Chile -Encounters and cultures – Self-guided tour – 18 days / 17 nights
Highlights:
• A beautiful land between mountains and ocean ;
• Customs and traditions of Mapuche rural families ;
• Hiking to volcanoes Villarrica and Sollipulli ;
• Stunning off the beaten track landscapes.
Nature :
- Culture :

Encounters :

Starting from $ 2499 USD*
Immerse yourself in the Mapuche culture along snow-capped volcanoes, charming lakes, ancient Araucaria forests and coastal villages.
This trip will connect you with small Mapuche communities and the enchanting local flora and fauna. You will learn about their indigenous heritage: known as the "people of the land ", their culture is closely related to nature and the environment.
Visit four absolutely stunning National Parks, reach the top of Villarica and Sollipulli volcanoes. Hike through millennial native rainforests and hilly meadows with a guide and pack horse. Spend the night with a local Mapuche family, in their “Ruka”, a traditional Mapuche house made of wood. Drive through the mysterious and mythical island of Chiloe with your own vehicle. Meet the fishermen of Chiloe; they will guide you through the local marine life. Reach the Pacific coast, with a chance to see Commerson’s dolphins.
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ITINERARY
Our driver picks you up at the airport and drives you to Valparaiso. Upon arrival, a member of our team will provide you with a road book and a mobile phone to keep in touch with us 24/7. Valparaiso is a harbour open to the ocean, surrounded by twelve hills upon which many colourful houses have flourished. Visit the " Cerro Alegre" area, acknowledged World Heritage Site (UNESCO). This open sky museum will take you to discover narrow streets filled with frescoes painted by local artists.
- Transport : private transfer - 1h45
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: none
Overnight bus Valparaiso > Temuco
A day of leisure in Valparaiso. In the morning we recommend you to visit Pablo Neruda’s house, a museum situated in the heights of the city. For lunch, we highly recommend the Club Social Cruz.
Viña del Mar, a modern and growing city is located only a few minutes from Valparaiso. With fewer cultural sites compared to Valparaiso, this city offers some pleasant walks on the beach and waterfront. Overnight bus to Temuco.
- Transport : overnight bus with bunk - 10h
- Accommodation: overnight bus
- Included meals: breakfast and small dinner on the bus
Rental car
Your rental car is waiting for you at Temuco’s bus terminal in the morning. Drive along the Andes until reaching Melipeuco where you are met by Carlos and Marta in their Ruka, a traditional Mapuche house type. Exiled in France under dictatorship, they decided to return to their ancestors land and preserve their culture. They will share their stories and invite you to participate in ceremonial and cultural activities.
- Transport : rental car – 92km - 1h45
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: breakfast and dinner
Rental car
Visit the National Park of Conguillio, located about 30 minutes from Carlos and Marta’s home. After crossing several black lava flows, you will arrive to the starting point of a walk " Los nevados " that will lead you to astonishing views of the Lake and Volcano Llaima. This walk is also an opportunity to discover several types of endemic plants species and a large variety of birds.
- Transport : rental car – 50km - 1h
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
- Entrance to the park not included
Rental car
Your guide will meet you at Carlos and Marta’s and drive you to the foot of the volcano. The ascent to the volcano's crater lasts 4 to 5 hours with a 1000m change in altitude. Arriving at the edge of the crater you can admire the glacier which is 4km in diameter and about 200m deep, with an amazing 360° view of the chain of volcanoes. A picnic at the edge of the crater and then back down to the vehicle (about 3hrs).
Back to Carlos and Marta’s in the late afternoon.
- Transport : rental car – 50km - 1h
- Accommodation: family run hotel
- Included meals: breakfast, packed lunch and dinner
- Trekking : 7 - 8h easy hike, 1000m change in altitude.
Rental car
Take the road from Temuco to Cunco, along the Solipulli Volcano arriving to Maïchin Valley. Pass the hamlets of Reigolil and Maite before arriving at Curarrehue. The east bank of the valley’s river is populated by Mapuche communities. Some families sale local specialties; do not hesitate to stop and talk with them. From Curarrehue, reach Pucon by a paved road crossing several thermal sites. Pucon is a small tourist village on the shores of Lake Villarrica, at the foot of the volcano with the same name.
NOTE: the road from Cunco to Curarrehue might not be accessible in bad weather conditions, in which case, we will indicate the alternative route by paved road through Temuco .
- Transport : rental car – 135km - 2h30
- Accommodation: Lodge
- Included meals: breakfast
Rental car
- Transport : rental car – 50km - 1h20
- Accommodation: Lodge
- Included meals: breakfast
- Trekking : 4 - 5h easy hike, 400m change in altitude.
Rental car
Option 1 : Departure by minivan to climb the Volcano Villarrica, a perfect cone covered with snow, overlooking Lake Villarrica. This climb offers amazing view over the entire chain of volcanoes in the region. The climb takes 6 to 7 hours, an easy hike to reach the summit at 2847 m. You will climb down in 2 hours by the same path.
Option 2 : Geométricas Hot Springs: the result of an ambitious project by an architect in harmony with nature, a good option for some fabulous relaxing time.
- Transport : van - 40 min to the volcano – 2h to the hot springs
- Accommodation: Lodge
- Included meals: breakfast
- Trekking : 8 - 9h easy hike, 1300m change in altitude.
Rental car
Depart for the Pacific and the Lafkenche communities of Mapu Lahual, a protected natural reserve. You take the road to Osorno then join the Pacific coast. Meet the community and explore the Mapuche village of Maicolpué.
Spend the night with the locals in the village.
- Transport : rental car – 291km - 4h30
- Accommodation: host family
- Included meals: breakfast and dinner
Rental car
Short hike to Rada Runa, a white sand beach nearly 2km long, with a chance to see Commerson’s dolphins. Back at the village in the afternoon, you will spend time with the community. Overnight with the locals.
- Accommodation: host family
- Included meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Rental car
Back to civilization but not for long. Take the road to Puerto Montt and drive to Puerto Varas, a small village lying on the banks of Lake Llaquihue, with some amazing views over Volcano Osorno. We recommend you to visit the spectacular Saltos de Petrohue, at the foot of the imposing Volcano Osorno in the Andes Precordillera. Return your rental car in the evening and spend the night in Puerto Varas.
- Transport : rental car – 164km - 3h
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Rental car
Drive to Petrehue and embark on a boat with Hector to travel to El Rincon across Lake Todos Los Santos. Here begins your hike to the Callao refuge. Accompanied by a local guide and a pack horse, you go by millennial native rainforests and hilly meadows before reaching the refuge and take advantage of one of Callao’s hot springs. Overnight at the refuge.
- Transport : rental car – 70km - 1h30 + dinghy - 1h
- Accommodation: refuge Callao
- Included meals: breakfast and dinner
- Trekking : 4h30 easy hike
Rental car
Time to leave the Andean Precordillera with your guide and pack horse. Arrive at Puerto Varas in mid-afternoon.
- Transport : rental car – 70km - 1h30 + dinghy - 1h
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
- Trekking : 4h30 easy hike
Rental car
Travel to the island of Chiloé. Drive to the city of Ancud, along the Pacific coast to appreciate marine life.
By mid-afternoon, the fishermen of Puñihuil will guide you through some local marine life including penguins, sea lions, dolphins, sea otters, pelicans and a variety of other seabirds. These fishermen, aware of the negative impact of fishing on biodiversity have created an association for the protection and development of natural heritage through tourism as a new source of income. Join the Oyarzo family near the town of Castro in the afternoon. Small scale farmers they live of livestock and the sea .
- Transport : rental car – 194km - 3h30
- Accommodation: host family
- Included meals: breakfast and dinner
Rental car
Head for Chiloé National Park in the morning, discover the virgin forest along the wild Pacific coast. You may have a chance to meet the miners who settled on the coast during the gold mining days…
- Transport : rental car – 58km - 1h
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Rental car
Enjoy a day of leisure back in Castro.
We will recommend some artisans and associations so you can immerse yourself in the local culture. Maria Elena will welcome you in the evening with a good dinner.
- Transport : rental car – 58km - 1h
- Accommodation: host family
- Included meals: breakfast and dinner
Flight Puerto Montt > Santiago de Chile
Rental car
Enjoy a hearty farmer breakfast before heading to Puerto Montt’s airport. Return your rental car and take your flight to Santiago. Your driver will be waiting for you there to take you to your aparthotel.
- Transport : rental car – 174km - 3h30
- Accommodation: aparthotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport 3 hours before departure of your flight.
- Transport : private transfer - 45min
- Included meals: breakfast
This program is only given as an indication. TransHumans reserves the right, directly or through its local partners, to replace transportation, accommodation, itinerary, as well as dates and departure times, without the participants being able to claim any compensation.