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(11) 3958-7071Araucanía Andina: Icalma Lagoon and Budi Lake
These two places offer incomparable scenery, beautiful views and an unparalleled environment. We invite you to visit them in the IX region. The Icalma Lagoon is located on the border with Argentina.
It has 890 hectares and is located inside the Galletue Lake National Reserve. It is located more than 1300 meters above sea level and its particular landscape is surrounded by granite walls, which frame its dark waters and gray beaches.
We emphasize that its waters are of glacial origin so they are transparent, but such is the depth of the lagoon that its color is dark. It is its waters together with those of Laguna Galletue that give rise to the Biobio River. There are even many legends and stories of monsters inhabiting its waters, such as that of Loch Ness in Scotland.
In its waters you can also do activities such as sport fishing, as they are the habitat of several species of fish such as rainbow and brown trout. You can also practice swimming (beginners beware, remember that its waters are deep), kayaking, boating and others.
In its surroundings there is abundant native flora, highlighting the forests of araucaria, lenga, coigues and others, so you can make other trips such as trekking, horseback riding and photography. For lodging there are equipped cabins and also a camping area. To reach Icalma Lagoon from Temuco you must travel 228 kilometers to the northeast. If you come from the Pino Hachado pass on the border with Argentina, its wonderful scenery will be the first thing that will surprise you. Another magical place in the Araucanía is Lake Budi, located in Puerto Saavedra, in the coastal sector of the IX region, where the mouth of the river of the same name is located.
It is the only salt lake in South America and is the natural habitat of diverse flora and fauna that inhabit its wetlands, especially more than 130 species of birds, such as black-necked swans. In its surroundings we find dunes, small forests, coastal paths to admire the landscape and cliffs of great beauty. But undoubtedly one of the greatest attractions of the area is the possibility of getting to know the culture of the Mapuches and Lafquenches, who open the doors of their rucas so that visitors can get to know their traditions, taste their rich gastronomy and experience their way of life in communion with nature. In the waters of Lake Budi you can practice sport fishing, especially for the presence of the huaquil - or corvina rubia - a unique fish that exists in this area. You can also sail to Llepo Island, a small island in the middle of the lake that has an interesting museum where you will find elements and handicrafts made by the Lafquenche people, as well as a cafeteria where you can taste their traditional food.
To get to Lake Budi, it is 85 kilometers from Temuco to Puerto Saavedra, and from there the road continues 30 kilometers more to Puerto Dominguez. You can get there by car or by public buses. Puerto Saavedra and Puerto Domínguez have all the necessary services for tourism. Other lodging options are camping areas and, of course, spending the night in a traditional ruca to fully experience the Mapuche and Lafchenque culture.
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