VOLCANOES and ARAUCARIAS...
(South CHILI)
Tolhuaca

(New trip to the South of Chile - December 3 to 31, 2012)
(see here our 2008 trip)

(See map and practical information here)

Araucarias on background of Llaima volcano (as seen from Parque Nacional Nahuelbuta)

"Región de la Araucania", "Región de los Rios", "Región de los Lagos"... not easy to understand, as seen from abroad...
Shouldn't we speak of the "región de los Volcanoes y Araucarias" ?

 

 

 

 

But let's start at the beginning of the trip : Santiago.

The weather is already pretty hot, at this time of spring...

And jacarandas are in full bloom !

 

 

  

The city of Temuco will be the starting point of our exploration of Araucania, where the Mapuche Indians live.

It looks as if a good electrical engineer would easily find a job in this city...
(as in almost every town in Chile, as a matter of fact...)

 

 

 

  

The campground in the Parque Nacional de Tolhuaca
is a true dream place...

Rather quiet, no ?
We were alone...

 

A paradise for fishermen (and birds as well), the laguna Malleco

 


The very impressive Salto Malleco is our first objective

 

 

The beautiful walk to the Lagunillas takes us to our first araucarias, and to our first volcanoes
(the Callaqui - 3100 m)

Laguna Malleco, from the viewpoint.

Not a single building in sight : this is a National Park.

 


Three volcanoes in sight !
The Tolhuaca (2800 m), the Lonquimay (in the clouds - 2900 m) and the awesome Llaima (3100 m - still active)

 

In the spring, the notros are in full bloom.
At this latitude, they are trees,
(whether in Patagonia, they are only bushes)

The desmaria mutabilis (quinta amarillo)
light up the woods.
They grow on trees, and enlighten them (Christmas is coming !).

 

A few practical informations

Cont'd... Page 2 (Conguillio)