When I did it myself, there was actually a foreigner climbing up on his own. You either start the hike from the base of the volcano or you can take a chairlift and start a bit higher up. I had an altercation with a guide on the summit and had to talk my way out of a ride to the jail in Pucon when I got to the bottom. Despite the early hour, Agustin, the owner and chief guide of Zenit Travel, was already working at a million miles an hour making sure everyone was happy and comfortable with their kit, stating that it was a good day for climbing. El Sendero de los Crateres is an easy 7km (roundtrip) trail that leads through a shaded forest before opening up in the lava fields. They don’t have a website but they are on Facebook. The anticipation grew. It’s tough, a fair few people drop out along the way, but if you make it to the summit it is an experience like no other. Peacefully swaying back and forth as we slowly crawled higher, the view of the volcano became clearer and clearer. Free cancellation. Hiking on the glacier at Volcano Villarrica, Everyone in our group on the ice and snow. Price per person: CLP$ 109.000 per person. Had a great climb with SummitChile . How much does a Volcan Villarrica tour cost. My experience of the Villarrica Volcano hike. Cutting through the snowy side of the volcano, the trip was quite fast. Then make sure you Pin it! Be better prepared for your Hike to Villarrica Volcano in Chile with my guide. As we were the last group on the volcano it was down to our guide to get him back down, but this foreigner just completely refused to listen. I’m not going to lie, it looked pretty daunting. Hotels near (SCL) Arturo Merino Benitez Airport, Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Pucon, Huerquehue National Park: Tickets & Tours, Plaza de Armas de Pucon: Tickets & Tours, Parque Nacional Villarrica: Tickets & Tours, Villarrica Volcanic Caves: Tickets & Tours. The views of Lake Villarrica were always stunning! All rights reserved. The Quinquilil trail is longer and more challenging than the … Villarrica is one of Chile's most active volcanoes, rising above the lake and town of the same name. William thinks the authorities are being ridiculous. They hadn’t seen it so active before. Good question! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Private Transfer from Pucon To Temuco Airport. At the top, clouds of sulphur were pouring off the active volcano making my eyes water. That’s when we put our gas masks on, for the final push to the top. It was such a weird situation and one I still can't quite work out to this day. It was hard to believe how far we’d come, and looking back down the volcano you can’t help but feel a huge sense of achievement. Make sure you put on lots of SPF50+ sunscreen for protection from sun and windburn. Yay! The trail starts. Hi travellers! A fun day out for sure – just make sure you have quality gear to protect from. S. 4.3 / 5 8 reviews. Physically challenging, you should avoid it if you have any pre existing conditions. That's what I like to hear! It was hell, but I was unfit. I love hiking at the best of times but add in sunrise, a steaming volcano and sledding down some snow and I’m like a little kid at Christmas. amazing experience climbing the volcano!!! Cycle Tour: Andes to the Pacific Ocean: This cycling tour is all inclusive and even includes the use of a full suspension bike. I kept thinking to myself it would have been incredible with a snowboard at my feet because this steep descent does a number on your thighs! It was time to climb. I’m not going to lie, I was so surprised at how many people there were rushing around getting ready for the climb. Villarrica volcano hike is one of the best hikes you can do in #SouthAmerica. I tentatively put on my gas mask, securely sealing it in place before climbing the final few hundred metres to the summit. Turning around, I looked down the volcano past all the ice and snow to Lake Pucon glistening in the midday sun. … View the December 14, 2020 eclipse in Chile from a volcano! I won’t go into all the details of climbing Mount Villarrica – a lot of it was just me putting one foot in front of the other, very comfortable in the silence of walking, almost overawed with where we were – but it’s safe to say that the views just got more and more spectacular the higher we climbed. I’ve climbed a lot of volcanoes in the my time, but this is up there with the best of them. This video is about climbing, trekking, and then sledding down the snow capped Villarrica Volcano in Pucon, Chile! Elevation: 9341 ft / 2847 m. Sign the Climber's Log! A full day tour hiking to the top of Volcan Villarrica with Zenit Travel costs £107 ($135) and includes all transport costs, guides and equipment for the day. Take the chairlift up part of the way up the volcano unless you are fit, you will be very grateful on the way down. One of my last days I hiked to the crater. © An Adventurous World (2014-21). AT A GLANCE jumping off point is Pucón, 780km south of Santiago Villarrica, still active, last erupted 1971, almost reaching town Lanín volcano is highest and most impressive of the… The volcano is 2.847 m (9.341 ft) high, but you can start the ascent from approximately 1.800 m. I say ‘can’ because you have two options. I’ve done some research because as you may know, Villarrica erupted a couple of months ago. Privacy Policy, Hiking to the Top of Volcan Villarrica, Chile, Learning All About the Mapuche Culture in Chile, Wine Tasting in the Colchagua Valley, Chile, My experience of the Villarrica Volcano hike, An early morning wake up call for the Pucon volcano hike. Once we made it back to the ski lift again, it was a short 20 minute walk through the loose gravel back to the car park and the opportunity to finally relax a bit. If there were any doubts about climbing an active volcano, one that erupted as recently as March 2015, now would’ve been the time to back out. At 2,847 meters above sea level, Villarrica Volcano is a perfect cone shaped stratovolcano with an open crater and a simmering lava pool that creates constant smoke plumes from the open pit. I had such a rush too, and it's definitely up there with one of the best day hikes I've ever done. Difficulty Level Can you guess which one I took? While we would have loved to stay longer, it was time to begin the descent. To the right of me I could see the crater of Villarrica Volcano, the rock tinged yellow from all the sulphurous gas, while to my left I could see a huge white glacier, a place where hardly anyone steps foot. Honestly, any doubts you have about this climb will fly out the window when you see the view. The lifts weren’t operating that day. Hi Macca, When someone told me that you do a Volcan Villarrica hike up an active volcano just outside of Pucon Chile (northern Chilean Patagonia) - I knew I had to immediately divert my itinerary to get there. I'm Macca & I run the multiple award-winning blog An Adventurous World. If you’re still interested then make sure you keep reading my guide all about the Pucon volcano hike! Once we got to the top there were only a few other people up there with us; it felt like we had the volcano to ourselves. It was amazing seeing how far we’d come in just one morning. Acclimatize at an easy pace. This blog reviews the trek (and sledding down!) 普孔Volcan Villarica：Tripadvisor網上在普孔39個旅遊景點中排名第1 , 看看關於Volcan Villarica2,419則評論、文章和1,830張照片。 More info. The Villarrica Volcano is popular mostly for the unforgettable climb it offers. ), we walked a short way to the ski lift. I'm not 100% sure myself but I can't really see it being a problem. An intriguing active volcano begging adventurers to climb it, ski all around it and toboggan your way back to the bottom. The remoteness and feeling of empowerment trekking on and around an active volcano. It was as amazing as Macca claims, but I can tell you, guides don't like it if you hike without one. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The volcano is also known as Rucapillán, a … Would have been nice to get to the top! Hardly any other hikers. 7 h. The views we saw were great. You can also see a couple of the other Pucon volcanoes in the area too. $157.88 per adult. Took about 5 hrs hike up steep snow slope to the summit. It all depends on your style of travel I guess! The Quinquilil volcano trail is located on the east side of the Villarrica National Park, one of the least visited areas in this region. During this time, the weather will be the best so you will have a better chance of reaching the top of the Villarrica Volcano. From here you can clearly see the summit of Volcán Villarrica, far off into the distance. Hike Summary The good: Seeing diverse landscapes on the Villarrica Traverse change so rapidly, offering a great variety. A fun day out for sure – just make sure you have quality gear to protect from the elements! There aren’t many places where you can climb to the top of an active volcano in a day, but at Volcano Villarrica you can. But, be warned that this hike isn’t an easy task. So, you want to hike to the top of Volcan Villarrica, one of the most active volcanoes in Chile? Roaming Around the World Season: Winter. At the top, clouds of sulphur were pouring off the active volcano making my eyes water. I booked mine a couple of days before while I was in Pucon, so it wasn't a problem at all. 5. We could not climb any higher and abandoned. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.405809757406&type=3. Nothing makes me happier than a hard hike with beautiful views. with tips to help you reach the summit. It was also the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever done, and the scariest moment of my life when a lot of sulphur came out the top and the guides yelled for us to get away from the crater and bury our heads in the snow. From here begin the hike to the summit of one of Chile's iconic active volcanoes. That didn’t stop me grinning from ear to ear though. There is no shame in it. It was a beutifu site when it had fresh falleln snow on it. Hard work to going up, but totally amazing when you get to the summit. This is where Agustin showed us how to put on our crampons and gave us a demonstration of how to walk on the ice. It requires proper climbing equipment and a lot of stamina. Considering he’s been doing this for years I had a feeling he was right. The ego boost from the accomplishment. Weather was great. Highly recommend it if you have a decent level of fitness! As climbing an active volcano was still pretty high up on my list of things I wanted to do in life, I recently did a much easier hike up onto one down in Italy. Hike to the summit of the Villarrica Volcano (2,847m), Day trip from Pucón. 6. In fact, the Villarrica Volcano near Pucón is one of Chile’s most active. The scenery provides a glimpse into the power and destruction of Villarrica's eruption, as well as nature's ability to recover. From here there is a first view towards the Lanín volcano, which is in the border with Argentina, and … The Volcano Villarrica hike is a challenging climb near Pucon, Chile. Villarrica volcano in Chile might just be the place for you, it is one of the world’s most climbed (active) volcanoes. An unforgettable experience! Almost in solemn silence, we started packing our bags for our hike that day. But at 9,383 feet (2860 m), the volcano looms in the distance like Mount Doom, glowing pink in the afternoon sun like an ice-cream cone. thanks a lot for your support you were amazing, so patience with us and we did not have too much experience,,, thanks for everything!! I could have done that waterfall hike in Villarrica National Park the next day after all! Villarrica Volcano rises above Pucón and Lake Villarrica. Quick View. I would check with your tour operator first though, I would add in you don't have a huge amount of time at the top, but definitely enough to fly a drone! I cab image the photos would be pretty spectacular so let me know how you get on! We’d find a climbing slot that’d make it feel like it was just us. When I heard you can climb to the top of an active volcano, I knew I had to visit Pucon to conquer that challenge. Have you ever hiked Volcan Villarrica before? Again, Agustin showed us how to use these bum boards, and it wasn’t long before we were all sliding down, throwing ourselves around corners like we were professional lugists. There, I grumbled a hello to everyone as they already had their kit laid out before them. This is exactly like tobogganing anywhere else around the world, just down the side of an active volcano. I can’t get over how beautiful all the Pucon volcanoes are. I did this climb in April 2010 with a guide and a small group. I'm not kidding, but they actually had a fight on the mountain with punches being thrown! The morning I decide to hike the volcano, the front page of the local newspaper shows people running from the rim as lava erupts from the crater. I travelled to the Chilean Lake District during the first week of January 2020. I lived in Pucon and taught skiing on the volcan villarica thirty years ago. It didn’t matter that I was only 2,848 metres high, it felt like I was on top of the world. As you’d expect, getting from the top to the bottom of the volcano was so much quicker, but not for the reason you’d think. When is the best time to hike Villarrica Volcano? Villarrica’s last eruption occurred in 2008, which means it is no longer possible to see a lava fountain inside Villarrica’s crater. Free rescheduling. I tentatively put on my gas mask, securely sealing it in place before climbing the final few hundred metres to the summit. Not the earliest of starts, but still enough to question what I was doing. For starters, if you didn’t know already, “Volcán Villarrica” or Volcano Villarrica is one of Chile’s most active Volcanos. The first stage was a steep 45 minute climb over rocks to get onto the slope of the volcano from which it was a straight line to the top. Starting point for the hike up the Villarrica Volcano. To take a chairlift that saves you about a thousand meters, or hike all the way from the entrance of the national park. More. At almost 3,000 meters above sea level, you can get a pretty good look at Villarica, on a clear day, right from the little village of Pucón. Take plenty of food and drinks as it long hot hike up and down the mountain. Did you think it was one of the best hikes you’ve ever done? Nothing makes me happier than capturing the world one destination at a time so make sure you follow me on my adventures! Permits and licenses are required if you're unguided, so don't try to go it on your own! The next day drive 30 minutes from the center of Pucon to the base of Villarrica Volcano. I was there almost 5 years ago! After about 10 minutes of walking in them you’ll hardly notice they’re on your feet at all. Arrive at the hike starting point at the Quillelhue Lagoon in Villarrica National Park. 4. And if you’re looking for an adrenaline high to top standing upon an active volcano, this is it. I climbed Villarrica volcano with Sur Explora who are based in Pucon, the adventure capital of the Chilean Lake District. Hiking, Mountaineering, Ice Climbing, Scrambling, Skiing. If you’ve never worn crampons before, it’s actually really easy. Climb to the summit of Villarrica Volcano. Then it was time to walk on the glacier itself, a blanket of white before us. Actually, it erupted not too long ago, in March 0f 2015 and was closed for hikes until November of that same year. However, just peering down into the crater lake is still a marvellous sight. Ascending the Quinquilil volcano is still a day hike, just a bit tougher and further from Pucón and Villarica towns. In retrospect it was not safe to climb but I did no homework at all, had no internet access on holidays and just met some people in the hostel who were climbing it so I did. I’m not sure if there was a lift fault, or perhaps it was considered unsafe to climb so the local authorities closed the lifts. This is usually limited to a group of 12 people too, so make sure you book in advanced. Currently there are no hikes to the crater going because of the orange status in activity. more. This is the place. Agustin timed it perfectly so we were the last group to summit Villarrica. After a 45 minute ride, we arrived at the car park in Villarrica National Park at the bottom of the volcano. An intriguing active volcano begging adventurers to climb it, ski all around it and toboggan your way back to the bottom. Local guides have been planning this experience for over a year to be optimized for eclipse viewing and enjoying a challenging but fun hike up Chile’s most famous volcano. The Villarrica Volcano hike isn’t for the faint-hearted. Continue towards Laguna Verde and after reaching about five kilometers, arrive at a slope and approach the skirts of the mythical Lanin Volcano. Trek for about four kilometers and pass by the Escondida and Huinfiuca lagoons. It's such an incredible experience, isn't it? Once we were all ready, we jumped into the minibus and made our way to Volcan Villarrica National Park. I was even more sold when I was told that you had to wear gas masks at the top because the active volcano spews gas and steam. As I said, I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did! The trail continues softly uphill until reaching 45 to 60 minutes after the Estero Ñilfe a pass between a secondary crater of the Villarrica and smaller hills to the south. Descending with “ski bunda” (skiing on your bottom) is very entertaining! Then, after hours of climbing, we did it. They were simply astounding. The scenery provides a glimpse into the power and destruction of Villarrica's eruption, as well as nature's ability to recover. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/chile/araucania/volcan-villarrica Make sure you let me know in the comments below! We stopped off a couple of more times for a rest and to gather our energy again, especially for the final assent. Personally, I really can’t recommend this activity enough. That’s why, when Agustin asked if I’d like to take the ski lift for $10,000 or climb for an extra hour and a half to the top of the ski lift, I jumped at the opportunity for an easy start to the day (it was still early after all!). Situated in central Chile, the Villarrica Volcano is the westernmost of three large stratovolcanoes that run from the center of the country all the way to the Argentine border. Saying that, Agustin assured me that once we got on the volcano itself it wouldn’t matter. The lift is not always open, depending on weather conditions. When we went there were easily another 50 people. That didn’t stop me grinning from ear to ear though. It’s hard to summarise trekking Volcan Villarrica. We took a few photos but couldn’t capture t at its worst because we couldn’t see or breathe at that stage. I just looked up history of the volcano and it was very active in April 2010, and by May 2010 there was lava 100m from the brim. Best time for Climbing Villarrica Volcano is Summer in Chile, (southern hemispere) from December to February. In early March of 2015 Villarrica erupted and has been closed for climbs until Nov 12th, 2015. When it isn’t spitting up smoke and lava, Volcán Villarrica makes a spectacular hike, offering a beautiful view of the nearby lake. Villarrica Volcano Climb; Villarrica Volcano Climb. Like this blog post? I could see the villarica volcan when i lived in Chile for 3. years. The Quinquilil volcano trail is 9.4 miles long round trip (15 km) and takes around 7-8 hours to hike. 3. We hiked the first 30 minutes or so on rocky gravel, until we arrived at the base of a chair lift. The best part was sliding down on those crazy carpets! Did you book your tour in advance or a couple days before while in Pucon? The first stage will be a traditional hiking ascent, starting at 1,800 meters above sea level. Fresh water everywhere! Thankfully, no one did. Truly amazing experience! For most people, the best excursion in the area, climbing the most active volcano in Chile with views of volcanos and lakes, at 9,350 ft. of altitude. The best way to see the northern Patagonia is from the seat of a bike. Villarrica Volcano Climb for December 14 Eclipse. At our first stop where we ate some nuts and glugged down some water, we had 10 minutes to catch our breath and appreciate the views which were already something else. Steep hike!! 65 eruptions have been recorded through history, the most notable of these being in 1964 and 1971. But when it is, it costs 10,000 pesos ($16) and bypasses 400 vertical meters, or around 1 to 1.5 hours of hiking. This volcano and our agency Mawida Adventures promise a unique mountain experience, under the highest safety standards, delivering to each passenger all the technical equipment necessary for the ascent to the crater of the Villarrica Volcano: mountain boots, helmet, crampons, ice ax, trouser covers, jacket, gloves, leggings, backpack and gas mask. I'm so happy to hear you had a great time. Take lots of layers as it get hot walking up and can be chilly at the top. World → South America → Patagonian Andes → Chile → Villarrica Traverse One of the best hikes in the world Villarrica Traverse You want volcanos? My alarm went off at 5:30am. So crazy what people try and do! Do you know if you can use drones at the top of the volcano? After a brief demonstration from Agustin on how to climb (keep those knees bent people! The trail starts at the end of Camino el Volcan. Armed with my packed lunch and water for the day, I walked the 10 minutes from my hostel to Zenit Travel, the guys who I was climbing Volcan Villarrica with for the day. The chairlift at the start of the volcano. El Sendero de los Crateres is an easy 7km (roundtrip) trail that leads through a shaded forest before opening up in the lava fields. The next stage was another 45 minutes, again over rock, to get to the bottom of the glacier . Eventually, our guide had to call the mountain police, told them were he was and left him too it. Add in the fact that you’re climbing on a glacier – no doubt a first for many people – and tobogganing back down to the bottom in an adrenaline-fuelled rush, and you really do have one of the best day hikes in the world. It felt so good being at the top of the volcano – it really did feel like being on top of the world – and the views were just the best yet. If you’d like catch the ski lift to cut out an hour and a half of climbing then make sure you bring an extra $10,000. The bad: i will write a recomendation in muchillier greetings stav. Home » South America » Chile » Hiking to the Top of Volcan Villarrica, Chile, Posted on Last updated: January 4, 2021 By: Author Macca Sherifi, Categories Adventures, Chile, Destinations, South America. Let me say this now though. Presumably he got arrested and chucked in jail. I thought there would be a few dozen people climbing Villarrica volcano, not a few hundred people. This really was a hike like no other. One thing we’d been carrying around with us all morning was a round piece of plastic, just big enough to sit on, so that’s what we did. We tobogganed down. Well who can blame you, it’s one of the best hikes you’ll ever do! Sierra Nevada Trail – Conguillio National Park Andean Lagoons hike – Villarrica National Park. I 100% agree with this. He made it quite far up the volcano before he was stopped by our guide.