Pucon
Pucón is a small destination city in the middle of the southern lake region in Chile.
Extremely popular both with Chileans (high season January-February) and foreigners, as its breathtaking views and fabulous surroundings make it the ideal vacation spot for anyone. The city center looks a bit like backpacker's Disneyland though, filled with travel agencies that will offer you any kind of day trips imaginable. If you don't like it too crowded, you'll be better off in the nearby town of Villarica.
Get in
Getting there is easy by,
Bus (for those who want to take their time): Buses travel between Santiago and Pucón daily. We recommend taking the overnight bus (the buses have comfortable seats and food service); in the morning you will arrive at Pucon. Air (quick and comfortable): Chilean airlines, fly in only one hour from Santiago daily to Temuco. From Temuco you can rent a car or request a transfer to the hotel, which is about an hour and a half away. (In summer there are several direct flights from Santiago to Pucón) Train to nearby city of Temuco. (the historic way): For an adventure, take the train that leaves Santiago at night and arrives in Temuco the next morning. The sleeping cars are old and picturesque. In Temuco you can rent a car or take a bus for the 1 1/2-hour trip to Pucon Car (for those who want to sightsee along the way): You can lease a car in Santiago and drive to Pucon, taking time to visit wineries, waterfalls, and historic places, The drive takes approximately 8 hours and the road is a double lane and in excellent condition..
Get around
==See==
Pucon gives access to the Villarica, one of the most active volcanoes in Chile. Many agencies offer climbing the Villaraica in a day trip. While you can visit all the year round, in the winter it becomes the most important skiing center in the south of Chile.
Do
- Golf.
- Horse back riding.
- Hiking .
HIKING IN HUERQUEHUE NATIONAL PARK
Huerquehue National Park, a mountainous 12,500-hectare (30,900-acre) natural reserve, is located a short drive from Pucon. The park offers a wide variety of hikes that traverse dense beech forests containing native vegetation such as coigües, lingues, and araucarias. Araucarias are unique old-growth trees that live for more than a thousand years. The araucaria is known as the Tree of the Mapuches because its Pehuén seed has sustained the Mapuche people for generations. The hiking paths in Huerquehue National Park lead to pleasant waterfalls and gurgling brooks or to splendid vistas ofthe Andes and Volcano Villarrica. A trip to the park may take most of the day, so be sure to bring a lunch and plenty of water.
HIKING IN CONGUILLIÓ NATIONAL PARK
Conguillió National Park, one of Chile's most visited parks, is just a two hour drive from Pucon. The park is full of native vegetation and amazing trails that take you near glacial lakes and wooded valleys. This park offers spectacular views of Llaima Volcano, which erupted violently in 1995. In January and February the information center at Lake Conguillió offers slide shows, ecology talks, guided hikes (of average difficulty), and boat trips to acquaint visitors with the park. The trip to Conguillió National Park takes a full day.
- White water rafting.
Rafting and kayaking are popular outdoor activities in Pucón. The glacier-fed Trancura River, with its crystalline whitewater rapids, is the perfect place for rafting. Trancura Bajo offers third-degree rapids, excellent for the whole family (including children older than seven years).
This three-hour excursion takes you through native forests and breathtaking scenery. Trancura Alto offers fourth-degree rapids (recommended only for persons older than fourteen years). A half-day of rafting on Trancura Alto is guaranteed to raise your adrenaline while letting you take in the beautiful landscape from the water.
- Snow skiing in an active volcanoe slope.
- Fishing.
Chile's Lake Region is a paradise for anglers. Fly-fishing expeditions, led by expert local guides, on the tranquil and crystalline Río Liucura (about 20 minutes from pucon) or the more turbulent Río Trancura (about an hour away). Both rivers offer magnificent scenery as well as excellent fishing for brown and rainbow trout. At the end of the trip, which lasts approximately three hours, enjoy an asado al palo, a cookout over an open fire.
- Volcano Climbing
Snowcapped Villarrica looms majestically over Pucón at 2,840 meters (9318 feet) above sea level. The excursion begins at 7:30 a.m., when you meet with professional guides who will accompany you to the summit of the volcano.
Equipment and transportation are provided. After a four- to six-hour climb, you will be able to look into the crater of an active volcano—perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime experience! The summit offers a spectacular view, with other active volcanoes—Llaima, Choshuenco, Quetrupillán, Lanin, and Lonquimay—visible on the horizon.
End the day with a relaxing soak at a hot spring, a drink, or a well-deserved therapeutic massage.
Drink
Casinos
Bars
External links
The Local travel Board http://www.puconturismo.cl/ >