Explore the Chilean Lake and Volcano District

Visit the Lake & Volcano district to hike through several national parks while observing magnificent scenery and a variety of plant and wildlife species.

This 8-day hiking tour is for nature lovers and is the best way to experience The Lake & Volcano District of Chile. While visiting up to 7 protected wild areas you will observe endemic birds and learn about their behavior. Likewise, you will learn about some of the most active Chilean volcanoes, some of them located in Chile’s First Geopark, as well as walk through native forest of Nothofagus and ancient Araucarias.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Our friendly staff will meet you at the local airport in Temuco and then drive towards Conguillío National Park, one of the most attractive and outstanding parks of the Lakes & Volcanoes District. (about 2 ½ hours).  You will notice how the Llaima volcano has permanently shaped the landscape of the area with its eruptions and you’ll have the opportunity to walk on the lava flows.We’ll also visit the stunning Truful-Truful Falls and the pristine Arco Iris (Rainbow) Lagoon. Then we’ll have a box-lunch on the shores of Conguillío Lake; followed by hiking along the Sierra Nevada trail (2 ½ hours round trip) surrounded by native trees, including the ancient monkey-puzzle tree or araucarias, raulí and coigüe.

Normally, it takes about 1½ hours to get to the second look-out point which overlooks the majestic lake Conguillío and the Sierra Nevada Range. We’ll also be able to spot endemic birds such as the Magellan woodpecker. We will also hear and possibly catch a glimpse of the chucao tapaculo and the noisy slender-billed parakeet. After spending some time taking pictures and enjoying the amazing view, we’ll hike back to the bottom of the trail and then get in the minibuses to drive to the Park Information Center, where we’ll learn about the different fauna, trees, and other interesting aspects of the sector. After that visit we’ll commence our 2 ½ hour drive to Pucón where will will spend the night. (BXL/D)

Day 2: Pucón is known in Chile as the main adventure destination in the Lakes & Volcanoes District, and today we’ll head southeast in the direction of Huerquehue National Park, where we will hike some trails.  During he hike we will see the Nigo de Aguilas waterfall, views of Villarrica Volcano and Tinquilco Lake, Lake Chico, views or snow-capped peaks, Lago Toro, Lago Verde, and flora and fauna native to the area.

This trail in the lake district of Chile can be difficult and challenging at points, but the breathtaking landscapes are rewarding. After we finish the hike we lleave the park and drive 40 minutes through a scenic rural road to visit and unwind at Huife Hot Springs, which will be the perfect end to this very active day. In addition, the center also includes massage and beauty therapy services for an additional cost. In this place you can enjoy the scenery while relaxing in the therapeutic thermal waters. Spend the night in Pucón. (B/BXL)

Day 3: Depart from Pucón and we drive 100 kilometers to to the National Park Villarrica (along paved and dirt roads). We will see several majestic snow-capped volcanoes such as Quetrupillan and Rucapillan. The vegetation changes from raulí (Nothofagus alpina) and hualle forests (Nothofagus oblicua) to gigantic thousand-year old araucarias as we ascend to Chinay.

After approximately 2 ½ hours of steady hiking, we’ll arrive at the Pichi Llancahue Glacier trail, where we’ll take a good break and have a snack. Later we’ll hike the trail (2 ½ hours round trip) that leads to a phenomenal glacier that is covered by the volcanic ashes of the Villarrica volcano. Once again you’ll enjoy the stunning views of four volcanoes.  After we complete the trail, we’ll hike back to the exit of the park. Then we’ll visit the fantastic Geometricas Hot Springs.  Return to Pucón for the night.  (B/BXL)

Day 4: After an early breakfast we’ll leave Pucón and head toward the Ecological Reservoir of Huilo-Huilo; a private ecological initiative located in the heart of the ancient temperate rainforest at the tip of South America. Its wide variety of native trees (mainly of Nothofagus genre) covers 90% of its sixty thousand hectares.  The Reserve boasts of nearly 250 kilometers of roads and trails that allow you to discover pristine beaches, streams, native forests, spectacular waterfalls and lakes; alont with a wide array of activities ranging from canopy, horse-back riding, 4×4 overland and hiking trails for all levels.

Within the park there are four hiking trails, ranging in levels and difficulty. Some of the highlights include a botanical forest, scenic clear-water lagoons, mighty waterfalls and amazing views of snow-capped volcanoes.  For those people keen to learn about the Reserve’s natural value, there are scientific walks that focus on the botanic, bird watching, geology and history of the place, as well as flora & fauna interpretation. The canopy tour is a terrific way to experience this reserve; a group of platforms between 15 and 25 m high (50 to 80 feet) are linked to each other by hanging bridges and suspended steal-wires. You’ll literally feel like you are walking above the rainforest, rivers and canyons, as you glide across the cables, following a route that extends for 3 km /2 miles.  Spend the night in Huilo Huilo. (B/BXL)

Day 5: Depart Huilo Huilo and begin driving south on an amazing scenic excursion to Antillanca Ski Resort located in the Puyehue National Park, which is situated in an extraordinarily beautiful zone in the middle of the Andes foothills. Its surface area covers 100 thousand hectares (220,000 acres), with its unique geography resulting from intense glaciations and volcanic action. We’ll start driving from Lake Puyehue, ascending by a paved road until we get to the entrance of the park. Then we continue on and take a dirt road that will take us to the ski center. While traveling, we can see beautiful waterfalls and tranquil small lakes such as Toro, Encanto and Paraiso.

Upon arriving at the mountain center we begin hiking for 30 minutes along a steep path through the native forest, arriving at a small road that leads us to the Rayhuén crater at the foothill of the Casablanca Volcano. After a break we will proceed on a short but tough trail of volcanic ash on the south edge of the crater. After no more than 20 minutes we’ll arrive at the Mirador Gaviotas and if the day is clear, we will have an extraordinary view of three amazing snow-capped mountains. From here we hike to Cerro Mirador, the second look-out point, and then to Cerro Colorado where we can see the lakes Rupanco and Puyehue. Then we drive to your hotel in Osorno.  (B/BXL)

Day 6: Today we head toward the Osorno Volcano and stop at the starting point of the El Solitario trail (2-hour drive). Here we begin hiking through the native forest with the volcano on our left-hand during the entire route and passing by a valley covered by lava flows that were formed by old eruptions. After almost 2 hours of hiking, we’ll arrive at the road that leads to the main entrance of the park, where we’ll get in the vehicle and drive for a few minutes toward the entry.

Upon our arrival we’ll visit the powerful Petrohue Falls. After a few minutes of wandering around the picture-perfect surroundings and taking photos, we’ll walk for 20 minutes through an easy and even trail called Los Enamorados, passing by the shores of the Petrohué river and a pristine native forest. Then we go back to the vehicles and head to the Todos Los Santos Lake where we spend some more time enjoying the scenery.  Spend the night in Puerto Varas. (B/L)

Day 7: Visit Alerce Andino National Park, which is located in a mountainous zone that covers 39.225 hectares and boasts over 20.000 hectares of Larch trees forest and has about 50 small lakes scattered throughout this uneven geography. It is an ideal place for trekking, mountain climbing, nature watching and hiking in Chile. The walks through this park can be challenging, but is worth the effort. The trail goes through a larch tree forest called el Rodazal where you will see huge treeks with trunks of over 4m in diameter and 50m tall.

During this lake district tour we’ll also be able to spot endemic birds such as the Magellan woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus), and possibly catch a glimpse of the curious Chucao tapaculo (Selorchilis rubecula). Return to the vehicles and transfer to the city. In the evening we’ll share a farewell dinner with our local guides. Spend the night in Puerto Varas. (B/BXL/D)

Day 8: Transfer to the airport in Puerto Montt. (B)

• Location: Chile
• Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
• Start / End: Temuco / Puerto Montt
• Activities: Hiking, walking, nature and wildlife watching, scenic drives. Additional Notes: Design for active people who are comfortable participating in up to 6 hours of physical activity per day.
• Highlights: Conguillío National Park, Huerquehue National Park, Huife hot springs, Villarrica National Park, Huilo Huilo National Park, Puyehue National Park, Vicente Perez National Park, Alerce Andino National Park
• Season: All year
• Included: Accommodation, all meals mentioned in itinerary, English speaking guide, private transportation, all transfers and activities mentioned on itinerary, entrance fees to National Parks
• Not Included: Travel insurance, tips, domestic and international flights, meals not mentioned in itinerary
• Prices: Please contact us for pricing