Chilean Country Life

Duration	5 days - 4 nights
Season	October to May
Included	Accommodation - Adventure tourism insurance - Bilingual Guide - Breakfast - Dinner - Lunch - Tea
Bookings	Two months in advance
Nº of Pax	Min 4 - Max 10
Price	From US $230p/pax (more detail)
Optional	By request

A few days in the Araucanía country side can be both challenging and relaxing. For those people looking for a few energizing days, staying with simple lifestyle dwellers, this program provides a fulfilling and adventurous experience whilst staying on a farm.

The different farm owners are mainly descendants of Spanish, German, French, Swiss, Italian and English families. All of them have adapted their traditions to the lifestyle of the place, producing a singular way of living. The visitors will be charmed by their warm hospitality and will be awestruck by Southern Chile's natural surroundings.

Description

This Program could be combined with any of the others as part of a more extended stay in Araucanía.

Day 01

Departure from Temuco airport to Santa Elvira de Tracura. There the local people and the small land owners have decided to venture themselves into the Agro-Tourism business.

Before leaving Temuco we will have lunch at the Municipal Market, a place where one can eat different types of fish and shellfish. It's not a fancy place but it is a place where local people usually come for lunch. At the market there are several souvenir boutiques, nothing special but typical local merchandise can be found.

After lunch we will visit the Araucanía Museum. On the road to Santa Elvira de Tracura we will have the chance to appreciate 5 Volcanoes on the horizon. This is the first very impressive view you will have from our Andean range, characterized by its volcanic activity. During our drive we will be passing by the small towns of Cunco and Melipeuco. Once you arrive at the place where we are staying during the first night, Sra. Gladys and her husband don Joaquin will make the delicious dinner and provide the overnight lodging.

Day 02

After breakfast we will be driving to Conguillio National Park, one of the major parks of outstanding beauty in Chile. Here we will appreciate the "umbrella shaped" Araucarias, this being the reason why this place is also known as the “Parque Los Paraguas” (Umbrella Park). The day we will be characterized by the scenic variation of this extensive area. The landscape will be permanently dominated by the Llaima volcano, offering alternative roads and Lagoons (volcanic ponds) such as the Arco Iris, Verde and Captrén. The biggest lake is Lago Conguillio, placed at the base of the Sierra Nevada, where we will take a two hour Trek. The opportunities for scenic photography here are numerous. Our Guide will explain the vulcanoligy phenomenon that made this place look so unusual. A suitable picnic lunch will be provided.

After driving along the lava roads we will leave the Park back to Santa Elvira de Tracura. Dinner and overnight at the country cabins of Sra. Gladys and don Joaquin.

Day 03

After mid-morning breakfast and a short walk around the place, Sra Gladis will offer us an asado (a South American barbecue).

Around mid-afternoon we will be leaving to visit El Canelo waterfall at Fundo Matanza. This is a short and easy Trek. Around here we will be already touring the lowlands of the region, where agriculture and livestock activities are predominant. Finally the day will end at La Bastilla with a good dinner and comfortable lodging.

Day 04

After a hearty breakfast, we will leave towards the Fundo Flor del Lago, on the north side of Lago Villarrica facing the volcano. The gravel road that takes us to this Fundo passes by private properties and indigenous communities. All of these farms have different scales of production. At Flor del Lago, Amelie will be our hostess. Her enchanting personality will lead us through the paths carefully cut out to show us the wonder of Valdivian forest.

Our easy trek here will take us a couple of hours and the lunch will be served in the open air, providing it doesn't rain, in the gardens of Amelie´s home, or if the weather is not our side, in her house.

During the afternoon we will head back to La Bastilla and stay overnight here.

Day 05

After breakfast we will be either driven on an oxcart to visit some of the small pockets (around 11 acres each) of pristine ancient rainforest or to visit the river where we will take a boat down the Allipén river. This alternative is considered only for small groups (only two people + the rower per boat). Horseback riding or biking could be an alternative for those who want to live and know the spectacular views and rolling hills of the surrounding area. Taking a car drive around can also be arranged as an easier option.

Lunch will be waiting at the main house of the Fundo, as was dinner. Meals at La Bastilla provide the opportuniy to taste fine wines.

At the end of our adventure you will be driven to Temuco airport to carry on with your journey.

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