Torres del Paine National Park

Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve

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Adventure activities, recreation, action sports
    
Huilo Huilo is a private Biological Reserve and ecotourism destination in the Fourteenth Region of Los Rios, Chile. It is located in the town of Neltume, a village with a timber tradition, on the shores of Lake Pirehueico. It is part of an area declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2007. 

The scenery of the 100,000 hectares Natural Reserve is gorgeous, concentrated in the region are many of the most attractive natural areas of the South American cone. Its territory is home to endemic flora and fauna species, lakes, glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls.

Huilo Huilo is located on the south shore of Pirihueico Lake, nestled in the Andes Mountains, close to the border with Argentina. The distance to Valdivia, the regional capital, is 165 km. and to Santiago, capital of the country is 860 km. The architecture of the hotels and cottages is amazingly eco-friendly and gives the feeling of living in a fairy tale. The facilities are almost camouflaged and do not interfere at all with the ecosystem.


                                                                                                                                           
Eco-friendly hotel in Huilo Huilo, Chile
Montaña Magica Lodge, one of several
eco-friendly hotels within the Reserve.
With the magnificent nature as its best partner, the reserve, located in the heart of the Patagonian rainforest of Chile, offers many tourist programs that can be arranged, either guided or self-guided, from a gentle trekking through some of its many trails to exciting activities such as reaching the summit of the twin volcanoes Mocho-Choshuenco, enjoying an incomparable view of the surroundings, or practicing sports related to snow and the mountain. 

And for Rafting enthusiasts there is no shortage of places, the Fuy river with rapids class III and IV provides the ideal setting for both beginners and experts. The pristine waters flowing from the Andes Mountains give rise to a variety of rivers and lakes where enthusiasts can practice recreational fishing, tours are available all year round.

 


How to get to Huilo Huilo

1) Flight to Santiago: If you are coming from abroad, the most common way is to fly into Santiago's Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport.
2) Nearby airports: The closest airports are Pichoy International Airport in Valdivia, El Tepual International Airport in Puerto Montt and La Araucanía International Airport in Temuco.
3) Ground transportation: You can take a bus or rent a car to get to Panguipulli, the nearest town to the reserve. 
4) Route to Panguipulli: From Valdivia, take Route 5 south and then Route 203 to Panguipulli. If you are coming from Puerto Montt, take Route 5 north and then Route 203. Once in Panguipulli, follow the signs to the Biological Reserve. There is adequate signage to guide you to the entrance. 


Things to do in Huilo Huilo

A variety of tours run by local tourism operators are available, as well as accommodation options: hotels, cabins, apartments and shelters in the middle of the forest. Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the Patagonian Temperate Wet Forest and the surrounding Andes Mountains. Some of the activities you can participate in include:

* Excursions and daily trips, explore the reserve with guided tours and daily excursions. The reserve has 250 km (156 miles) of trails and routes along hundreds of tree species, allowing you to discover untouched places, river sources, springs and lakes, bird habitats and native wildlife species. 
* Hiking, discover the diverse flora and fauna of the forest by hiking through the trails.
* Fly fishing, learn the art of fly fishing in the reserve's pristine waters. 
* Fishing spots: First, in a one-hour trip, you will reach Quilmo Lagoon, located 42 kilometers inside the reserve. Here you will catch mainly rainbow trout.
* Birdwatching, observe the rich birdlife of the region.
* Learning with local communities, engage with the local communities and learn about their culture and traditions.
* Zip lining, experience the thrill of zip lining through the forest canopy.
* Horseback riding, explore the reserve on horseback, taking in the stunning views.
* Groups and events, Huilo Huilo is an ideal location for educational trips, study tours, and corporate events.

These activities allow visitors to immerse themselves in nature, relax, and enjoy the unique experience of Reserva Biológica de Huilo Huilo.

Andean Condor Cable Car

One of the unmissable activities in Huilo Huilo is to take a tour with the Teleférico Cóndor Andino. This attraction is an exciting way to experience the natural beauty of Huilo Huilo and is a popular activity for visitors wishing to explore the stunning nature of the region. The reserve is known for its biodiversity and natural beauty, and the cable car offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the area.

The cable car runs a distance of approximately 2 kilometers and connects the Hotel Montaña Mágica with the Mirador Neltume, allowing tourists to admire the landscape of forests, lakes and mountains from the heights. It also offers the possibility of observing the majestic presence of the Choshuenco Volcano.


Nearby cities and location:

Valdivia 165 Km.
Puerto Montt 306 Km.
Osorno 203 Km.
Temuco 190 Km.
San Carlos de Bariloche (Argentina) 220 Km.
 
Location

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