7 Day Family Adventure in Chile’s Lake and Volcano District
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Before you start the family adventure tour in Chile’s Lake and Volcano District, you should take a day or two to adjust to local time and recover from your travels, and allow for any flight or luggage delays. You should fly into Temuco airport (ZCO).
We recommend staying at Casa Solaria Hotel in Pucon, which is well-located with lots of restaurants, shops, the main plaza and beach just a short walk away. The official shuttle company at Temuco’s Airport is called TransAraucania. They are the only authorized shuttle company at the airport, and their staff wears a blue and green uniform. By contract with the airport, they must have available transport based in the domestic flights arriving every day. They have a counter at the airport, right next to the automatic doors (from the baggage carrousel). They offer regular shuttles to Pucon at $12.000 pesos (USD $17 per person), and they need a minimum of 4 people. If they don’t have the 4 minimum passengers, or if you want to have a private shuttle, with the same company you can do it at $75.000 (USD $100 per vehicle). You don’t need reservations and you can pay in Cash or with Credit Card. The ATM’s is on second floor. All their shuttle services will drop you off at the hotel or address you are staying in Pucon. Driving time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Day 1 - Crateres Parasitos Hike + Trancura River Rafting
On the first day of our family adventure tour, our local team will meet you at Casa Solaria Hotel in Pucon at 9am. They will brief you on the adventure ahead and answer any questions you may have.They will help you fit your hiking gear to your satisfaction. Then, we’ll head towards the base of the Villarrica Volcano for a three-hour hike, ideal for the whole family. While having a spectacular view of the lake and volcano Villarrica, we can also admire Huilipilun Lake and Llaima Volcano in the distance. The hike passes over old lava fields, partially covered with native flora. Through forests, dried up river beds and cold lava streams, the easy path leads you to your destination: a lava field with a row of five to ten-meter-wide craters, fed by Volcano Villarrica. In the afternoon, we will experience paddling in our rafts down the Trancura River. This exciting trip is suitable for those looking for lots of excitement without great danger. Be prepared for 1 ½ hours of pure adrenaline, tackling Class 2 & 3 rapids. Accommodation: Hotel Casa Solaria Meals: Breakfast and Box Lunch Time Hiking: 3 Hours Day 2 - Andean Lagoons Hike + Mapuche Cultural Experience
We’ll head to the heart of The Andes Mountains, next to the border with Argentina in the Villarrica National Park. There, we’ll start hiking surrounded by an ancient forest of araucaria trees towards the Andean lakes located at the foot of Lanín Volcano, the highest in Lake & Volcano district. After hiking we will drive back to Curraruehue village for lunch at a local restaurant. we will learn about the ancestral history of the territory. Finally, we will meet the Lonko (leader of the indigenous community) and play Palín, an ancestral game similar to field hockey. Accommodation: Casa Solaria Hotel Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Time Hiking: 3-4- Hours Day 3 - Pichillancahue Trail + Geometricas Hot Springs
Today we hike an amazing trail towards a phenomenal glacier absolutely covered by the volcanic ashes of the Villarrica volcano. We will see several majestic snow-capped volcanoes such as Quetrupillán and Rucapillán. The vegetation changes from rauli and hualle forests (Nothofagus trees) to gigantic thousand-year old araucarias as we ascend to the higher point of the day at 1250m above sea level. Back to the entrance of the trail, we’ll visit the fantastic Geometricas Hot Springs. This place offers the perfect combination between simple but thermal facilities and exuberant natural surroundings. Later, we’ll drive 2 hours to Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve, where we will stay overnight. Accommodation: Nothofagus Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch and Dinner Time hiking: 6 hours Day 4 - Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve
The Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve is the most internationally awarded Land Trust in Chile. They are successfully reintroducing wild Pumas, Guanacos and Huemul deer in the reserve. Not to mention the Social Responsibility plan that is changing the life of the local community. Today, you will be able to choose different excursions (hiking, biking, zip-lining, horseback riding, lake kayaking, among others). There will be options for morning activities and afternoon activities. Accommodation: Nothofagus Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Day 5 - Fuy River Rafting + Futangue Park Hike
Today’s excursion is full of adrenaline. You will be able to feel the force of the rapids of the Fuy river. During 1 hour, you will descend in an inflatable raft, where you will cover a stretch of 11.5 kilometers on this river of glacial origin. Your guides will provide you with all the necessary safety equipment. Afterwards, we will enjoy a picnic lunch and get prepared to drive towards Futangue Park. On arrival, we will hike a trail close to the hotel. Accommodation: Futangue Casa Exploradores Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch and Dinner Time Hiking: 2 Hours Day 6 - Pitreño lagoon + Altas Cumbres Trail Hike
This hike ascends to the Pitreño lagoon and continues on a path towards Altas Cumbres, the highest viewing point at an altitude of 1,350 meters. On the route you will explore forests of Lengas, Coigues and Mañios. At the end of the trail, you will be able to enjoy 360 degree vistas of the Futangue Valley and Lake Ranco.
This trail demands great effort, but also offers great rewards. To vary the scenery, we recommend to return using the ski trail. Accommodation: Futangue Casa Exploradores Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch and Farewell Dinner Time Hiking: 5 hours Day 7 - Kayaking Pichi Lagoon - Depart
Today, we will paddle amid lush vegetation on stunning Pichi Lagoon, which nestles like a gem in the midst of a native forest-covered mountain amphitheater. We start at the dock and disembark at El Encanto beach, with breathtaking views of the lake. Then, we make a short hike to the hidden Black Lagoon. Afterwards, we’ll return to hotel before heading towards Osorno airport (ZOS). Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch Time Hiking: 45 Minutes |
Rates per person: USD $3,800 per person based on double occupancy. Single Supplement: USD $650 Tour rate is based on a minimum of 4 people valid till end of April 2023. This tour is operated upon request and according to availability, from November to April. What’s included
Not Included
Booking Policy In order to confirm your reservation, we kindly request a 50% deposit. Your first deposit must be paid, within 2 weeks after confirmation. Your trip must be paid in full with 60 days prior the date of departure. Cancellation Policy If, for any reason, you are forced to cancel your trip, the following penalties will apply:
According to the Chilean law, all adventure travel companies must have an insurance policy for accidents and casualties. Our operator's insurance policy plan covers its guests according to their age group, from ages 6-75 years old. In any adventure activity, there is an element of risk involved. Chile’s accident compensation scheme provides only limited assistance to visitors to Chile who are injured. We strongly recommend that all travelers to Chile have full insurance covering any injury they might suffer, including medical treatment cover, before undertaking this activity. Likewise, we highly recommend you to purchase trip insurance that includes “cancel for any reason” coverage. Only hiking, family adventures, conservation and bike tours count with medical insurance. However, our medical insurance does not cover skiing. Therefore, each participant must have the appropriate insurance that covers the activity or activities involved in the excursion(s) and/or program(s). Without proof of the appropriate insurance, the client will not be allowed to participate in the tour. Difficulty: Easy/Low: You don’t live for hiking, but you definitely love to spend time in nature. These hiking tours are appropriate for all people and suitable for older adults in good health with overall good mobility, who are comfortable participating in up to 3 hours hiking per day.
Itinerary Modifications: Slight itinerary modifications might occur due to weather and or road conditions, or force majeure. Weather Notes Generally the weather in this area is very similar to Northern California, especially on the coast side. Late October and November (spring time in the southern hemisphere) present milder temperatures (50°F / 77°F) with some scattered rain. During December you can start feeling the beginning of the summer with temperatures around 50°F / 81°F. In January and February temperatures range between 60°F / 95°F. Remember that you are visiting the Lake & Volcano district, so always expect some rain! |
