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Tolhuaca Hot Springs, open to the public since 1898, is located
among the Andes foothills in the Ninth Region, at an altitude of
3,772 ft (1,150 m) above sea level. Nearby, there is a National
Park with the same name, and the entire area is 21 miles (33 km)
from Curacautín and 75 miles (121 km) from the city of Temuco.
It is easy to get here leaving from the city of Victoria or Temuco,
passing by Lautaro and Curacautín. The road is gravel but
in good condition, except in the winter when it may become blocked
by snow. This is why the Hot Springs are only open from November
to April. There are also transportation services that leave Curacautín
and take you to the hot springs.
These waters are extremely hot, carbonated, chlorinated, sulfuric,
and alkaline with average temperatures of 194°F, flowing through
unique, beautiful landscapes among pure nature. The Tolhuaca Springs
are brought down to temperatures of 100°F and 104°F (38°
and 40°C) for bathing purposes and are used to relieve respiratory
illnesses, rheumatism, gout, muscle aches, torticollis, and skin
conditions.
Visitors are able to take in the landscape through photographic
tours, excursions around the area, hikes, horseback rides, and fishing
in the nearby rivers and lagoons. You can also visit the ski slopes
of Malalcahuello and the sand pits of Lonquimay.
Another place worth visiting is Tolhuaca National Park, that just
like the other parks of the 9th Region, boasts a spectacular native
forest highlighting species of trees such as the Evergreen beech,
Coigue, Antarctic Beech, Lenga, Lingue, Hazel Tree, and Araucaria.
There is also a diverse variety of flora and fauna native to this
region. Some of the wildlife includes the coupu (kind of beaver),
South American red fox, skunk, mountain monkey, guiñas and
quiques. Among the bird life that exists you can see ducks, condors,
storks, thrush, Choroy parrots, and many more. There are many trails
within the park that you can access on a guided tour, among them
Prados de Mesacura, Lagunillas, and the trail that leads up to Laguna
Verde (Green Lagoon).
South of the park you can visit the Malleco Lagoon and Laguna Verde
that are home and refuge to many species of Chilean birds.
Other interesting places to see include the Malleco Waterfall,
the Culebra Waterfall, and the High Plateau, site of an archeological
enigma that is the remains of what seems to be an incomplete Pucará
(an ancient Inca fortress). If it is proved to be an actual Inca
Pucará, then the theory about how the Incas arrived to Chiloe
holds truth. It is said that before the arrival of the Spanish settlers,
the Incas crossed over the Andes mountain chain, avoiding the aggressive
Mapuche tribes.
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When to go
All year round.
How to get there
From Santiago to Temuco, 414 miles (663 km) entering the detour
at kilometer 604 along Route 5 South. From here its 37 miles
(59 km) to the hot springs along a gravel road that may become
blocked in the winter due to snow. From Santiago, 438 miles
(700 km) following the route through Victoria - Curacautín
- Tolhuaca. From Temuco to Curacautín, 57 miles (91
km), from Curacautín to the Hot Springs, 21 miles (33
km).
Location
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Hotels
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Holiday Inn Express-Temuco Hotel
Avda. Rudecindo Ortega 01800 Temuco. Temuco
The only hotel in the Ninth Region with international standards.
Holiday Inn Express Temuco is beside the modern Mall of Temuco,
surrounded by various restaurants. |
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Frontera
Hotel & Convention Center
Manuel Bulnes 733 / 726 Temuco. Temuco
A convenient location right in the middle of the historic part
of Temuco, just moments away from Plaza de Armas Anibal Pinto
and the region's business and financial center. |
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Facilities
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The Hot Springs facilities are modern, first class facilities and
include outdoor pools, hydromassage beds, a pavilion of private
pools, natural pools, and a picturesque cave with an impressive
fumarole that emits sulfuric gases, adding an original touch to
these Hot Springs. In addition to the baths and vapor inhalation,
the Tolhuaca Hot Springs offers poultice with hypothermic mud therapy
at temperatures of 131°F (55°C).
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Water Type
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- Hypothermic waters 100°F and 104°F (38ºC and 40ºC)
- Alkaline.
- Sulfated.
- Chlorinated.
- Carbonated.
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Indications
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- Rheumatism.
- Respiratory illnesses.
- Gout
- Muscle aches.
- Torticollis.
- Skin conditions.
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Discrepancies
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- Serious heart conditions.
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Applications
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- Thermal baths.
- Hydromassage.
- Poultice therapy with hypothermic mud.
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Attractions
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Native Forest, Tolhuaca National Park, High Plateau, ski slopes
at Malalcahuello and the sand pits of Lonquimay.
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Activities
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Baths and other thermal activities,
photography, hiking, short excursions, horseback riding, native
flora and fauna. Archeological excursions to the High Plateau.
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