Araucanía Andina

What to do this season

Spring

Waterfalls at their fullest, digüeñe on the oak trees and the Cunco Digüeñe Festival in October.

Summer

Lakes, hiking and camping in Conguillío: January and February are the busiest months on this site.

Autumn

Monkey puzzle pine nuts in March and April, autumn colours and hot springs for the cold.

Winter

Snow and skiing at Corralco and Las Araucarias, and snowshoeing among monkey puzzle trees.

Araucanía Andina at a glance

The Araucanía Andina is a travel circuit of five districts in the foothills and mountains of the Araucanía Region, in southern Chile: Curacautín, Lonquimay, Melipeuco, Cunco and Vilcún. In addition, it brings together volcanoes such as Llaima and Lonquimay, monkey puzzle forests, Conguillío National Park, hot springs, ski resorts and the Pino Hachado and Icalma border crossings to Argentina. This travel guide, for its part, has been online since 2016.

Data from the pages of this site, each with its sources. Updated on October 10, 2026.

Region: Araucanía, southern Chile
Districts: Curacautín, Lonquimay, Melipeuco, Cunco and Vilcún
From Temuco: Vilcún ≈42 km · Cunco ≈60 km · Curacautín 84 km
Volcanoes: Llaima (3,125 m), Lonquimay, Tolhuaca and Sierra Nevada
Hot springs: Malleco, Manzanar, Malalcahuello and Cañón del Blanco
Snow: Corralco, Las Araucarias and Los Arenales
Protected areas: Conguillío and Tolhuaca national parks, Malalcahuello and China Muerta reserves
Border crossings: Pino Hachado and Icalma

Seasonal highlights

Five districts, one circuit

Discover a beautiful route full of adventures and attractions, with majestic volcanoes and ancient monkey puzzle trees. The districts of Curacautín, Lonquimay, Melipeuco, Cunco and Vilcún are waiting for you.

Curacautín

Hot springs, waterfalls and the northern gateway to Conguillío National Park.
Lonquimay

Monkey puzzle trees, a volcano and snow beyond the Las Raíces tunnel.
Melipeuco

China Muerta National Reserve and the southern access to Conguillío.
Cunco

Lakes, the Allipén river and the Digüeñe Festival in October.
Vilcún

Llaima volcano and the Los Paraguas sector of Conguillío.

Places to visit in the Araucanía Andina

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Hotel Termas Malalcahuello

Map of attractions in the Araucanía Andina

All 43 attractions of the circuit on one map: tap a point to open its page.

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See the list of all 43 attractions

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Coordinates with sources (OpenStreetMap and Wikidata), checked on October 7 and 8, 2026; Laguna Escondida and Laguna Chica de Icalma still to be confirmed on site.

Things to do in the Araucanía Andina

Digüeñe: what it is, when it grows and where to try it

Hiking trails

Lonquimay in winter: snow adventures

Camping in Conguillío: where to pitch your tent

Hot springs in the Araucanía Andina

Compare prices and day passes

Where to stay in the Araucanía Andina

Tour operators

Where to eat

Restaurants and cafés in Malalcahuello and nearby.

News and events

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Country fairs

3rd Lago Galletué Country Fair

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Monkey puzzle pine nuts: season, how to eat them and where to find them

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Araucanía Andina FAQ

What is the Araucanía Andina?

A travel circuit of five districts in the foothills and mountains of the Araucanía Region, southern Chile: Curacautín, Lonquimay, Melipeuco, Cunco and Vilcún, with volcanoes, monkey puzzle trees, hot springs and ski resorts.

What to do in the Araucanía Andina?

Visit Conguillío National Park, soak in hot springs such as Malleco or Manzanar, see waterfalls like Salto de la Princesa, hike among monkey puzzle trees, ski at Corralco and try digüeñe and pine nuts at local festivals.

How to get to the Araucanía Andina?

From Temuco: Curacautín is 84 km away via Lautaro; Cunco about 60 km, on the way to Melipeuco; and Vilcún about 42 km. Route CH-181 crosses the circuit towards Lonquimay and the Pino Hachado pass.

When to visit the Araucanía Andina?

All year round: snow and skiing in winter; fuller waterfalls and the digüeñe season in spring; lakes, hiking and camping in summer; pine nuts and autumn colours in fall.

Where to stay in the Araucanía Andina?

There are cabins, lodges, hostels and hot spring hotels in Curacautín, Malalcahuello, Lonquimay and Melipeuco. You can book lodging online with secure payment on this site.