Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve

Image: puconaventura.cl
Adventure activities, recreation, action sports

    

Huilo Huilo is a private biological reserve and ecotourism destination located in the Chilean Region of Los Ríos. It lies in the town of Neltume, known for its timber tradition, on the shores of Lake Pirehueico. The area was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2007.

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

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

Montaña Magica Lodge, one of several
eco-friendly hotels within the Reserve.

Situated in the heart of the Patagonian rainforest of Chile, the reserve, with its magnificent nature as its best partner, offers many tourist programs that can be arranged, either guided or self-guided. These programs range from 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 mountains. 

And for rafting enthusiasts, there is no shortage of places to go; the Fuy River, with class III and IV rapids, offers the ideal setting for both beginners and experts. The pristine waters that flow 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 nearest airports are Pichoy Airport in Valdivia, El Tepual Airport in Puerto Montt and La Araucanía Airport in Temuco.
3. Ground transportation: You can take a bus or rent a car to get to Panguipulli, the closest town to the reserve. 

1. Route to Panguipulli: From Valdivia, take Route 5 south, then Route 203 to Panguipulli. If you're coming from Puerto Montt, head north on Route 5 and then take Route 203. Once in Panguipulli, follow the signs to the Biological Reserve, which will guide you to the entrance. 

Things to do in Huilo Huilo

A variety of tours run by local tour operators are available, as well as accommodation options: hotels, cabins, apartments and lodges in the middle of the forest. The Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the Patagonian Temperate Rainforest 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 the trails.

•  Fly fishing, learn the art of fly fishing in the pristine waters of the reserve. 

• Fishing spots: First, a one-hour drive will take you to Quilmo Lagoon, located 42 kilometers inside the reserve. Here you can catch mainly rainbow trout.

• Bird watching, observe the rich bird life 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 breathtaking 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 the Reserva Biológica de Huilo Huilo.

Andean Condor Cable Car

One of the must-do activities in Huilo Huilo is a tour with the Teleferico Condor Andino. This attraction is an exciting way to experience the natural beauty of Huilo Huilo and is a popular activity for visitors who want 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 funicular covers a distance of about 2 kilometers and connects the Hotel Montaña Magica 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.

Huilo Huilo Official Website

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