Araucaria Forests

The Magical Woodlands of the Southern Andes

Araucaria Forests

The Magical Woodlands of the Southern Andes

Next departure: April 26 to May 1, 2025

6-day trip • Starts: Temuco, Chile / Ends: Puerto Varas, Chile

Custom departures from September until May

Araucaria Forests | This journey will take you to discover the magnificent national parks of southern Chile holding the largest southern Andes population of Araucaria forests, Araucaria araucana – also known as Monkey-puzzle tree. We will also explore the lush Valdivian rainforests of the Temperate Zone of Chile, dominated by various species of the ancient tree genus Nothofagus and Fitzroya. During this trip you will explore a fascinating region of Chile, dominated by magnificent volcanoes, lush rainforests and a myriad of lakes.

Magnificent temperate forests, reminiscent of the distant woodlands of New Zealand and Tasmania, cover extensive regions at the foothills of the southern Andes. These forests are unique in their ancient geographical isolation and rich in arboreal species in genera Araucaria, Fitzroya, Nothofagus or Drimys, as well as a high diversity of members of the myrtle tree family. The undergrowth is very dense and is dominated by dwarf trees, ferns and herbs and is the realm for ground-dwelling tapaculos and very rare endemic mammals.

araucaria forests trips — Araucaria forests, Conguillio National Park, Araucania, Chile © Claudio F. Vidal, Far South Exp

Read our recent post on the Araucaria Forests in fall

Keen birders and botanists as well as nature photographers will have delightful subjects to observe and study during this comprehensive wildlife tour. The areas to be visited are surrounded by magnificent scenery dominated by spectacular volcanoes and lakes. Private nature and photography journey to Chile’s Lake District. Araucaria forests.

Trip Highlights

• Visits to Conguillio National Park and the impressive and active Llaima volcano.
• In-depth explorations to the Valdivian temperate rainforests at Alerce Andino and Vicente Perez Rosales National Parks.
• Magnificent views of Araucaria forests amidst stunning volcanic slopes.
• Visit to Fitzroya forests, one of the world’s longest living trees.
• A great array of endemic southern ground orchids in genera Gavilea and Chlorea.
• Trip suitable for the keen botanist, birder, nature photographer and the nature enthusiast alike.

This program is operated as a custom trip (flexible option which runs on a date you choose giving you more privacy) and is available upon request for individuals or small private groups.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 • Flight to Temuco – Drive to Conguillio National Park (3 nights)
Day 2 • Conguillio National Park
Day 3 • Conguillio National Park
Day 4 • Conguillio National Park – Drive to Puerto Varas (2 nights)
Day 5 • Alerce Andino National Park – Vicente Perez Rosales National Park
Day 6 • End of the trip

Trip Map

Detailed Itinerary and Activities

Day 1 • Flight to Temuco – Drive to Conguillio National Park

After your arrival to the city of Temuco (on a morning flight), we will drive directly eastwards to the Andes foothills, in direction to Conguillio National Park. On its splendid temperate forests, we will start to familiarize with a wealth of woody species. In surrounding areas of the lodge, we will be delighted by discovering restricted populations of various orchids in the genera Chloraea and Gavilea.

Overnight at Lodge La Baita, Conguillio National Park (Lunch, Dinner)(Guide).

Days 2 & 3 • Conguillio National Park

Today will certainly become one of the finest of our journey finding plant species in southern Chile. From tall trees to small herbs, ‘Conguillio’ National Park will slowly reveal its floristic secrets. We will have the opportunity to study huge Araucarias (Araucaria araucana), Winter’s Bark Tree (Drimys winteri) and Coigues (Nothofagus dombeyi), different species of the genus Berberis o miniature herbs such as Adenocaulon (Adenocaulon chilense), Anemone (Anemone multifida) or Yellow Viola (Viola reichei). The spectacle of our sightings will be enriched by the striking panoramic views of the volcanic surroundings of this incredible park.
Overnight at La Baita Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guide).

Day 4 • Drive to Puerto Varas – Lahuen Ñadi Nature Reserve

During the afternoon we will visit a small private reserve with numerous elements of the temperate Valdivian rainforests of southern Chile. The richness of this park is given by the presence of the endangered conifer Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides).

Overnight at Hotel Cabaña del Lago or similar, Puerto Varas (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guide).

Day 5 • Vicente Perez Rosales National Park

Today we will continue our exploration of Puyehue National Park concentrating our efforts in discovering the alpine flora occurring in the volcanic slopes around our lodge. Today we will drive south to visit one of the most pristine national forests of southern Chile, Puyehue National Park. This park holds a great diversity of woody species, having also numerous species on the lower layers such as shrubs, herbs, furns and mosses. One of the main attractions of these forests is the abundance of myrtaceous species such as the Arrayan (Luma apiculata) or the Meli (Amomyrtus meli). Furthermore we will find interesting endemic species including the Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis), Chaquihue (Crinodendron hookerianum), Avellano (Gevuina avellana) or the Fuinque (Lomatia ferruginea). The richness of woody plants of this national park will be the highlight to the botanist.

Overnight at Hotel Cabaña del Lago or similar, Puerto Varas (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guide).

Day 6 • End of the trip

Private transfer to Puerto Montt airport for connecting flights to Santiago or Punta Arenas. (Breakfast)

Dates & Rates

Scheduled Departures

Group trip (up to 7 guests), fully guided by a Tour Leader from our company.

Trip Code	CHL05a
Trip Length	6 days, 5 nights
Dates	2025	April 26 - May 1
Dates	2026	April 25 - 30
Price per person	$2,298
Single Supplement	$250

Custom Private Departures

You choose the date. Available from September through May. Starts: Temuco, Chile | Ends: Puerto Varas, Chile.

The above price is per person in USD, based on double occupancy. All payments are in US Dollars.

Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.

What the trip includes/excludes

The trip price includes: All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour and park entrance fees.
The trip price excludes: Domestic flights (Santiago (SCL) – Temuco (ZCO) | Puerto Montt (PMC) – Santiago (SCL) or other route), tipping, travel insurance, entrance tax to Chile, excess baggage charges, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.

Tour Registration

To book this tour, please complete our online registration form. We will process your booking form and will send you (within 24 hours) a note with space confirmation and a deposit invoice with payment instructions. The deposit amount is US$ 500 per person.

Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.

NOTE: Inquires received on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays will be replied during the following working day.

Notice of cancellation can only be accepted IN WRITING from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.

Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
– If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 200 is refundable.
– If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.
– If cancellation is made fewer than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.

This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.