How to Reach Tinquilco
Please note: Tinquilco is a wilderness location. As such, it is remarkably easy to reach, but nevertheless, the last stretch of access road is difficult, especially in the winter, and requires the care and preparation necessary for a wilderness trip.
By Bus
JAC and Turbus, among others, offer good service of regular and luxury transportation between Santiago and Pucón. Fares vary by as much as 50% depending on the season. From Pucón, you can travel by local bus to the entrance of Huerquehue National Park. From there to the Lodge is another two kilometres that you can leisure walk. Taxis are available between Pucón and Huerquehue National Park, for a charge of between $14,000 Chilean pesos ($495=US$1). If the weather has been good, taxis can reach the Lodge itself. In the summer, there’s also a local van service between Paillaco and the National Park.
By Car
It takes about ten hours to drive the 650 km from Santiago to Temuco. South of Temuco you must turn east in the small town of Freire, taking the Villarrica/ Pucón road. In Pucón, follow the (paved) road toward Lake Caburgua, turning off before reaching Lake Caburgua and taking the (gravel) road to Paillaco and Huerquehue National Park. From Paillaco (a small village, with a school on the left side of the road and a small grocery store, labelled “Oasis” on the right), take the switchback dirt road up the mountain to the Park entry. There, we request that all visitors planning to stay at the Lodge and visit the park, pay the appropriate park entry fees. In winter is good to ask for the road conditions, and for small cars it’s best to leave the vehicle in the park parking lot, continuing on foot along Ñirrico Path, then along a dirt road through a neighbour’s property (there’s no need to pay at the gate if you’re visiting the Lodge) and along a dirt road, over two rivers and through a forest, until you see the Lodge across a field on the left-hand side of the road. The distance from Park entry to the Lodge is 2 kms.