Quinquen: Learn from Pehuenche families in the midst of millenary araucarias
QUINQUÉN VALLEY, HISTORY OF STRUGGLE AMONG ARAUCARIAS
Quinquén Valley or “Kmkañhue” (refuge in Mapudungún language) is located at the southern mountains, close to Lonquimay. This Pehuenche (people from the Pehuen or Araucaria tree) community invites you to know more about their culture and to live like them in this pristine mountain valley, surrounded by thousand-year-old Araucaria forests, volcanos and Galletué and Icalma lakes.
In this tour, you will have a complete immersion in the community together with a host Mapuche-Pehuenche family. You will know why this is a place of cultivation, with different sprouts of fruits, vegetables, and spices that are fundamental in the seasoning of the food, such as merken. You will taste some typical dishes of the area, such as charquicán, empanadas con pebre, roasted lamb, ember omelets, among others. You will also have the possibility to taste a common drink of the region called the apple and wine chicha. Also, you will participate in the harvesting and tasting of the pine nuts of the area.
Following the rhythm of your hosts, you will not feel rushed and you will not count the minutes since, according to them, the heart reminds us of the true rhythm of time that passes. Come and live this experience of cultural tourism together with the community and Travolution.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Walk Kelu Trufken Trail
- Walk The Condors Trail
- Walk Lifkan Mahuida Trail
- Conversation and mate with the locals (matetún).
- Weaving and spinning workshop
- Degustation of local foodWeaving and spinning workshop
- Home stay
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Tour Features
- Destination
- Dress Code Light clothing for the day and warm clothing for the night / Trekking shoes / Hat / Sunglasses / Sunscreen / Water bottle (At Travolution we avoid buying plastic bottles and appreciate if you bring a reusable one)
- Included 24/7 assistanceLocal guide in SpanishMeals when mentionedNights in cabins run by local familiesPayment by bank transfer or credit cardTransport when mentionedTransportation on excursions
- Not Included Alcoholic drinksCampingContribution to WINTA or TDLFDomestic flightsInterpreter guideMeals not mensionedStandard room w/private bathroomTicketsTipTravel insurance
DAY 1 -WELCOME TO QUINQUÉN, MAPUCHE WORLDVIEW
Lunch: After being welcomed by your host family and getting comfortable, we will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared with typical ingredients from the valley.
Kelu Trufken Trail: Alex, a young teacher from the community and also a local guide, will take us on a hike through the mountains and ancient forests of this place. With him, we will learn about the daily practices of the Mapuche Pehuenche culture, we will learn about the art of piñoneo ("pine-nut picking"), one of the main activities of this territory. We will also learn about the interesting history of this people's struggle for the recovery of their land.
Duration: 2:30 hrs / 2-hour walk
Difficulty: Medium
Matetún: The Mate for the Pewenche people is a form of communication, of uniting in word and also of listening and welcoming those who visit the community. Here you will meet with one of the wise men of the community while enjoying hot mate and tortillas. This journey is also an invitation to open up the meaning of listening and learning.
Accommodation and family dinner: After an exciting day, we will have dinner with our host families, where we will also spend a night of absolute peace and silence.
Included: transport, lunch, excursion, local guide, dinner, bedroom and breakfast.
DAY 2 - MOUNTAIN LIFE AND THE CONDOR TRAIL
Mountain Life: We will get up early to accompany the family in the field and help out where possible: foraging animals, collecting eggs and walking in the fields, getting to know the Pewenche lifestyle.
The Condor Trail: Watching the spectacular Lake Galletué and the Batea Mahuida Volcano on the border with Argentina is undoubtedly a must in Quinquén. Together with our guide and at a slow pace, we will continue to learn about the stories of the ancient Pehuenche on this quiet trail.
Duration: 2:30 hrs / 2-hour walk
Difficulty: Medium
Lunch: Try a delicious typical lunch made by the community.
Afternoon Free: You will have the afternoon free to enjoy the woods, talk to people or do optional activities (ask the Travolution team for options).
Accommodation and family dinner: Volveremos a nuestras casas para cenar y dormir.
Included: transport, lunch, excursion, local guide, dinner, bedroom and breakfast.
DAY 3 - SPINNING AND WEAVING WORKSHOP
Weaving and spinning workshop: Weaving is a way of making a specific item but also of building, reflecting and sustaining the memory of a people. That is what many women in the south of Chile do. To learn more about this practice, we will participate in a wool spinning and weaving workshop, which will be guided by a woman from the community. Here, the wool is completely natural as well as all the elements used for dyeing.
Duration: 2:30 hrs / 2-hour walk
Difficulty: Medium
Lunch: Try a delicious typical lunch made by the community.
Afternoon Free: You will have the afternoon free to enjoy the woods, talk to people or do optional activities (ask the Travolution team for options).
Accommodation and family dinner: We'll go back to our homes for dinner and sleep.
Included: transport, lunch, excursion, local guide, dinner, bedroom and breakfast.
DAY 4 - LIFKAN MAHUIDA TRAIL
Lifkan Mahuida Trail: As a grand finale, Joaquín, a craftsman of the picoyo and local guide, will take us to know the sacred forest he respects, loves and cares for so much. Through a walk, the forest invites us to awaken all our senses to hear the birds, smell the flowers and plants, and perhaps even see some puma tracks. With our senses already open, we will finally arrive at the top of the mountain from where we can enjoy the moving and imposing peaks of volcanoes, the best landscape for saying goodbye to these days.
Duration: 5 hrs / 4-hour walk
Difficulty: Medium
Lunch: On the return from our walk, Joaquin's family will wait for us with a wonderful traditional lunch.
The end of your adventure!
Included: transport, lunch, excursion, local guide, dinner, bedroom and breakfast.
Location
Quinquén
QUINQUÉN VALLEY
Come and enjoy a different experience of sustainable and community-based tourism!
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