You are in: Home: Activities

Alto Huemul oak forest reserve

Day 1. Arrive at Tumuñan lodge in the afternoon/evening. Enjoy the nature trails on the property, the pool and hot-tub, followed by a cocktails, and a 3 course dinner accompanied with fine wine

Day 2. Breakfast, then prepare for an overnight riding/hiking adventure in the Andes. We drive a winding mountain trail that leads us up into an ancient oak forest. Huge, two hundred year old trees tower above usand on our left, the Rio Claro cascades and tumbles down a deep canyon. After an hour and a half, we reach an area of rustic wooden seats and tables, situated underneath a canopy of green with a clear stream running by. This idyllic spot will be our campsite. Here we meet our guide and mount the horses, taking a narrow trail which continues through the forest, but as we gain altitude, the trees become thinner and vegetation sparser. Then, suddenly, we are beyond the tree line and the immensity of our surroundings become apparent. Snow capped peaks, glaciers and volcanoes can be seen in the distance, and behind and below us the Huemul oak forest, the most northerly in South America, stretches for miles and miles.

We are likely to see Andean condors, sometimes they are so close it is possible to hear the wind whistling through their flight feathers.

Before lunch at the lake, we reach the top of the mountain, Cerro Alto de la Plaza, where, on a clear day, it is possible to see San Fernando, and beyond, all the way on to the Pacific Ocean.

A picnic lunch is eaten by the clear waters of Lago Guzman, after which we make our way back to the campsite

In the evening we enjoy grilled meat and wine around the campfire, then retire to comfortable tents supplied with air mattresses.

Day 3. A breakfast of steaming coffee, eggs and bacon around the campfire, After which we make our way down into the Rio Claro canyon to a waterfall and pool perfect for fishing or a refreshing plunge, or just relax in the forest and enjoy the sound of the breeze rustling in the leaves and the distant cry of eagles. A picnic lunch, then back to Tumuñan lodge for coffee and hot showers.

Note. similar journeys over shorter periods are available

Maximum 6 people (includes 1 night in Tumuñan lodge, 1 night camping, all food, wine soft drinks, tents, horses, English speaking guide, and transfers to and from Santiago).

Price USD$307 ($171,000 pesos Ch. per person)