Trekking in the Shadow of Lanín Volcano

Day 1: Arrive in San Martín de los Andes

Today you’ll arrive in the very picturesque Patagonian town of San Martín de los Andes and check-in to your centrally located hotel. In the afternoon you’ll meet with your guide and support staff at our partner’s office in the centre of town to check your equipment, finalise any preparations and answer your questions.

Accommodation: Casa de Eugenia (boutique hotel), or equivalent, central San Martín

Day 2: Auquinco Trek

Starting early, you’ll take a private vehicle to the eastern end of Lake Lolog, from where a small motor boat will take you along this spectacular body of water for about 30min. After disembarking with all your gear, you’ll start the hike up the Auquinco Valley, heading northwards into the heart of Lanín National Park. The trail gradually disappears when you reach the valley and you enter and exit pockets of remote forest. You may have to cross small streams as you progress.

Gradually rising, the route leads you to a clearance at the top of the valley where you’ll set up your wild camp with your guide. You’ll be camping away from any civilisation which allows you to enjoy the beautiful mountain vistas on your own. If the sky is clear at night the stars will surely put on an amazing show.

Dinner is cooked together and is hearty, tasty and nourishing camp food.

Note: Outside of the summer season, access via the lake is not permitted and the trek will be modified accordingly.

Accommodation: Wild campsite next to the river shore without services
Meals: Breakfast at hotel, box lunch, camp dinner
Transfer time: 20min/12km
Hiking Distance: 12km
Height change: 300m
Physical demand: Medium

Included: Private transportation and guide, private uncovered motor boat, camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, soft mat), porter for communal gear

Day 3: Auquinco Trek

Today we continue the trek to the north to cross a small pass that connects with the next valley and has one of the best views of the Lanín Volcano. This section of the trek allows us to cross an ash-field of the Achen Niyeu Volcano that leads us to the crater’s top and before we continue to the camping at Laguna Verde.

Here we’ll enjoy the beauty of the Araucarias - a very old and emblematic tree of the Lanín National Park.

At the camp our chef will be waiting for us and preparing an excellent dinner by the fire to end this part of the trip.

Accommodation: Fully-supported camping with basic toilet and shower facilities
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Hiking distance: 18km
Height change: 820m
Physical demand: Medium-High

Included: Private guide, camping gear, porter

Camping: 16m/sq tents for sleeping, cots with inflatable mattresses, rugs and bedside table, internal light, dining tent with tables, chairs, lights, tableware and glassware, dinner prepared by a chef, public restrooms

Day 4: Trek from Aila to Lake Paimún

The day begins with a short, 10km land transfer to the hot springs area where the trail starts.

A route with a south-north direction will offer us several incredible views of the Lanín Volcano as it passes through dense areas of araucarias and native forest as well as wide flat areas of pastures.

Today we’ll have to cross several water courses before finally arriving at Lake Paimún, on the shore of which our camp is located.

Our chef will be waiting for us with a special menu by the fire for our last night at the camp.

Accommodation: Fully-supported camping with basic toilet and shower facilities
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner
Hiking Distance: 20km
Height change: 525m
Physical demand: Medium

Included: Private guide, camping gear

Camping: 16m/sq tents for sleeping, cots with inflatable mattresses, rugs and bedside table, internal light, dining tent with tables, chairs, lights, tableware and glassware, dinner prepared by a chef, public restrooms

Day 5: Trek the south face of Lanín Volcano

From Puerto Canoa on the shore of the stunning Lake Huechulafquen, we start trekking the south face of imposing Lanín Volcano.

It is a well-marked trail that begins with crossing a pampa of radales for about 40min. Then begins a smooth and gradual ascent into a forest of coihues and araucarias. After 2hrs we reach a first steep step to dodge an old volcanic slag covered with vegetation.

At the end of the forest the trail finishes and from there we have a perfect view of the hanging glacier on the southern slope of the volcano.

After a rest and lunch, we start our return back to the base and then transfer to San Martín de los Andes, arriving in the evening.

Accommodation: Casa de Eugenia (boutique hotel), or equivalent, central San Martín
Meals: Breakfast, box lunch
Transfer time: 40min/13km
Hiking Distance: 20km
Height change: 800m
Physical demand: Medium

Included: Private guide

Day 6: San Martín de los Andes

Today enjoy breakfast at your hotel before moving on to your next destination.

Meals: Breakfast