Tours and Activities:
Hot Spring Paradise
Karina Jozami Karina JozamiWe went around Liquiñe and Coñaripe, districts of the community of Panguipulli, which concentrate the greatest richness of hot spring waters in the South of Chile.
We left from Panguipulli towards Liquiñe, 55 km away, along a consolidated rubble mountain road. We passed by the artificial Pullinque Lagoon and continued bordering the slopes upholstered in vegetation –typical Valdivian forest. We came across a rural bus that joins Coñaripe and Panguipulli along the same route everyday. Taking this bus is a different experience that gets us closer to the small sown fields of the agricultural estates.
As soon as we got to the Route 20 crossing, we turned into the Guido Beck Rambergue Street, the central avenue of Coñaripe, in order to taste the delicacies of Elizabeth’s bakery. The fruit kuchen is their specialty and it was the great protagonist of last season, when they made a giant 54-meter pie in Coñaripe, everything under Elizabeth’s directions.
<3_Der>We continued our way, furnished with delicious supplies, and crossed the Llancahue River which ends in Lake Pellaifa. Before visiting this water mirror, we went down the Los Añiques slope, a beautiful natural green gallery that plays with bends until the lake surprises us.
We arrived in Liquiñe, a privileged nook which, along with Coñaripe, concentrates over 30% of all Chilean hot springs.
The high level of volcanic activity and the Liquiñe-Ofqui fault, which spreads parallel to the mountain range from the Llaima Volcano up to the Hudson Volcano, are the main cause for this hot spring area. Rain and melted snow filter through the cracks and reach the underground lagoons of the fire range, thus raising the temperature of the waters and their mineral properties.
The thirteen hot spring resorts of Coñaripe and Liquiñe represent the largest hot spring resort in Chile. Their diverse facilities and services offer all the natural charm and therapeutic qualities of their waters. You only have to choose between a spa or a natural well in order to relax.
With the idea of visiting the various proposals, we set out into this small hot spring tour.
Relaxation in Nature
We passed by Liquiñe and continued 7 km more along a road that borders the mountain range up to the Carranco hot springs. These springs have phosphorated waters with an average temperature of 35°C. The small and rustic resort has 2 pools and a natural steam bath surrounded by leafy vegetation. A good proposal for camping and enjoying the hot springs benefits, it offers 30 lots for tents and an ancient restored forest house with 6 rooms.
During the summer season, watsu instructors frequent the resort in order to offer this hot spring therapy which is gaining more and more followers.
Family Nook
We went back up to the Liquiñe Bridge junction and went along one more kilometer in order to reach the Manquecura hot springs. This family undertaking, managed by Alberto Manquecura, was one of the first resorts in the area. In the middle of refurbishment works, next season will offer a new pool that will join the other two, the showers and the hot spring mud area.
Every summer, over 200 people attend Manquecura, which has a capacity of 16 cabins and 25 camping sites.
On the Shores of the Aihué
In Coñaripe, inside the Villarrica National Park and in the area known as Los cajones, stand the Vergara hot springs. To reach this place, the Llancahue River must be crossed, where rafting and fly-fishing are practiced. Also, some parts of the Chile path must be crossed: a project to hike across to the trans-Andean country.
The Vergaras resolved to abandon the forest activities in order to try the hot springs business. On the border of the Aihué River, visitors can enjoy three outdoor hot spring pools and one indoor pool. Furthermore, wooden baths conditioned at a 45-degree temperature are also offered.
Magic in the Environment
One kilometer farther, passing by the Vergara hot springs, lie the Geométricas hot springs. At 1,000 meters of height, this resort is located over the Aihué River course, which goes down the ravine.
The footbridges get deep into the mountain and gradually discover 26 pools to each side, out of which only 17 are used for bathing. The rest, which waters reach an average temperature of 86°, regulate the temperature of the other pools by means of a gate system. Thus, the water is purely thermal because it is only cooled by the environment.
The buildings are in perfect harmony with the environment. The quiet and relaxed atmosphere changes when it starts to get dark and the 300 candles surrounding the pools are lit to illuminate the entire place. Only the magic of the summer nights in the mountain and the hot springs is to be imagined while looking at the stars.
Contact
Termas Geométricas
Cel: +56 974771708
Carranco
Tel: +56 63-1973633
Manquecura
Tel: +56 63-1971699
Vergara
Cel: +56 932379185
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