Huilo Huilo Hot Springs Tour: Thermal Pools & Lake Calafquén

Thermal pools hidden from the map, with cold water, mud and a river running through them.

A full-day tour from Valdivia to the Huilo Huilo Hot Springs, a thermal resort opened in 2019 and not yet marked on conventional maps, with guide, lunch, lake sailing and air-conditioned transport. The pools hold temperatures between 37 and 40°C, alongside cold-water basins and thermal mud, bordered by the Rañintulelfu river. The tour stops in Panguipulli for a waterfront walk and views of Lake Calafquén and the volcanoes beyond, then sails the lake before lunch and the springs visit. Pickup is included. The guide speaks English or Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour from Valdivia to Huilo Huilo Hot Springs

• Travel along Calle-Calle river
• Stop in Panguipulli for walk and quick purchases
• Travel to Licanray
• Sail on Lake Calafquén
• Have included lunch
• Visit and use Huilo Huilo Hot Springs

The experience

The tour leaves Valdivia and follows the Calle-Calle river through Antilhue and Los Lagos, arriving in Panguipulli for a break. Here you can walk the waterfront, use facilities, and see the lake, birds and volcanoes across the water. From Panguipulli, the drive to Licanray takes 30 minutes. Once there, you board a boat and sail Lake Calafquén before heading to lunch.

The Huilo Huilo Hot Springs themselves are the draw: thermal pools ranging from 37 to 40°C, cold-water pools, thermal mud, and the Rañintulelfu river running through the grounds. Because the springs are not yet on conventional maps, the site stays uncrowded. There are no long queues at the locker rooms or packed pools. The facilities opened in 2019 and are in excellent condition. You have time to move between the thermal and cold pools, use the mud, and sit in the river.

The full outing runs 13 hours from pickup to return. The air-conditioned vehicle, guide in English or Spanish, entrance to the springs, lunch, and the lake sailing are all included. Panguipulli's waterfront is optional. You can use the bathrooms, buy something, or simply rest before the drive to the lake.

What’s included

• Entrance to the Huilo Huilo Hot Springs.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• lunch.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• a sailing trip on Lake Calafquén.
• pickup from Valdivia.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday and SaturdayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Turismo Guía de Los Ríos

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to soak in thermal pools without the crowds: the springs' absence from conventional maps means you'll find space in the water and short waits at the locker rooms, something rare at better-known thermal resorts in the region.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How warm are the thermal pools at Huilo Huilo?

The thermal pools range between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius, with separate cold-water pools also available on the grounds.

What is included in the tour price?

Entrance to the Huilo Huilo Hot Springs, a live guide in English or Spanish, lunch, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a sailing trip on Lake Calafquén are all included. Pickup from Valdivia is also part of the package.

Do we stop anywhere between Valdivia and the hot springs?

Yes, the tour stops in Panguipulli, a town on the way, where you can walk the waterfront, use bathrooms, buy supplies, and see the lake and volcanoes. The stop is optional if you prefer to rest instead.

How long is the drive from Panguipulli to the lake?

The drive from Panguipulli to Licanray, where you board the boat on Lake Calafquén, takes 30 minutes.

Why are these hot springs less crowded than other thermal resorts?

The Huilo Huilo Hot Springs are not yet marked on conventional maps, which keeps visitor numbers low and means no overcrowding in the pools or long lines at the facilities.