In the heart of the Andes mountain range in the central-south of Chile, you will find a small rural town called Malalcahuello.  It is the perfect setting to enjoy skiing at Corralco ski centre, on the active Volcano Lonquimay, followed by a relaxing soak in the curative thermal waters that arise from deep beneath the volcanic soil.

Termas de Malalcahuello

The thermal baths of Malalcahuello (Las Termas de Malalcahuello) are located within 1km (0.6mi) of the town centre. Here the waters emerge at over 38°C (100°F) and contain minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium, ideal for relaxing muscles and relieving stress. The complex features a large thermal pool, spa and massage service. The restaurant has expansive views over a well kept garden and snow capped Volcano Lonquimay, named such in the Mapudungún language of the native Pewenche/Mapuche peoples.

Remember to book your thermal baths visit online first and bring your own towel, as they don’t provide them. You can also visit reception to book ahead for the same day or subsequent days. Operating hours vary by season but they are generally open from 10:00 to around 18:30. It’s always best to check when making your reservation.

Termas de Manzanar

About 12 km (7.4 mi) from Malalcahuello, Termas de Manzanar is a complex with a hotel, restaurant, pools, and tubs filled with thermal waters rich in salts and minerals. Surrounded by native forest, you can hear the nearby river, making it suitable for groups or couples seeking something more intimate.

The main pool, open to the public, operates from 11:00 to 18:00. There’s a smaller pool reserved for their guests. They also have tubs located in the forest overlooking the Cautín River. Use of the tubs is prioritized for their hotel guests. If you’re not staying at their hotel, you’ll need to call to check availability for the tubs.
Phone/Whats app: +56 931402337

Cañón del Blanco

Cañón del Blanco hot springs are located between Malalcahuello and Conguillío National Park, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Volcano. They offer a more rustic experience close to nature. Here you can bathe in tubs for 2 to up to 8 people and in a larger pool, surrounded by native forest. It´s also possible to treck to geysers and mud formations. Some pools are reached via a 10–20 minute hike that crosses a beautiful river. Many visitors combinee their bathing and trekking with a traditional barbeque which is a whole animal cooked very slowly over an open fire, called “asado al palo” combined with wine and mate. Mate is a traditional infusion of a herb (lex paraguariensis), drunk in a communal way from a gourd with a metal straw that is passed around from person to person to sip on and is re-filled as required with boiling water.

Cañón del Blanco also offers other services such as horseback riding (recommended for those with some experience, not beginners)  budget‑friendly lodging in their lodge. It is the only hot spring near Malalcahuello that is open at night. The schedule is 11:00–21:00 and reservations must be made in advance via WhatsApp or phone.
Phone/Whats app: +56976684925

Termas de Malleco

Near Tolhuaca National Park, these hot springs are about 1 hour 15 minutes by car from Malalcahuello. They have been operating since 1898 and are a reference for thermalism in the region. Their hyperthermal waters (38–40°C or 100–104°F), which are alkaline and sulfated, are used for rheumatic, muscular, respiratory, and skin conditions. The waters emerge from a geyser, that you can actually see, at around 86°C (186°F).
Services include a jacuzzi, accommodation and restaurant. To enjoy all the services, it is recommended to book in advance. The visiting hours for the hot springs are generally from 11:00 to 18:30, or later in high season.
Contact:+56 9 2182 5830
E‑mail: info@termasmalleco.cl

Accommodation

We can offer comfortable accommodation in one of our eco-friendly cabins, all of which are fully furnished and include hot water, great heating, a fully furnished kitchen and comfortable beds, not to mention our farm fresh produce of goat cheese and ice cream Contact us if you want to make a reservation.

This lesser known National Park is part of an ancient landscape that forms the Kütralkura Geopark (UNESCO). Famous for it´s volcanoes and impressive rock formations and volcanic lakes, it even made an appearance on the “Walking with Dinosaurs” series. It´s not difficult to understand why, the combination of the primitive gymnosperm Monkey Puzzle Tree that reaches 1000 years of age, with the surrounding volcanoes and volcanic rock formations is impressive.

Why Visit Conguillio?

In the indigenous Pewenche/Mapuche language (Mapudungun), “Conguillio” means “pine nuts in water” or “water with pine nuts”. This refers to the indigenous people´s traditional staple food, the seed of the female Araucaria araucana tree (Monkey Puzzle Tree). These living fossils create a primeval atmosphere unlike anywhere else on the planet. Combined with one of Chile´s most active volcanoes, you have a great destination for exploring.

Summer in Conguillío National Park – what to expect

Summer in the Araucanía region of Chile brings long days, warmer temperatures (15-25 ℃ /59-77 ℉ on average). Tracks are generally easily accessible as the winter snow has melted and there aren´t so many rainy days. January and early February are great months for seeing the colourful alpine wildflower display on the trails that are above 1500 meters (4920 f). Thee turquoise waters of Laguna Verde and Laguna Arcoíris are at their most inviting.

Suggested Activities

Hiking

There are many options from short 20 minute walks to 6 hour or overnight hikes. A very popular one is the Sierra Nevada trail. The trail takes around 6 hours for moderately fit people and starts from the carpark , finishing at the final lookout above the tree line. For the experienced adventurer  one can start here and end up in Malalcahuello, crossing the Sierra Nevada glacier. Flatter trails include a loop around the Captren Lagoon which takes around 1 hour and includes sights and sounds of ducks and moorhens.  The Truful Truful waterfall is another short walk at the southern entrance to the Park.

Water Activities

Conguillio Lagoon is a large, shallow lagoon with a volcanic sandy beach where one can swim, rent a kayak or paddleboard. During summer the kiosk is usually open for business. The park information centre is not far away and is worth a visit. Here toilets can be found.

Wildlife watching

The more likely wildlife to be seen are water birds, the Magellanic Woodpecker bird and the Austral Parakeet. The shy native Pudú and Puma are unlikely to be seen by visitors. High up on trails the majestic condor is not an uncommon sight.

Summer tips for visiting the Park

• The Park managers, CONAF have a daily vehicle limit (500 at the time of writing). To be sure you are allowed to enter it´s best to buy your park entry online with some anticipation https://tickets.pasesparques.cl/es/events/parque-nacional-conguillio
• Start early to avoid the crowds. During summer the Park is popular with locals.
• Take plenty of water and apply sunscreen regularly throughout the day.
• Take food. The kiosk is not always open and the only other place to buy food within the park is a privately owned restaurant, towards the southern entrance of the park.
• Keep in mind that at the time of writing, Conguillío National Park is closed on Mondays for maintenance

Autumn and Winter in Conguillío National Park

Autumn is a great time to visit the Park for photography or appreciation of the autumn colours. The native deciduous beech leaves transform to all shades of orange prior to falling. They form an attractive contrast to the dark, rich green of the evergreen beech and Araucaria trees.

Winter may be complicated for vehicle entry, by snow. It may be closed to vehicle access or if open, only for 4WD vehicles. Even during autumn, if it has been raining the roads may not be accessible to vehicles other than 4WD.

The weather can be very cold and windy during these months so one must visit prepared for abrupt weather changes, even if it is a forecast to be a sunny day.

Getting There

It is most easily accessed by car, either from the Curacautín entrance or the Melipeuco entrance to the south. Temuco and Temuco airport have rental car options.

If coming from Argentina, one can cross vía Pino Hachado crossing (closest city in Argentina is Neuquén). Another option is the Mamuil Malal frontier crossing.

Where to Stay

Inside the Park a privately owned camping/cabin concession holder operates near Conguillío Lagoon. Outside the Park at both entrances, accommodation options can be found. Malalcahuello, Curacautín and Melipeuco are the closest towns servicing tourists.

Camping is the most economical option and can be done at several organised sites which have bathroom facilities and some have cooking facilities. Suizandina Lodge is probably one of the oldest and well developed in the area.

Other economical options include home stay (hospedaje) where you stay in a room of a family home. These are usually informal, as in not registered with the regional tourism office or tax department. Hostels are an economical alternative to home stays while lodges may be a pricier option for those wanting more comfort.

Cabins are the most abundant type of accommodation in Malalcahuello offering options to suit all budgets https://www.chilewild.com/chalets/.

Hotels are few, the most luxurious being Corralco withing the National Reserve Malalcahuello, whilst less expensive options exist closer to Malalcahuello.

For any accommodation enquiries a good place to start is the local tourism association website https://www.malalcahuello.org

Activities

Snow related activities

Corralco ski centre is usually open until early October for downhill skiing. After that ski/snowbaord options are limited to backcountry adventures. There is no shortage of interesting places to explore that can be free of people and noise.

Snow shoe trekking is a great alternative in spring for trekking where there is still quite a bit of snow around.

Cycling

There are two cycleways that once were a railway line. They are a gentle gradient and a great option for relaxed cycling

Mountain bikes are permitted in the Malalcahuello National Reserve as long as you keep to designated tracks or roads. There are also quite a lot of dirt roads in the area for exploring where traffic volume is low.

Thermal baths

are a popular option which can be enjoyed in one of four locations. The most rustic is Cañon del Blanco which offers night time bathin. The other three thermal baths are more developed and each have hotels and restaurants on site

Walking

Nature based walks are possible but visitors should be aware that there may be snow blocking the path in spring. Malalcahuello is close to three National Parks and one National Reserve, meaning that there are lots of options for walking.

Rafting/Kayaking

tours can be undertaken in the Cautín river, all being of gentle grades.

Horse riding tours

become available in spring after the winter break. Some are sutiable for beginners whilst others definitely require previous experience.

Indigenous cultural tours

are an interesting way to meet local indigenous families and to learn about their culture and history. Some of the tours offer horseback rides whilst others offer guided tours and traditional food tasting.

Birdwatching

is easy to do in Malalcahuello as it is surrounded by different naturalenvironments in which to spot birds. Water birds can be found at the several lakes and rivers nearby. The Reserves are the home of the Endangered Magallanic Carpenter bird which can often be seen in one of the most northern parts of it´s habitat.

Are you interested in enquiring about renting a cabin in Malalcahuello? Call us on +56976525043, email us at contacto@chilewild.com or book online https://www.chilewild.com/chalets/

Volcano Lonquimay is an active strata volcano of 2865 MASL/9399 FASL, located in the Andes mountain range in the central-south of Chile.  It forms part of the National Reserve Malalcahuello – Nalcas.

The ascent

The summit can be climbed all year round. In winter it´s usual to have to use crampons and ice axe, near the top, although you may start with skis. Sometimes it´s impossible to make the climb due to the climatic conditions. It is necessary to be prepared for this possibility and not take risks due to time pressures or unrealistic expectations.

In summer the climb may be commenced from near the Corralco Hotel and ski base or, if you travel by car, you can drive up to the start of the Crater  Navidad walk and traverse across the slopes towards the summit from that point.  The upper part of the climb is made over loose volcanic scree slope.

From the summit one is rewarded with a magnificent 360 degree view of mountains, valleys and volcanoes.

The descent

In summer, the descent can be quite rapid if one is prepared to almost run down the loose scree slope from hte summit to the 4WD track that winds down the mountain.

In winter the climatic conditions determine what type of descent you have. If conditions are right, it´s possible to ski the descent, however, there are often icy and windy conditions.

The entire trip takes around 6 hours, depending very much on climatic conditions but also the experience and physical fitness of the participants.

A topographic map can be obtained on line from downloadable or delivered on tear resistant paper. Sometimes the park rangers at the entrance to the Reserve have a basic map.

How to arrive

4WD vehicle is by far the best option to get to the Reserve in winter. In summer it´s possible to enter in a 2WD.  Public transport is more complicated. There are buses from Temuco to within 9km from the  start of the walk (Buses Bio Bio and Erbuc). From the drop off point of the bus, it´s necessary to make your own way vía private transfer business or some other way.

If you prefer to climb with an experienced guide, it´s possible to organise this with a local guide from Malalcahuello or Curacautín. For an all included package that includes lodging, transfers and experienced guide, Contact Us or see details on of our guided tour here.

Malalcahuello in summer offers the chance to escape from the rat race and enjoy peace and quiet. There are many options for activities and water sports.

January and February are the hottest summer months in Malalcahuello, February being when much of the Chilean population takes holidays. Temperatures get into the high 20´s (Celsius or 80´s Farenheight) with nights anywhere between 3°C and 14°C (37-57°F). March is also a month with pleasant warm temperatures for enjoying summer activities

National Parks

Malalcahuello is a great central location for exploring a number of national parks and reserves, the most well known of which is Conguillio National Park. Conguillio National Park contains Volcano Llaima, several attractive lakes and many walking trails.

Closer to Malalcahuello is the National Reserve Malalcahuello, which also contains an active volcano, Lonquimay. In summer it is not too difficult to climb to the summit of Volcano Lonquimay, if you don´t mind steep rock scrambles and are not scared of heights.

Other reserves include Tolhuaca National Park and China Muerta National Park, all with options for scenic walks.

What else is there to do?

Lazy day options and rainy day options include a visit to thermal baths, of which there are various. The closest are located a couple of kilometres from the centre of Malalcahuello whilst the furthest is around 1.5 hours drive.

Scenic drives are also a good option for those not so energetic. There are no shortage of gorgeous views  of the Andes mountain range, Araucaria forest and rural farm landscapes.

To cool off on a hot day, it´s possible to take a dip in the local Cautín River, which still has not been polluted too much and is very beautiful and wild in parts. Rafting and kayaking on the river with organised tours are also popular options.  Several lakes are within 2 hours drive from Malalcahuello, and offer swimming and kayak options.

Horseriding is available and guided hiking tours. If climbing a volcano is on your to do list, Malalcahuello is a good place to do it.

Cultural walks and Pewenche horseriding tours with local Pewenche families are a great way to learn about indigenous culture and history in the area as well as support disadvantaged rural families.

Cabins

Cabins in Malalcahuello are the most abundant type of accommodation, some of the most comfortable for those on a higher end budget  include Chile Wild located 3km outside of the township on 7 hectares of rural land https://www.chilewild.com/chalets/.

For those on a lower budget a good place to start looking is the local tourism association website :https://www.malalcahuello.org

Are you interested in enquiring about renting a cabin in Malalcahuello? Call us on +56976525043, email us at contacto@chilewild.com or book online https://www.chilewild.com/chalets/

The first thing to be clear about is that there are a lot of cabins available for vacation rental in Malalcahuello. The availability during spring is usually fairly good, although during the national holiday in the week of September 18th you will need to book in advance to be assured of not missing out on a cabin. you also need to remember that Corralco ski centre is still open which brings tourists to the area, particularly on weekends.

Spring in Malalcahuello

Being in the mountains, Malalcahuello experiences sometimes changeable weather, particularly in spring. Generally speaking the days are becoming longer and warmer so the mornings are fresh and cold, whilst the afternoons can be quite warm, over 20° C (68° F) in September.

Malalcahuello experiences snow until early October with an occasional dumping in November and even December.

Activities

Two of the main activities in spring are downhill and backcountry skiing  which are both best done in the mornings as the snow tends to get soft as the days heat up around midday.

Another popular activity is cycling. There are two cycleways  that once were a railway line. Now they are two unconnected cycleways, separated by a tunnel that does not permit bicycles. The cycleway in   Malalcahuello is 19km while the cycleway going from the tunnel “de los Raices” to the city of Lonquimay is 19km one way.

A visit to one of the 4 thermal baths in the area is usually on the cards. On weekends it may be advisable to book your visit in advance but during the week you may be able to just turn up unannounced.

Nature based walks are possible but possibly with the help of snow shoes which can be hired in Malalcahuello. They are very easy to use and a must if there is any snow around to avoid filling up your shoes with snow that turns into icy cold water in your shoes or boots.

Car-based sightseeing is also a popular option as there are many scenic views within Malalcahuello Reserve and Conguillío National Park but also outside of them. Lakes and mountain views are abundant. for more information see: https://www.chilewild.com/activities & https://www.malalcahuello.org/actividades/

The first thing to be clear about is that there are a lot of cabins and other forms of accommodation available for vacation rental in summer in Malalcahuello. The most plentiful option are cabins of varying price and quality. Other options include camping, hostels, lodges and hotels.

Summer  in Malalcahuello – weather

Being in the mountains, Malalcahuello experiences sometimes changeable weather and even in summer you may experience sub zero temperatures or even snow. in spring. Generally speaking the days are  long and warm, 20-30° C (86° F) . Usually a breeze arises in the afterrnoons which prevents the temperature from soaring too high.

Malalcahuello experiences snow until early October with an occasional dumping in November and even December.

Summer in Malalcahuello – Activities

By december the backcountry ski season has pretty much passed and the main activities are trekking. There are several volcanoes and summits to climb, all less than 3000m (984 feet). Local guides are available to hire to make your trip safer.

Another popular activity is cycling. There are two cycleways  that once were a railway line. Now they are two unconnected cycleways, separated by a tunnel that does not permit bicycles. The cycleway in   Malalcahuello is 19km while the cycleway going from the tunnel “de los Raices” to the city of Lonquimay is 19km one way.

Mountain bikes are permitted in the Malalcahuello National Reserve as long as you keep to designated tracks or roads.

A visit to one of the 4 thermal baths in the area is usually on the cards. On weekends it may be advisable to book your visit in advance but during the week you may be able to just turn up unannounced.

Nature based walks are possible, most of them fairly long with steep grades, although there are a couple of very short walks at the foot of Volcano Lonquimay. Conguillio National Park is a popular option with some flat walking and attractive lakes for swimming.

Car-based sightseeing is also a popular option with many options for spectacular views and interesting attractions. For more information see: https://www.chilewild.com/activities & https://www.malalcahuello.org/actividades/

Rafting and kayak tours can be undertaken in the Cautín river with easy grades making it a popular option for families with children. There´s always the hope of seeing a Pato cortacorriente (translated as something like cut the current duck).

Horse riding tours and indigenous cultural tours, with or without horses, are available and recommendable. Many Pewenche/Mapuche families supplement their subsistence living with tourism. Just remember not to buy the piñon cone heads offered by some unscrupulous roadside sellers who damage the trees in their attempts to maximise profits during the tourist season when the piñon pine cones are not ripe, selling them to unwitting tourists.

Restrictions of access to Conguillío National Park

It´s important for the prospective visitor to realise that the Park is sometimes closed by the forestry and parks service that administers the Park, CONAF. The circumstances in which they close the Park include snow in winter and spring and in summer when the maximum capacity of vehicles entering the Park is reached.

¿How can I find out if the Park is open?

If the Park is closed, the chances are noone answers the phone. Unfortunately you cannot rely on them putting a message on the phone saying that they are closed. The website also doesn´t have any information re the open/closed status. The contact phone numbers you can call and the email are below.

• Email: parque.conguillio@conaf.cl
• Phone: Conguillío National Park +56 22840 6818.
• CONAF Temuco: +56(45)2298210.

Once it starts to snow in the region, the Park will be closed to vehicles. CONAF tends to close the walking tracks also for safety reasons.

In summer Conguillío National Park is very popular with the residents of the region which, on busy weekends, may result in the Park being closed by the administration due to the number of vehicles entering the Park. They way to ensure your trip is not wasted, is to ensure that you arrive prior to 11am. Most Chileans get going quite late in the morning.

Other times when you need to be careful about accessing the Park is after rain. The internal roads are narrow and become muddy and slippery. Single traction vehicles frequently have trouble on the steep sections of road at the northern end of the Park and end up blocking the traffic in both directions until someone can haul them out. 4WD vehicles with good tyres don´t have problems transiting the Park in wet conditions.

This year (2020), there is doubt whether the ski centres in Chile will be able to open in time for the start of the ski season due to the Coronavirus. When they do open, it will most certainly be with the social distancing measures required for the the prevention of Coronavirus, meaning a reduced capacity of visitors per day.

An alternative option to take advantage of the snow and the reduced number of tourists is to go backcountry and practise randonnée o splitboard, or trekking with snow shoes. If you haven´t done any of these previously, you can rent some equipment and take a class or tour or go out with an experienced friend.

Backcountry excursions don´t have to be as serious and difficult as shown in this video, but I´ve included it to show the exhiliration that one feels on being out in nature, in virgin snow with no tracks, surrounded by the milennial Araucaria forest http://<a href=”https://www.youtube.com/wahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvK_sUs0x1w&feature=youtu.betch?v=NvK_sUs0x1w&feature=youtu.be” rel=”noopener noreferrer” target=”_blank”></a>

Nevados de Chillan

This ski centre is the largest centre south of Santiago. There are two areas of accommodation: Los Nevados de Chillan and the second, Las Trancas, 7km from the ski centre.

There are short and longer routes for randonnée leaving from Nevados de Chillan.In a couple of hours one can get to the Garganta del Diablo (Devil´s Throat) hut, one of the few mountain huts that exist in Chile. The hut is delapidated but one can shelter there and even use it as a base from which to explore backcountry routes and climbs.

Corralco

At Corralco ski centre and the surrounding mountains, some 7 metres (23 feet)of snow accumulates. Some 12km from Corralco the mountain village, Malalcahuello, offers alternative and cheaper accommodation.

If Corralco ski centre doesn´t open in June or July 2020, equally one can enjoy ranndonée around Volcano Lonquimay and in the Araucaria forest surrounding Malalcahuello.

There are two options that are popular with backcountry skiers and splitboarders. One of those places is called Los Arenales, located between Corralco and the small city of Lonquimay; it has a refugio where you can stay and a cafeteria/restaurant. The second option is Sierra Nevada. The mountain chalets Chile Wild-Las Vertientes de Malalcahuello, who own a conservation property on the mountain, offer professionally guided tours of the route which starts behind the town of Malalcahuello. Sierra Nevada can also be accessed from the valley behind the Termas de Malalcahuello. Both routes involve traversing through Araucaria and Nothofagus forest and arriving at a glacier if you manage to get to the summit. For both routes it is recommended to go with an experienced local mountaineer or professional guide.

Conguillio National Park encompasses 60.000 hectares of Nothofagus and Araucaria forest. Although it is known by locals, it hasn´t yet become a mecca for foreign tourists. Inside the Park, Volcano Llaima offers mountain climbers a challenge and there are many other walks less technical.

Captren Lagoon
Is a small lagoon formed formed from melting ice from the giant Volcano Sierra Nevada that is now but a remnant. The lagoon is located near the northern entrance of the Park and has a carpark. From here begins the northern access point to Volcano Llaima. On arrival to the Park one crosses lava flow with few signs of vegetation and fabulous views of Volcano Llaima.

A much gentler walk can be done circumnavigating the lagoon which is 2,6km (1.6 mi). The walk is relatively flat with small undulations and glimpses of the lagoon through the trees along the whole length. Some sections can be inundated after rain or in spring.

Birdwatchers enjoy visiting this lagoon where abundant waterbirds visit or inhabit. You can see some of theses birds at: Aves de Chile

When is the best time of year to visit Conguillio National Park?
Some times in the year access to all the attractions of the Park an be difficult or impossible. In winter it is closed when there is abundant snow, for example and after heavy rain and in spring the muddy roads makes it impassable for two wheel drive cars to pass.

There is a bus service from Temuco nd Curacautín with a limited timetable, it´s best to take the bus and stay in the Park a day or two prior to returning. There is one authorised camp ground at Conguillio Lake (Campamento Sendas Chile).