Estancias and Ebikes Tour Patagonia. Copyright: OutdoorsTV/Chile Nativo
I just returned from an epic bike tour in southern Chile: Estancias & Ebikes in Patagonia.
I was invited to test a new e-mtb tour with one of our key partners in Patagonia. After two years of planning and designing the perfect bicycle tour in Patagonia, we finally were able to put it to a test.
One of the biggest challenges of cycling in Patagonia is the weather, especially considering the windy conditions that can at times reach up to 60 mph gusts in the summer months (mid-December to early March). We made several previous attempts and learnt our lessons the hard way. So, along with my friend Gonzalo “Pampa” Fuenzalida, an expert outfitter in Patagonia, having studied every corner of the map and knowing the key vendors throughout Ultima Esperanza province, (as well as my expertise in bicycle tourism), we were eager to finally hit the backroads on brand new electric hard-tail mountain bikes.
Cristian and Gonzalo in Patagonia. Copyright: OutdoorsTV/Chile Nativo
The plan was to put together a bike tour that not only will include the amazing landscapes of Patagonia, but also the fantastic cultural aspects of its many Estancias, which are the cattle ranches that still operate in the surroundings of Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park. Gonzalo has been working with the “estancieros” (ranch owners) to become a tourist attraction without losing their cultural roots, and he certainly did a wonderful job.
In 2001, Gonzalo started his company focusing on his #1 passion, horseback riding, and this ebike tour follows the same routes made by horseback. Even the first European explorers such as Lady Florence Dixie and William Greenwood rode in awe of the wilderness of Patagonia, so there is a strong historical heritage on every pedal stroke we took.
During 7 days, we ebiked 215km (133 miles) and stayed in comfortable Estancia guest houses, all simple and very cozy, located in front of jaw-opening natural settings. This well-supported and guided bicycle tour included a private chef that cooked all our meals and snacks. I didn’t feel guilty about all those extra calories, as biking on ebikes is still an active sport; you need to push through and get your heartbeat going since this pedal-assisted bikes will only work if you keep pedaling.
Estancias and Ebikes Tour Patagonia. Copyright: OutdoorsTV/Chile Nativo
Bicycle Tourism, the smart way
The one thing I love the most about bicycle tourism is that I consider it the smart way to travel and discover a new (or already familiar) destination. While travelling on your saddle, you can cover long distances (between 40km and 100km per day) and take-in all the elements that are surrounding you. You can enjoy the views, hear the sound of nature (animals, wind, rivers, bugs, etc.) and smell all the aromas (good and bad alike). You are completely immersed in the landscape, and only after you experience an adventure like this, you realize how much you miss out when you are in a car or van.
The most fabulous part? You start your morning by biking from one hotel to the next one, and as such you can stay active all day. That way, in the evening you can eat amazing local food and indulge in local wine and beer to your heart’s content, turning your weight watch app on airplane mode with the knowledge that you’ll burn off all those hard-earned calories with tomorrow’s ride.
Cristian and Gonzalo testing gravel ebikes in Chile.
The magic of pedal-assisted electric bikes
All things considered, I’m a pretty average cycling enthusiast, I’m in my mid-forties, I don’t train, and you will never see me taking part in a bike race. That said, I genuinely love biking and try to do it as much as possible. I feel so lucky that biking tours are part of my job, and I take each and every opportunity to get on a bike.
In 2018 I started experimenting with electric bikes. It was with my friend Gonzalo that we took a self-guided bicycle tour in Italy, with the twist of including ebikes as part of the experience. That trip really blew my mind. I couldn’t believe how pedal-assisted bikes worked. You sweat and your heart beat faster, but on the hills or windy sections, you just press the button to sport or turbo mode and you are flying uphill at 25 or 30km/h.
You can keep all the fun and take the pain you put into your body out of this equation of happiness – no more pain or suffering and just fun and joyous biking. I used to take painkillers and muscle rub cream for my knees after every ride. I was sore, tired and happy with a feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day, and now with the ebikes I’m still so very happy but can forget about my aching joints. The Estancias and Ebike tour in Patagonia was no exception; just as much fun, and without the pain.
Gonzalo and Cristian in Italy, first time on ebikes.
Ebike tours in Chile
At Amity Tours we are convinced electric bikes will bring in more and more people into bicycle tourism. Knowing that a pedal-assisted bicycle is available on all our tours will take away all your fears. You’ll definitely won’t be at the tail of the group, and those hilly roads will not be an excuse to skip the “book now” button. That’s why we have partnered with Specialized bicycles and now we offer the most modern bike fleet for your next bike tour in Chile, with both analog and electric bike options.
Así como Violeta Parra le canta a la Vida, yo puedo cantarle a la bicicleta “que me ha dado tanto”.
No me considero ni cerca un ciclista, pero llevo casi dos décadas viviendo de este deporte maravilloso. En la forma de tours de cicloturismo, en Amity Tours me ha tocado vivir momentos inolvidables, realmente épicos, todo gracias al mountain bike.
Aquí te voy a contar tres historias que vale la pena recordar e inmortalizar en este blog de mtb tours en Chile, específicamente en el Destino Lagos & Volcanes. Todas tienen un denominador común: están relacionadas a marcas líderes de la industria del mountain bike mundial, todas ocurren entre volcanes y araucarias, e involucran a un grupo humano de riders de lujo. Y lo que se me pide es siempre lo mismo: una experiencia inolvidable en mtb, extraordinaria, memorable, épica.
Comencemos diciendo que en estas tres historias los personajes se repiten: Euan Wilson y Ernesto Araneda.
El equipo de Amity Tours y H&I Adventures, Paso Desolación, PN Vicente Pérez (Ernesto der. y Euan izq.).
Euan es un escocés experto en viajes en mountain bike. Literalmente ha recorrido todo el mundo a la cabeza de su empresa H&I Adventures, diseñando y guiando tours de mtb para fanáticos y expertos. En 2015 lo invitamos a conocer Chile y se enamoró en un día del país, de la gente y del terreno que hay para andar en mtb.
Ernesto, por su parte, es un destacado atleta nacional, oriundo de Temuco, multicampeón nacional de XC, vice campeón panamericano de MTB XC y medallista en el mundial de mtb cross-country. Además de ser un atleta de elite, Ernesto se especializó en turismo aventura y lleva más de una década guiando tours de mtb y ruta en Chile y Europa.
Con estos dos personajes me ha tocado vivir estas tres aventuras que llamaremos: YETI TRIBE, TRAIL HUNTER y EVOC SPORTS.
1. YETI TRIBE
Seguramente has escuchado hablar de las bicicletas Yeti, una mountain bike de alta gama diseñada en el estado de Colorado, Estados Unidos.
Euan llevaba trabajando con ellos por un buen tiempo, específicamente en uno de los eventos más importantes de la marca: “el viaje de la tribu”, o en inglés “Yeti Tribe”. Es marzo 2016, cuando recibo una llamada de Euan que me dice: “get ready Cristián, the tribe is coming to Chile weón”.
El grupo del Yeti Tribe en Chile, base centro de ski Pucón.
El Tribe de Yeti es un viaje anual que organizan los dueños de la marca Yeti: Mr. Conroy y Mr. Hoogendoorn. Dos gringos con pinta de hippie, pero ultra exigentes con el destino, pues también han recorrido los mejores senderos del mundo en mtb. A este Tribe, solo pueden venir personas que sean dueñas de una bicicleta Yeti y que sean lo suficientemente fit para llevarle el ritmo a los dueños de la marca.
Si vas a bajar disfrutando un sendero, debes ganártelo después de subirlo. Camino antiguo refugio centro de ski.
El Tribe ya había pasado por Escocia, Colorado y Nepal, por lo que la vara que se nos imponía era muy alta. De todas maneras, estábamos confiados en lo que Chile tiene para ofrecer, así que sólo nos dedicamos a dejar afinada la logística, ver que los hoteles del tour estaban bien, y preparar alguna que otra sorpresa para estos viajeros experimentados del mtb enduro.
Dentro de los invitados VIP del Tribe – además de los dueños – estaban dos personajes de la industria, Berne Broudy y Joey Schusler. La primera una escritora especialista en viajes en bicicleta, y el segundo un ex rider dedicado a la filmación y fotografía de aventura.
Ernesto liderando al grupo en la base del centro de ski Pucón, ingresando a sendero Lengas.
El itinerario del Yeti Tribe es muy similar a los tours de mtb que ya hacemos, que combina senderos en volcanes, bosques de araucarias, termas naturales y conocer la cultura local. Para esa ocasión, y junto a 20 gringos simpáticos, partimos en Pucón, con varios rides por los senderos en torno al Volcán Villarrica, nos tiramos un piquero en las termas Geométricas, probamos merkén y jugamos palin con los Mapuche, recorrimos Huilo-Huilo, pedaleamos en el centro de ski Antillanca y terminamos cruzando el paso Desolación junto al Volcán Osorno. Aquí puedes ver las mejores fotos de ese viaje: Yeti Tribe Chile
El Tribe jugando Palin en la casa de la familia Colipi en Pucón.
Mi recompensa fue escuchar de los dueños de Yeti dos cosas: 1) sus felicitaciones por un tour con un servicio impecable, que los hizo volver después con sus familias, y 2) que a pesar de haber estado pedaleando en tantas partes increíbles del mundo, Chile los había dejado impresionados por su belleza natural y por las condiciones ideales que tiene para andar en mountain bike.
Después de hacer la ruta transvolcánica por el PN Villarrica, llegamos a las termas Geométricas.
Estamos a mediados de Enero 2017, el Tribe ya había sido todo un éxito, y una nueva aventura se nos aproxima.
Esta vez, Euan lleva un buen tiempo hablando con su amigo Dan Milner, un súper conocido escritor y fotógrafo inglés, famoso por sus fotografías de naturaleza y aventura. Dan había cruzado de Pucón a Junín de Los Andes hacía ya 30 años, y había quedado impresionado con el paisaje que se tiene del volcán Lanín y de los bosques milenarios de araucarias.
Euan conocía también a Matt Hunter, un rider profesional de Canadá, que bajo el auspicio de las bicicletas Specialized, tiene un programa en Youtube llamado Trail Hunter. En este canal, muestran sus videos de aventura en mtb por todo el mundo, y Matt andaba en búsqueda de un nuevo destino para su canal. Con esa conjunción de astros, Euan une los cabos sueltos y llama a sus amigos para que vengan a Chile a recorrer el destino Lagos y Volcanes en mtb.
A este grupo se le suman dos riders profesionales más, ambos auspiciados por RedBull: Matty Miles de Canadá y el suizo René Wildhaber.
Sin embargo, justo en Chile estábamos viviendo uno de los incendios forestales más brutales del último siglo, con focos por todo el país, pero los más intensos y destructivos en las regiones de O’Higgins, el Maule y del Biobío. Con ello, gran parte de los parques nacionales estaban cerrados por orden de la CONAF, y en nuestro destino todos estaban en alerta roja (sin incendios, pero cerrados).
Euan había regresado a Pucón el 23 de enero y no podía creer lo que salía en las noticias, un desastre natural de grandes proporciones y los parques nacionales cerrados. Todos los preparativos estaban listos, y los riders ya tenían sus pasajes a Chile. Fue en ese escenario cuando entre todos decidimos seguir con lo planificado y esperar un milagro. Los distintos focos de incendio tuvieron una extensión gigante, provocadas por una alta velocidad del viento y unas olas de calor inéditas. El 26 de enero de 2017, se registró la temperatura máxima de la historia de Chile: 44,9°C en Quillón.
Es el 31 de enero, 7am y los riders extranjeros han arribado a Santiago desde distintos rincones del mundo, nos mandan un texto diciendo que está todo bien y que esperan aterrizar en Temuco por la tarde. Con Euan y Ernesto salimos al patio a tomar aire fresco junto a nuestro tazón de café, y al mirar al volcán Villarrica y verlo “con sombrero” se nos dibuja una sonrisa y creemos que ocurrirá el milagro.
Cuando nubes lenticulares se forman junto a la cima del volcán (en forma de gorro), es casi seguro que en Pucón lloverá en las próximas 12 horas. Y así ocurrió. Al momento de llegar los riders a nuestro centro de operaciones en Pucón ya ha comenzado a llover, y con Ernesto sabemos que esto es una muy buena noticia. Les damos la bienvenida con el clásico asado de cordero al palo y les contamos todos los planes que tenemos para los siguientes días.
A la mañana siguiente continúa la lluvia, y escuchamos por la radio que CONAF ha levantado la restricción en los parques de La Araucanía y Los Ríos. Tenemos LUZ VERDE para nuestra aventura.
Subimos nuestro equipo a las 4×4 y salimos rumbo al volcán Lanín. Una fina lluvia de verano crea una cortina densa que impide que nuestros amigos puedan apreciar el paisaje. Nosotros sabemos lo que está detrás de ese manto gris, pero preferimos guardar silencio y concentrarnos en el armado de nuestro campamento base-1, ubicado en un punto secreto a los pies del Lanín y protegidos por un bosque de gigantescas araucarias.
Dan y los dos Matt se concentran en organizar y chequear su equipo audiovisual, René, Ernesto y Euan preparan las bicicletas para dejarlas a punto, y a mi con José nos toca sorprender al grupo con un rico risotto de cena y música de fondo (esa misma que escuchas al inicio del video del Trail Hunter en Chile). La lluvia no ha parado, y eso nos tranquiliza mucho, pues reduce el peligro de incendio y así los parques se mantendrán abiertos. (José es el multifacético que toca el Hang en el video)
A la mañana siguiente, la ansiedad me despierta al alba y al salir de la carpa no puedo evitar decir un WOW que despierta a todos. Si bien este paisaje es familiar para mí, verlo a primera luz del día, con el imponente volcán Lanín cubierto de una fina capa de nieve me deja boquiabierto. Las carpas y bicicletas también están blancas, con una capa de escarcha que comienza a irse rápidamente a medida que vemos los primeros rayos del sol al amanecer.
Nuestro campamento base-1 en las faldas del volcán Lanín a 1.200m de altitud.
Ciabatta con huevos de campo, tocino y palta, bowl de frutas y un buen café de grano es el menú del primer “desayuno de campeones” que producimos con José. El aire está frío para ser una mañana de febrero, pero estamos en la montaña a 1.200 metros de altitud. El cielo no tiene ni una nube y el suelo humea a medida que el sol lo calienta y evapora la lluvia de la noche anterior.
Ernesto vaticina un día perfecto para andar en mountain bike, pues se levantará muy poco polvo y tendrán un grip ideal en el sendero. Como buen guía, reúne al grupo en torno a la cafetera y comienza con su charla técnica para el día que se nos viene.
Así pasamos los próximos cinco días, filmando, fotografiando, asombrándonos y pedaleando en las mtb, teniendo como telón de fondo a los volcanes Lanín, Quetrupillán y Villarrica. Recuerdo que Matt Hunter una tarde se emociona y nos dice: “no puedo creer que existan lugares así en la tierra y que se puedan recorrer en mtb; primero estás en medio de un bosque milenario con distintos tonos de verde, y después pasas por un terreno sacado de la película Lord of the Rings, con valles gigantes cubiertos de lava de antiguas erupciones”.
El resultado habla por si mismo, y aquí lo puedes ver:
3. EVOC SPORTS
Cuando conocí a Euan le vi usando muchos accesorios de la marca EVOC. No me tomó mucho tiempo comprender que son una marca muy innovadora, con productos muy bien pensados y de excelente calidad. Y con el antecedente de las otras marcas que ya habíamos atendido en Chile, asumí que era otra marca de Estados Unidos.
Una de nuestras camionetas cargada al máximo camino al volcán Tolhuaca.
Después de otro exitoso tour de mtb que hicimos en Chile para clientes de Euan, él me comenta que lleva tiempo hablando con los dueños de EVOC, persuadiéndolos para que vengan al destino Lagos y Volcanes de Chile. Y me envía un correo de un tal Holger Feist que le pide a Euan una locación que tenga un terreno volcánico y un árbol milenario que había visto hace unos años en Argentina en un viaje de ski (refiriéndose a la Araucaria araucana). Los directores de EVOC buscaban un paisaje único para ser de fondo del catálogo 2019 de los productos nuevos de la marca, que serían expuestos como primicia en la feria EuroBike (la más importante del mundo en la industria).
Euan no quería repetir las misma locaciones que ya habíamos utilizado para asombrar a Yeti y Specialized, y con toda tranquilidad le dije que no se preocupe, porque esta vez con Ernesto teníamos en mente concentrarnos en el Geoparque Kütralkura, un territorio con sello UNESCO, lleno de volcanes y bosques de araucarias ubicado en la punta norte del destino Lagos y Volcanes.
Sabiendo ya qué buscan este tipo de marcas y que siempre traen a un team impresionante de expertos audiovisuales y riders, el itinerario que creamos incluía lugares como: Laguna Blanca y volcán Tolhuaca, Cañón del Blanco y Sierra Nevada, volcán Lonquimay y Cordillera Las Raíces, Quinquén y lago Galletue, lago Conguillío y volcán Llaima, y como guinda final a Pucón y el volcán Villarrica. Todo esto combinado con termas, geiser, cabalgata, comunidad Pewenche, y una mezcla de hoteles pitucos, lodge de montaña y camping.
Jan Sallawitz de EVOC Sports probando el sendero junto a la laguna Blanca y volcán Tolhuaca.
Es el 1 de diciembre de 2018 y en el aeropuerto de Temuco es fácil identificar quienes serán nuestros mejores amigos por los próximos días. Son 5 gringos con gorra, polera, mochila y maletas EVOC. Los primeros en salir son Sebastian Bender y Benedikt Ruf, que por su equipo deducimos que son los expertos en audiovisual. Después sale Jan, Holger y Bernd (estos dos últimos los fundadores de la compañía). Junto a Ernesto y Euan les damos la bienvenida a La Araucanía y nos distribuimos rápidamente en nuestras dos camionetas, no sin antes hacer la primera sesión de fotos con las maletas Evoc World Traveler en el frontis del aeropuerto (las puedes ver en el catálogo).
Maletas EVOC en el Aeropuerto de La Araucanía
Nuestra primera parada es en Curacautín, donde pasaremos una noche para hacer las últimas compras y distribuir la gran cantidad de equipo y accesorios que han traído a Chile para probarlos en terreno. Uno de los accesorios EVOC que no tenemos permiso de fotografiar son los de bikepacking (por temas de secreto industrial), que serán la novedad de la marca para la feria Eurobike.
Y es en esta primera conversa-reunión con una cerveza Lonquimay en la mano que noto un acento extraño en los cinco extranjeros. Su inglés no es nativo, y yo sin rodeos les pregunto: ¿no son ustedes de USA? Los cinco sueltan la risa y me dicen “no Cristián, somos de Alemania, pero no te preocupes, somos unos alemanes especiales, más relajados”, y vuelven a soltar otra carcajada.
A la mañana siguiente ya tenemos ambas camionetas cargadas al tope, con carro de arrastre incluido. Salimos rumbo al fundo Laguna Blanca donde la familia Knust nos espera. Desde su lodge y centro ecuestre ponemos la marcha 4L y subimos por un camino de montaña áspero, que nos lleva a los pies del volcán Tolhuaca junto a la laguna Blanca. Aquí el entusiasmo es total, la sonrisa de la cara es imposible borrárselas a estos 5 alemanes atípicos. Nos pasamos todo el día en el lugar, siendo uno de mis spots favoritos el valle inter-volcánico que se forma entre el volcán Lonquimay y el Tolhuaca, es como el altiplano de Atacama, pero con sendas araucarias.
El grupo de riders de EVOC en el valle inter-volcánico de la RN Malalcahuello.
Luego de noche hacemos la transición hacia el “barrio de Manchuria” y nos internamos por el cañón del Blanco, donde mi amigo Cristián Parra nos espera con un asado criollo. Llevamos recién un día y el grupo está eufórico con lo vivido. A la mañana siguiente salimos a caballo hacia los geiser de la Sierra Nevada, y finalizamos la jornada en un pozón de agua termal.
Esta mañana amanecemos en Corralco, haciendo un vuelco en 180° desde la cultura criolla a un ambiente moderno y sofisticado. Muy temprano ya están todos en la terraza del hotel, fotografiando la cara sur del volcán Lonquimay. “This is unbelievable, amazing, crazy landscape” son algunos de los adjetivos que reiteradamente me dicen nuestros huéspedes de EVOC. Y con Ernesto nos reímos porque sabemos que todavía queda muchísimo más para sorprenderlos.
Cargamos el equipo en las camionetas y salimos en las mountain bike rumbo al cráter Navidad. Nuevamente resuenan diversas expresiones de asombro y felicidad. ¿Cómo es posible que hayamos salido de un bosque verde y milenario junto al hotel, y 10 minutos más tarde estamos en un paisaje que parece sacado de la Luna o de Marte?, me preguntan Holger y Bernd. “Así es el destino Lagos y Volcanes” – respondo cada vez que la misma pregunta se asoma.
Ernesto guiando al grupo en un “free-ride” hacia el cráter Navidad, de fondo el volcán Lonquimay.
Recorremos extensivamente los alrededores áridos del cráter Navidad y le explicamos a nuestros amigos como se formó este cráter para la navidad de 1988 en una erupción que duró 1 año. Después Ernesto los anima a regresar al hotel haciendo un free-ride por las faldas del volcán, llegando a la terraza donde unas cervezas heladas los esperan junto a la piscina y el SPA.
Hoy nos toca conocer a los Pewenche, la gente que salvó a la araucaria de ser cortada, y para eso nos vamos a pedalear a Quinquén, donde la familia Meliñir nos espera en su comunidad. Un asado de chivo con puré de piñón es parte del menú que nos tiene preparado Joaquín, el hijo del Lonko de la comunidad. Recorremos senderos con vistas al Batea Mawida y al lago Galletue, y sumamos más escenarios en nuestras mtb con los accesorios de Evoc. Al caer la noche, junto al fuego en la ruka, y con un mate compartido, escuchamos atentos la historia de como esa comunidad logró que se declare a la araucaria un Monumento Natural, prohibiendo así la tala.
Joaquín Meliñir recibiendo al grupo en la comunidad Pewenche de Quinquén.
Nuestro viaje ya ha llegado a la mitad y todavía nos queda lo mejor. Ahora toca acampar y poner a prueba todo el equipo de bikepacking. Armamos campamento en el sector el Hoyón junto al lago Conguillío y con la Sierra Nevada de fondo. La noche está muy estrellada y sin luna, ideal para esas time-lapse nocturnas. A la hora del desayuno, Holger y Bernd nos cuentan más sobre los inicios de la compañía, y lo significativo de este viaje para ellos, pues cumplen 10 años como empresa.
Preparando la cena para el grupo en sector El Hoyón del PN Conguillío.
Teniendo como campo base al lago Conguillío, Ernesto nos lleva a recorrer caminos y senderos del parque y una aventura un poco más extrema hacia el volcán Nevados de Sollipulli, en donde llegamos en mtb al cono Chufquén y al mismísimo glaciar del Sollipulli.
La Sierra Nevada y el lago Conguillío son el telón de nuestro “bikepacking camp”.
Finalmente, y ya un poco más cansados, nuestro tour llega a Pucón, donde concluimos el viaje por los senderos del centro de ski del volcán Villarrica, con las pistas Lengas, Flow y El Clásico. Por la noche vamos a uno de esos bares imperdibles del pueblo y hacemos incontables salud por el éxito del viaje y por haber coronado en mtb el destino Lagos y Volcanes.
Mira aquí el video de este viaje épico y profundo a La Araucanía.
Que tres reconocidas empresas del ciclismo de montaña del mundo te digan los mismos comentarios positivos de Chile como un paraíso para el mountain bike, no solo me llenan de orgullo, sino que me ratifican que tenemos todo para seguir desarrollando este deporte, en la naturaleza y con todo el respeto hacia ella.
¿Y tú, cuándo te animas a viajar con Amity y tu mtb?
El Martes 6 de Octubre 2020, Eduardo Silva de FullOutdoor – la multiplataforma digital de estilos de vida, actividades y deportes al aire libre en Chile – se reunió virtualmente con Cristián Levy y Germán Pino, los socios principales de Amity Tours.
Eduardo Silva (FullOutdoor) entrevistando a Cristián Levy y Germán Pino de Amity Tours
El COVID se instala en Chile y detiene las operaciones turísticas
Durante esta conversación, hablamos del impacto que ha tenido la crisis del COVID sobre la industria turística en Chile, y como han repercutido los efectos en la tur operación:
“Fue muy abrupto el corte de nuestra temporada, dice Cristián. Nuestra temporada de verano normalmente termina a fines de abril, pero ya el 15 de marzo tuvimos que devolver a un grupo de viajeros de Estados Unidos el mismo día que aterrizó en Chile, por orden del cliente emisivo. Fue complejo, y pensamos que iba a ser una cosa de semanas y al final se alargó un mes, dos meses, tres meses y ahora ya siete meses en eso…”
Luego comentó que, en Pucón (donde se encuentra la base principal de operaciones) afortunadamente por los pocos casos, el municipio y el área de salud local han podido llevar muy bien la trazabilidad de los casos. “Actualmente tenemos 12 casos activos, con un total de 110 casos en todos estos 7 meses, agregó. Aquí la mayoría de la gente vive en el campo, tú sales de tu casa y llegas al río, llegas a la montaña, llegas al bosque y esa conexión con la naturaleza no nos ha dejado como leones enjaulados… Al contrario, nos ha permitido reconectar, estar más tiempo con la familia, los hij@s, …”
Luego, Cristián nos explica como Amity nació de “un vuelvo abrupto en la vida” y como se le ocurrió a Alejandro Levy (el Papá de Cristián) hacer una empresa de turismo ligada a la naturaleza y al deporte. Alejandro es ingeniero textil de profesión, pero también amante de la montaña y del deporte. Tras la llegada a Chile de la crisis asiática en 2002, la industria textil en Chile empezó a morir y se quedó sin trabajo.
En este mismo tiempo, Cristián y Germán trabajaban como consultores junior en la Fundación EuroChile. Gerd Walther, jefe y mentor de estos jóvenes entusiastas, empezó a bromear sobre crear una empresa de turismo en Temuco, donde se había instalado la familia de Cristian a vivir, para así recibir a los clientes internacionales en esta zona del país.
La broma fue tomando seriedad cuando llegó la solicitud de una familia de Brasil, que quería venir a Chile a esquiar, pero no a los centros de ski típicos. Así, Alejandro y Cristián organizaron el viaje para esta familia, quienes se convirtieron en fieles clientes, viniendo a esquiar a Chile 10 veces más.
Los primeros clientes brasileños de Amity Tours: la familia Esteves Abreu disfrutando de la nieve del Destino Lagos y Volcanes
“Nunca pensé que hacer lo que más me gusta me pudiera dar dinero y con eso vivir!”, confesó Alejandro a Cristián.
Luego de eso, empezó a tomar vida Amity, con la compra de la primera van para poder recibir los primeros clientes de Inglaterra quienes vinieron a esquiar y conocer los volcanes del sur de Chile.
Los Levy y la primera van Amity Tours
Durante los primeros 10 años de operación, el fuerte de la empresa fue el mercado europeo de habla inglesa que venía a esquiar los volcanes activos de la zona, y de habla alemana que venía a conocer los parques nacionales además de la flora y fauna local y de conversar con la comunidad Mapuche.
Geoparque Kütralkura. La flora y fauna endémica de Chile es un atractivo importante para los turistas extranjeros quienes visitan Chile.
Tras la integración de Germán como socio de Amity Tours el 2011, la empresa se hizo miembro de la Adventure Travel Trade Association, que marcó un antes y después en la historia de Amity. Gracias a las cumbres anuales organizadas por la asociación, la captación del mercado norteamericano fue posible, lo que abrió muchas puertas de nuevos negocios. La adquisición de este nuevo mercado llevó Amity a atender a clientes extranjeros quienes buscan aventura, pero con confort de lujo.
Equipo Amity Tours en tour de bicicleta (de izquierda a derecha): Cristián, Germán, Luis y Alejandro
Nuevos programas de aventuras en el Sur de Chile
Dados los cierres de las fronteras, y la imposibilidad de recibir a turistas extranjeros, Amity Tours ha estado trabajando en adaptar los programas de turismo aventura para el mercado nacional.
El desafío no fue menor, pero se logró diseñar experiencias de viaje para clientes quienes buscan aventura y confort, con la seguridad de contratar a una empresa registrada en SERNATUR que cumple con los protocolos nacionales e internacionales.
Descubre aquí los programas increíbles que tenemos en el sur de Chile.
Eclipse solar total – 14 de Diciembre 2020
El próximo 14 de diciembre de este mismo año, ocurrirá un evento astronómico especial en los cielos del Destino Lagos y Volcanes. En efecto, se nos acerca el eclipse solar total, que se podrá observar al 100% desde La Araucanía.
Respecto al eclipse, Germán comenta: “Este fenómeno es tan importante que tiene que generar – nosotros lo hablamos de la óptica del turismo – riqueza para la comunidad local.Lo importante, es generar programas donde la comunidad local se involucra, y pueda participar de este reparto de ingresos. Porque si no, es un mal negocio para todos. Si uno no lo hace así, eso va a terminar siendo un desastre con mucha gente en el territorio dejando pocas lucas y muchas toneladas de basura.”
Desde esta visión, diseñamos un programa súper exclusivo. Pues, nuestra propuesta de Experiencia Eclipse Solar en la Araucanía Lacustre es ideal para familias aventureras, con un máximo de 24 huéspedes para hacer la observación del fenómeno astronómico. Tiene una duración de 5 días de estadía entre el 11 y 15 de Diciembre 2020.
La expertise con la que contamos del Destino Lagos y Volcanes nos dio la capacitad de elaborar una experiencia del eclipse “a contra-reloj”, es decir ingeniada para evitar el flujo de la gente y así evadir los inevitables tacos que se podrán generar debido al evento solar.
Amity Tours, Empresa líder del Destino Lagos y Volcanes
Cabe destacar que Amity Tours es local en el Destino Lagos y Volcanes. Y éste destino son 3 regiones: la región de La Araucanía, la de Los Ríos y de Los Lagos. En línea recta, son casi 500 kilómetros, que cuentan con una ruta escénica llamada Lagos y Volcanes, llena de volcanes nevados y miradores, acceso a parques nacionales, grandes lagos, termas, colonos europeos, y pueblos originarios, todo a muy poca distancia.
Los encuentros culturales con la comunidad Mapuche es parte importante de nuestras experiencias de viaje
“Es un parque de diversiones. A alguien que le gusta la actividad al aire libre. (…) Hay pocos lugares así en el Mundo”, Germán comenta.
Reserva Nacional Malalcahuello y Volcán Tolhuaca
Respecto a la riqueza natural del territorio, Cristián finaliza declarando: “lo que nos gustaría a nosotros, poder dejar en todos los clientes que nos visiten, que se enamoren de la misma manera que nosotros estamos enamorados de la naturaleza de Chile.”
Cabe destacar que internacionalmente, Chile no solamente se luce por la belleza natural de sus paisajes. En efecto, Chile fue elegido 4 veces como mejor Destino Mundial de Turismo Aventura por los World Travel Awards (2016, 2017, 2018 y 2019), y 5 veces como mejor Destino de Turismo Aventura en Sudamérica (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 y 2019).
No te pierdas esta interesante entrevista, y entérate de las mejores sorpresas de viaje que tenemos para cuando se pueda volver a viajar!
An exclusive and carefully crafted adventure led by three of the most iconic adventure companies of Chile: Amity Tours, BirdsChile and Chile Nativo Travel. A lifetime experience exploring on foot, bike, raft and kayak the most spectacular landscapes of northern and southern Patagonia. This exclusive program covers and connects the wild and diverse landscapes of two Scenic Routes: The Lake and Volcano Route + Route of Parks of Patagonia.
In this tour you will discover Conguillío National Park, starting at the foot of active volcanoes covered by unique forests of giant Araucaria trees, explore the lush and exuberant temperate rainforest of Pumalin Park (Douglas Tompkins legacy), and finish with a stunning finale in Torres del Paine National Park
Nature, diversity, local communities, and interaction with the culture of Patagonia, while giving back and supporting rewilding experiences led by our local experts. This is a featured program in some of the best parks that make up the Route of Parks of Patagonia and The Lake and Volcano District. An unforgettable multi-sport adventure where you can be sure to discover new paths in Patagonia!
We have been strategizing on how to develop a product which benefits are given back to local communities, supports conservation, and that the trip integrates the REWILDING concept. All of which posed to be the biggest challenge incorporating these exact concepts into a multisport program.
Cristián, Raffaele and Gonzalo – the CEOs of the three adventure companies – went together on a creative retreat, laying out the first draft itinerary and agreeing in the key factors to success with an epic and transformational multisport tour in Patagonia.
Left to right: Raffaele Di Biase (BirdsChile), Gonzalo Fuenzalida (Chile Nativo Travel) and Cristián Levy (Amity Tours).
As a result, they came back with a unique itinerary connecting the Lake & Volcano Route and the Route of Parks of Patagonia, covering 1.400 miles (2.300 km) between Conguillío National Park and Torres del Paine.
Raffaele, Cristián and Gonzalo, in the making of the Multisport Tour Route of Parks of Patagonia during a creative retreat.
The trip was ready to launch for the 2020/2021 season but it was postponed due to Covid international travel restrictions. However, this amazing trip was officially launched during the AdventureELEVATE virtual event and now 2021-22 dates are already confirmed.
Before we dive deeper into the highlights of the trip, we want to introduce these two iconic scenic routes with a short video:
Lake & Volcano Scenic Route
Route of Parks of Patagonia
The efforts of conservations in these lands were skeptically accepted at the beginning, provoking a controversy among Chileans, politicians, and part of the population.
Here another video to show the controversy:
Now, an especially important detail of this topic of conservation is Rewilding and the adaptive form of Rewilding in Tourism, which is a new way to power the art of traveling, transforming it from a high consumption product of tourism to a real and genuine act of empathy. Let’s talk a little more in depth about REWILDING.
We like to separate the two concepts: Ecological Rewilding and Tourism Rewilding. While ecological rewilding means “to return an ecosystem to its original state”, we have to understand that Tourism Rewilding is “adapted to tourism because we cannot erase the human impact completely”.
The Patagonia National Park has a rewilding concept with one of the highest global standards. If you want to know more about the rewilding process in the Patagonia National Park, you can take a look at this video. The story of Douglas Tompkins is intimately related to this park that became part of the largest donation of private lands ever made, and the first step for the creation of the Route of Parks of Patagonia.
During our multisport trip we are part of a Tourism Rewilding concept. This is not the only reason why we talk about a sustainable project. Moreover, we operate the tour only in small groups (8 guests max.), trying to focus on low-impact activities. That allows us to have a traceable and measurable trip. So, between the three companies we can collect data and publish exact numbers about the real social, economic and environmental impact. Furthermore we support local NGO’s for educational and conservation programs such as Fundación Legado Chile, and Torres del Paine Legacy Fund.
More about our Zero Waste concept
In all of our self-operated group departure tours we do focus on our Zero Waste Concept. First of all, we reinvented our picnic tables and box lunches. Wherever possible we changed to local suppliers and focused on organic processes. We eliminated single use plastic products and separated all unavoidable waste for recycling. During the last season we visited our most important local partners such as hotels and restaurants to involucrate them into the Zero Waste program. At the moment we are working on our Climate Emergency Plan. And we are part of the Climate Action Leaders Community.
Our brand-new Multisport Tour focuses also on the local communities, their culture, habits and history. We want to give our international guests the opportunity to learn more about the ancestral heritage of the Mapuche People. This proud nation has a huge influence in the Lake and Volcano District. We are able to get to know a friendly family, who shares with us their way of life between the actual progress and the ancestral heritage.
In our rewilding work on day 6 of the tour, in the city of Llanquihue, we will combine this regeneration effort to work with local communities, creating a virtuous circle where nature gets restored and communities get benefits.
Furthermore we meet the friendly Kawésqar women. They started and initiative to rescue their culture. Valuing the ancestral heritage that they inherited from their canoe ancestors of Kawésqar. The vision of this project is to generate, in a collaborative way and through the dialogue between indigenous communities and interested people, the best strategy to value the culture and ancestral Kawésqar heritage. Through initiatives that benefit the original people, its members, culture, and the ancestral territory.
We will learn about the traditional basket weaving. This local art of mainly Kawésqar women has been transmitted by their grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and sisters. They kept alive the beautiful handwork with a thin vegetal fiber known as jonquil.
We love the adventure and want to share this feeling with you. We kick-off the trip hiking among volcanoes and ancient Araucaria trees. Then we jump on our bikes and travel southbound Pedalling the Lake and Volcano scenic route is a great way to appreciate the stunning nature with the perfectly cone-shaped volcanoes, pristine lakes, and beautiful national parks.
Afterwards we leave the bikes behind and continue by water, rafting the turquoise rapids of Petrohué river. Then we follow Carretera Austral by foot. Exploring active volcanoes, hidden waterfalls, and the Northern Fjords of Patagonia. Finally, one of the highlights of the trip is definitely the day kayaking in Torres del Paine. Paddling in between floating icebergs and descending the Grey River is something you will remember forever!
The Route of Parks, a Patagonia Collection Program, is a lifetime experience for the traveler seeking the awe and wonder that Patagonia provokes in all of us. This multisport journey exploring on foot, bike, and kayak connects some of the most spectacular landscapes of northern and southern Patagonia.
This exclusive program takes travelers to the base of active volcanoes covered by unique forests of giant Araucarias of Conguillío National Park. To the lush and exuberant temperate rainforest of the Pumalin Park. Last but not least, a stunning finale at the wild and diverse landscapes of the Torres del Paine National Park.
During the last ATTA Elevate event we had a wonderful, and educational session filled with great conversations from participants from Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina.
The result? Conservation is not enough anymore. Travel must be an act of empathy. Travel must regenerate communities and ecosystems, and as a leader in our trade, and as travelers ourselves, we must make conscious decisions to transform. Transform our programs, our products, and ourselves into something greater – even if that means making certain sacrifices such as smaller group departures and lower-impact travels. The effects of travel must be measurable and traceable.
We are convinced that travel MUST regenerate our public and private lands, environments, ecosystems, and communities.
En Amity Tours, no tenemos ninguna duda que nuestros guías son el principal capital que tiene nuestra empresa, con quienes hemos desarrollado una relación fraterna de amistad y preocupación mutua. Nuestros guías son los mejores guías del Destino Lagos & Volcanes, conocen cada rincón del territorio, y lo más importante, están involucrados en las raíces de las comunidades locales.
Los guías expertos en Mountain Bike de Amity: Peter, Pancho y Ernesto
Sabemos que la primera y última cara que ven nuestros clientes es la de nuestros guías. Tenemos un equipo pequeño, pero estamos seguros es el mejor. Y no son solo palabras, pues cada año tenemos unos 20 postulantes y usualmente nos quedamos con 1 o 2.
¿Qué buscamos?
Personas que por sobre todo sientan pasión por lo que hacen, sepan trabajar en equipo y tengan un gran corazón.
Equipo Amity en preparación de tour de Mountain Bike
En este blog, presentamos a 3 de nuestros guías más queridos: David, Rubén y Francisco. Todos tienen historias de vida diferentes, pero que comparten su pasión por las actividades al aire libre, el deporte, la competencia, el humor y los trabajos comunitarios.
Todos nuestros guías deben pasar un riguroso proceso de selección y tener al menos la certificación “Wilderness First Responder”, curso certificado que entrega las herramientas técnicas necesarias para responder de buena forma en casos de accidentes en terrenos complejos como montañas, ríos o bosques.
DAVID JOOS, 7 años guiando en Amity Tours
David guiando en la Reserva Nacional Malalcahuello
David, el con más experiencia (por no decir el más viejo ), es rescatista del Cuerpo de Bomberos de Chile, montañista, reconocido instructor de kayak, con varios triatlones en el cuerpo y certificado en WFR. Quienes han tenido la mala fortuna (o buena suerte) de tener un accidente durante sus tours, han visto cómo responde un verdadero profesional ante estos dramáticos eventos, que varias veces han requerido su gestión experta.
Ir en tour con David es un constante reír y disfrute, pues él siempre se las ingenia para conquistar a los viajeros a través del humor. David es muy entusiasta, siempre alegre y con una actitud positiva ante la vida.
¿Cómo te llaman tus amigos y compañeros de trabajo?
Gringo Loco
¿Cuál es el tour que más te gusta guiar?
Bike and Hike tour alrededor de Pucón
¿Cuál sería el peor trabajo que podrías tener?
Hacer lo mismo todos los días
¿Cuál es tu deporte favorito para practicar?
Kayak y triatlón (ya son 4)
¿Cerveza o pisco sour?
Cerveza, ¡y mucha!
¿Rutera o MTB?
Ambas bicicletas me encantan
Si pudieras ser un animal ¿cuál serías y por qué?
Pato correntino, se mueve tan elegante entre el agua y el aire
¿Carne o pastas?
Pasta con carne
¿En una escala de 1 a 10, cuan “cool” eres?
8
¿Qué te hace reír?
Las tallas chilenas con doble sentido
¿Qué te hace enojar?
Los celos de mi señora
¿El cliente siempre tiene la razón?
NOOO !!
¿Cuánto tiempo te toma estar listo en la mañana antes de un tour?
5 minutos
¿Comida que menos te gusta?
Erizos
¿Qué es mejor para ser guía, la experiencia o un diploma?
Experiencia, por sobre todas las cosas
Si pudieras vivir en otro lugar ¿dónde vivirías?
Patagonia, Carretera Austral
¿Qué es lo que más te gusta y lo que menos te gusta de tu trabajo como guía?
El contacto con la gente; tener problemas en el tour fuera de tu alcance para arreglar
Si ganaras 1 millón de dólares ¿qué comprarías?
Una casa rodante “filete”
¿Dónde estarás en 3 años?
En Pucón con una pequeña empresa de poda
RUBEN PAILLALEF, 8 años guiando en Amity Tours
Rubén, orgulloso descendiente del pueblo Mapuche, fue uno de los primeros guías que tuvo Amity Tours para sus viajes de cicloturismo. Triatleta destacado, montañista, con certificado WFR y capacitaciones en USA y Europa, pasa su tiempo “libre” subiendo al volcán Villarrica, sacando fotografías y trabajando en su huerta, siempre en contacto con la tierra, su familia y comunidad.
Rubén reconoce todas las plantas y animales del bosque, es buenísimo avistando e identificando especies de flora y fauna para que nuestros visitantes conozcan más de la naturaleza que están viendo. Es un ciclista muy fuerte, que seguro te acompañará si quieres exigirte en la bicicleta.
Rubén haciendo la charla técnica y de seguridad a clientes de Francia y USA
¿Cómo te llaman tus amigos y compañeros de trabajo?
Indio, Rubén, Kapurra (chivo)
¿Cuál es el tour que más te gusta guiar?
Bike tours en rutera.
¿Cuál sería el peor trabajo que podrías tener?
Un trabajo que no me complementa y que no me valoren
¿Cuál es tu deporte favorito para practicar?
Triatlón y todo lo que se desarrolle al aire libre
¿Cerveza o pisco sour?
Cerveza
¿Rutera o MTB?
Ambas me gustan
Si pudieras ser un animal ¿cuál serías y por qué?
Un lobo, porque le gusta trabajar en equipo y son fundamentales en el ecosistema que viven.
¿Carne o pastas?
Ambos
¿En una escala de 1 a 10, cuan “cool” eres?
10
¿Qué te hace reír?
Humor con mis compañeros
¿Qué te hace enojar?
La deslealtad y el mal trato
¿El cliente siempre tiene la razón?
No, pero no tiene por qué saberlo 🙂
¿Cuánto tiempo te toma estar listo en la mañana antes de un tour?
1 hora
¿Comida que menos te gusta?
Mariscos con yodo
¿Qué es mejor para ser guía, la experiencia o un diploma?
Definitivamente la Experiencia
Si pudieras vivir en otro lugar ¿dónde vivirías?
Donde existan volcanes activos
¿Qué es lo que más te gusta y lo que menos te gusta de tu trabajo como guía?
El contacto con la naturaleza y conocer gente nueva; la fragilidad económica de nuestro trabajo
Si ganaras 1 millón de dólares ¿qué comprarías?
Tierras y un buen viaje junto a mis queridos.
¿Dónde estarás en 3 años?
Probablemente en el mismo lugar igual de feliz
FRANCISCO DUATH, 5 años guiando en Amity Tours
Pancho posando para las cámaras de los clientes de Yeti Tribe en tour de MTB
Juan Francisco, el más joven de nuestros guías y el último en integrarse al equipo, lo conocimos cuando tenía 23 años en Huilo-Huilo y supimos en ese mismo momento que tenía el ADN que Amity Tours busca en sus guías.
Trail-runner por excelencia (o por su costumbre de andar por los cerros de Neltume), fue invitado a correr a una de las principales pruebas de esa modalidad en Santiago, lugar donde había estado pocas veces, y considerado un principiante aún, se corono campeón, todo gracias a su determinación por superarse. Allí la prensa especializada lo bautizó como el “bagual de Neltume”.
En los tours que Francisco va de guía, los viajeros siempre le toman un gran cariño, por su carisma, humildad y gran capacidad física.
Su principal preocupación es su comunidad, en especial los niños de Neltume, por esto lidera el proyecto Bagualito Bike Park donde dedica su tiempo a enseñar a los niños locales sobre la importancia del deporte, el mountain bike y la determinación para salir adelante en la vida.
Pancho concentrado en el cuidado de las mtb de nuestros clientes
¿Cómo te llaman tus amigos y compañeros de trabajo?
Panchito
¿Cuál es el tour que más te gusta guiar?
Mountain Bike tours
¿Cuál sería el peor trabajo que podrías tener?
El que no me guste
¿Cuál es tu deporte favorito para practicar?
Mountain Bike
¿Cerveza o pisco sour?
Cerveza Cero Alcohol, jajajaj
¿Rutera o MTB?
Mountain Bike
Si pudieras ser un animal ¿cuál serías y por qué?
Un Puma, por su habilidad y destreza
¿Carne o pastas?
Carne
¿En una escala de 1 a 10, cuan “cool” eres?
5
¿Qué te hace reír?
Bromas con los amigos
¿Qué te hace enojar?
La injusticia sobre otra persona
¿El cliente siempre tiene la razón?
No, en el Mountain Bike eso no pasa
¿Cuánto tiempo te toma estar listo en la mañana antes de un tour?
Depende de cuanto motivado este, 1 hora quizás
¿Comida que menos te gusta?
La comida fría
¿Qué es mejor para ser guía, la experiencia o un diploma?
La experiencia
Si pudieras vivir en otro lugar ¿dónde vivirías?
Me gusta Neltume, no lo cambiaría, aunque no he viajado mucho la verdad
¿Qué es lo que más te gusta y lo que menos te gusta de tu trabajo como guía?
Lo que más me gusta es compartir experiencias, cuando los clientes me cuentan sus aventuras; lo que menos me gusta es cargar las bicicletas después de un día extenso
Si ganaras 1 millón de dólares ¿qué comprarías?
Muchas tierras, ampliaría Bagualito a otras disciplinas como snowboard, ski y kayak…y ayudaría a niños vulnerables
¿Dónde estarás en 3 años?
Quizás en el Monte Everest
Conoce nuestros 3 programas más solicitados por el público nacional en el Destino Lagos y Volcanes, diseñados para los amantes de la naturaleza:
During all these years, many clients, guests, friends and colleagues have asked me the same question: “How did Amity begin?”
The answer is a long story and I will share it with you in this blog.
The story goes way back to 1948. My grandfather, Hector Levy, was an adventurer and his greatest passion was exploring the mountains of Chile’s central valleys. Together, with a group of friends and the Grez Family, they organized trips to the mountains near Santiago.
Only people with a deep love for the mountain could go on these journeys, as they were not easy nor comfortable. They used adapted livestock trucks to get to the foothills of the Andes. From there, they continued by mule-back and finally hiked or skinned up the last snow-capped section until they arrived at the mountain refuge. One of these refuges was the famous Refugio Gaston Saavedra.
Hector Levy (first on the left) and his family visiting the mountains circa 1948.
My grandfather was a travelling salesman. He traveled across the country in his Citroën 2CV, selling shoes made by his family’s shoe factory. In his free time, he would venture to the mountains or go on bike rides with his relatives.
Hector Levy (first on the left) and his brothers-in-law circa 1950.
1954
At a young age, my father Alejandro started to come on these trips to the mountains. For a little kid, the trip was even harder, but getting dizzy with the winding road was not a reason to miss out on the adventure. He became close friends with the Grez family, skiing all over the mountain in La Parva, El Colorado and Farellones.
Alejandro Levy posing with his ski gear circa 1956.
1960
My father joined the Boy Scouts at the Jewish Center in Santiago. His exceptional athletic skills made him stand out among the other kids. Thus, he was offered to go to Israel and join a sports program, but his family objected to his going.
1968
At the age of 18, my father was a very talented football (soccer) player, playing during his childhood at school and on the streets with neighborhood kids. In his last year of high school, he was awarded goal scorer of the inter-school football tournament.
Alejandro Levy (on the right) at school circa 1968.
1970-75
My father studied engineering at the Universidad Tecnica de Santiago, where he met Paty, my mom. Here he once again stood out for his athleticism. While he was playing football on the university team, he was recruited to play on Chile’s National Football team (amateur division). For 5 years, he traveled in Chile and Argentina playing for the Chilean Football team and played at the qualifiers for the Olympic Games.
Alejandro (first on the front left) at the Stadium circa 1974.
Alejandro in football jersey at the Stadium circa 1974.
1978
This is the year I was born. My father’s love for the mountain continued as he volunteered as a skiing instructor at El Colorado Ski Resort. As soon as I could walk, he took me skiing in the mountains and taught me to love and respect Nature.
Cristian in ski gear, Farellones circa 1983.
1982
My father Alejandro continued with his sports activities, joining the bicycle club of CDUC. Then in 1983, he biked from Santiago to Mendoza with the club, riding and climbing the Andes mountains from Chile to Argentina.
Alejandro in bicycle jersey crossing the Andes (Portillo Hotel, circa 1983)
1986
I followed in my father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and grew into a highly active boy, joining the swimming team at CDUC. This club became my second home during my childhood.
Cristian in CDUC uniform boarding a plane for a swimming tournament (Iquique, circa 1988)
1990
My father continued teaching skiing at El Colorado Ski Resort, mostly to friends and colleagues. On the weekends, I joined him as much as I could.
This year, my grandfather Hector planted the seed of entrepreneurship within me by lending me twenty dollars for a little business. He didn’t tell me what to do, only that I had to return the money. Then, with that money I went to buy candy and started selling it at school. Within a week, I sold all the candy and returned the loan to my grandfather. I remember feeling so proud of paying back my grandfather, and so I continued with the side business until my commercial activity was banned at school.
This same year, I joined the Boy Scouts movement, where I remained actively involved for a decade. In this group. I learnt the values of friendship and teamwork, and my love for the nature deepened.
Cristian in ski gear (El Colorado, circa 1990)
1995
I graduated from high school and almost immediately searched for a seasonal job at a local retail store (wrapping Christmas presents), so I could generate my own income and be more financially independent. My parents encouraged me to do that just as much as my grandfather did. With the money I made, I went on my first self-supported trip to Pucon. I took my brother, Jano, with me.
Later, my Boy Scouts friends joined us as they became aware of my travel plans. At the time, I never imagined that Pucon would become my home and the headquarters of my adventure travel company.
1997
I enrolled at the SEK University in Santiago to study Tourism Planning. I didn’t totally understand the exact reasons for my decision to study tourism, but felt that this had been part of my whole life. Actually, since I was a young boy, I had always wanted to be a doctor, but it was clear that life had chosen a different path for me.
Cristian and friends exploring the Andes mountains (Cerro Provincia, circa 1998)
1998
My father Alejandro moved by himself to southern Chile for a job as an engineer at a mattress plant. There, my father discovered and fell in love with the landscapes of the Lake and Volcano District.
Meanwhile, the rest of the family stayed in Santiago. My mom’s love and support was key during this year. Reinforcing her teachings about how to be kind, self-sufficient and responsible.
Alejandro with his children discovering their new home in La Araucania. Kutralkura Geopark, Quinquen.
In the summer of 1998, my grandfather once again encouraged me to continue gaining experience in the business world and lent me 300 dollars. With this money, I opened a beachfront kiosk called La Ruka (the house) in Guanaqueros, in Northern Chile. That summer, our kiosk was awarded the sales point with the highest ice-cream sales in the region. At the end of the summer season, I paid back the loan to my grandfather and with the profits and my mom’s help, traveled to Rapa Nui, Easter Island.
Cristian and his brother Jano in the La Ruka kiosk. (Summer of 1998)
1999
My father finally felt settled in Temuco, and my mom and brothers went to live with him in southern Chile. I stayed in Santiago to finish college. This was a very hard decision for my family, but it turned out to be a great change of lifestyle.
The summer of 1999 I applied for an internship at the regional Tourism Board, SERNATUR Araucania, and just like my father did, fell in love with the nature and people of the region. I fondly remember my first visit to Conguillio National Park, where I was completely amazed by the Araucaria forest.
Alejandro and Cristian during his internship. (Summer of 1999)
2001
I graduated from University with honors and my Tourism Planning degree. Shortly thereafter, my classmate, German Pino, and I started to work as junior tourism consultants at EuroChile Foundation (German later joined Amity as partner in 2011).
This foundation specializes in promoting and consolidating economic, commercial and technological links between public and private institutions from Chile and the European Union. Tourism is one of their main pillars. Our mission there was to create and develop Chile’s first inbound ecotourism operator.
Cristián working for Ecoaustral (Chile’s first ecotourism operator, circa 2003)
2002
The Asian economic crisis hit Chile hard and my father lost his job at the mattress plant. Despite many attempts to find a job in his field, he couldn’t find one. My mother became the family’s primary breadwinner, working as a financial advisor at a local bank in Temuco.
I couldn’t stop worrying about my father’s situation, so I mentioned this to my boss and friend Gerd Walther. He suggested we start a tour company with my father in southern Chile, but I didn’t take him seriously. However, I told my father about my boss’s idea and he only smiled quietly.
My boss and dear friend Gerd Walther (RIP)
2003
While working at EuroChile developing the inbound ecotourism operator, we received a particular request by email: a family of four from Brazil wanted a 12-day trip to Chile with skiing lessons included. They didn’t want to visit the classic ski resorts in central Chile. Instead, they wanted to explore the small and less known ski centers located around the southern volcanoes. I immediately told my boss about this request and he didn’t hesitate to put me in charge of the request and organize the whole trip. He told me to ask my father to work as a ski instructor during the tour and run it on behalf of the company.
The month of July arrived, and my father and I went to greet the Esteves Abreu Family from Rio de Janeiro. We delivered a 2-week guided skiing trip visiting the southern volcanoes: Llaima, Lonquimay and Villarrica. The tour ended up being a total success, with Eder, Mônica, Beatriz and Eduardo learning how to ski and promising that they will return the next year for more skiing lessons. This family became Alejandro’s first client, repeating their skiing trip to Chile for the next 10 consecutive years. To this date, the Levy and Abreu families remain great friends and continue seeing each other.
The Esteves Abreu family with their private guide and instructor Alejandro.
It was after this first trip that Alejandro realized that he could do what he loved most and earn a living at the same time. Here, my father made an important decision, selling the family’s house in Santiago and partnering with me to create our family-owned tour company in August of 2003.
By then, I was working in Santiago on a project with a travel book writer from the USA named Pete Nelson, with the goal of writing a new edition of a Chile travel guide. Pete was a senior marketing expert who had worked for important world-wide hotel chains such as Hilton and Intercontinental. It was here that I saw an opportunity to validate a list of potential names for our tour company.
But Pete didn’t pay attention to that list and instead gave me a great piece of advice: “if you want people to find you first pick a name that starts with the letter A, and make sure anyone can easily pronounce that name no matter which country they are from”. So, I took out my pocket Spanish/English dictionary and found the word “amity”, which means friendship, friendly, concord, good vibrations. And with this meaning as a central value, we began our tour company.
My father Alejandro, my brother Jano, and me with our first van and logo (September 2003)
Finally, as an established tour company, in September 2003 we received the first group of foreign travelers. The group consisted of seven guests from the UK coming with Phil Smith, an international all-mountain skiing instructor and director of the skiing company Snoworks.
Snoworks is one of the UK’s leading providers of all-mountain ski courses to destinations around the world. This group of British skiers represented Amity’s first business account, and remains one of the Levy family’s favorite and dear clients.
Our first B2B group with Snoworks (Pucon, September 2003)
My father Alejandro with Phil Smith
If you liked this story, please share it! Maybe someday my father will tell it to you in person as you go on a chairlift with him or while hiking on the trails of our beloved country, Chile.
Alejandro and Cristian summiting Lonquimay Volcano.
For the last 9 months, Amity Tours has been working with local communities in Mapu Lahual Reserve, developing a new trekking tour.
We’ve been focusing on creating a different trekking option to Torres del Paine, that is completely overcrowded during our Summer.
The Epic Pacific Coast trek passes through Larch ancient forests as well Temperate Rainforests, fishing coves and pristine beaches. It is a hut to hut trekking staying with local Mapuche families. Thus, we will learn about ancient traditions and cosmovision. As we are guided by local guides, it is a really good example of community based tourism.
Highlights
This amazing trekking experience includes trekking hut to hut by the Pacific Coast, an area very difficult to access. Scuba diving with the local fishermen. 2 nights stay with local fishermen families, eating seafood & fish for lunch and dinner. Chilean dolphins, sea-lions, and sea-otters watching (permanent residents). River crossings by foot and boat. Trekking among ancient Larch tree forest (Fitzroya cupressoides). uncrowded off-the-beaten-path trails. Host community belongs to the Williche indigenous ethnic group.
The final test will be from February 5th 2018 till February 10th 2018th, including national and international tour operators.
Our team, lead by the product manager Stef Carmody, is developing the final itinerary and we will have it live on our website soon.
At Amity Tours, every year we encourage our local team to take the best photos of each tour, so our guests can have great memories of their trip in South America.
Bike tours, hiking tours, skiing tours and conservation tours where the occasion in which both guides and drivers were on the hunt for great action photos.
And the Winner for this Spring & Summer 2016 2017 Season is….
Orlando Gonzalez, one of our best drivers and tour leaders.
We thank all our Facebook friends who voted for the best photo.
Congratulations to Orlando for capturing this fantastic photo. You are the best example of what PEOPLE means to Amity Tours, and we are happy for you. Here is your prize!!
Last week, we experienced a fantastic and interesting Conservation trip. Indeed in Curarrehue. Twenty-three students from Atlanta (Georgia, USA) met with the communities and learned about their ancestral traditions and activities. When we arrived at Curarrehue. it was raining. So, the community members were waiting for us inside their Ruka (Traditional House) with a big warm fire. Our host, Ms. Regina, was there to talk about the Mapuche cosmovision and ancestral knowledge. She sang a traditional song and one of the students shared with all of us one of her own songs. After this beautiful exchange, the students enjoyed playing Palín, a traditional game. Afterwards, we shared dinner with the community around the fire.
The next day, we had breakfast at Ms. Juanita’s place. We tried different dishes prepared with ingredients from her orchard and fruit trees. Sopaipillas, calzones rotos, wheat coffee, mate (a strong green tea traditionally drunk in Chile and Argentina), marmalades and jams, bread, cheese, free range eggs and fruits were some of what she served. Then, we visited her organic orchard, and continued our adventure to the Ralicura trail.
Along with our local guide, we hiked through a native forest. We learned more about the Mapuche’s belief in nature is a sacred place. After about 40 minutes, we arrived at a view point where we enjoyed incredible views of the Villarrica volcano and the Trapial Lake.
Finally, we prepared tortillas al rescoldo. In addition, we learned and how to weave in a traditional loom, as well as with vegetal fibers beside the river surrounded by trees.
At Amity Tours, we believe that contact with people and local communities can be life changing. These types of activities make our trips unforgettable experiences that will remain in the minds and hearts of our guests forever.
You’ll find these key elements in all of the travel experiences we create.
NATURE: We feel blessed to live in a country with amazing nature. We’ll make sure you see the best of it and discover the hidden corners that will make you hold your breath in awe.
Nature, as a concept, has been socially constructed as an object and a subject that provides people with meaningful experiences. Accordingly, leisure activities in nature will enhance the interaction between people and the natural environment, and will increase their attachment to it. People will become more conscious about conservation of protected areas and will be more sustainable in the way they travel.
Since the birth of Amity Tours, we’ve dedicated ourselves to develop nature-based experiences. Most of them in Chile, and some parts of Argentina. We’ve planned each of our travel experiences with the idea of providing tranquility and spiritual well-being to our travelers. By walking and hiking through a native forest, kayaking in pristine lakes and rivers, biking through rolling hills and skiing in active volcanoes, we provide significant and invaluable memories to our guests.
Indeed, Some of our most popular trips occur in the Chile’s Lake & Volcano District. The UNESCO labeled this area as Biosphere Reserve. National Parks such as Conguillio, Villarrica, Huerquehue, Alerce Costero, and Vicente Perez Rosales had been stages for our trips providing hiking and biking trails to develop the aforementioned experiences. Our goal is that our guests learn more about our endemic species through these meaningful experiences. Thus enhancing their connection with nature in wilderness areas.
Imagine yourself hiking through an ancient forest where you can observe a 2,000-years-old Araucaria trees, or climbing up to the summit of Chile’s most active volcano. What’s more, you can also bike around lakes on remote roads meeting local people and enjoying amazing landscapes.
Nature is one of Amity Tour’s defining concepts when designing trips. We believe in sustainable tourism. Accordingly, we also believe that this type of tourism helps people to be more conscious about the environment. We invite you to experience nature with us!
You’ll find these key elements in all of the travel experiences we create.
ADVENTURE: We are an adventure travel company and we understand “adventure” as and experience where culture and nature are the main pillars. We specialized in sport activities such as biking, hiking, and skiing, but we also understand that that comes with excellent service, comfortable hotels and great local food, wine and beer.
Adventure is a key concept when defining and creating our trips in Chile and Argentina. Active explorations in remote areas surrounded by nature will free our visitors to become part of the place. Adventure trips by Amity Tours will unfold meaningful experiences that will make our guests return home with enormous vitality. By bike, ski or foot we will enable our guests to discover and explore hidden corners, meet local communities and immerse themselves in the life of the Atacama Desert, Lake & Volcano District and Patagonia. As a result, we have created unforgettable biking, hiking, skiing and conservation adventures.
For instance, imagine yourself cycling Chile’s southern backroads. You will be able to discover a beautiful geopark, riding between pristine lakes and rivers. You’ll share with local indigenous communities while learning about their ancestral knowledge. Moreover, envision yourself and your family or friends hiking through Chile’s most impressive sights such as ancient forests in Patagonia and the Lake & Volcano district, ancient glaciers, fjords and rivers. Or exploring old shepherd trails in the Atacama Desert encompassing huge dunes, salt flats, and endemic fauna including flamingos, vicuñas, condors, foxes, guanacos and pumas.
What’s more, if you love skiing or snowboarding, visualize yourself slowing down and speeding up at will, controlling your descent on ice, knowing how to cope with fresh snow, and handling uncrowded slopes and narrow paths in the most beautiful ski centers in Chile and Argentina. You can ski on and off piste surrounded by Nothofagus forests and active volcanoes in the South of Chile.
We believe that experiencing adventures trips will enhance your attachment to nature and enhance your world view. Travel actively with Amity Tours and feel your body in motion while experiencing a fun cultural exchange.
Chile is a great and diverse country that offers incredible places for hiking. From the Atacama Desert to Patagonia, we have designed the most fascinating hiking tours in order to provide you with an unforgettable experience.
During our experiences, you will be surrounded by the driest desert in the world, active volcanoes, ancient glaciers, pristine lakes and the Pacific Ocean. Moreover, you will learn about ancestral cultures, history and astronomy, as well as the captivating Chilean endemic flora and fauna.
This 2017, imagine yourself hiking the Atacama Desert through old shepherd trails. Getting the chance to see petroglyphs while walking through a ravine following a salty river and admiring huge ancient cacti.
In addition, we can also take you, your family and friends to hike through the amazing national parks of Chile’s Lake & Volcano District. Here you will hike through ancient Araucaria and Nothofagus forests, discovering beautiful bodies of water such as lakes, waterfalls and rivers.
Another interesting hiking option is a trip in Patagonia, specifically to Torres del Paine National Park. This protected area is home of the world’s most epic trekking routes. It encompasses ancient forest, glaciers, fjords, lakes and rivers.
Furthermore, we offer you the chance to climb active and non active volcanoes, from North to South. You will experience being at the top of the world, listening to the silence, and connecting your soul with the spirit of the Andes.
Don’t miss the chance to discover these amazing natural areas. You can also combine two or more destinations. We can help you to design a memorable experience that you will keep forever.
Travel experiences in the driest desert in the world with Amity Tours
We are very proud and happy to announce to our clients that we have started our own operations in the Atacama Desert. We have two hiking trips starting in December 2016 and January 2017.
Whether you like hiking, indigenous cultures or are looking for a Family Adventure, you will discover amazing landscapes and enjoy incredible sunrises and sunsets. Travelling with Amity Tours through the Atacama Desert is an unforgettable experience that will provide a unique opportunity to explore one of the best remote destinations in Chile.
Imagine hiking through the Moon Valley located in the Salt Mountain Range. This range forms a natural barrier between the Pacific Ocean and the Atacama Salt Flat. Its statuesque geological formations are interesting to admire. Salt emerges to the surface, covering it with a dry, whitish layer that gives the place a lunar characteristic. We will hike a gorge, passing through caves and rocky formations that have been sculpted by the water and wind.
What’s more, we will be hiking through an enchanted canyon located at 3.200 meters over the sea level. Originally formed by volcanic eruptions from the Sairecabur Volcano, its surface is now a great heaven for cacti to grow. We will be able to enjoy waterfalls and bird watching while we walk through ancient shepherds trail. The Atacama Desert is great for star-gazing. Indeed, it has one of the clearest skies in the world due to its low humidity and precipitations. So, after a great hiking day, you can enjoy an amazing astronomic experience. Thus, it is the opportunity to learn about the Southern Hemisphere’s constellations.
On the other hand, the Atacama Desert provides the chance to discover stunning landscapes. Such as Andean Lakes, salt flats, hot springs and geysers located at 4,000 meters over the sea level. At this altitude, we can also appreciate endemic fauna such as Flamingos, Andean Goose, Vicuñas and Vizcachas as well as endemic flora species.
Finally, we will give you the opportunity to learn about the Likan Antay ancient culture. The indigenous community will teach us about their traditions and daily activities. We will enjoy a typical “atacameño” lunch. Also, we’ll walk through the desert alongside an ancestral caravan with llamas.
Check out one of our best Atacama Desert Hiking Tours, and sign up for your next adventure in the driest desert in the World.
Discover Chiloe Island and follow Charles’ Darwin footprints
When you arrive to Chiloe Island, the early morning fog and the Palafitos (houses mounted on stilts along the water’s edge) will welcome you. This island is the continent’s fifth-largest island and is home to many fishermen communities. Its famous architecture and cuisine has made this island world-known. The iconic wooden churches were built in past centuries. Sixteen of them have been declared World Heritage sites by UNESCO. Also, its rich spiritual culture is based mainly on a distinctive mythology of forest gnomes and witchcraft ghost ships.
As a result, Amity Tours has created interesting journeys to discover the unique ecosystem composing the wet and windswept landscapes, remote national parks and dense forests. This experience is for those who love nature and want to be true actors in its conservation. During the trip, you will explore the hidden corners of Chiloe by foot and by water. You will visit the private conservation areas of Ahuenco Park and Coluco Lake, where the pudú deer is abundant. In fishing boats, you will discover the island’s coast. Thus, you can spot several species of mammals, shorebirds and seabirds such as the Humboldt and the Magellan Penguins.
We invite you to discover the wonders that Darwin saw on his journey to the south of Chile. Explore this fascinating territory of the Chilean Rain forest to see the same species of flora and fauna described by one of the Fathers of Modern Science. Check out our Darwin’s Route in Chiloe Island Tour.
You will have an unforgettable experience that will enhance your relationship with nature and will make you feel connected with the natural environment.
Amity tours has designed the best Family Adventures in Patagonia, Chile’s top destination.
Patagonia is one of the most pristine places in the Southern hemisphere. Glaciers, Forests, Fjords, Mountains and Lakes compose this area. Thus, they make it the perfect place for an adventure family trip. The Chilean Patagonia is home to some of the most impressive sights on Earth. Also to some of the world’s most classic trekking routes encompassing unusual landscapes and fauna.
During 2016, we have been working on designing family adventures in Chile. This adventure tour in Torres del Paine has different daily hiking options. As well as horseback riding and navigation excursions. The easy hiking options are not strenuous and can be enjoyed by anyone in reasonable physical shape. The best part? You can choose each night which option appeals to you most for the following day, depending on how that day’s trek has left you feeling!
At Amity Tours, we believe that travelling as a family provides for a great experience while discovering and enjoying nature and its landscapes. We also believe that family trips expose children to different cultures and experiences. Thus enhancing their relationship with the environment and raising consciousness about conservation issues.
Finally we are happy to announce that we already had our first guest family trying out this new product in Patagonia. They had an amazing time discovering one of the most remote areas in Chile amid the incredible Torres del Paine National Park. Don’t miss the chance to travel with your family. Also, we will be happy to help you design an extraordinary experience in nature. We can create a tailor-made family adventure just for you and your family, or you can join a group with other families. Contact us at info@amity-tours.com or visit our website.
We are pleased to announce that our Bike Tour Chile 8 Days has been confirmed. It will be starting on January 21st, 2017. During eight days, you will have the chance to experience riding the amazing southern back roads of the Lake & Volcano District. Summer is the best time to ride around lakes, ancient forests and little villages.
Our trip starts in Temuco, where you will meet our friendly local team. The adventures starts with a warm up ride towards our hotel located in the Malalcahuello National Reserve. On the second ride, we will travel alongside the Lonquimay River: Also we’ll visit the Kütralkura Geopark where you can meet the local Pewenche indigenous communities. The third day will be dedicated to enjoy great views of three different volcanoes (Llaima, Tolhuaca and Lonquimay) on our bikes.
Afterwards, on the next day we will cycle around Pucon, the Lake & Volcano District’s main tourist destination. We will enjoy great views and landscapes such as the Caburgua Lake and the Huife Hot Springs. On day five we will bike through Chile´s 7 Lakes Route. We’ll pedal alongside the shores of two beautiful lakes, Calafquén and Panguipulli, and cover three-quarters of the way around the majestic, snow-capped active Villarrica Volcano. This road is smooth and quiet as almost no vehicles drive here. At one point we might even be able to see five volcanoes.
Chile’s famous 7-Lakes Route
The last stage of this unforgettable trip will be at the Llanquihue Lake. This area is great for bike trips and it is considered Chile’s first bike-friendly destination.
Llanquihue Lake and Osorno Volcano
We will pass through small towns such as Puerto Varas and Ensenada. We will eat some amazing food and if you want to challenge yourself, you can do some extra pedaling and ride up the Osorno Volcano.
Vicente Perez Rosales National Park – Osorno Volcano
Finally, we will visit the local Market, which is the perfect place for wonderful souvenirs, handcrafts and woolen clothing. Afterwards we will drive you the airport where this adventure ends.
For more information about this trip or any of our other trending tours check out our website!
Mountain biking in the Villarrica National Reserve
Bike Tours Chile December 2016
December is a great month to travel in Chile’s Lake & Volcano District. It is possible to experience the flowering season and the days are longer and warmer. These attributions are great when on a road bike and mountain bike tour. We can still have a little of snow in the Andes Mountain Range, which makes the landscape look awesome. Forests will be covered by green, and river water will be clear and fresh. Pack your suitcase, gather your friends and family, and come enjoy one of the best experiences in nature.
Road Cycling towards the border with Argentina
Amity Tours has designed well supported, guided Bike Tours especially made for intermediate and advanced cyclists. Upon your arrival, our friendly staff will meet you and the journey will begin. We would be happy to help with bike rental, tools and helmets. All our bikes are equipped with Wellgo pedals and toeclips. You can also substitute any pedals you choose to bring. Amity Tours also has a small number of Shimano pedals, available on a first come, first served basis.
Mountain biking and road cycling with Amity tours will take you to great national parks such as the Conguillio, Villarrica and Vicente Perez Rosales. In addition, we will spend some nights at the magnificent Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve. In these settings, you will be biking and hiking through ancient Araucaria and Nothofagus forests, experiencing great views of amazing active and non active volcanoes.
Summit of the Villarrica Volcano (2.847 meters)
For instance, you will be able to climb the Villarrica Volcano (one of the most active volcanoes on Earth) as well as the Bateamavida Mount. From their summits you will experience great panoramic views, and feel like you are on the top of the world. Don’t miss the chance to connect with nature, escape from the routine and make new friends. These mountain bike trips are not to be missed!
Book now and enjoy the best bike tours South America can offer. For further information and requirements, visit our website.
Nothing compares to the outstanding sense of journey you experience during a Bike Tour. It’s the excitement of discovering under your own capacity, riding from one amazing place to the next. It’s the freest way of travel you’ll come across, giving you the chance to choose how your day unfolds. You can pedal at your own speed, discovering and experiencing amazing natural areas in Chile.
Bike season in southern Chile
7-Lake Route Ride
This upcoming Spring, (October and November 2016) we will be launching our bike programs at Amity Tours! We have designed the best experiences for those who want to discover and ride through The Lake & Volcano District and the Atacama Desert. Check out our 8-Day Road Cycling Tour, where you will be able to bike along the Lake and the German Settlers route. Moreover, you will experience riding alongside rivers and valleys, enjoying unique views of volcanoes and discovering the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park and the Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve.
Lanín Volcano in the Villarrica National Park
Bike experience in Northern Chile
If you want more adventure in Chile, try out our 7-Day Bike and Hike Tour in the Atacama Desert. This special tour will take you off the beaten path, and into areas not accessible by vehicle and trodden only by local natives and their llama or goat herds.
Cultural encounter with the Likan Antai indigenous community in the Atacama Desert, Northern Chile
We will encounter small villages, geysers, altiplanic lagoons, valleys, archaeological remains, Andean wildlife along with the most spectacular desert and mountain landscapes, always crowned by high dormant volcanoes.
Cejar Lagoon ride – San Pedro de Atacama, Northern Chile
We also have designed a 7-Day Mountain Bike Tour in the Lake & Volcano district. You will ride through protected areas such as the Conguillio National Park and the Villarrica National Park. In this area, you will discover magical places like Las Raices range and the Ojos del Caburgua waterfalls.
Ojos de Caburgua, Pucón
Our Bike & Hike Tour has been especially made for intermediate and advanced road bikers and hikers. This is a perfect blend of activities that bring the Lake & Volcano district to life. You will experience thousand-year-old Araucaria and Nothofagus forests with an intimacy that is only possible when you travel on foot or bike. You will be able to connect with local communities and natural history.
The most astonishing sightings await you when you bike & hike with Amity Tours! Check our website for further information.
Unforgettable family tours in Valdivian Coastal Rainforest Chile
We have chosen great activities around the Chaihuin River in our family trips in the Valdivian Jungle at the Lake and Volcano District in Chile. This is a little fishermen village that is learning how to deal with the tourism industry that is growing every year. This village is located in the heart of the Valdivian Coastal Rainforest between two wilderness protected areas; Alerce Costero National Park and the Conservation Land Trust of Valdivian Coastal Reserve (by The Nature Conservancy).
Amity Tours has decided to spend a couple of days around Chaihuin River in order to contribute to the development of Sustainable Tourism in this area. Hiking Tours, Bike Tours, Kayak Tours, Scenic drives and boat navigation are some of the activities we will develop with our guest families.
Valdivian Coastal Reserve by The Nature Conservancy
From Valdivia City we will drive about 17 km until we get to Niebla, where we will take a ferry to Corral. From here it is a 25km drive south to the Valdivian Coastal Reserve. This protected area is part of an old temperate rainforest rising from Chile’s southern coastline. This huge coastal forest is what remains of the past millennia.
For instance, two of the of Earth’s longest-living tree species: Alerce and Olivillo Costero are located here. If we pay attention we will be able to hear the world’s larger woodpecker or the monito del monte (the smallest marsupial in the world).
Later we will continue to the South American Sea Lion Colony at Huiro beach. Here we will meet some Mapuche Huilliche members and we will be able to see majestic Pacific Ocean views. We will walk through a small trail that leads to a rocky coast covered with coastal Olivillo tree and other species of the Valdivian Temperate Rainforest. Here we will be able to see the Sea Lion Colony and if we are lucky, during summer we can see Blue Whales, Humpback Whales, and Orcas as well as shorebirds such as the Southern Lapwing and the Austral Blackbird.
Alerce Costero National Park
Other activities we would like to experience with our visitors include hikes at the Alerece Costero National Park. Here we will be able to visit the oldest Alerce tree that exists in the Coastal Mountain Range. We will hike the “Mirador de Chaihuin” and the “The Alerce Milenario” trails. Here we will learn about endemic plants species, birds and animals that inhabit this ecosystem while we enjoy the oldest larch forest on Earth.
We also will explore forest trails to discover the magic and charm of unique species of amphibians. What’s more we will boat and paddle through the Chaihuin River learning about its unique flora and fauna as well as the local culture. These activities will be hosted by our friends from Gayana Ecolodge, where we will spend our days while we visit the Valdivian Coastal Rain Forest.
You can find similar tours in our Conservation Tours section. One of the most popular tours is called Valdivian Jungle Ecotourism, a 4 day tour that visits this fantastic area in the Pacific Coast.
For further information and details, check out our website www.amity-tours.com.
Family Activities in Valdivia, Family Adventure trips.
Amity Tours has designed a Family Trip in the Valdivian Jungle located in The Lake and Volcano District. Most of the activities have been planned in national parks, and private reserves, all of them wilderness protected areas. However there are some fun activities that we chose within the city. Valdivia was crowned the capital of Chile´s newest 14th Region of Los Ríos. It is the most important university town in southern Chile and, as such, offers a wide variety of venues and activities related to the arts, cafes, restaurants and bars. It also boasts of having Chile´s best craft beer culture and a refreshing dose of youthful energy and German effervescence.
River Market in Valdivia
One of the experiences we will offer is a visit to the River Market or “Feria Fluvial”. After a ride in a solar water taxi along the Calle Calle River, we will arrive at the Feria Fluvial. This is a lively riverside market located to the south of the Valdivia Bridge, where vendors sell fresh fish and seafood, fruits, veggies and local products. Waterfront sea lions have discovered the Promised Land here, as they float around all day, eating as fish mongers throw them scraps from the daily catch.
Carpa de la Ciencia in Valdivia
Another activity we have chosen for our clients is to visit the “Carpa de la Ciencia”. In this place there are always exhibits regarding different scientific areas. For example there have been exhibits about the evolution of communications in the past century and every year it has been used as the meeting point for participants of the Valdivian International Film Festival. The place was built in 2010 with the idea to bring science closer to the community, providing a good opportunity for families to learn and experience new things.
Chocolate and Marzipan Factory in Valdivia
Finally we would like to bring our guest families to the Entrelagos chocolate factory. This is a traditional place located in one of the main corners of the city center. It was created in 1976 and since then the owners have been working to develop the best artisan chocolates and marzipan in the south of Chile. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy this beautiful city with your family and Amity Tours. We are launching this tour and more tours throughout Chile on our website in September 2016.
You can find similar tours in our Conservation Tours section. One of the most popular tours is called Valdivian Jungle Ecotourism, a 4 day tour that visit this fantastic area in the Pacific Coast.
For further information and details check out our website www.amity-tours.com.
Tolten River Floating – Lake and Volcano District, Chile
Enjoy a family trip in The Lake & Volcano District in Chile.
At Amity Tours we are working hard to develop the best experience for you and your family in The Lake & Volcano District. We will be launching our Family Trips adventures in September 2016. We are orchestrating exciting activities for families including, hiking, horseback riding, floating, kayaking and rafting. The focus of these trips is for family members to enjoy each other in nature and take home unforgettable memories of these experiences. One of the activities we will be offering in this trip is a family floating day in the Tolten River, the outflow of Lake Villarrica, which is alongside the town of Villarrica.
This experience on the water is peaceful and relaxing. You and your family will be able to enjoy the beauty of Chile while floating down the river as it twists out of the Andes towards the Ocean. Some of the sights include two volcanoes located in the area, Chilean farms, and wildlife. After a few hours on the river the whole trip stops on a private, secluded section of the river. We will enjoy a couple hours of eating an authentic Chilean barbecue, which has already been set up and prepared for us by our local crew. While slowly eating our abundant lunch, families are welcome to fish with their kids in the river, take photos, explore the country side, or just sit by the fire and enjoy a cold beer or exquisite Chilean wine. Once everyone’s stomachs are completely satisfied, the trip down river starts back up again until we reach our transportation that will take us back to the hotel.
At Amity Tours we whole heartedly believe in the profound reward of travelling as a family. Because of this, we have plenty of flexibility to support a wide range of abilities and interests. We invite you and your family to enjoy the amazing landscape and culture in the Lake & Volcano district. Check out our website for further information. www.amity-tours.com
Enjoy an Ancestral Caravan in San Pedro de Atacama with your family and Amity Tours!
In Amity Tours we are working hard to design meaningful experiences for families that want to spend their vacation in Chile. One of the destinations we have chosen is San Pedro de Atacama, a green oasis located in the driest desert of the world. Here we will be able to experience an amazing landscape and geological formations, visit archaeological sites, caves, salt flats, lagoons, ravines and little Andean villages. We also will get in touch with the Likan Antay indigenous community in order to learn more about this ancient culture.
One of the activities we will be offering as part of our family trips is the Ancestral Caravan with llamas (a domestic camelid that inhabits the South American Andean region). This experience has been designed with the idea of recovering an old ancestral tradition that was a common way of travelling long distances trough the Andes mountain range to visit relatives and exchange goods. By experiencing this ancestral caravan the travelers will be able to learn a little bit more about the culture and history of this area. We will be walking with the llamas around Coyo, one of the fifteen Ayllus (communities) that exist in the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. We will hear stories about the local community and lifestyle and learn about the Andean cosmovision that has ruled the Likan Antay people for thousands of years.
Don’t miss the chance to experience this activity in our Family Trip to San Pedro de Atacama. You and your family will activate your senses and broaden your horizons. Coming soon at www.amity-tours.com
Big Snow has Arrived to the Lake & Volcano District in South America
Amity Tours is very happy to announce that finally a lot of snow has arrived to the Andes Mountain Range in Chile and Argentina. During the past three days the mountains have been clobbered with a large snow storm. Some resorts already received a lot of snow and some are expecting a big snowfall forecast this week. The ski centers are getting prepared to receive visitors from all around the world that want to enjoy skiing on and off piste. For instance, Corralco Ski Resort is expecting 74 cm of snow this week. Likewise, Caviahue Ski Resort in Argentina is expecting 25 cm of new snow today and the upcoming days. Pucon Ski Resort is also expecting 43 cm, a good fall of snow during the coming days.
If you want to experience the best skiing in the Lake & Volcano District this winter 2016, get your suitcase ready and book one of our Ski Tours 2016. Imagine having the confidence to go exactly where you want to go at the speed you choose to go at. To be able to slow down or speed up at will, control your descent on ice, control your speed on steeper terrain, know how to cope with a fresh fall of snow, handle crowded slopes and narrow paths. You will also be able to visit the Ski center located in the Villarrica National Park. It is located at a short distance from the urban center of Pucon. This resort has 20 runs to practice skiing and snowboarding, with friendly service and good snow quality. Amity Tours has designed different options to enjoy the snow this coming winter. We look forward to meeting you and your friends this 2016 season. For more information regarding our ski programs check out our Ski tours and rates at www.amity-tours.com
Tour Operator of the Year 2016 Luxury Travel Guide
We are very proud to announce that Amity Tours has been awarded Tour Operator of the Year for Pucón, Chile in the 2016 Holiday & Tour Specialist Awards.
The Luxury Travel Awards recognize and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the affluent travel and tourism industry in Europe, The Americas, Asia & Australasia, and Africa & Middle East .
Their team of experts have scoured the globe and traveled extensively in order to identify everything from the very best hotels, airlines and tour operators through to highlighting the most reputable tourism service companies.
According to Mr. Benjamin Pugh, LTG Awards Coordinator, the Awards Program selects winners based on their achievements and strengths in the travel industry.
All winners of the 2016 Holiday & Tour Specialist Awards were subject to the same rigorous assessment criteria, carried out by the Luxury Travel Guide Award experienced in-house professionals as well as a number of celebrity guest judges.
This ensures that only the most deserving teams, businesses and individuals walk away with one of these prestigious accolades. The Luxury Travel Guide Award represent the pinnacle of achievement, championing the best in their respective fields, therefore to come out as a clear winner is an achievement to be proud of.
We are happy to announce our first group of hikers coming from Estonia and the first group from the Ladies Trekking Club.
Heli, Neeme and Tom jumped on an airplane from Estonia with the plan to get to Chile to hike through ancient forests and volcanoes. They have been preparing for this trip for a while and their expectations were high. They didn’t know that they would be able to explore one of the most fascinating parts of Chile, dominated by clear water lakes and live volcanoes. They arrived to Temuco on the 29th of March, 2016. At the airport they met Patrick (professional guide) and Orlando (professional driver) and started their fabulous adventure towards Malalcahuello, a little village part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve “Araucarias”.
In the following days they hiked the trails of the Andes mountain range with friendly locals. They have reached Cerro Coloradito, visited the Truful Truful canyon and the pristine Arcoiris Lagoon with its clear water that reflects stunning colors at Congullio National Park. Furthermore, they were able to spot endemic birds such as the chucao tapaculo and the noisy slender-billed parakeet. In Pucon, the main adventure tourism destination in the Lake & Volcano District, our new Estonian friends had another great experience. They hiked towards ancient Araucaria and Nothofagus forests at the Villarrica National Park. Moreover, they reached the Pichillancahue Glacier and the Andean lakes also located at the afore named protected area. Then Heli, Neeme and Tom relaxed in soothing natural hot springs. Towards the coast, our visitors went to temperate rain forests at the Valdivian Jungle at Pilonkura and Curiñanco Indigenous Reserves and the Valdivian Coastal Reserve, a conservation project developed by the American NGO -the Nature Conservancy. Finally, our guests were able to enjoy the Huilo Huilo biological reserve and all its amazing surroundings.
We feel that this first encounter with Heli, Neeme and Tom from Estonia is the first of many other gatherings to come. They enjoyed hiking around the Lake and Volcano District, and we were able to feel how happy they were within the landscape, lakes, trails and volcanoes. We look forward to meet our new friends again, hiking in Easter Island, Atacama Desert or southern Patagonia. We wish them a safe trip back home!!!!
Check out our Hiking Tours in Chile. Season October 2016 – April 2017
Starting this July 2016, the Villarrica Volcano will be open again to perform ski and winter activities.
The Villarrica volcano (2.847mt / 9343 ft) or RukaPillan (house of spirits) in Mapudungun (the ancestral language of the mapuche people) is one of the most active volcanoes in Chile. This volcano has had 82 historical eruptions so far. The last large eruption occurred in March of 2015. It is the westernmost of three large stratovolcanoes that trend perpendicular to the Andean chain along the Gastre Fault. RukaPillan, along with Quetrupillan and the Chilean portion of Laninare protected within the Villarrica National Park.
Since the last eruption in March of 2015,the ski center has been closed. The national park was re-opened in October, 2015 and the activities related to the volcano, such as climbing and hiking started to occur. Local authorities have been working on the ski center and they have announced its re-opening in July of 2016. The center has nine ski lifts (5 draglifts and 3 chairlifts) and 20 runs to choose from. The views from the slopes overlooking the surrounding volcanoes and the Lake Villarricaare incredible. There is a cafeteria at the base of the ski center with a great terrace to enjoy the view and relax.
Imagine being able to reach the active Villarrica crater after six hours of hiking and then ski off-piste all the way down. You will be able to experience amazing views, handling slopes and narrow paths, controlling your speed and descending in fresh fallen snow and perfect weather conditions. Imagine how liberating it would be to move around the mountain knowing you can cope with anything that comes your way. For this and more ski experiences on the Villarrica volcano, the 2016 ski season will be open from July, 2016 untill October, 2016. Check out our website in order to get more information about our ski tours. We have specialized tours for beginners and experts skiers and snowboarders.
Check out all our ski tours in Chile and Argentina here:
Amity Tours is proud to announce that we are supporting the Torres del Paine Legacy Fund.
Since our first year of operations in 2003, our commitment has always been to contribute to the sustainable development of our country through the practice of “Responsible Tourism”. This is one of our most important values.
Amity Tours is fully committed to the people of Chile and the World in order to conserve the ecosystems that are present within the Chilean territory. One of the most spectacular destinations in Chile is Patagonia, the region where you can explore and discover Torres del Paine National Park.
However and without a doubt, tourism in Torres del Paine National Park is growing. Increased traveler visitation is directly correlated to positive economic benefits for the region and provides a strong opportunity for community development. To ensure the long-term sustainability of this growth investments are needed for the responsible management of the destination’s unique cultural and environmental assets. The park has suffered three major man-made forest fires since 1985, and the increasing foot traffic from the growing number of travelers along the iconic W and Circuit treks has put the trails in need of repair.
The Legacy Fund believes that each new traveler to Torres del Paine represents a new opportunity to give back, and seeks to transform each arrival into a reason for hope and action. In partnership with public and private entities that cater to travelers in the region, the Legacy Fund works to promote social and conservation issues before, during, and after stays while also investing both financial and human resources into action projects that promote solutions for long-term destination growth.
Amity Tours’ commitment with this cause is to allow every traveler going to Torres del Paine to support the conservation actions in Torres del Paine National Park. This can be done by donating money or your time and work, if you can, to participate in some of the conservation actions.
The Legacy Fund Mission is to work with travelers, businesses and local residents to prioritize sustainable development concerns and solicit resources to invest in the long-term health of Torres del Paine National Park.
The Legacy Fund Vision is for Torres del Paine National Park to be seen as a world-class destination where visitors work in parallel with residents to promote conservation through travel and tourism.
Legacy Fund Objectives:
Repair the ecosystem and minimize visitor impacts
Update and improve tourism infrastructure
Support community development
Enhance recreation opportunities and tourism product
Confirmed Departures – Chile 12 days Bike Tour, December 2015 and February 2016
Discover the Lake & Volcano District cycling Chile’s southern back roads and the brand new Lake & Volcano Scenic Way. Explore this fascinating part of the country dominated by clear-water lakes and amazing live volcanoes. Together with friendly locals, you will pedal alongside the Andes mountains, green rolling meadows and through national parks. You’ll also go hiking surrounded by ancient monkey puzzle trees, visit local ethnic villages and relax in soothing natural hot springs.
Confirmed Departures – Chile 8 days Bike Tour, November 2015 and April 2016
Discover the Lake & Volcano District cycling Chile’s southern back roads and the brand new Lake & Volcano Scenic Way. Explore this fascinating part of the country dominated by clear-water lakes and amazing live volcanoes. Together with friendly locals, you will pedal alongside the Andes mountains, green rolling meadows and through national parks, visit local ethnic villages and relax in soothing natural hot springs.
Have you thought about where you are going this year on your bike? If biking is your passion and the weather at home is not ideal, here in South America the Sun is shining for you!
Whether you have one or two weeks saved for vacation time during your winter, we invite you to join us in one of our bike tours in Chile between November 2015 and April 2016.
Get your friends together and visit The Lake and Volcano district in Chile. Amity Tours can tailor-make any tour for you and your fellow riders. Tell us what you want and we will make sure you get it. For now, until we hear from you… this is what we have with confirmed departure:
Lake Panguipulli – Chile’s 7 Lake Route
Confirmed Departure Chile 8 days Bike Tour, November 2015 and April 2016
Discover the Lake & Volcano District cycling Chile’s southern back roads and the brand new Lake & Volcano Scenic Way. Explore this fascinating part of the country dominated by clear-water lakes and amazing live volcanoes. Together with friendly locals, you will pedal alongside the Andes mountains, green rolling meadows and through national parks, visit local ethnic villages and relax in soothing natural hot springs.
During 8 days you will visit the following places:
Chile’s first Geopark Kütralkura and the Araucarias Biosphere Reserve
Bike alongside Lonquimay Volcano, Malalcahuello and Altos de Bio-bio National Reserves
Climb The Andes Mountains on a brand new road bike, Cannondale
Pucon city; Lake Caburgua and Huife Hot Springs
Bike alongside Chile’s Seven Lake Route
Bike around Llanquihue Lake and climb the road up Volcano Osorno … if you can!!!
Price per person USD $3,350, based in double occupancy.
Single supplement USD $750
Bike rental USD $250 for the whole tour, Cannodale CAAD-8 105
Confirmed Departure Dates: November 16th to 23rd 2015 and April 4th to 16th 2016
Villarrica National Park Ride – Lanin Volcano at sight
Confirmed Departure Chile 12 days Bike Tour, December 2015 and February 2016
Discover the Lake & Volcano District cycling Chile’s southern backroads and the brand new Lake & Volcano Scenic Way. Explore this fascinating part of the country dominated by clear-water lakes and amazing live volcanoes. Together with friendly locals, you will pedal alongside the Andes mountains, green rolling meadows and through national parks. You’ll also go hiking surrounded by ancient monkey puzzle trees, visit local ethnic villages and relax in soothing natural hot springs.
During 12 days you will visit the following places:
Chile’s first Geopark Kütralkura and the Araucarias Biosphere Reserve
Bike alongside Lonquimay Volcano, Malalcahuello and Altos de Bio-bio National Reserves
Climb The Andes Mountains on a brand new road bike, Cannondale
Enjoy Chile’s Adventure Travel capital: Pucon city; Lake Caburgua and Huife Hot Springs
Hike in Huerquehue National Park, Pucon’s most popular hiking trails.
Spend New Years’ Eve in Pucon and party with a great fireworks show
Bike alongside Chile’s Seven Lake Route
Hike in the awarded Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve and support its conservation
Bike around Llanquihue Lake and climb the road up Volcano Osorno … if you can!!!
Price per person USD $4,950 based in double occupancy.
Single supplement USD $1,200
Bike rental USD $350 for the whole tour, Cannodale CAAD-8 105
Confirmed Departure Dates: December 28th 2015 to January 08th 2016; February 21st to March 3rd 2016.
Bike and Hike in Chile – Pucon area.
Bike and Hike Tour Chile 8 Days. Confirmed departures every Saturday in January and February 2016
Discover the Lake & Volcano District hiking and biking Chile’s southern backroads. Explore this fascinating part of the country dominated by clear-water lakes and amazing live volcanoes. Together with friendly locals, you will pedal alongside the Lake & Volcano Scenic Way, including the Andes mountains, green rolling meadows and through national parks. Likewise, you’ll hike in one of Chile’s best National Parks, climb Villarrica volcano, visit villages and relax in soothing natural hot springs.
During 8 days you will visit the following places:
Climb The Andes Mountains on a brand new road bike, Cannondale
Enjoy Chile’s Adventure Travel capital: Pucon city; Lake Caburgua and Huife Hot Springs
Hike in Huerquehue National Park, Pucon’s most popular hiking trails.
Climb Villarrica Volcano, Chile’s most active volcano.
Bike across Villarrica National Park and reach the base of Lanin Volcano.
Bike alongside Chile’s Seven Lake Route
Price per person USD $2,220, based in double occupancy.
Single supplement USD $675
Bike rental USD $100 for the whole tour, Cannodale CAAD-8 105
Confirmed Departure Dates: Every Saturday in January and February 2016
The 2015 Ski Season in South America will be remembered for all snow lovers, from beginners to experts skiers and snowboarders. During the month of August 2015 we not only had the best snow conditions but the perfect weather during the day, with sunny days and low winds. As result, the powder was everywhere we went: Corralco Ski Resort and Lonquimay Volcano, Caviahue Ski Resort and Copahue Volcano, Chapelco Ski Resort and Huilo Huilo Mountain Resort and its Mocho and Choshuenco Volcanoes.
We did amazing things, such us dog-sledding and snowmobiling in Caviahue, skinned up (randonee skiing) to the crater of Lonquimay volcano in Corralco, went tree skiing in Chapelco and Cat Skiing in Huilo Huilo reaching the summit of Mocho and Choshuenco volcanoes. The best backcountry skiing that I can remember since 2003 …
Photo by Lee Townend, Lonquimay Volcano
For as long as “El Niño” stays close to our Pacific coast, we can be sure that there will be plenty of good snow.
We invite you to join us next year starting from August and September 2016.
Colchagua Valley is one of the most up raising wine valleys worldwide and the most develop valley focused towards tourism industry in Chile. Amity Tours Bike and Wine tour will take you to ride the Apalta Area, the area towards Peralillo, Lolol, Pichilemu and Bucalemu villages on the Pacific coast. On some days, we’ll cycle towards different wineries, touring on them, doing wine tastings and being able to ride inside wineries. Our tour is very exclusive, so we invite you to contact us for private departures and cycle the Colchagua Wine Valley.
Confirmed Departure: Bike and Wine in Colchagua Wine Valley 6 days tour, October and December 2014
We are very happy about this GREAT news and we are so excited to meet you in our home!! CHILE IS GOOD!!
Chile has won the bid to host the Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) in 2015. The adventure tourism industry’s foremost annual gathering will take place from October 5th to the 8th in the town of Puerto Varas, in the Lake Region of Chile. The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA; www.adventuretravel.biz) announced the location at the start of TravelMart Latin America. A long-time member and partner of the ATTA, Chile is committed to adventure travel as a path toward sustainable tourism in the country
Discover the Lake & Volcano District cycling Argentina and Chile’s southern paved roads. Explore this fascinating part of both countries dominated by clear-water lakes and amazing live volcanoes. Together with friendly locals, you will pedal alongside the Andes mountains, green rolling meadows and through national parks, visit local ethnic villages and relax in soothing natural hot springs. This is the perfect way to spend New Years Eve in South America.
Confirmed Departure: Road Cycling Chile and Argentina’s Lake & Volcano District 12 days tour, December 2014
Amity Tours invites you to discover the Lake & Volcano District hiking and cycling Chile’s southern roads. Explore this fascinating part of the country dominated by clear-water lakes and amazing live volcanoes. Together with friendly locals, you will pedal alongside the Araucarias Biosphere Reserve, including the Andes mountains, green rolling meadows and through national parks, climb active volcanoes, visit villages and relax in soothing natural hot springs. This is the perfect way to spend New Years Eve in South America.
Special Departure: Bike and Hike in the Araucarias Biosphere Reserve, Chile 7 days tour, December 2014
Amity Tours invites you to discover the Lake & Volcano District hiking and cycling Chile’s southern backroads. Explore this fascinating part of the country dominated by clear-water lakes and amazing live volcanoes. Together with friendly locals, you will pedal alongside the Araucarias Biosphere Reserve, including the Andes mountains, green rolling meadows and through national parks, climb active volcanoes, visit villages and relax in soothing natural hot springs.
Special Departure: Bike and Hike in the Araucarias Biosphere Reserve Tour Chile 6 days , November 2014
Discover the Lake & Volcano District hiking and cycling Chile’s southern backroads. Explore this fascinating part of the country dominated by clear-water lakes and amazing live volcanoes. Together with friendly locals, you will pedal alongside the Andes mountains, green rolling meadows and through national parks, climb an active volcano, visit local ethnic villages and relax in soothing natural hot springs.
Confirmed Departure: Chile 8 days Bike and Hike Tour, October and December 2014.
Discover The Lake and Volcano District on our Chile 8 Days Bike Tour. This awesome tour takes you to the most charming little villages in the south of Chile. You will ride alongside amazing lakes, rivers and mountains all around you. With an average distance of 50-80 km per ride, you will explore the south of Chile the best way you can….on a Cannondale Road Bike. You will ride among the most beautiful landscapes and discover that there is an active volcano in just about every corner. This 8 days bike tour is an experience you will never forget.
Check out pictures from our latest bike tour! Chile Bike Tour 2014
Some of the highlights of our Chile 8 Days Bike Tour
• Accommodation at 3 *, 4 *and 5 * Hotels
• Professional guide with you at all times
• SAG Wagon for every ride
• Rides can be extended
• Meals at local family owned restaurants, always with the best Chilean Wines.
• Ride Chile´s Seven Lakes Route
• 7 rides in 8 days! Dates:
Mar. 7st- 14th, 2014
Pucon is one of Chile´s most beautiful tour destinations and the capital of adventure tourism. Surrounded by Mountains, Lakes and active Volcanoes, you will find the most amazing Hiking Trails in the beautiful national parks nearby.
One of these amazing Hiking Trails is at El Cañi Sanctuary. This ancient araucaria forest (monkey puzzle tree) with its beautiful Hiking Trails enables you to expand awareness wide enough to begin to sense mysterious echoes coming down from past millennia. The sanctuary sits at one of the highest elevations in an active volcanic landscape. You can combine this hiking with a visit to the nearby natural hot springs!
Another great Hiking Trail is in the Villarrica Volcano, located in Villarrica National Park. If you are coming to the town of Pucon, you cannot miss out on climbing this beautiful perfect cone shape volcano. The hike up can be a challenge but once you get to the top….you will be amazed by all the beauty and the power of an active crater. At an elevation of 2,847 meters, this active volcano offers great hiking in the winter time where you will find yourself in the middle of powder snow, and in the summer time surrounded by panoramic views of the lakes and other volcanoes.
From the West side of Villarrica Volcano we take you to the East side of this beautiful National Park, heading to its unique glacier. This beautiful Hiking Trail starts with an amazing Araucaria forest. The Hiking Trail continues to the Pichi Llancahue Glacier, finding yourself surrounded by volcanoes! Everywhere you look, there is a volcano! The Quetrupillan Volcano, Lanin Volcano and right behind the glacier, the majestic Villarrica Volcano. It’s not just these amazing volcanoes on sight, the beauty surrounding us, mountains covered with snow on one side, and rocky mountains on the other side, is something you will treasure. After hiking, we usually visit the Geometricas hot springs, our favorite hot springs in Chile!
Another amazing Hiking Trail has to be in Conguillio National Park, one of the most attractive and outstanding parks of the Lake & Volcano District and the first Geopark in Chile. While you visit the park you will witness how the Llaima volcano has permanently shaped the landscape of the area with its eruptions and you’ll have the fantastic opportunity to walk on the lava flows that once came from the heart of the Earth. We’ll also visit the Truful-Truful Canyon and its waterfalls and the pristine Arco Iris (Rainbow) Lake with its clear waters that reflect stunning colors. In this excursion, we hike along the Sierra Nevada trail (3 ½ hours round trip) surrounded by native trees, including ancient monkey-puzzle trees or araucarias and Nothofagus. This hiking trail is one of our favorite ones.
Southeast of Lake Villarrica you will find one of Chile’s most beautiful National Parks, the Huerquehue National Park, located at the foothills of the Andes, 35 km (22 miles) from Pucón. This Hiking Trail starts easy but after a short distance the trail becomes more demanding and sometimes steeper, but is still considered a relatively easy hiking level. Once you get to the first lookout point you will be stunned by the views of the Villarrica Volcano and Tinquilco Lake. Once you reach 1.000 meters above sea level you begin to see the first araucarias trees. Soon we will walk through a mixed forest with many of these trees, considered to be a living fossil and a national monument for their exceptional characteristics. After hiking, we can visit the fantastic Huife Hot Springs and relax in its soothing thermal waters.
These hiking trails are just a few in this beautiful country. For more details, check out the day to day itinerary: HIKING NATIONAL PARKS AROUND PUCON 8 DAYS
