So, if you dream of your holidays and have been excited about the prospect of being a Nomad of the Sea or visiting Chile, then the next logical step is an extension out of Puerto Montt to the Nature Reserve of Huilo Huilo.
The Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve is located in the middle of the Chilean Patagonian Rainforest, under the majestic Andes Mountain range. This is a unique project because of its commitment to the conservation of nature and local culture. A trip there is a fascinating journey through the magic of the reserve, where you will learn about the area, the Huilo Huilo Foundation and our commitment to sustainable tourism.
Whether enjoying the cultural history, a relaxing spa treatment, skiing, hiking, trekking, wildlife sightseeing or more there is something for everyone. For a look at some suggested programmes .. continue reading.
Huilo Huilo Living Heritage (4 Days)
Day 1 Arrival at Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve (Meal: Dinner)
The trip begins when our team picks up our group at the Puerto Montt airport. We’ll head to Neltume, a small town 3 km from the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve hotels, in the county of Panguipulli. We’ll arrive at the hotel and have dinner before heading to our lodgings in the Fungi Kingdom Lodge.
Day 2 Local Foundation Workshop and Native Tree Nursery Gardens. (Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast our journey begins. The Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve’s history has been influenced by various factors, such as the native Mapuche communities that settled here originally, the volcanic activity that forced them to move away, and the newer communities that settled after them, all of which have also helped shape the locals’ current culture and customs. Their values have changed from that of a logging culture to one that today protects the environment through various conservation projects and generates strong tourist attractions. We will start our day in the Foundation Workshop, where local micro-entrepreneurs will teach us how to fabricate different products that they have commercialized through the Huilo Huilo Foundation, focusing their work on the creation of “magical beings”, which represent the various species and elements that can be found in the reserve’s Patagonian Temperate Rainforest. Artisanal woodwork is also a highlight in these workshops, and this is an ideal time to learn about how this area works with local wood. After a nice lunch in the foundation’s café, we’ll have an hour-long tour in which we’ll see how local honey is produced and how local cheeses are made, followed by a delicious tasting. Afterwards we will head towards our last activity for the day, in the Llallalca sector, where we’ll see the Native Tree Nursery Gardens where local trees, flowers and herbs are preserved. Here we will learn how the locals work with these plants, and later enjoy some tea, known in Chile as “once”, at la Tetería and then return to the hotel.
Day 3 Local Mapuche Culture and Customs (Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast, we will a couple of short morning walks to our mountainside destinations. If there is heavy rain, take a vehicle. Our first vist is the Museo de los Volcanes (Volcanoes Museum), where there is a private collection of historical mining and woodworking artefacts (ancient locks, lights and rocks), an assortment of old weapons, and a great variety of Mapuche jewelry, which includes old copper utensils, used by the Incas. Afterwards we will head towards el Sendero de los Espíritus (the Spirits Trail), which combines wooden railings and forest floor and is just a short fifteen-minute walk from the hotels. Legends say that this area used to be an ancient Mapuche burial ground, and locals tell stories of meeting ancient spirits that lurk in the forest grounds. On this trail, we will see enormous wooden totem poles and anthropomorphic and zoomorphic representations from the different Mapuche deities, while our guide tells us relevant historical facts accompanied by ancient Mapuche myths and legends. We will then return to the hotel for a nice lunch. The volcanic activity of the zone also helped to shape the Mapuche culture. Traces of ancient Mapuche communities have been found underneath the rubble of the most recent volcanic eruption. The volcanic activity also created a series of geological faults, including a great number of volcanic caves that were formed during the last eruption. We will enter one of these caves, La Cueva de Los Machis (Machis’ Cave) in the Llallalca sector. The legend says that warlocks and witches (Machis) from different Mapuche communities would gather in these caves to exchange knowledge. After the cave tour we’ll head towards Lago Neltume (Neltume Lake), which is sacred to the Mapuche culture, and to the Huilo Huilo Foundation, to learn more about the Mapuches’ rich culture. Return to the hotel to enjoy our last dinner at Huilo Huilo, and share our photos.
Day 4 Departure Day (Meal: Breakfast)
After a good night’s sleep, we will enjoy breakfast and make our way towards the Puerto Montt Airport.
Huilo Huilo Multi-Adventure (4 Days)
Day 1 Arrival at Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve (Meal: Dinner)
The journey begins when your group is picked up by our team at the airport, and we go directly to the town of Neltume, in the sector of Panguipulli, which is located 3 miles from Biological Huilo Huilo Reserve and Hotels. The day concludes with arrival at the Reserve, dinner, and an overnight at Nothofagus Hotel & Spa.
Day 2 Trekking the Andean Lakes Trail and Mountain Bikes (Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner)
After having breakfast, we take a 4×4 vehicle to the northern part of the Reserve, where our iconic Andean Lagoons Trail is located. The completion of the full 50 km (31 mile) trail normally takes three days, though on this trip we only see one of its most beautiful sections. We will cross through beautiful forests, over rivers, and around lagoons of volcanic origin. After stopping for lunch in middle of nature, we reach a point on the trail where mountain bicycles (includes helmet and gloves) await us, and we continue our descent along a country road in the woods, back to the Reserve. Upon finishing our descent, a 4×4 vehicle will take us back to the hotel.
Day 3 Fuy River Rafting and Canopy XL (Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After having breakfast, a 4×4 vehicle will take us to Fuy River for our next adventure – rafting. Once you have your equipment on (includes neoprene suit, windbreaker, life jackets, helmets and neoprene boots), our experienced whitewater guide will give you a technique and safety talk on the banks of the river. Finally, you will get to ride the turquoise rapids of this wonderful class III-IV river. The adrenaline-producing, down-river descent through a beautiful valley of native forest, on one of the best rafting rivers in Chile, will take approximately one hour and ten minutes. We return to the hotel for lunch and a short rest at Nothofagus Restaurant. In the evening, we have our last activity of the day: the Canopy XL tour. A 4×4 vehicle will take us to the Huilo Huilo Portal, near the Huilo Huilo Falls, to pick up and familiarize ourselves with the specialized equipment that we will use in this activity. The Canopy XL, or “Flight of the Condor” tour is unique and adrenaline-producing. At 90 meters above the ground and on five, 500-meter ziplines, we see the Patagonian temperate rain forest from the treetops, with wonderful views of over 700 meters. It is, without a doubt, a unique and unforgettable experience. In the evening, we recommend that you visit the Lawenko Spa or enjoy a tasty beer at our very own Petermann Brewery. Finally, enjoy your last dinner in the Reserve, with accommodation in Nothofagus Hotel.
Day 4 Departure Day (Meal: Breakfast)
After a restful night, have breakfast and begin your return to the airport
Huilo Huilo Volcano Trek (5 Days)
Day 1 Arrival at Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve(Meal: Dinner)
The trip begins when our team picks up our group at the Puerto Montt airport. The van will head to Neltume, a small town 3 km from Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve hotels, in the county of Panguipulli. After hotel check-in we will enjoy our first dinner before heading to our lodgings in the Montaña Magica Lodge.
Day 2 Trek from the Península to Pilmaiquén Grasslands (Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner)
After breakfast, the real fun begin! We start our trek to the Pilmaiquén Grasslands. On our way, we will see beautiful volcanic landscapes and majestic forests, and make stops at several wildlife observation points. Immediately we’ll arrive at the banks of the Trarolafquén Lagoon, where our base camp will be waiting for us.
Day 3 Trek along the Los Volcancitos path towards Mocho’s base camp (Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner)
Wake up to a beautiful view of Rio Blanco. Enjoy a hearty breakfast next to a bonfire, and then then begin our trek through a series of craters of the Volcancitos (little volcanoes) complex. In our way, we will observe how the volcanic activity throughout the years has determined the type of woods, size, and shape of the trees there, as well as the flora and fauna. The last eruption in 1864 created the Mocho Volcano’s crater. We will arrive at the source of Rio Truful (Truful river) at sunset, an area surrounded by large cliffs shaped by ancient glaciers. We will then reach at our second base camp at Rucas de Montaña.
Day 4 Trek from base camp to the Mocho’s summit (Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner)
Black woodpeckers, small eagles, austral parakeets, condors, wild boars, red deer, pumas and wild cows among many other species live in this area, and it is likely that we will wake up to the particular sounds of one of these animals. We’ll have breakfast next to a bonfire to keep warm, and then begin the last part of our trip: the journey up to Mocho’s summit for a spectacular panoramic view of the Volcancitos complex. (Optional extension: journey up to the Choshuenco summit. Advanced climbing knowledge required).During this part of the trek, we will notice a dramatic change in landscape; the dense forest will become a Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) forest, filled with clearings. We will then enter a Pygmy forest of Ñirre (Nothofagus antartica) and low brush. It will be midday, which is the perfect time to appreciate the beautiful combination of lights and shadows covering yesterday’s trail. We will make the journey from an altitude of 1700 kilometers to the top of the Mocho Volcano (at an altitude of 2420 kilometers) with the help of snowshoes (or randonee skies), as the trail is covered with snow covering the Mocho centenary glacier. When we finally reach Mocho’s summit, we will see the breathtaking panoramic view of the Volcancitos complex. If it is a clear day, we will see the (level 1200) Villarrica, Llaima, Quetrupillán, Lanín, Cordillera del Encanto, Cordillera de Los Andes, Tronador (Casablanca), Descabezado, Puntiagudo, and Osorno volcanoes. We will then descend to an altitude of 1800 kilometers where a transfer bus will pick us up and take us back to the hotel. We’ll enjoy our last meal together at Montaña Mágica Hotel, where we’ll share our photos and videos from our adventures.
Day 5 Departure Day (Meal: Breakfast)
After a good night’s sleep, we’ll enjoy breakfast and make our way towards the Puerto Montt Airport.
Huilo Huilo Wildlife Safari (4 Days)
Day 1 Arrival at Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve (Meal: Dinner)
The trip begins when our team picks up our group at the Puerto Montt airport. We’ll head to Neltume, a small town 3 km from the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve hotels, in the county of Panguipulli. We’ll arrive at the hotel and have dinner before heading to our lodgings in Nothofagus Hotel & Spa.
Day 2 Pilmaiquén Grasslands and the Fungus or Bryophyte Route (Meals: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner)
After breakfast, our voyage begins. Dedicating our morning to discover the amazingly diverse flora and fauna that the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve is home to. We will board the 4×4 vehicle to ‘Los Patos’ (The Ducks) lagoon, at Pilmaiquén grasslands. After a 15-minute walk, we will arrive at a fauna-sighting tower, a fantastic way to observe all the species that make this lagoon their home. The lagoon is fed by rainwater during the rainy season, and tends to dry up during the summer, evidence of changes in temperature that create an abundant amount of food for nesting birds of the area. After 45 minutes, we will make our way to a second tower, which is located in front of the Guanacos sector, an ideal place to view the great variety of species of the area. After 30 minutes of observation, we will head to the Guanacos base camp (which has restrooms available) to enjoy lunch accompanied by a selection of Chilean red wines.After lunch, we begin our descent by vehicle towards our day’s last activity: the Fungi Route. A spyglass and manual will be provided during our activity and our expert guide will teach us how to identify the different species of fungi that thrive in this Patagonian Temperate Rainforest. Afterwards, we will return to the hotel to a nice dinner and the comfortable accommodations of the Nothofagus Hotel & Spa.
Day 3 Botanical Trail and Cua Cua River Wetlands (Meal: Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
After breakfast, we’ll head towards the Huilo Huilo Portal to begin our trek. Although the elevation does not change during the trek, the trail showcases several contrasting and beautiful sights. During our easy-paced trek, which will last approximately 3 hours, our expert guide will tell us the most relevant and interesting facts about each specie that lives in the riverbanks south of the Río Fuy. We’ll then arrive at a curious little lagoon and make our return through the area’s grasslands, which have a beautiful view of the Mocho-Choshuenco Volcano. We will return to the hotel for lunch, and in the afternoon, our the last adventure of the Wildlife Safari will take place. We will go on a soft off-road excursion on 4×4 Jeeps and explore the wetlands of the Cua Cua River, home to many diverse species of birds, from a wide variety of duck species to the native black-necked swan. In some selected areas, exploring trails by foot, and then finish the excursion by vehicle. Arriving at the Quilmio Bridge to enjoy some coffee, tea, herbal matte, and hot chocolate, and then return to the hotel. And have our last meal at together, share the photos and videos from our adventures, and enjoy our last night in the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve.
Day 4 Departure Day (Meal: Breakfast)
After a good night’s sleep, we will enjoy breakfast and make our way towards the Puerto Montt Airport.
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