location

Pucón is a small town in the middle of the southern lake district in Chile. It has become a major center for adventure tourism, and the city center is a backpacker's Disneyland, filled with travel agencies that will offer you any kind of day trips imaginable. 

During the spring, tourist attractions include hiking, rafting, horse back riding, birdwatching, fishing, skiing, and taking in the views of the three snow covered active volcanoes. Due to its privileged natural surroundings, near a volcano and several lakes, nature reserves and thermal baths, Pucón is a destination which can rely on tourism all year round.  

We suggest that you plan to arrive in Pucón a day or two before the retreat begins so that you can take advantage of all that Pucón has to offer. École! Hostal offers charming accommodation and friendly, knowledgeable staff who can help you plan your adventures. 

itinerary

October 20-24: Pucón, Chile

Accommodation: Gaia Sur

Situated near Lake Caburgua, Gaia Sur is the perfect place to connect with the earth, the sky, the water, and the pure air.  Your spirit will be nurtured by the volcanic mountains, green hills, waterfalls, gardens, and animals that surround you. 

getting there

This retreat will begin at 6:00 PM on October 20, and will end at 1:00 PM on October 24.

Getting to and from Gaia Sur:

Bus:

If you are coming from Santiago, we suggest that you take the overnight bus. Buses in Chile are known for being luxurious, reliable and affordable. A nice option is to arrive in Pucón a day or two before the retreat begins to familiarize yourself with the area and take advantage of all that it has to offer. 

For more information about bus schedule visit: http://www.turbus.cl/commerce/venta-pasajes.jsp 

Plane:

The closest airport to Gaia Sur is in Temuco (ZCO). Flights arrive daily from Santiago via Lan Airlines. Once in Temuco, go to the city's bus terminal (it is downtown). Buses leave for Pucon every 15 minutes. The distance is of 112 kilometres and the trip lasts approximately 90 minutes. 

*** A shuttle bus will be arranged from École Hostel in central Pucon to Gaia Sur - times to be announced.

Car:

* To the north: Santiago to Pucón via Temuco. The distance to the capital of the country is of 789 kilometres, which can be covered in 9 or 10 hours travelling along the North Pan American Highway, an asphalted road in very good conditions. The route goes by the cities of Temuco, Freire and Villarrica.

*To the south: Puerto Montt to Pucón, the capital of the X Region of Los Lagos. The distance is 340 kilometres, and takes approximately 5 hours travelling along the South Pan American Highway, an asphalted road in very good conditions.

* To the east: San Martin de Los Andes (argentina) to Pucón; 242-kilometre distance. The entrance to Chilean territory is across the Mamuil-Malal Pass, also known as El Tromen; it is a dirt road almost 100 kilometres long that goes through a flashy forest of araucarias.

logistics

Packing List: Please bring: yoga mat, meditation shawl, journal, pens, alarm clock, watch, comfortable clothing for yoga and Thai Yoga Massage, warm layers for cool or windy nights and mornings, sun hat, sunglasses, bathing suit, sleepwear, walking shoes, toiletries, medications, camera, an open mind, an open heart and a good sense of humor! Average temperatures for late October are between 42 (6) - 67 (20).

Communication at Gaia Sur: There is cell phone reception at Gaia Sur, but no Wi-Fi. The Gaia Sur internet connection is available for emergency use. 

Money: Many ATM's, currency exchanges, and banks are located in Pucón. The exchange rate is approximately 540 Chilean Pesos per 1 US dollar. PLEASE tell your bank and credit card companies the dates when you will be in Chile to avoid having your accounts frozen due to "unexpected activity".

Passports: You must have a passport valid for at least 90 days following your departure from Chile to enter the country. If you are an American citizen you must pay an entrance fee of $131 and then you will receive a visa on arrival good for 90 days. If you are from another country please read about visa requirements and other important details at http://chile.visahq.com/.

traveler or tourist

Do you want to be a Traveler or a Tourist?

Motivation: A Traveler is motivated by an insatiable curiosity and endless fascination with the world in which she finds herself a citizen. She delights in questioning old assumptions, testing new hypotheses, and exploring opposing perspectives on her quest to dissolve boundaries and cultivate an expanded and integrated view of herself and her life´s purpose.

Expectation: A Traveler enjoys planning and preparing for a journey, but he is wise enough to expect the unexpected and he looks forward to embracing the unknown.

Reaction: A Traveler intuitively knows how to surrender to the flow of life - riding its waves with abundant laughter and grace. She receives unforeseen challenges like gifts, recognizing feelings of disorientation and frustration as invitations to expand and evolve.

Interaction: A Traveler respectfully immerses himself in a new culture, a new environment. His mind and heart remain open as he engages in new activities, learns new skills, and gains new perspectives. Whether observing, or participating in dialogue, he practices patience, non-judgment and compassion.

Contribution: A Traveler understands that the amount of joy that she experiences during her journey is a reflection of the joy she generates in her wake. This wisdom guides her to look for and create opportunities to connect deeply with the local people and generously offer her help and a piece of her heart.

Evolution: A Traveler understands that his journey doesn't end when he returns "home". He practices his craft - the art of living a fully integrated life - wherever he is!

investment

Investment: $685 (shared room), $625 (early-bird discount: sign up by August 1)

Price includes four nights' accommodation, tuition, study guide, and three gourmet vegetarian meals per day.

Price does not include transportation to/from Gaia Sur.

register

Go for IT! Please complete and submit the registration form