin (3800 m) and Quetrupillan (2400 m) or all sorts of water sports in many of the crystal clear rivers and lakes (kayaking, rafting, fishing and fly-fishing). The National Parks Villarica and Huerquehue, with the beauty of the monkey puzzle tree forests (Araucaria araucana) which are over 1000 years old, are magnificent places to do short or long walks.

The great volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains explains the existence of numerous hot springs throughout this area. Some of them are more modern, other more rustic. But in any case very good for relaxing. You can get there by walking, by bicycle, by horse riding or by organized tours.

Valle de Elqui

Looking north, the Elqui Valley is one of the places that calls the most attention to this country - but it is still "off the beaten track". 
It slow cases contrasting the green valleys among a dry desert landscape and the mountain ranges reflecting all the colours of the world. 

Thanks to the perfect weather conditions - it seems be always spring and summer time - they produce the best 'pisco' (brandy-like liquor) that can be taste-tested at one of the pisco distilleries, it is also the ideal place forastronomical research. There is almost no other place on earth with such a clear sky full of stars like in Elqui Valley. There are 4 different observatories open for guided tours.

You can go horseback riding to idyllic lagoons on the tracks of the Chilean "huasos" (cowboys) and experience their way of life, bicycle or hike through remote villages and landscape or just relax and enjoy the quiteness. 

It is the birthplace of the country's greatest female poet and literature Nobel Prize winner: Gabriela Mistral.

Special characteristics are also assigned to the Valley since it supposedly is located on one of the world meridians, the so-called chakras. Therefore - one says - the valley is full of magnetic energy, which is good for spirit and body.