Trip Highlights
• Visit Conguillio National Park and its impressive and active Llaima volcano.
• In-depth explorations to the Valdivian temperate rainforests.
• Magnificent views of Araucaria forests amidst stunning volcanic slopes.
• Visit to Alerce forests, one of the world's longest living trees.
• A great array of southern orchids of the genus Gavilea and Chlorea.
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.
Araucaria Forests, can be combined with the following optional extensions:
• Chilean Patagonia - The Botanical Tour (9 days / 8 nights), the ultimate botanical program to the southernmost tip of South America.
Ask for your discount if you combine two of our botanical programs.
The Difference of Travelling with Fantástico Sur Expeditions:
• Great accommodation, superb dinning cuisine and memorable picnic lunches• Spacious vehicles that ensure a window seat to each trip participant
• Each of our trips has a maximum of 8 participants
• The Chilean Transportation Authority has authorized each vehicle and driver we use.
• The service and expertise of a professional local naturalist leader, who will look after every logistical aspect of “your” holiday.
• You will receive a free, signed copy of one of our great natural history books for Patagonia
• Plus an useful pre-departure information package
Araucaria Forests - Ancient woodlands and impressive volcanoes (5 days | 4 nights)
Day 1 • Temuco - Cerro Ñielol Nature Reserve
After your arrival to the city of Temuco, we will visit Cerro Ñielol Nature Reserve and its splendid temperate forests, starting to familiarize with the wealth of woody species. In surrounding areas of Temuco, we will be delighted by discovering restricted populations of various orchids of the genus Chloraea and Gavilea.
Hotel Terraverde, Temuco (4*). (L,D)(G).
Day 2 • 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.
Hotel Terraverde, Temuco (4*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 3 • Transfer to 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.
Hotel Antillanca, Puyehue (3*). (B,L,D)(G).
Day 4 • Puyehue National Park – Transfer to Puerto Montt
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. Later during the day we will be transferred to Puerto Montt.
Hotel La Peninsula, Puerto Montt (4*). (B,L,D)(G)
Day 5 • Nahuel Ñadi Nature Reserve
During the morning 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). We will finish our tour around noon with a transfer to the airport. (B)(G).
Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch/Box-lunch; D=Dinner; G=Guide; *=Hotel Category
2009 Dates:
Available year-round; Meet/Depart: Calama, Chile.
NOTE: January and February months are the rainy season in the Altiplano.
Rates for custom departures (you choose the date):
2-3 guests: US$ TBA per person in double occupancy.
Single Room Supplement: US$ TBA
Trips are guaranteed to depart with a minimum of 2 participants.
The above price is per person in US$, based on double occupancy.
Single supplement will be added if single accommodations are requested.
Do you want us to arrange your flights from Santiago to Calama?
Domestic flights Santiago – Calama – Santiago (approximately US$ 300-350 per person).
Duration of the flight: 2 hours (direct).
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 plus park entrance fees.
The trip price excludes: Domestic flights (Santiago – Calama – Santiago, approximately US$ 170-275 per person), tipping, travel insurance, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.
Tour Registration: To register for this tour, complete the Fantástico Sur Expeditions registration form and return it with a deposit of US$ 350 per person. Full payment of the tour fee (in US Dollars) is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
Cancellation Policy: 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$ 250 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.
