Refugio Tinquilco

Sur Chico


Refugio Tinquilco, on private property at the Lago Verde trailhead 2km past the park entrance, is a luxe two-story lodge offering much more than a bed, a meal and a quiet place to get away from it all – it's an experience. After hiking, be sure to submit yourself to the addictive forest sauna/plunge-pool treatment (CH$14,000).

Your host, Patricio, turns out hearty home-style Chilean cuisine with welcome touches, such as French-press coffee and an extensive wine list, and is a helluva guy to share a bottle of Carmenere with. He also produces an invaluable field guide to the park that is leaps and bounds beyond anything published by Conaf.

Designed by an architect, a writer, an engineer and an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker, it's the kind of place people lose themselves for a week and lost souls find their way. Lunch or dinner is CH$10,500.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Sur Chico attractions

1. Parque Nacional Huerquehue

0.85 MILES

The 125-sq-km preserve, founded in 1912, is a little wonderland of waterfalls, alpine lakes and araucaria forests and the creatures that traverse them,…

2. Santuario El Cañi

7.32 MILES

The nature sanctuary El Cañi is proof that concerned citizens can make a difference and affect conservation of old-growth forests. When logging interests…

3. Museo Intercultural Trawupeyüm

15.6 MILES

A sparse but informative museum of Mapuche culture housed in a modern interpretation of a mountain ruka, a traditional circular Mapuche dwelling oriented…

4. Parque Nacional Villarrica

21.78 MILES

Towering over the adventure capital of Pucón, Volcán Villarica is the centerpiece of Parque Nacional Villarrica, one of the most popular parks in Chile…