How to travel to the National Park?

There are ways to get to Hornopirén Park: by car, bus or plane

Nestled in the Araucanía Region of southern Chile, Conguillío National Park is one of the country’s most beautiful and iconic natural reserves. Known for its ancient araucaria forests, turquoise lakes, and the imposing Llaima Volcano, the park offers a perfect escape into Chile’s volcanic landscapes and Patagonian wilderness. If you’re planning your trip, here’s everything you need to know about how to get to Conguillío National Park.

By Plane

The fastest and most convenient option for international visitors is to fly to Temuco Airport (ZCO), officially known as La Araucanía International Airport. Several daily flights connect Santiago and Temuco, with a flight time of approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Airlines such as LATAM, Sky Airline, and JetSmart operate modern and comfortable aircraft on this route. Once you arrive in Temuco, the best way to reach Conguillío National Park is to rent a car at the airport. The drive from Temuco to the park takes around 2 to 3 hours, depending on your chosen entrance—either through Curacautín (north) or Melipeuco (south). Flying saves time and allows you to spend more of your trip exploring the park’s trails, lakes, and volcanic landscapes instead of driving long distances.

By Car

Driving to Conguillío National Park is the best way to enjoy the freedom and scenic beauty of southern Chile. From Santiago, the park is about 700 kilometers (435 miles) south and takes 8–9 hours via Route 5 South. Once you reach Victoria or Lautaro, follow the signs toward Curacautín or Melipeuco, the two main entrances to the park. From Temuco, the drive takes about 2.5 hours, depending on your chosen route. Roads are mostly paved, but the last section inside the park consists of gravel or volcanic dirt roads. During summer (December–April), most vehicles can access the park without issues. In winter, 4x4 vehicles are recommended due to snow or mud. Driving gives you the flexibility to stop at viewpoints, lakes, and small towns along the way. Don’t forget to fill your gas tank in Curacautín or Melipeuco, as there are no fuel stations inside the park.

By Bus

If you’re traveling on a budget or prefer not to drive, reaching Conguillío National Park by bus is possible and relatively simple. From Santiago, take a long-distance bus to Temuco, a major transportation hub in southern Chile. The trip takes around 8–9 hours on comfortable overnight buses with companies like Turbus, Pullman Bus, or Eme Bus. From Temuco, local buses connect to Curacautín or Melipeuco, the nearest towns to the park. These routes operate several times a day. Once there, you can hire a local transfer, taxi, or guided tour to enter the park, since there’s no regular public transportation directly inside the park. Traveling by bus offers an affordable and relaxed way to reach the area while enjoying Chile’s rural landscapes. Just remember to plan ahead—especially in winter, when some services may operate with reduced frequency.

Weather in the National Park

Conguillío has a temperate, fairly rainy climate that maintains an intense evergreen tone between rivers, mountains, turquoise lakes and dazzling forests.

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Si quieres aprovechar al máximo tu visita a Puyehue, tenemos una sorpresa: nuestro “Top Actividades”. Emocionantes itinerarios, consejos locales y experiencias únicas para vivir la esencia del parque. ¡Tu aventura comienza aquí!

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