Trekking to the Calbuco Volcano Refuge

HAE01TRCA

$160.000

Price in Chilean pesos, per person for a single participant.
Código

A hike among ancient Alerce trees, a mountain river and traces of eruptions. The trail leads us to the edge of the forests of southern Chile, where a refuge historically nestled on the slopes of Calbuco welcomes us with breathtaking views immersed in nature.

DURATION

1 day

GROUP SIZE

2 to 8 persons

GUIDE RATIO : CLIENTS
1 guide every 4 clients

START / END

Puerto Varas

DIFFICULTY
WEATHER FORECAST

MAXIMUM ALTITUDE

1,090 masl

LENGTH

+-16 km (round trip)

ELEVATION GAIN

+765 m

Transportation
Technical equipment
Adventure travel insurance
Superb views

Program description

In the foothills of the Calbuco volcano, within the Llanquihue National Reserve and only 1 hour and a half by car from Puerto Varas, is the beginning of a trekking that takes us into the southern forests and connects us with the living force of the mountain. Our goal is to reach the Refuge built by the Free Sport Foundation, in a day of hiking through a stunning natural environment.

The trail follows the course of the Blanco River, going up an ascent of approximately 8 kilometers and more than 750 meters of positive elevation gain, which is covered in about 3 hours, mainly on a well-marked trail. Along the way, we cross the typical Valdivian forest, dominated by Alerces, coihues, and tepas. With a little luck, it is possible to see its fauna, foxes or birds like the chucao and the rayadito.

As we ascend, the vegetation begins to give way and the landscape is transformed: volcanic rocks and the still visible vestiges of the great eruption of 2015 appear. The refuge, located right at the edge of the forest, offers a rest with views of the volcano and the valley of the white river and, on clear days, climbing a little allows us to look out over Lake Chapo.

Although this trail is also the access route to the summit of Calbuco, in this experience our goal is to enjoy the journey to the refuge. A demanding but accessible trek, ideal for those seeking a deep experience of nature, mountain and regeneration, in one of the most active volcanoes in southern Chile.

Upcoming departures:
  • Departures are available subject to weather and route conditions suitable for a summit attempt, from July 2025 to February 2026.

Itinerary & Route

Day 1

  • 8 am

    Transportation from Puerto Varas to Llanquihue National Reserve (+-1.5h).

  • 10:00 am

    Start of trekking through the forest (+-8km ascent).

  • 1:30 pm

    Arrival at the refuge (altitude +-1,090 masl).

  • 2 pm

    Beginning of the return trek (same ascent route).

  • 4:30 pm

    Return at the beginning of the journey, transport to Puerto Varas.

  • 5 pm

    End of service.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CHECKLIST

DISCOUNTS

Includes:

Excursions and services detailed in the itinerary; Trekking guide service in a non-private program with bilingual trekkin... Read more

Does not include:

Tips; Additional services and private services; Equipment required by the client; Life or travel insurance; Porter service (if available); Extra e... Read more

Equipment responsibility of the client:

Appropriate clothing for the activity (first layer set, fleece jacket, windproof and rainproof jacket, trekking pants. De... Read more

Experience and technical capacity required:

Suitable for people with no previous climbing experience, but who are fit enough to participate in 4-8 hours of physical activity per day in wilde... Read more

Limitations and/or restrictions of the activity:

Not suitable for people with heart problems or disabilities that may prevent them from participating in long-term strenuous physical activity, chi... Read more

Description of actions that the participant must follow for the proper development of the activity:

It will be required of those who participate in the program to respect and protect the historical, natural, and cultural heritage in which the act... Read more

Criteria used to suspend the activity:

The participant puts activity or participants safety at risk; the participant does not follow actions for the good development of the activity; cl... Read more

Insurance:

Throughout the program whenever adventure tourism activities take place: hiking, trekking, climbing volcanoes participants will be covered by comp... Read more

Price:

The prices of each program are presented in Chilean pesos (CLP, CH$) and correspond to the price per 1 person taxes included. All our programs hav... Read more

Reservation:

It is done through the website or by email (info@staging.huellandina.com). We will confirm availability within 24 hours of receiving the informati... Read more

Payment Methods:

Payment in Cash (only Dollars, Euros, or CLP), Credit Card, Online bank transfer (Chilean - CLP or Austrian - EUR Bank). If payment is made in for... Read more

Cancellation Policy:

- Cancellation requested by the client with more than 2 days before the program start date: refund available with a penal... Read more

“ChECKLIST FOR Trekking to the Calbuco Volcano Refuge”

In the following form you can check the items you need to bring with you to participate in the program and also let us know those you do not have or will not have with you. When you submit the checklist, it will be sent to us and we will be able to add it to your reservation details and prepare everything in advance. You can also download it as a PDF and receive it in your email!

If you have any questions or queries, you can do it directly in the chat or by email!

    Per group:

    For those who book the same program together, there is a discount of CLP $40,000 per person on the base rate when the group of participants is higher than two.

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    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!

    The minimum to perform the program is one (1) person, so there is no problem in doing the program just for you. But keep in mind that it is a shared service, so if there is another person interested in the program and the date they could share the service. But don't worry we'll let you know if that happens!

    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.

    While most of our programs are small groups and it's almost always just the group you've booked together, our regular programs are shared services. So if you would like to book a private program in advance, it will be priced accordingly to the capacity of the clients that the guide or guides could have on that trip. Write to us to see it in detail!

    The program includes the transportation from/to Puerto Varas, Ensenada, Petrohue, Puerto Octay or Cascadas. Picking or dropping from Osorno, Puerto Montt, Puerto Montt/Osorno airport, Llanquihue or Frutillar have an extra cost of $15.000 CLP per way. Other places are available upon request.

    If you want to get to the meeting point on your own, let us know and we will coordinate to meet you!

    There are some programs that include transportation from other cities, if indicated in the description, so it will be!

    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.

    It is the ascent of a mountain or volcano by a group accompanied by a (or several) Mountain Guides!

    We do our best to customize our programs to your needs, but please note that regular programs are shared services. We will always let you know in advance when more people join the same trip!

    If you will like to book in advance a private guide, it will need to be priced accordingly at the capacity of clients that your guide could have on this trip.

    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.

    Huella Andina is a registered trademark of HAE Ltda. 2009 – 2025
    A family business that offers a professional service in adventure trips in the south of Chile.