Volcanoes Trek - Lanin National Park - Lago Verde to Lago Lolog, Puerto Arturo, Neuquén

One of the classic routes of Lanin National Park, with admirable landscape contrasts, lies in this sector, between the Currhué lakes basin and the Lolog basin. The terrain varies between grasslands, sand, wetlands and volcanic rock. The views of the southern face of Lanin Volcano are indescribable, and the elegance of the trail winding into the labyrinthine Arroyo Auquinco valley invites you to dream of endless paradises. Achen Ñiyeu volcano and the beautiful southern shores of Lake Lolog are the cherry on top of this trek, one of our most treasured and unforgettable getaways. 

Summer 2023 dates:

January 8 to 10 
February 11 to 13
March 4 to 6

Travel Options: You can travel by plane or bus. This cost is covered by each traveler. to San Martin de los Andes

Day 1: SAN MARTIN DE LOS ANDES - LAGO VERDE - PORTEZUELO.  Meeting in San Martin de los Andes, at midday. Transfer by charter vehicle to Lago Verde, after passing by Lago Currhué Chico and Lago Grande. First leg of the route, climbing the lava field of Achen Ñiyeu volcano. At its base we'll have the chance to climb up and back down to its small crater. Lunch on the trail. We reach the Auquinco pass and say goodbye to the fantastic, breathtaking views of the southern face of Lanin Volcano. Finally we descend a bit from the pass and find our campsite, high up in the basin. Set up camp. Dinner and overnight.

Day 2:  RINCON DE LOS PINOS - AUQUINCO - LOLOG. A day of continuous descent, covering the whole Auquinco basin, which we ford a couple of times. We pass by the old hunters' refuge at Rincón de los Pinos, where we have lunch. We then continue through a broad area of grasslands and open pampa where it's possible to spot red deer. A big ford of the Auquinco finally leaves us by the shores of Lake Lolog, where we set up camp, and where there's another basic refuge. Set up camp. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3: PUERTO ARTURO-SM de los ANDES.  We follow the shore of Lake Lolog. One last ford of the Río Auquinco and a trail that climbs and descends along the lakeshore. We pass by Playa Bonita, where we rest, enjoy the sand and have a light lunch. We enjoy the last 2-hour stretch while looking back on everything we've experienced. Arrival at Puerto Arturo, where our vehicle awaits. Final check-in with the park ranger and transfer to San Martin de los Andes. Approx. 6 pm. End of our program. 

• 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.

• Transfers to and from San Martin de los Andes
• Professional mountain guides
• Full board throughout the trek
• General camping, cooking and communication equipment
• VHF communication equipment
• Tents
• Ongoing assistance

Bus or transfer to San Martin de los Andes (each traveler's place of residence)

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

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

Dinners: 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.

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

• 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

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

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

• 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.

• 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.

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

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.  

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

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

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

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

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

From 13 years of age.

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

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: 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.