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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
Discover a strong hiking destination in South America: Chile’s Lake and Volcano District. This region is defined by a landscape of clear lakes, dense forests, and several active volcanoes that dominate the horizon. With local guides who know the area well, you’ll hike trails in the Andes and through national parks, passing waterfalls, volcanic rock formations, and viewpoints that look out over valleys and lakes. Along the way, you can visit Indigenous and rural communities, gaining insight into local traditions, crafts, and the cultural history tied to this part of Chile. After hiking days, natural hot springs provide a straightforward way to rest and recover. Overall, the Lake and Volcano District packs together standout trails, protected parks, and rich local culture, making it a rewarding place to explore.
Countries:
Start and Finishing Point:
Santiago
Activities:
Grading:Moderate
Addressing:
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Day 1
Arrival in Chile - Travel from Santiago - Temuco – Malalcahuello
Arrival to Santiago early in the morning and have 3 to 4-hour layover in this airport (depending on the connection). Then at the domestic terminal (T1), take the flight to Temuco (75-minute flight). Our local staff will meet the group at Temuco Airport (ZCO). We'll then drive to Malalcahuello, which is part of Kütralkura, the first UNESCO Geopark in Chile, and have a brief warm-up hike to start exploring the area and to stretch our legs. We’ll check-in at Suizandina Lodge, a Swiss-inspired lodge and restaurant, and have lunch before having some time to rest. Later in the evening, we’ll have an orientation and briefing session before our Welcome Dinner together. Overnight in Suizandina Lodge.
Meals: L,D
Day 2
Malalcahuello & Huellas Pewenche
Today we’ll explore the Huellas Pewenche community park, where we can observe typical Pewenche rukas, handicrafts and socialize with the artisans and Pewenche community members while enjoying a traditional lunch, as well as get our first glimpse of the stunning natural beauty of the region during our hike. We will be surrounded by ancient araucaria trees and discover the importance of this tree to the Pewenche people. We’ll hike towards a small waterfall, where the Cautín river is born. Here we’ll learn why this river is so important to the Araucanía region. Overnight in Suizandina Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Pewenche Lunch, and Dinner at the lodge Hiking time: approximately 5 hours
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Malalcahuello, Christmas Crater, & Manzanar Hot Springs
Today we’ll start off with a hike on the incredible Christmas Crater, the youngest new crater in Chile. After spending some time taking pictures and enjoying the amazing view (Lonquimay and Tolhuaca Volcanoes) while we have our box lunch, we'll hike back to the bottom of the trail and then head to Termas Manzanar for a relaxing soak in their thermal pools. After an afternoon of rejuvenation, we will share a delicious dinner before driving back to the lodge. Overnight in Suizandina Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, and Dinner Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
Day 4
Drive to Curacautín – Conguillio National Park – La Baita Lodge
We will check out from Suizandina and begin the drive to Conguillio National Park, one of the most beautiful and outstanding parks of the Lake & Volcano District in Chile. To get to know the area, upon arrival we'll hike a very beautiful trail called the Woodpecker’s trail, where we can spot the Magellan woodpecker, which we will see searching the tree trunks for insects. In this trail we will hike by a giant Araucaria tree, called Mother Araucaria, with an estimated age of 2,000 years. After spending some time taking pictures and enjoying the amazing view, we'll hike to the bottom of the trail and then visit the main visitor center of Kütralkura Geopark. We will then drive 30 minutes to check-in at La Baita Lodge, Chile’s first eco-friendly accommodation, where we will have dinner and enjoy our first night in the park. Overnight in La Baita Ecolodge. Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, and Dinner at the lodge Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
Day 5
Conguillio National Park – Sierra Nevada Hike
Today we’ll drive 20 minutes to Playa Linda located at the shores of Conguillío Lake, followed by hiking along the Sierra Nevada trail surrounded by native trees, including ancient monkey-puzzle trees or araucarias and Nothofagus. We'll also be able to spot endemic birds such as 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 for some leisure time by the beach, and then head back to our eco-lodge for dinner and a good night’s rest. Overnight in La Baita Ecolodge. Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, and Dinner at the lodge Hiking time: 5 to 6 hours
Day 6
Conguillio National Park – Sollipulli Volcano
In the morning, we will set out to explore one of the hidden gems of Kütralkura Geopark. During the visit, you will witness how the Llaima Volcano has permanently shaped the landscape of the area with its eruptions and we'll have the fantastic opportunity to walk on the lava flows that once came from the heart of the Earth. We'll visit the Truful-Truful Canyon and its waterfalls. This is the most important geosite of all the geopark, where we can see 13,000 years of eruptive activity of Llaima volcano. Continuing with our tour, we’ll eat a box lunch and then head to our main attraction of the day, the Sollipulli Volcano. This volcano offers the largest volcanic caldera in Chile, with more than 4 km (2.5 mi) long. We will celebrate today’s adventure with a nourishing dinner in the charming town of Melipeuco before heading back to the lodge. Overnight in La Baita Ecolodge. Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, and Dinner at a local restaurant in Melipeuco Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours
Day 7
La Baita Workshops – Beach time by Lake Conguillío
Today will be a quieter day filled with interactive workshops at La Baita Lodge, as well as time to explore the property and enjoy the lodge itself. La Baita Lodge opened in the late 90’s, as the first eco-lodge in Chile. We’ll invite some important Mapuche people from Melipeuco village who will conduct a fun workshop. Afternoon at leisure to visit the Green Lagoon or to go to the beach at Conguillío Lake. Overnight in La Baita Ecolodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at the lodge
Day 8
Drive to Curarrehue – Rutas Ancestrales
After breakfast, we’ll get in the vans and start traveling to Pucón (2 hour drive), the main adventure tourism destination in the Lake and Volcano District. Along the way, we will stop for lunch in Villarrica, walk the coast of Villarrica Lake, and visit La Poza Pucón, which is the main port and dock for sailboats. We will then make the drive to Curarrehue where we will be greeted by the Kurarrewe Mapuche community who will be our hosts for the next three days. After a traditional dinner, we will get comfortable in one of the Mapuche guest houses for the night. Overnight in Aldea Nativa Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 9
Rutas Ancestrales
Today will be our first full day with this local Mapuche community. During our time spent working and learning with them, we will be cooking, harvesting, wood carving, using the wool loom and knitting, among other activities. Mapuche people are all about sharing their culture with visitors. They are a proud Indigenous people from Chile (the most important), always telling stories by the fire. Overnight in Aldea Nativa Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 10
Today will be our second full day with this local Mapuche community. During our time spent working and learning with them, we will visit some community tree nurseries and veggie gardens. Later, we’ll go visit the Lanín, the tallest volcano in southern Chile, without a doubt, a very meaningful place for the Mapuche people. Overnight in Aldea Nativa Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours
Day 11
Today will be our final full day with this local Mapuche community. During our time spent working and sharing with them, we will learn how to play “palín”, a game similar to field hockey. Overnight in Aldea Nativa Lodge. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 12
Curarrehue to Pucón – Floating Liucura River & Free Afternoon
After these last incredible days spent with the Mapuche people, we will say our goodbyes with gratitude and set off on a new adventure. We will start the day with a gentle rafting/floating experience on the Liucura River. We will then have lunch in Pucón before getting you settled into our cabins for an afternoon at leisure. Later, we will all meet up for dinner together in town. Overnight in Vientos del Sur Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 13
Huerquehue National Park
Today we head southeast in the direction of Huerquehue National Park, located at the foothills of the Andes, 35 km (22 mi) from Pucón. The park covers 12,500 hectares with various lagoons, dense vegetation and gigantic trees that are the habitat of several endemic birds. The hike starts easy but after a short distance the trail becomes rougher and sometimes steeper, but is still considered a relatively easy hiking level. After walking 30 minutes at an easy pace, we’ll get to the Nido de Aguilas (nest of eagles) waterfall and then we’ll keep hiking on a steeper terrain, surrounded by gigantic coigües (Nothofagus dombeyi) and mañíos (Podocarpus nubigena). We arrive at the first lookout point where the views of Villarrica Volcano (2,847 m) (8541 ft) and Tinquilco Lake are absolutely stunning; here you’ll find great photo opportunities as well as chance to reenergize with a snack. We catch our breath again and resume the hike along the trail; now that we are over 1000 m (3000 ft) above sea level we begin to see the first araucarias (Araucaria araucana). Soon we will walk through a mixed forest with many of these trees, considered to be a national monument for their exceptional characteristics. We will have hiked around 2½ hours when we arrive at the first lake called Chico (small), with its clear waters reflecting the image of hundreds of araucarias and snow-capped peaks. The trail gets more even and in only 15 minutes we arrive at Lago Toro (Bull Lake). Here we eat our well-deserved box lunch and spend some more time taking pictures or simply resting. Following the break, we keep going through an easy terrain and visit the third lake called Verde (green) which is the last attraction of our hike. Now we can commence a two-hour descent by the same trail to the parking area. Return to hotel and dinner in Pucon. Overnight in Vientos del Sur Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, and Dinner Hiking time: 4 - 5 hours
Day 14
Villarrica National Park – Volcanic Caves
In the foothills of the Villarrica Volcano we will explore a beautiful trail through native forests. Upon returning to the beginning of the trail, another highlight is waiting for us: we will climb into the huge volcanic caves, getting to know the inner world of the Villarrica Volcano. We will then return to Pucón and have our farewell dinner together. Overnight in Vientos del Sur Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, and Farewell Dinner Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours
Day 15
Temuco – Santiago – Flight Home
Sadly, it’s time to say good-bye to the beautiful Lake & Volcano District of Chile. After breakfast, we’ll ride in vans to Temuco Airport to catch your flight back to Santiago. End of services.
Meals: B
Decent Work And Economic Growth: Sustainable economic growth will require societies to create the conditions that allow people to have quality jobs.
Responsible Production and Consumption: Responsible Production and Consumption
Life On Land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
Peace Justice And Strong Institutions: Access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels.
Partnerships For The Goals: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.The programs are designed to:• Build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet. • Increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.• Discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.• Give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.
What's included
What's not included
You love hiking. These hiking tours are physically demanding and best suited for people with previous experience. These tours are intended for active people who are comfortable participating in up to 6 hours hiking per day. A typical day may include hiking over fairly hilly terrain. Trails are along high meadow paths and/or Andean trails, with some steep ascents to make you feel exhilarated. All our guided hiking tours include natural interpretation and focus on the history, volcanology and the native flora and fauna of the wilderness areas. * Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trip. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.
Per Person, Twin Share
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