Things to do in

Pucón

Meet with the local partner the day before your climb for an equipment check-up and brief explanation of the hike. The next day drive 30 minutes from the center of Pucon to the base of Villarrica Volcano. From here begin the hike to the summit of one of Chile's iconic active volcanoes. The first stage will be a traditional hiking ascent, starting at 1,800 meters above sea level. Acclimatize at an easy pace. As you approach the summit glacier, start using crampons and ice axes, with the assistance and explanation from the guides. After four to five hours of climbing, reach 2,847 meters at the summit. Gaze at the middle of the crater and its impressive geological formation. See fumaroles and maybe even some lava. From here also enjoy 360-degree views of surrounding volcanos, lagoons, and forests. Spend approximately one hour at the summit and then descend in half the time it took to climb up. Combine walking and controlled snow sliding to get down. During your hike have conversations about the native peoples of the Andes, the mountains and their relationship with them, as well as topics in volcanology. Once you've reached the base, your vehicle will be waiting to return you back to the departure office in Pucon.

Start your day traveling through incredible landscapes of nature and geological formations. Drive approximately 70 kilometers along the border with Argentina and crossing the beautiful area of Puesco. Arrive at the hike starting point at the Quillelhue Lagoon in Villarrica National Park. Trek for about four kilometers and pass by the Escondida and Huinfiuca lagoons. Continue towards Laguna Verde and after reaching about five kilometers, arrive at a slope and approach the skirts of the mythical Lanin Volcano. Be impressed by the 3,870 meters high peak and its glacier hat. Stop for a healthy lunch when it pleases you. Having crossed a mountainous Andean landscape and after visiting this last lagoon, return to the starting point of your hike. Heaed back to Pucon with a stop in the town of Curarrehue. While here, visit the Mapuche women's cooperative and see local, fair-trade crafts and gastronomic products before concluding your day.

Meet at the local partner's office in downtown Pucon and travel to the Palguin area to the east of the city. Start the hike and cross the forest full of native Coihue trees, some of which reach more than 20 meters high. Discover the various birds of the area as you hike along a leisurely trail. Learn about the native inhabitants and culture of the region from your experienced guides. After you exit the forest, make your way into the rugged Andean mountain landscape. As the height increases, hike along steeper slopes which will bring you closer to the summit. When you reach the crater at the top, after climbing over 1,000 meters, walk westward along the ridge to reach the summit at a height of 2,347 meters. Enjoy fantastic views of the Villarrica and Lanin volcanoes, along with more than three other volcanoes in the area. Admire the many lagoons, Argentinean pampas, and green forests of this panoramic viewpoint. Enjoy an easy descent, where you will walk once more through green forests, and arrive at your vehicle which will take you back to Pucon.

We will travel from Pucon to the border with Argentina to begin the ascent to this iconic volcano of the Mapuche culture and the area, along with our certified Zenit guides. With first level equipment that we will deliver we will ascend more than 1.000 meters the first day, to camp in our chosen site, and then at dawn we will attack the summit with 1200 meters of altitude difference and a first level mountain experience. Then after enjoying this great summit, with an iconic glacier hat at the top and unforgettable views, we begin the descent, then at the base we return to Pucon, after approximately 18 kilometers of mountain day.