When traveling through the Argentine and Chilean Patagonian land it is important to learn about the natives that lived there before the settlement of Spaniards and Europeans. The tourist circuits through the Lake Budi district allows for a special, in-depth look at the Mapuche people, the forefathers of the Patagonian landscape.
This area is found 90 kilometers southwest of the city of Temuco, the capitol city of the region. Lake Budi is the most southern saline lake in the world. The Lake Budi area is the highest concentration of Mapuche people in the Patagonian area.
A protected area was set aside (as with many different zones in southern Argentina and Chile) in the Araucania area of Patagonian Chile to help the Mapuche people continue their tribal ways. The Mapuche created tours to help explain the story of their people aiding in others understanding and respecting their culture. Many of the traditional ways and lifestyle practices have remained unchanged for the native peoples of this area and this helps to continue with the traditions.
The Mapuche people have created different tour excursions for the tourist to learn, understand and explore the traditional ways of these kind and loving people. Here is a list of some of the different excursions offered:
- The Lafken Mapu Circuit: this is a two day, one night excursion that includes a Mapuche breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as accommodations and lodging at a Mapuche bed and breakfast. The tour takes you through different areas showing the importance of myths in the explaining of imbalances of life of the Lafken Mapu (sea and earth people). It also teaches different cultural activities that are important among the people as well as locations of events that shaped the future of the native people - for example, the last battle ground between the Mapuche and Chilean Amry in 1883.
- The Ancient Culture and Nature Tour: this is a one day tour practiced throughout the year. You will travel through the different Mapuche settlements, experiencing the tranquility of the people. Mapuche families will open their homes and their lives to teach their ways, foods and language. Such adventures as sailing by Wampo (the Mapuche sailboat) or participating in the lengaudo competition (flatfish fishing game) can be enjoyed. The travel, activities and tastes of local cuisine are included in this tour
- The Lafkenche Voyage: this is an ecotourism tour that uses motorized boats to travel the waters of Lake Budi where you will learn about the landscape, ancient farm and fishing practices, the different flora and fauna of the area as well as the the cultural traditions, food and activities of the Mapuche. This is a three day, two night adventure offered between October and March. The tour includes Mapuche breakfast, lunch and dinners, Mapuche accommodations, all transfers and cultural activities.