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Caviahue and
Caviahue lake. Photo: L. Becari.
Caviahue is located 170 km from Zapala -paved route-, on the
slopes of Copahue volcano (Trilope, for ancient natives) of
almost 3.000 m. o.s.l, on the frontier with Chile.
It's a new town, with less than 1000 inhabitants. Thanks to
its natural resources it has become an interesting tourist
center, now even in winter, with a ski center among araucaria
woods. It owns modern lodging with different options.
Only 18 Km. more along a dirt road, is Copahue at 2.400 m
o.s.l, in a hollow on the volcano's slope, a thermal center
known even abroad. Despite the natives were aware of its
therapy value since centuries, local people (criollos)
discovered it in 1870, when Dr. Pedro Ortiz Vélez -an
Argentinean physician living in Chile- obtained an entry
permit from cacique Cheuquel (Purrán's brother) to take his
patients.
It has a bath therapy center, with mud, natural lagoons and
water sources of different properties . With a capacity of
more than 2.000 daily treatments and diverse lodging, it works
from November to April, as in winter it is almost covered by
snow.
The geothermal energy is partially used, for heating houses
and get out snow from the streets, but it must be solved the
way to reach Copahue in winter.
To have a bath without paying (and without services) go to Las
Maquinitas - before Copahue- and hear the"buff" of the ground
under your feet. Before that place, you will see on the right
an old clinic of the Army, closed by now.
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Laguna del Chancho en Copahue |
Copahue is one of the three best hydrothermal centers in the
world. The quality of its water, mud, vapour and alga make
this place to be visited by thousands of people every year,
searching for a relief of their muscular, bones, skin or
respiratory affections. To that, it must be added the therapy
with drinkable waters, with properties against anemia, good
for digestion and energizer.
The place is also ideal for relaxing.
Argentina:
Norte Neuquino,
Caviahue - Copahue,
Villa Pehuenia,
Aluminé,
Junín de los Andes,
San Martín de los
Andes, Villa Traful,
Villa La Angostura,
Bariloche,
El Bolsón,
Lago Puelo,
El Hoyo,
Esquel,
Trevelin.
Chile: Pucón,
Villarrica,
Temuco,
Valdivia,
Puerto Montt
- Puerto Varas.
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