About Us

CHILE - ARAUCANIA

Chile is a republic in southwestern South America, bounded on the north by Peru, on the east by Bolivia and Argentina, and on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean. It has an extreme north-south length of approximately 4,270 km (about 2,650 miles), but its average width is no more than 180 km (less than 110 miles). Chile can be divided longitudinally into three topographic zones:

The Andean cordillera on the east
The low coastal mountains on the west
The plateau area, which includes the Central Valley

From north to south, Chile can be divided into three major geographical and climatological regions:

The northern (arid) region
The central (Mediterranean) region
The southern (temperate marine) region

1. The Andes mountain range are at their widest in the northern region, with some mountains reaching elevations of 6,100 m (more than 20,000 ft). The country's highest peak, Ojos del Salado (6,880 m/ 22,572 ft), is on the border with Argentina. There is also a plateau area occupied by the great Atacama Desert, which contains vast nitrate fields and rich mineral deposits.

2. In the central region the plateau gives way to a valley known as the Central Valley, about 1,000 km (about 600 miles) long, which ranges from 40 to 80 km (25 to 50 miles) in width, and is the most heavily populated area of the country.

3. The southern region starts south of Los Angeles town (in the VIII Region under Chilean Political Regions). Araucanía is the next region going south (the IX region under Chilean Political Regions), named after the Araucanos, the natives living in this area. The indigenous group is officially known as the Mapuches, although there are other tribes called by different names such as the Pehuenches and the Huiliches.

From 1598 the area south of Concepción remained independent Mapuche territory, and it was not until 1881 that it became incorporated into the Chilean republic. Much of the charm and beauty of the southern Chile can be attributed to the unspoilt aspects of the Araucania region. It is not overcrowded nor over developed.

Geographically, the Araucanía region starts south of the Bío Bío River, where the first lakes of the famous lake district are to be found, and ends at the Calafquén Lake. It´s about 31,858.4 km2, and has 781,242 inhabitants. Much of it consists of rich fertile lowlands. To the west, the snow-capped volcanoes of the Andes tower over the glistening lakes. Many of these volcanoes are active. The Lonquimay, the Llaima and the Villarrica (these last two are the most active in Chile) volcanoes are to be seen on our interesting trails.

The Mapuche culture is experienced during many of our visitor's activities (especially those taking place in Lonquimay and Curarrehue). All the outdoor activities that take place such as visiting the Hot Springs, the native forests, the rivers and so on, are permanently facing the snow-capped volcanoes. The people of Araucania represent a wide diversity of ethnic populations found in South America including Latins, Indigenous Peoples and Europeans. One is immediately greeted with the warmth and sincerity expressed by the mixed group of people who love the beauty of their local surroundings and who want to protect it. In fact, there is a genuine concern to replace deforestation with tourism.

Numerous National Parks preserve the remains of native forests that once covered the greater part of southern Chile. They include as Malalcahuello National Parks, Conguillío National Parks, China Muerta Nature Reserve and Villarrica National Park.

The forest zone which hikers are most likely to see is also biologically very rich - "the Valdivian Forest", as it is often referred to, is a temperate rainforest extending throughout Araucanía, the Lake District and reaching down to Aysén and the northern Patagonian icefield. It also reaches across to Los Alerces in Argentina. This mostly evergreen forest is dominated by the tall Coihue (Nothofagus Dombeyi), Tepa (Laurelia Philippiana) Ulmo (Eucryphia Cordata), the ten Chilean species of Nothofagus, mediterranean scrub (Maquis or Chaparral), and low evergreen trees, Boldo (Peumus Boldus), Peumo (Cryptocaria Alba) and Lingue (Persea Lingue).

High, dry areas are home to Andean Ciprés (Austrocedrus Chilensis), and to the Pehuen or monkey-puzzle trees (Araucaria Araucana). Sometimes the understorey is dense, Quila or Colihue (Chusquea Bamboo) forming thickets, together with Arrayán and other shrubs. Many have red flowers, such as the "fire bush" (Notro / Embothrium Coccineum) and "Fuchsia" (Chilco / Fuchsia Magellanica), which attract a variety of hummingbirds.

There are 450 species of bird in southern Chile. Keen bird watchers should get hold of a field guide, unless they trust our information! Two species of deer can still be found in our region (although they are in serious danger of becoming extinct). The Pudú (Pudu Pudu) is a dwarf deer that lurks in the thickest parts of the Valdivian Forest, and the Huemul (Hippocamelus Bisculus) is an extremely endangered deer, of which perhaps around 3,000 survive today on the more remote and higher slopes of the Andes.

Three species of fox can be found too; the small grey or Patagonian Fox (Zorro Chilla / Dusicyon Griseus), the much larger Red or Andean Fox (Zorro Culpeo or Colorado / D. Culpeus), and the Chilote Fox (D. Fulvipers) found in Chiloé and for some reason further north in Nahuelbuta National Park.

The Puma (Felis Concolor), and wild cats include Geoffroy´s Cat (Gato Montes/Leopardos Geofroyi) and the Chilean Forest Cat (Huina / L. Guigna). There are also two types of otter, the Chungungo and the Huillín.

A marsupial can be seen in the Valdivian Forest, the Chilean Opossum (Monito del Monte / Dromiciops Australis) and the tiny Darwin´s Frog (Rhinoderma Darwinii).

There are no dangerous snakes, but the brown recluse spider has a bite that is dangerous. Of course there are a wide range of Lizards and fishing deserves a whole chapter appart!

Our professional team that offer tourist services around this beautiful area has named itself by the name of its Product : Ruta de Los Volcanes / On the Volcano Trail.

"The smaller resorts that exist here can easily accommodate smaller tour groups seeking just such an experience. Hikers, cyclists, bird watchers and photographers might be attracted to just such a vacation. Environmentally conscious organizations and other tour companies might host or link these sorts of excursions to Araucania with other Regions of Chile.

Thank you again for a unique opportunity to experience one of the world's finest gems, Araucania."(ROBERT HUESTIS)