Chile: A diversity of culture and landscape that is unmatched in the world. This amazing place will dazzle the eye and move the soul. Come and journey with us in this magical land and connect with ancient traditions of all kinds.
This experience allows you to truly immerse yourself in the culture of Chile. Start your journey connecting with the local communities who have called Chile home for generations: The Mapuche. Learn of their life, spend time experiencing their daily life, and come to understand how ancient traditions and the modern world interact. You will truly come to hear deeply the story of the people, told by them, in the beautiful surroundings of Chile's mountains and forests.
From there travel North to the splendid and spellbinding Atacama Desert to learn about life in this unique landscape. Enjoy cultural immersion, time in nature, and the opportunity to feel small against the night sky.
The Mapuche are a group of indigenous inhabitants of south-central Chile and southwestern Argentina, including parts of present-day Patagonia. The range of ethnicity and background is wide-ranging with the common thread for all the disparate groups their shared rituals, economic system, history, and language which is Mapudungun.
The Mapuche traditional economy is based on agriculture; their traditional social organization consists of extended families, under the direction of a lonko, or chief. In times of war, Mapuche would unite in larger groupings and elect a toki (meaning "axe, axe-bearer") to lead them. Mapuche are known for the textiles woven by women, which have been goods for trade for centuries, since before the arrival of European explorers.
Archaeological finds have shown the existence of a Mapuche culture in Chile and Argentina as early as 600 to 500 BC. Genetically Mapuches differ from the adjacent indigenous peoples of Patagonia. This suggests a "different origin or long lasting separation of Mapuche and Patagonian populations."
The modern relationship of the Mapuche and the country, citizens, and economies of Chile is complicated. The Mapuche have been very active and vocal in fighting for their land rights and the rights of their history, culture, and way of life to be heard. In recent years both domestic and international corporate interests have sought to strip the Mapuche of their rights in order to open up commerce and extraction of resources. These conflicts can become violent at times and have erupted in mass protests in the capital city of Santiago.
Enjoy a day on your own in this vibrant city. Go to one of the parks to relax, or go to the top of San Cristobal hill for amazing views, especially at sunset time. Visit the Memorial Museum of the dictatorship if you are interested in Chilean politics, or the Pre-Columbian Museum if you are interested in the first nations of this country. As you can see, there are many options to choose from.
Overnight: Santiago
Meals: B
The next five days will be spent living in close harmony and intimate connection with the people of Quinquen. These are a loving, welcoming people who depend on the land for their survival and have much to teach about their way of life. The opportunity to connect to yourself, the people, and to something bigger than yourself are present at every turn if only you will look.
February 14th: Today you will grab a morning bus from Contulmo and head toward the valley of Lonquimay near the border with Argentina. Once in town, a transfer will take you to the Pehuenche community of Quinquen. Upon arrival, receive a warm welcome by your hosts: the people of Quinquen. The Pehuenche people are the ancient inhabitants of the high mountains in these lands. They consider the araucaria as a sacred tree, since they rely on its fruit as a main source of food. They have learned to make their living in hard winter conditions, with short summer and little space for agriculture. They are herders and forest collectors. Thus, they know the forest like no one else and they will be your guides in the following days. Enjoy a nice dinner and then go to bed in their cozy family stays.
February 15th: With Alex, the local guide, you will go into mountains and ancient forests of the community, listening to stories of how Pehuenche people have lived in these lands for so many years. On your way back, you will refill energies with a typical Pehuenche lunch, and our spirits with an unforgettable conversation with one of the Elders of the community. During the night, you will stay at local family accommodation.
February 16th: We will wake up early to do farm work: feed animals, collect chicken eggs and walk around, learning about the typical Pehuenche livelihood. Later, we will go to experience the Condores Trail. Watching the landscape conformed by Galletué Lake and Batea Mahuida Volcano is a real spectacle. With our local guide, we will hike through this light trail and enjoy the wonderful views and stories about the area. In the afternoon, we can enjoy Quinquen surrounded by the peaceful environment, walk at our own pace and if we wish, go out for a horse ride*.
*Horse ride not included. Ask us for prices and options.
February 17th: In the morning, after a proper breakfast, you will head to the Ad Mahuida Trail, which has been specially prepared to see the forest and feel the spiritual beings that dwell in these mountains. Araucaria, Lenga and Ñirre trees will be your partners through this beautiful hike. In the afternoon, you will participate in wool spinning and weaving workshop, guided by a woman of the community. The wool here is completely natural and they try to use only natural fibers for dyeing.
February 18th: As a grand finale, you will traverse through the Lifkan Mahuida Trail that will take you through Lenga tree forests and you will get a unique view of the Quinquen valley. On our way back, you will enjoy the last lunch, sharing with the family that has been your host these last days. In the afternoon, you will be transferred back to Lonquimay to walk around town. During the evening, you will get a bus back to Santiago (in comfortable reclining seats), arriving the next morning.
Chile 
