3 Volcanoes - Villarrica, Quetrupillan and Lanin - Mountaineering

In the San Martin de los Andes (Argentina) and Pucon (Chile) area, we'll run this special expedition so you can climb three or four classic volcanoes of Northern Andean Patagonia. 

It's also possible to do only one or two of them - ask us.
 

Day 1: Meeting day in San Martin de los Andes at midday. Free afternoon to explore San Martin and do short warm-up walks. Option to travel to Pucon this day (ask about the final schedule). Equipment preparation. Night at a hostel.

Day 2: Transfer by private minibus to the base of the Quetrupillan. Day of ascent of the volcano mentioned (2360 masl). Descent in the afternoon and transfer to Pucon. Night at a hostel. Approx. 8 hours of activity.

Day 3: Free day for rest. Options (extra cost): rafting on the Trancura River, hot springs. Night in Pucon. 

Day 4: Day of ascent of Villarrica Volcano (2847 masl) with transfer to the base. Night in Pucon. Approx. 8 hours. 

Day 5: Transfer and entry into Conguillio National Park, to the north. This day will be dedicated to admiring this spectacular National Park. We'll continue through the eastern and northern sector of Llaima Volcano. We may also do treks in the vicinity of Lonquimay Volcano. In the afternoon we'll reach the definitive base camp, on the western side of Llaima Volcano. Rest and hydration time. Early dinner and overnight. 

Day 6: Early, we set off toward the summit. First we'll pass through a flat area, and then the climb will become steeper and steeper. The view is indescribable, with sights reaching the summit of the volcano, as well as Lonquimay Volcano, Tolhuaca, Antuco and surroundings. Continuing our route we'll climb up to the lava flow at 2200 masl, where after a two-hour walk across a plateau we'll be able to see Quepe Lagoon, Cerro Colorado and the imposing Villarrica Volcano. After summiting we return to camp. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Return to Argentina to wrap up the program at midday in Villa Pehuenia. Optional transfer to Zapala and San Martin de los Andes. End of our services. 

We include specific guidance throughout the year for your preparation. If you're from Buenos Aires, you can join our training groups:

GEM Group (KDT): CLICK HERE

GEMA Group (San Isidro): CLICK HERE

if you're from elsewhere, we'll send you the program so you can train on your own.

The Quetrupillan has steep slopes but is the lowest volcano. The Villarrica is more accessible, although it reliably has snow. On the Lanin: this is a physically demanding ascent. On the first day you walk uphill for between 5 and 6 hours to the refuge area, about 1300 m of elevation gain. The overnight stay is at a refuge or in a tent, depending on availability. On the second day, if weather conditions allow, we go for the summit, setting out between 3 and 4 am (at night, with headlamps). This climb covers roughly another 1400 m of elevation gain, over more technical terrain (long stretches of snow, ice and/or mixed terrain plus loose rock). At the summit we can only stay a few minutes, to take photos and hydrate. We then descend again to our overnight area, rest for a while, pack up our gear and continue descending to the base of the mountain (the new regulation in place for some years now does not allow a second night on the mountain). 

• Mountain guides on all ascents
• Lanin: 1 Mountain Guide certified by Lanin National Park for every 4 pax. 
• Ongoing transfers to and from San Martin de los Andes
• Transfer from Pucon to the base of the volcanoes
• Hostel accommodation in San Martin de los Andes (shared room) with breakfast
• Hostel accommodation (shared room) in Pucon, with breakfast
• All meals on the Lanin (breakfasts, lunches and dinner at camp). 
• VHF communications equipment.
• General camp kitchen equipment on the Lanin
• Dome tent - dining tent on the Lanin
• 1 night in a dome tent on the Lanin
• Pre-trip guidance through photos, maps, meetings in Buenos Aires. (not mandatory).
• Annual training + preparation

• Dinners and lunches in SMDLA and in Chile (packed meals for the mountain ascents + options to cook at the hostel)
• Excursions on the free day in Pucon
• Personal equipment (ice axe, crampons, helmet, others). Ask about rentals.

of Pucon and San Martin de los Andes, meals are not included. We suggest eating at the hostel or going out to a restaurant.

• Trail lunches (cold food): milanesa and tomato sandwiches, cold cut sandwiches, picadas, salads, tapas, etc.
• Dinners: Usually hot. Options from our mountain outings: vegetable-bacon-chorizo colorado stews, chicken and vegetable casseroles, pasta with various sauces or stew, grilled meat, Chaw Fan (fried rice), chicken with rice casserole....
• Breakfasts and afternoon snacks: Tea, coffee, cappuccino, mate cocido, mate, powdered milk; bread, crackers, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereal, fruit.

Clothing recommendations
A Base Layer in contact with the skin, that "wicks" the moisture produced by sweat and carries it to the outside without retaining it in the fabric, keeping us dry this way. A Mid Layer that provides thermal insulation, that isn't heavy or uncomfortable, keeping us warm this way. And an Outer Layer, waterproof-breathable, that protects us against the elements (rain, snow and wind).

• Special trekking backpack (60 to 80 liters)
• Warm sleeping bag (–5 degree comfort rating, e.g. 800/1000g of good down or synthetic fill).
• Insulating sleeping pad (10 to 15mm).
• Inflatable sleeping pad (optional)
• Trekking poles 

• 1 pair of mountain boots for 4000m peaks (not necessarily double boots). Waterproof
• 1 extra pair of trekking shoes

• Changes of underwear.
• Cotton T-shirts (for camp and sleeping)
• Short-sleeve synthetic T-shirts/tops
• Long-sleeve synthetic shirt
• Polypropylene or similar pants/leggings (not cotton). To wear as warm base-layer pants
• Thin polypropylene or similar gloves (not cotton)
• Pairs of thin polypropylene or similar socks (not cotton), worn against the skin.
• Buff-type multifunction neck gaiter

• Pairs of trekking socks (synthetic-thermal)
• Pairs of thick mountain socks
• Some cotton or wool socks (wool is good for sleeping)
• 1 pair of long trekking pants
• 2 warm layers (fleece, softshell or similar)
• Down jacket
• Warm hat (fleece)

• Waterproof jacket (Ultrex, Gore-Tex or similar)
• Rain/snow pants (Gore-Tex or similar, or ski-type)
• Third-layer gloves or mittens (waterproof and breathable). Ski-type is fine
• Mountain gaiters

• Crampons 
• Ice axe 
• Climbing/mountain helmet

• ID document
• Medical insurance, health plan.

• HEADLAMP with batteries (plus spare batteries).
• Sturdy plastic bags to store clothing.

• Sunglasses with UV Category 4 protection
• Personal first-aid kit (medication with the relevant prescription).
• High-SPF sunscreen, lip balm
• Soap, shampoo (small, to share) and small towel.
• Other
• Toilet paper. Tissues. Baby wipes.
• Shorts/swim trunks (hot springs)
• Sun hat 

The technical difficulty involves 35-degree slopes requiring crampons; and the physical demand is significant, especially on the Lanin.  

Yes, the physical demand is significant. We include specific guidance throughout the year for your preparation. If you're from Buenos Aires, you can join our training groups; if you're from elsewhere, we'll send you the program so you can train on your own.

It's important to have some previous experience in different treks. We recommend being in good physical shape. Summit day is intense.

Overnight stays are in large tents, hostels and/or a military refuge or mountain tents. 

Tents are included in the service.

Even though it's summer, in mountain range and/or wilderness areas temperatures tend to drop at night and at dawn (second day).

Stops are taken with a frequency and pacing based on the intensity.

From 13 years of age.

Approximately between 10 and 12 kilos. 

No. Each person must climb with the weight they carry in their own backpack, personal gear. Porter service can be arranged, but it must be requested and booked in advance. 

On all our expeditions we provide full-board meal service.

Trail lunches (cold food): milanesa and tomato sandwiches, cold cut sandwiches, picadas, salads, tapas, etc.

Dinners: Usually hot. Vegetable-bacon-chorizo colorado stews, chicken and vegetable casseroles, pasta with various sauces or stew, grilled meat, Chaw Fan (fried rice), chicken with rice casserole....

Breakfasts and afternoon snacks: Tea, coffee, cappuccino, mate cocido, mate, powdered milk; bread, crackers, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereal, fruit.

It's necessary to fill out the personal/medical form to let us know if anyone doesn't eat certain kinds of food.