Guided Tours | Walking Tours | Patagonia

Walking, climbing or skiing in the Andes mountain range of southern Chile is one of the most satisfying experiences for lovers of nature and the outdoors. The tours offered here are within the reach of generally fit people with some experience of trekking in the mountains. The departure point is a quaint rural township called Malalcahuello (meaning corral for horses in the native Mapudungun language).

On all tours involving volcano ascents you will be accompanied by a qualified and experienced guide who is very familiar with these volcanoes and will help to make your ascent as enjoyable and safe as possible and you will be provided with a topographic map of the route.

3 volcanoes tour

This tour offers the ultimate in physical challenge amidst spectacular scenery with 3 days of summit volcano climbs:

Lonquimay 2865m/9399ft (altitude gains 1215m)
Sierra Nevada 2554m/8379ft (altitude gains 900m)
Llaima 3125m/10,252ft (altitude gains 1325m)

After each day of strenuous climbing you will be brought back to the comfort of your mountain chalet.

Volcano Lonquimay is an active volcano located within the National Reserve Malalcahuello. Volcanos Sierra Nevada and Llaima are located within Conguillío National Park, Llaima being one of the most active volcanoes in South America; it last erupted in 2008. Sierra Nevada is the remnant of what is thought to have been the largest volcano in the region, but over the centuries eroded down to its current day form. At its summit you will find a glacier and you may be lucky enough to see the South American Condor soaring at close range above you.

In all three climbs one first passes through ancient Monkey Puzzle Tree forest, declared endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Food from this forest sustained Mapuche indigenous peoples who were semi nomadic in the area prior to colonization by the Spanish. Local people still depend on the harvest of pine nuts from these trees to supplement their pantries and their household income.

The inclinations of these three volcanoes are generally moderate with some steep sections of loose rocks (summer) or ice (colder months). You will be guided by an experienced and qualified guide throughout. The panorama from the summit of each of the volcanoes over the surrounding Andes mountain chain makes up for the difficulties of each climb.

3 days/4 nights

USD $1,483

Inclusions:

4 nights quality accommodation
transfers from accommodation to start and finish of climb
topographic map
thermal bath or sauna
group discounts from 2 or more people

Optional extras:

transfer to/from airport or Temuco city
breakfast, pack lunch, dinner

2 Volcanoes Tour

You will climb two active volcanoes in the south of Chile at the northern entrance to Patagonia. Volcano Lonquimay at 2865m/9399ft is the easier of the two and generally takes around 5 hours to complete the return climb. The second day will be a full day to travel to Conguillío National Park and complete the climb to the summit at 3125 msnm/10,252ft. You will be accompanied by an experienced and qualified guide. Included are 3 nights staying in the comfortable mountain chalets of Chile Wild in Malalcahuello.

2 días/3 noches

USD $1,049

Inclusions:

3 nights quality accommodation in a mountain chalet
transfers to and from the start and finish of the climbs
thermal bath or sauna
insurance
group discounts for 2 or more people

Optional extras:

breakfast, pack lunch, dinner
airport/city transfer

All transport to and from your accommodation to the start and finish of the excursion is included. Your accommodation has a fully equipped kitchen for preparing meals, whilst local restaurants offer easy dining out options. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options may be available onsite with prior coordination with the owners.

Volcano Lonquimay Tour

Volcano Lonquimay Guided Tours

We offer a range of guided walking tours lead by professional guides, which include your accommodation with us.

Click on each tour below to see full details:

Volcano Llaima Tour

Volcano Llaima Climbing Tour

Volcano Llaima (3125 msnm/10,252ft)is one of the most active volcanoes in South America; the last eruption was in 2008. After an early morning start you will be driven to Conguillio National Park where the climb will start. Along the climbing route you will enjoy views of the varied landscape within the Park. This volcano is one of the most active in South America, registering some 37 eruptions since the 1800´s. Fortunately now, the office of Sernageomin monitors all the volcanoes in Chile, predicting many or the tremors and eruptions in time for evacuations, so the most you should see is some gas rising from the warm ground. The Volcano is covered with snow/ice most of the year so one must be prepared with the right equipment and climbing times will vary according to the conditions.

1 day/2 nights

USD $696

Inclusions:

3 nights quality accommodation in a mountain chalet
Transfers to and from the start and finish of the climbs
Thermal bath or sauna
Group discounts for 2 or more people

Optional extras:

Breakfast, pack lunch, dinner
Airport/city transfer

Steam train cycle route

During the timber cutting boom in the south of Chile from the 1930´s to 1980´s a project was initiated to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by steam train. The train line was never finished but they managed to build what was then the longest train tunnel in South America of 4.5 km (2.8 mi) and some sections.

This tour starts from near the Aranales refuge at 1740 m (optional ride, walk or drive to the lookout start point,approximately 15 km/9 mi uphill) with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and Volcano Lonquimay. The local hospitality of the indigenous people working in the refuge can be enjoyed over a hot cup of mate or a cooked lunch.

From there it is all downhill to the township of Lonquimay (1000 m.a.s.l./3280 ft) where we will join the cycleway and continue following the BioBio River all the way to the Tunnel (30 km/19 mi, 1000 m.a.s.l/3280 ft) . Here you will be transported through the tunnel and from there you have the option to return to your accommodation cycling or by car (10 km/6 mi more).

1 day/2 nights

USD $406

Inclusions:

2 nights quality accommodation in a mountain chalet
transport to and from the chalet to the start of the tour
insurance
group discount for 2 or more people

Optional extras

transfer to and from airport/city
breakfast, pack lunch, dinner

Indigenous mountain horseride

Your guide and host for this horseride will be a local Pewenche family who will teach you about their language and culture whilst riding through endangered native Monkey Puzzle forest and enjoying mountain views. Lunch will include traditional food cooked in typical campesino style. The horseride is approximately 1.5 hours; no previous experience is necessary.