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Volcanoes Journey: Osorno, Puyehue & Llaima volcanoes

Volcanoes Journey: Osorno, Puyehue & Llaima volcanoes

Three volcanoes and six days of travel through southern Chile: a journey among native forests, Andean lakes and summits that captures the diversity of these southern Andes.

from
CLP$ 1.700.000
per person
Puerto Varas / Puyehue / Vilcún
6 days / 5 nights
Duration
2 – 12 pax
Group
1 guide per 2–3 clients
Guide ratio
Start / End
Puerto Varas
Season
Jan – Dec
Difficulty
Max. altitude
3,125 m
Distance
Osorno ± 14 km · Puyehue ± 19 km · Llaima ± 18 km
Elevation gain
Osorno +1,600 m · Puyehue ± 1,755 m · Llaima +1,600 m
A Volcano Tour is the perfect excuse to travel while climbing the volcanoes that have shaped and given life to the unique landscape of southern Chile. This program is carefully designed to combine mountaineering with the various services available along the way and with the different routes for exploring the fascinating regions of Los Lagos, Los Ríos and La Araucanía by vehicle or on foot. The challenge of climbing the Osorno, Puyehue and Llaima volcanoes in six days offers an unforgettable adventure, allowing you to discover much of the region and enjoy the beautiful natural settings where these mountains stand. Although this program requires no previous mountaineering or climbing experience, it does demand very good physical fitness given the days that are demanding in distance, altitude and physical effort. In particular, the ascents of Osorno and Llaima include travel across glaciers and significant slopes, which adds to the experience and to appreciating the unique scenic beauty of these places with special affection. The journey is planned to start and finish in the city of Puerto Varas. However, the logistics can be adapted to the group's needs, considering the proximity of airports and bus terminals in Puerto Montt/Puerto Varas and Temuco, making it easier to fit in with each person's own plans. Depending on the weather, the route conditions and the group's interest, the program is flexible and allows mountains to be added to or changed in the itinerary. For example, an extra day can be added to climb the spectacular Mocho-Choshuenco volcano, thus reducing the driving distance on the fourth day; or the ascent of the Casa Blanca volcano can be added. Likewise, when the Osorno volcano is not in optimal condition (generally towards the end of summer or in autumn), climbing its neighbor Cerro La Picada is offered as an alternative, providing impressive views of Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park and of the Osorno volcano itself, without needing to change the itinerary. Each day includes private transport, certified bilingual guides with extensive experience who accompany the group for the whole trip, accommodation in mountain refuges and cabins, plus dinners and breakfasts when we are at these places, making for a restful recovery after each ascent. This Volcano Tour is a unique opportunity for those seeking to combine adventure, physical challenge and deep contact with nature in one of the most beautiful and dynamic areas of southern Chile throughout the year: during spring, summer and autumn the ascents can be done on foot, making the most of the daylight hours and the “usually” best weather conditions; and in winter and spring it is an ideal location to enjoy ski mountaineering on the most emblematic volcanoes of the area.
  • Weather conditions. The Volcano Tour travels through Andean settings in the Los Lagos and La Araucanía regions. In both areas, southern Chile's frontal systems bring frequent precipitation and high mountain variability; altitude, wind exposure and winter snowfall favor rapid changes in temperature, cloud cover and visibility for much of the year.
  • Bilingual mountain guide (ES/EN/DE) throughout the program (private program), led by guides who are members of ANGM Chile
Not included: Tips, additional services or any item not specified in the itinerary · Optional entrances, activities or visits not included in the program · Clothing and equipment that is the participant's responsibility · Personal life, travel-assistance, medical, evacuation or repatriation insurance · Pack animals, porters or other logistical support unless expressly stated · Personal expenses in town · Meals and drinks not listed or additional to the set menu · Alcoholic beverages · Costs arising from voluntary changes to the itinerary · Anything not expressly stated as included
Day 1: 3:30/4 am
Transportation from Puerto Varas (+-60 km)
5am
Ascent Osorno volcano (elevation gain +-1,600m / 14 km)
Day 2:
Night and dinner at Teski refuge, Osorno volcano
Day 2: 9am
Transportation to Puyehue National Park (+-150 km)
12pm
Trekking to the Puyehue volcano hut (elevation gain +-850 m / 4.5 km)
Day 2:
Night and dinner in refuge or camp (+-1,400 m.a.s.l.).
Day 3:
Ascent of Puyehue volcano and return to the vehicle (elevation gain +-840 m to the summit / 14 km during the day).
Night and dinner in cabins at the Anticura Tourist Center.
Day 4:
Transportation to Conguillio National Park (+- 300 km) - Rest.
Night and dinner at Nevados de Vilcún refuge, Llaima volcano.
Day 5:
Ascent Llaima volcano (elevation gain +-1.600m / 18 km)
Night and dinner at Nevados de Vilcún refuge, Llaima volcano.
Day 6: 10am
Return transportation to Puerto Varas or other place to be arranged.
4 pm
End of service.
Cancellation policy
Cancel up to 45 days before and receive the refund according to the program's conditions.
Payment methods
Book by paying only the reservation fee by bank card or transfer; the balance is paid before the program starts.

Participation requirements

To take part you need a level of fitness in keeping with the program's demands and a willingness to follow the guide's instructions in the field. No prior technical experience is required unless the program states otherwise. If you have any health condition, tell us when booking so we can advise you; if in doubt, consult your doctor.

Safety and mountain conditions

This is a mountain activity, subject to the conditions of the environment. The guide in charge continuously assesses the weather, the terrain and the group, and decides to adjust the route, the pace or to suspend the activity when safety requires it. Coming back safely always comes before reaching the objective.

Changes due to weather conditions

The mountain decides whether the activity can take place. A reliable forecast is available a few days beforehand, so we are flexible with advance bookings: if conditions do not allow a safe departure, we look for an alternative date or refund your deposit. If we start the program by mutual agreement and conditions prevent reaching the objective, the activity is considered completed.

Equipment the participant brings

The program includes the necessary technical equipment; you bring your mountain clothing, suitable footwear and personal items (backpack, water, snack, sun protection). The exact detail is in the program checklist, and if you are missing anything we have rental gear: let us know when booking.

Suggested clothing

Dress in layers for changeable mountain weather: a thermal base layer, an insulating layer and a windproof, waterproof outer layer, plus a hat, gloves and suitable socks. Footwear must be suited to the program's terrain. The full detail is in the checklist.

Good to know
Frequently asked questions

The idea is to be as flexible as possible, so both before and during the trip we can adjust the itinerary. Of course we depend on the availability of the different suppliers, so any modification will depend on their confirmation. But we can adjust the trip for example: • Start at one point and end at another (such as Puerto Montt and Temuco airports). • Ascend other mountains: we may see objectives change, either before or during the trip. • Add more days (or subtract) in order to adjust to your availability. • Do other activities: fishing, kayaking, rafting, trekking, skiing, etc. It is important to keep in mind that some of these changes may result in tariff variations, which will be duly informed.

Yes, the program is designed so that guides and clients start and finish the trip together. The idea is not only to accompany them to climb the volcanoes, but also to share our experience of the different places we will visit. If for some reason that needs to change, we will let you know in a timely manner and together we will work out what best fits the trip.

The Teski and Nevados de Vilcún huts are mountain huts, with services such as electricity, shared rooms, shared bathrooms and showers, hot water, and meals. The Puyehue volcano hut is a simple hut, with no services or major infrastructure. The cabins in Anticura have two rooms, which share access to the bathroom/shower, equipped kitchen, electricity, hot water, and usually a double bed and 2 singles. Teski has Wifi, bar and restaurant. It is also possible to request private rooms with or without WC. In Anticura it is possible to connect to internet from the restaurant, the cellular signal is weak, as in Nevados de Vilcún.

Because most of our trips are small groups, it will be just you or a couple of other people, we rent the car from the guide (or our family) to develop the program: A normal car, clean, in good condition and of course with all the required permits. For bigger groups, we hire a driver with a Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van or similar.

The guided ascent to the summit of the Osorno Volcano does not require any previous mountaineering or climbing experience, but a good physical condition for an activity of more than eight hours in alpine terrain. The ascent requires the use of mountaineering and climbing techniques and equipment. It is a glacier route with a steep slope at the top, so it is necessary to use of a helmet, crampons, ice axe and glacier travel techniques. However, the characteristics of the route and the ascent with a ratio of 1 guide for up to 2 clients allows us to introduce the equipment and how to use it, to make a good supervision of the progress with the equipment and, above all, to adapt the pace of the ascent to make a climb not only safe but also enjoyable!

The program includes the technical equipment: crampons, helmet, harness, ice axe. So they basically only require their mountain boots, clothes, and accessories (glasses, backpack, gloves). Anyway you can see the checklist to verify that you have what you need and / or let us know if you need something! Some programs may also include other items (such as sleeping bags or trekking poles), so if it is indicated in the program it will be available in the program.

The trekking boots can be used with crampons, so they may be suitable for the program if • The boots are waterproof: to keep feet dry and avoid cold injuries. • They are high enough to cover the ankle: for extra support on rough terrain. • They have a stiff sole and the rubber of the whole sole is not too soft: to avoid any movement of the crampon towards the front and/or rear of the boots. Since the day will not be on flat terrain, if the rubber on the boots is soft, the crampon will move and often get out of position. However, we will always need to check them before the trip, you can send us a photo of them so we can have a general idea of your footwear and if they are needed, we can pack some spare mountain boots for you to have with us.

Yes, we have available trekking poles, mountain boots, gloves, backpacks, sunglasses for rent. So if you need something do not forget to let us know in the booking process.

The weather conditions are essential for a safe and enjoyable trip. However, an accurate and somewhat reliable weather forecast can only be had about five (5) days before the planned date for the trip, so we try to be as flexible as possible with reservations made in advance: To be able to book a date we only require the payment of the reservation fee, and once we have a reliable forecast we re-confirm the date and coordinate the payment of the difference. But if it is not possible to start the ascent because we foresee that there will be poor visibility in the glacial area (precipitation or clouds that reduce visibility to only a few meters) we will look for an alternative date or the refund of the booking fee. However, if by mutual agreement we decide to start the program (that is, to go out to pick you up or to meet at the lodge), either because the forecast looks good, acceptable, or unclear, and the conditions do not allow us to reach the summit or meet the proposed objectives, there is no refund of the payment!

YES. This is a trip we have made many times with ski mountaineering. Between July and October there are usually snow conditions to enjoy an ascent and descent in the volcanoes of southern Chile. September and October are usually the best months for this. So this same itinerary can be done or adjusted for a ski mountaineering trip through the volcanoes of Chile!

Each program closes its online bookings some days before the start date: from 2 days for the 1–2 day ascents and treks, and more days for longer programs (up to several weeks for the expeditions). This margin lets us coordinate in time the logistics external to HAE —transport, refuges, permits, muleteers and other third-party services— essential to run the program safely. If you're interested in a date closer to the cutoff, write to us and we'll assess feasibility.

Yes. Booking in advance is the best way to secure our availability for your program. Mountain conditions cannot be predicted weeks or months ahead. That's why, as the activity approaches, we continuously monitor the forecast and keep you informed in good time about how conditions are developing. If everything is favorable, we confirm the departure; if conditions are not suitable, we'll assess the available options with you — whether rescheduling the activity for another date, running an alternative program, or cancelling the booking in accordance with our policies.

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