From Lake Ñorquinco to Lake Quillén - Huella Andina Trail - Lanin National Park

The Huella Andina trail is the first long-distance trail built in Argentina. Running over 500 km, it crosses 5 National Parks and 3 provinces from north to south.

The stretch of great lakes that adorn the forests of the northern sector of Lanin National Park marks the beginning of Huella Andina and the realm of the Araucarias (Pehuén pines). It is also here that the last Mapuche communities still live, in a kind of “exile”.
Lanin National Park is one of the most emblematic environments of the Andean Patagonia. It holds numerous endemic species and countless breathtaking landscapes, typical of a region of great lakes, forests and mountains. 

"When you try to describe places with such grand landscapes, ones that stretch the very limits of the word paradise, words usually fall short".

Itinerary:

Day 1: Meet in San Martin de los Andes. Transfer to Lake Ñorquinco. First leg of the trek, Huella Andina, following the southern shore of Lake Ñorquinco. We pass the beautiful Colocó waterfall. Then, in a stretch of large wetlands, we reach the great Chusquén wetland, where old constructions abandoned by the Mapuche long ago still stand. We continue on to the campsite at Pampa de Castro. Set up camp. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2: LAKE RUCACHOROI. A day descending to the western head of Lake Rucachoroi, stage 5 of Huella Andina. The open and closed forest shows us the best of Lanin National Park, with great Araucarias, Coihues and Lengas trees. Lunch along the way.  After setting up camp, we'll once again have free time to relax by the lake and enjoy the magnificent surroundings. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3: MALALCO CHICO.  The longest day. We set off early to climb to the pass beside Cerro Rucachoroi, which lets us descend into the basin of Lake Quillén. Stage 6 of Huella Andina. It's a long climb, but one that rewards us with great views. A light lunch along the way. In the late afternoon we arrive at our next campsite, at Malalco Chico, high in the mountains. A farewell night in the mountains.

Day 4: LAKE QUILLEN - SMDLA. Bright and early, we break camp and walk down the long descent that brings us to the Mapuche community of Lefiman, then cover the final 5 km along a wide trail to the impressive Lake Quillén, where our transport picks us up. Transfer to San Martin de los Andes.  

Optional extra: On the days following the trek we offer: an ascent of Lanin Volcano (3776 m) or an ascent of Llaima Volcano (3125 m), one of the most active in South America, in Chile. Ask us for details. 

• Classic Patagonian trekking expedition. With unserviced campsites and carrying an expedition backpack.
• Ask about the ascent of Lanin Volcano (3776 m), on the two following days (with a rest day in between)
• You need to carry your own large backpack. This is a program of medium physical and technical difficulty.

• Local transfer to and from San Martin de los Andes.
• Professional mountain guides certified by APN (National Parks Administration)
• Full board in the mountains (breakfast, trail snacks, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner)
• General cooking equipment (pots, stoves)
• Main first-aid kit and equipment
• Emergency communication equipment: VHF radio / Satellite phone
• Satellite tracking via Spot throughout the trek
• Sleeping tents
• Prior informational meetings
• Suitable training plan
• Personal accident insurance
• Ongoing assistance and coordination

• Bus and/or flight to Neuquén or SMDLA
• Expenses caused by dropping out of the program
• Tips

in igloo-type tents for 2, 3 and 4 people. Unserviced wilderness campsites.

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

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

Dinners: Usually one-pot meals. Vegetable-bacon-chorizo stews, chicken and vegetable casseroles, pasta with various sauces or stew, grilled meat (kid goat), Chaw Fan, chicken and rice casserole....

Breakfasts and afternoon tea: Tea, Coffee, Cappuccino, Mate Cocido, Mate, powdered milk; bread, crackers, jam, honey, dulce de leche; cereal, fruit.

The personal/medical form must be filled out to note if anyone doesn't eat a particular type of food.

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

• Special trekking backpack (60 to 80 liters)
• Warm sleeping bag
• Insulating sleeping mat (10 to 15mm).
• Trekking poles

CLOTHING 

• socks, (thin + two thick pairs, ski-type or synthetic). 
• 1 pair of trekking shoes-boots (in good condition) 
• 1 second pair of light spare footwear. 
• long trekking pants (NOT jeans)
• 1 pair of warm long pants or leggings. 
• changes of underwear. 
• 3 t-shirts and/or shirts (one long-sleeved) 
• 2 warm layers (fleece jacket, or wool sweater)
• 1 waterproof outfit (jacket)
• 1 sun hat/cap (with brim) and another warm hat
• 1 bandana to protect your neck from the sun
• Warm gloves and a scarf or fleece neck gaiter.
• Warm hat

PERSONAL ITEMS

• Passport, ID card, DNI.
• Health/medical insurance.
• Completed medical and personal form, authorization.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Headlamp with batteries. 
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen, lip balm
• Toilet paper. Tissues. Baby wipes.

KITCHEN

• Water containers for at least 2 liters (can be a plastic bottle) 
• Cutlery
• Plate or tupperware. (no glass or aluminum)
• Plastic or enamel-coated metal mug (no glass or aluminum).
• Dish towel.

OPTIONAL, not mandatory (depending on space and weight)

• Warm jacket.
• SILVER TAPE, for blisters and repairs.
• Mate, bombilla (straw) and yerba.
• Steel thermos. 
• Binoculars, monocular. Camera or video equipment.
• Book, notebook, travel journal, pencil, pen.
• Games; cards, dice, etc
• Pocket knife (e.g. Victorinox).
• Whistle and lighter. 
• Sturdy plastic bags to store clothing.

Do I need to be in training?

For any mountain activity, prior physical preparation is needed, or at least being physically active.

Do I need prior experience?

No prior experience is required, but we do recommend being in good physical condition and understanding that this is a trekking expedition, where you walk during the day with a backpack and spend the night in an unserviced campsite.  

Where do we sleep?

We sleep in mountain campsites, in comfortable igloo-type tents for 2/3 or 4 people. 

Do I need to bring a tent?

Tents are included in the service. They are carried between everyone.

What's the weather or temperature like?

Even though it's summer, in mountain and/or wilderness areas temperatures usually drop at night.

Are there rest stops?

Stops happen with a frequency and pacing that depends on the intensity.

There are stops for lunch, afternoon tea, and rest.

From what age can you do this activity?

From 13 years of age.

How much does the backpack weigh?

For women, a range of 12 to 15 kilos; for men, 15 to 20 kilos.