PATAGONIA | Villarrica National Park | Volcanoes Trek
This amazing trek is located in the northern part of Chilean Patagonia and is considered as one of the best in Chile, after the Full Paine Massif trek.
The trek consists of 48 miles through breath taking forests of millenary Monkey Puzzle trees (Araucaria Araucana) and amazing views of the volcanoes Lanin, Quetrupillán and Villarrica, during 5 days and 4 nights.
The total duration of the program is 8 days, which include arrival day, trekking days, hot springs relaxation day and departure day.
Download map as PDF
The guided groups consist of a guide, an assistant guide, a maximum of 8 participants, and 1 porter for every 2 participants. For a total group size of 14 people on the trail and campgrounds. We apply the Leave No Trace Principles throughout the program.
With this staff / client ratio we are able to provide the best possible guided service, excellent camp set ups and food preparation. This allows our clients to enjoy the trek more fully we handle the chores.
Welcome to the Araucanía! Our private transfer picks you up at the airport in Temuco and you are greeted by your guide with some refreshments before going to the hotel to check in. You have a few hours at leisure to explore town and buy some things you might need during the trek before we meet for our briefing and dinner with the whole group.
| Lodging | double room in hotel with private bathroom |
|---|---|
| Food | refreshments |
Our private transfer will take us from Pucon to the trailhead near the ranger station of Puesco. After registering with the park rangers, we start on the southeast trailhead near the Lanin Volcano, hiking through valdivian temperate forest and gaining elevation, which leads to breathtaking and rewarding views of the landscape, with the main feature being the Lanin Volcano. After 6.2 miles through the forest, we get to camp #1 at Laguna Avutardas.
| Distance | 5.6 mi. |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3.5 hrs. |
| Max. elevation | 4,630 ft. |
| Terrain | valdivian temperate forest |
| Lodging | double tent, shared bathroom tent |
| Food | breakfast, lunch box, dinner |
After a good breakfast in the forest, we start hiking through and out of the forest until we get above the tree line. Here we have nice views of the ridges and the Lanin Volcano as we hike over grasslands before reaching the higher and barren volcanic terrain. With some luck, we may see Andean condors flying overhead. The views of the Villarrica Volcano are great on this lunar like landscape, which has little vegetation at this point. Eventually we start descending towards Laguna Blanca, at the foothill of the Quetrupillan Volcano. We continue up and down on undulated terrain until we get to an area with dry lava from a recent eruption. Camp #2 is by the shores of the beautiful Laguna Azul.
| Distance | 11.8 mi. |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8-10 hrs. |
| Max. elevation | 5,900 ft. |
| Terrain | valdivian temperate forest, grassland, volcanic ash, dry lava |
| Lodging | double tent, shared bathroom tent |
| Food | breakfast, lunch box, dinner |
We start up a hill through volcanic terrain towards the volcanology station, enjoying great views of the Laguna Azul, the valdivian forest and the Quetrupillan and Villarrica Volcanos. After some time, the terrain drops until we get to a nice waterfall to fill up our bottles and rest before entering the forest just after Camp Mocho. We continue through the forest of lengas until we find the first monkey puzzle trees, magestic ancient trees. Eventually we get higher in elevation until gaining a beautiful ridge with amazing views of the monkey puzzle tree forest and volcanos, before descending from 5,580 feet to 3,120 feet to our camp #3, just after the Quetrupillan ranger station.
| Distance | 12.4 mi. |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9-10 hrs. |
| Max. elevation | 6,300 ft. |
| Terrain | valdivian temperate forest, volcanic ash, Araucaria forest |
| Lodging | double tent, shared bathroom tent |
| Food | breakfast, lunch box, dinner |
We start hiking on the access road amongst monkey puzzle trees until we get to the trailhead after a few miles. We cross the Pichillancahue River, continue through the forest and get to a clearing with amazing views of the vast forest and an optional detour to the lookout of the volcanos. Continuing along on the narrow trail on the hills of the Villarrica Volcano, we cross a few drainages before getting to the dry lava bed. We hike on this volcanic terrain for a few miles more, before getting to our camp #4 at Estero Ñilfe, just as we enter the forest.
| Distance | 11.2 mi. |
|---|---|
| Duration | 10 hrs. |
| Max. elevation | 4,900 ft. |
| Terrain | valdivian temperate forest, dry lava, Araucaria forest |
| Lodging | double tent, shared bathroom tent |
| Food | breakfast, lunch box, dinner |
Our last day of the trek begins through the forest of lenga trees and some monkey puzzle trees. We have to cross several drainages that carry water and sediment from the glacial melt of the Villarrica Volcano. Stunning views of the volcano, as we are right below it at this point. Eventually the forest gives way to a dry lava field, where vegetation is scarce. As we approach the west side of the Villarrica Volcano, we eventually get to the ski station, where our transfer will be waiting with some refreshments to celebrate our 48 mile journey. After 30 minutes driving we are back at the hotel in the town of Pucon and you have some time at leisure before a nice dinner at a restaurant in downtown.
| Distance | 7.4 mi. |
|---|---|
| Duration | 6-8 hrs. |
| Max. elevation | 5,100 ft. |
| Terrain | valdivian temperate forest, dry lava, Araucaria forest |
| Lodging | double room in hotel with private bathroom |
| Food | breakfast, lunch box |
Today we deserve a relaxing day at one of the many volcanic hot springs that the area has to offer. After breakfast, our private transfer will take us to Termas Menetue, where we can enjoy 5 hours alternating between the hot springs and the cool water pools in and outside. We will have some fruits to snack on while we enjoy this relaxing place.
In the afternoon, we are transferred back to the hotel in Pucon and you have some time at leisure before our debrief and last group dinner in town.
| Lodging | double room in hotel with private bathroom |
|---|---|
| Food | breakfast, snacks |
After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport in Temuco, which is less than 2 hours away from Pucon, to fly back home or continue with your journey.
| Food | breakfast, lunch box |
|---|
Please read our Reservation & Cancellation Policy and see below the program inclusions and exclusions.
General
- Entrance fee to Villarrica National Park
- Entrance fee to Menetue Hot Springs
- Bilingual guide and assistant guide
- Porters, camp staff
- All ground transportation during the program
- 3 nights lodging at hotel in Pucon (double room - single occupancy rooms possible for a supplemental fee)
- 4 nights double occupancy tent camping (single occupancy tents possible for a supplemental fee)
- All meals on trek
- Total meals: 7 x breakfast, 6 x lunch, 4 x dinner
- International and domestic / in country flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa, passport or medical expenses
- Personal expenses and equipment
- Changes in the itinerary
- Laundry services
- Dinners in Pucon and food not listed in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips for guide, assistant guide, porters, drivers, etc.
When you are ready to book, please fill out our form and we will send you secure payment instructions and program related information and documents.
