Chilean Indigenous People: Get to Know the Mapuche Culture

Chilean Indigenous People: Discover the Rich Cultural Heritage of the Mapuche People

On this overnight experience, explore the stunning natural landscapes of Chile’s Lakes Region and learn about the most notable Chilean indigenous people. Hike along ancient trails, and learn to identify native trees with your Mapuche guide. Visit a native plants greenhouse to learn how Mapuche are leading the charge nation-wide in reforestation and conservation. Take a workshop on sheep-sheering and spinning wool, and spend the night in the home of gracious Mapuche hosts.

This community-organized Mapuche immersive experience directly impacts local communities and supports sustainable livelihoods for Chile’s indigenous peoples.

Highlights

• Get to know one of the most prominent Chilean indigenous people
• Take part in an artisan weaving workshops
• Meet a master craftswoman, watch her work, and try your hand at spinning wool
• Tour a native plants greenhouse, and learn about local reforestation efforts to protect Chile’s native species
• Hike along Peñihue Mountain with your Mapuche guide
• Learn about Mapuche culture, history, and beliefs
• Make it count: This is a community-organized tour. Your experience directly supports local indigenous communities

Tour Information

Duration: 2 Days, 1 Night 

Start/End Location: Centrally located meeting/drop-off point at Kurarewe Square

Availability: Daily

Itinerary

Day 1: Visit an Artisan Workshop and a Native Plants Greenhouse
Begin your Mapuche immersive experience at a local sheep’s wool farm, where you’ll get an in-depth look at how farmers and artisans sheer sheep and spin wool. Then, visit the artisan workshop where hand-spun wool is made into stunning clothes and artwork.

For lunch, visit the kitchen of a well-known and respected Mapuche cook, and enjoy a traditional meal prepared from native plants and freshly grown vegetables from her garden.

In the afternoon, travel to the Carileufu river, where you’ll meet a local entrepreneur working in reforestation to pick seeds, grow, and reproduce native species.

In the evening, a local family will welcome you into their home for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Day 2:
Enjoy a day in spectacular countryside. After a hearty breakfast, begin your hike on Peñihue Mountain, an important historic sight for Mapuches. Your local Mapuche guide will explain the natural and cultural history of the mountain, and introduce you to native species throughout your hike.

Hike to a spectacular overlook, with panoramic views of surrounding volcanoes, and a chance to see Andean condors soaring overhead. Enjoy a boxed lunch on the trail. Upon arrival back at the trailhead, you’ll begin your return trip to Kurarewe Square where your Mapuche immersive experience will come to a close.

What’s Included

• Transportation
• Local Mapuche guides
• All meals as detailed in the itinerary
• Overnight home-stay accommodation
• Hikes, programs, and workshops

What to Bring

• For hiking activity, bring appropriate shoes and clothes, water, and snacks
• Please bring water in a reusable bottle.

Map

Araucania

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Araucania -38.948921, -72.331113