Chile's Lake District Luxury Walk 7D6N, Fully Guided

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 6 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 274 m (900 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 10 km (6 miles), Elevation gain: 274 m (900 ft)

Meet your tour leaders at 8 a.m. at Enjoy Park Lake Villarrica, IX Región. Please, ensure you arrive dressed in hiking clothes, and come with your luggage and a daypack with your rain gear and anything else you may want for the day’s hike (your luggage will be transported to our first night’s accommodations.)

¡Bienvenidos a Chile! After meeting in Pucón, where Villarrica Volcano dominates the skyline with its smoldering fumarole and glowing crater, we take a quick shuttle to Villarrica National Park. We see magnificent volcano and lake views as we trek through a forest and up to a lava field. Following a picnic lunch, we move to the start of our private tour of the volcano’s caves. Equipped with a flashlight and helmet, make your way toward the earth’s core. While passing ethereal lava formations above, including stalactites, our guide enlightens us on volcanology, how eruptions created the caves, and stories about the disastrous 1971 eruption of the country’s most active volcano.

We reach our home for the next two nights, the remarkable Hotel Antumalal. It is set on the shores of Lake Villarrica, feeding you with stunning vistas and exceptional sunsets. We gather for a welcome reception in the evening to toast a thrilling week ahead. Come evening, indulge in a sumptuous dinner of local specialties.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles), Elevation gain: 91 m (300 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)

Enjoy a delightful breakfast before shuttling to our trailhead. Then, we set out on a hike to explore the high-altitude Andean lakes that sit in the shadow of the snow-capped Lanín Volcano, whose peak forms part of the border between Chile and Argentina.

Following that, we visit a local restaurant to taste traditional wheat coffee and sample some appetizers. The restaurant’s owner is a well-known Mapuche woman, local community leader, and esteemed cook who shares the history, traditions, and difficulties her people face today. Mapuche, the area’s locals, constitute almost 10 percent of Chile’s population and are the largest native group in South America.

After enjoying a relaxing time at the hotel, we go into town for a delectable dinner that may feature traditional Chilean cuisines, barbecue, Italian, or even Mediterranean dishes.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 396 m (1300 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 16 km (10 miles), Elevation gain: 762 m (2500 ft)

This morning, we take a shuttle to the base of Villarrica Volcano, where we’ll begin our hike. Starting on a deserted dirt road, we climb through an untouched coihue forest and glacial streams until we see stands of magical araucaria (monkey puzzle) trees. As we ascend, we discover lava fields with picturesque sweeping views of the region’s volcanoes and the curved Pichillancahue Glacier, coated with Villarrica’s ash.

Relax and take in the scenery as we shuttle to Parque Futangue, a secluded private nature reserve on the edge of Ranco Lake, characterised by virgin forests, lava fields, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, and more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) of trails. Futangue Hotel & Spa, set in the Riñinahue Valley within the reserve, will be our home for the next two nights.

If you’re still up to exploring some more, join a hike through the property. Or take in gorgeous vistas from the terrace or enjoy an excellent spa treatment before rounding off the evening with dinner at your leisure (spa treatment at own expense).

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 488 m (1600 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 10 km (6 miles), Elevation gain: 549 m (1800 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 14 km (9 miles), Elevation gain: 792 m (2600 ft)

For today’s adventure, we set out to explore some of Park Futangue’s immaculate landscapes. Formerly inaccessible, the park now has a trail system allowing access to its scenic corners—our route winds through turquoise waterfalls, footbridges, and awe-inspiring lookouts. Make a stop at the deep blue Laguna Pitreño, enjoy your lunch, and go for a relaxing swim if the weather cooperates. If you’re up for more hiking, the last leg of our route offers 360-degree views of the neighbouring volcanoes, lakes, and on a clear day, the granite summits of Argentina in the distance.

If you choose one of the shorter hiking routes, you can spend the rest of the afternoon making the most of the reserve’s many options. You could go mountain biking, horseback riding, swimming at the pool, or getting a spa treatment. (Horseback riding and spa treatments are not included in the trip fee.)

We convene in the evening for a Chilean wine and empanada tasting before a delectable dinner.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles), Elevation gain: 122 m (400 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 6 km (4 miles),  Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft)

We start the day hiking along a river till we get to its source—the serene dazzling waters of Laguna Puchi surrounded by towering cliffs covered with trees and waterfalls. Then, we take a shuttle to the shores of Llanquihue Lake to enjoy a German Chilean feast at a ranch overlooking Osorno, a perfect cone-shaped stratovolcano with a permanent ice cap on its peak.

After lunch, we journey to our next hike near the slopes of Osorno, walking along forests and dry riverbeds worn down by past eruptions. You could go directly to our home for the next two nights, Hotel AWA, a chic property occupying 50 acres with a private dock on Llanquihue Lake. Unwind in your ensuite rooms, take a dip in the pool, pamoer in the sauana or alze by the spacious lounges boasting serene mountain views. Those in pursue for some adventure can head out on the lake with a standup paddleboard or kayak.

Enjoy a luscious dinner when you are ready at the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant featuring meals cooked with fresh ingredients from the hotel’s garden.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 91 m (300 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 14 km (9 miles), Elevation gain: 243 m (800 ft)

Fill your energy tank with breakfast for our final full day of adventure in the Lake District. We shuttle to Chile’s oldest national park, Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, and hike the Paso la Desolación trail, home to pumas and pudús. Following Osorno Volcano’s trail, we walk through volcanic ash, forest, and fields with vast views of volcanoes and glacial-fed lakes. Descending, we are greeted by emerald waters and dark volcanic sand of Todos Los Santos Lake, bordering the Andes.

As we continue through the bamboo forest, we encounter cascading waters of Petrohué River’s waterfalls. If you want to experience the sound and spray of the rushing waters fully, you can choose to raft from here on Class III rapids back toward our hotel. (please note that rafting is not included in the trip fee.) The other option is to join the shuttle back to the hotel and maybe relax or try out an activity you didn’t get to yesterday.

We bring the fantastic day to an end at a farewell reception and enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, celebrating our journey through Chile.

We pay a final visit to our friends at Fundo Playa Venado. On this dairy farm, we take a tour of the property and indulge in tasting their cheeses and some delectable homemade manjar, the Chilean version of dulce de leche. Following that, we say our heart farewells and bring our exciting Chilean journey to an end around 11 am at Hotel AWA.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.