Conguillío National Park: Land of Dinosaurs in Chile

If you are a nature lover and plan to travel to the IX Region, you simply cannot miss a visit to the Conguillío National Park, located approximately 140 kilometers northeast of Temuco. There are more than 60 thousand hectares to explore, where you will find a natural beauty rarely seen. The landscape of Conguillío is so spectacular and special that the BBC used the location to film the chapter "Death of a Dynasty", part of the documentary "Walking with Dinosaurs", as it is one of the last places in the world where you can see a landscape similar to the one that existed in the Upper Cretaceous.

So that you don't miss any of its attractions, here is a list of activities you can do in this park and feel like you are in prehistoric times.

Llaima Volcano: It is part of the Conguillío National Park and on its western slope is located the ski resort Las Araucarias. According to Mapuche mythology, it would be a sacred place where a "pillán" or sacred spirit would live. It is one of the most active volcanoes in southern Chile. On its western slope is the Araucarias Ski Center, surrounded by a forest of ancient araucaria trees and breathtaking landscapes. On this slope you can also make ascents, considering carrying high mountain equipment throughout the year. The ascent takes approximately three hours.

Sierra Nevada Trail: The Conguillío Park has six trails, the most spectacular of which is Sierra Nevada, with 10 kilometers of extension and reaching more than 2500 meters of altitude. It is a 4-hour hike, where you can observe araucaria forests, glacier dehelos, temperate forests and views of the Llaima volcano and Lake Conguillío in its two viewpoints, one at 1000 meters above sea level and the other at 1300 meters above sea level. The third and fourth viewpoints offer a panoramic view of the entire park, the sectors of Laguna Verde and Valle de la Luna and the volcanic landscape surrounding the park, which despite being at high altitude has a mountain garden vegetation, providing a unique spectacle in the world.

1. Los Carpinteros Excursion Trail: 5 kilometers long. This route reaches the Captrén lagoon, where we can find great biodiversity of birds; and also pass through native forest with specimens such as the "Araucaria Madre", with a trunk of two meters in diameter.
2. Las Araucarias Trail: It is a self-guided trail, with explanations on 12 panels that show the plant and animal species that can be found in its one-hour tour.
3. Cerro Colorado Trail: This is another educational trail that crosses the western slope of the Llaima Volcano, where you can see the volcanic scenery and part of the central valley of the park.
4. Cañadón del Truful-Truful Trail: Here you can learn about the impressive geological history of the area and also find the Verde Lagoon.

Important facts: To get to Conguillío Park, there are several alternatives. It is located a little more than 140 kilometers from Temuco, so you can reach that city by bus or car through Route 5 South, or by plane to La Araucanía International Airport, 20 kilometers south of Temuco. Another option is to go to Melipeuco, located 96 kilometers from Temuco and only 10 minutes away from the entrance to Conguillío Park. Curacautín is 34 kilometers from the Captrén nursery. There are also public transportation buses that run from Curacautín to Captrén, which is the northern entrance to Conguillío Park. There are also buses that leave from Temuco. The roads are in good condition and only during the snowy season is the use of specialized vehicles and chains recommended.

Infrastructure: Conguillío Park has excellent facilities with restrooms, daycare centers and control booths, picnic areas, mini-market areas to buy food, the Las Araucarias ski center, boat rentals, and first aid areas. As for lodging, the park has complete cabins for up to 7 people and also camping areas with showers, tables, grills and hot water.

Recommendations: Because of its particular geography and altitude, you need certain equipment before staying in Conguillío Park. Use appropriate footwear -boots or boots- since the terrain is mostly volcanic and if you only use sandals you will get hurt. If you want to hike the Sierra Nevada trail, we recommend appropriate warm clothing such as a parka, fleece, windbreaker and hat. Don't forget to bring water for hydration, sunscreen and sunglasses. It is best to visit the area during spring and summer. Snow lovers can not miss it in winter and enjoy the ski center Las Araucarias. The entrance fee in high season for adults is $4000 and $6000 for foreigners (6 and 9 dollars, respectively) Conguillío Park is located in the Andean Araucanía. In this area you will find an important influence of the Mapuche culture, it is a great opportunity to learn about their roots and get into one of the most attractive and unique landscapes of our country.