Lake District · Summer
Multi-Volcano Summer
Seven days to climb three volcanoes in southern Chile, Villarrica, Llaima and Osorno, with a guide, technical gear and a rest day between ascents.
7 days · Guided · High
Mountains & volcanoes · Lake District
Volcán Villarrica Ascent
At a glance
A guided climb of Volcán Villarrica (2,847 m) from Pucón to look into its active crater: on foot in summer, with skis in winter.
- Duration
- Full day, from early morning to the afternoon in Pucón
- Level
- Intermediate on foot / Advanced with skis
- Group
- 1–6
- Season
- Summer on foot, November–March; winter with skis, July–October
- Start
- Pickup at your hotel in Pucón, confirmed when you book
Overview
Volcán Villarrica rises to 2,847 m above Pucón inside Parque Nacional Villarrica, a 53,460-hectare park managed by CONAF. It is an active volcano, and from the summit you look down into the smoking crater and out over Lago Villarrica and the neighboring volcanoes.
The day starts early in Pucón. At the base your guide gives a briefing and fits your crampons, ice axe, helmet and harness, then you climb for about 4 to 5 hours to the crater. In summer the ascent is on foot: not technical, but physically demanding, with glacier walking on crampons. The descent is on foot or sliding down the snow when conditions allow. In winter the climb is the same, followed by a ski-touring descent for advanced skiers. You are back in Pucón in the afternoon.
How far you go on the day depends on conditions on the mountain, wind and visibility, and your guide may switch the objective to a different volcano for safety. A certified mountain guide, technical equipment, the park access ticket, a trail lunch pack and transfers from Pucón are included. Groups are 1–6 people.
Highlights
- Summit at 2,847 m on an active volcano
- Views into the crater, over Lago Villarrica and toward neighboring volcanoes
- Glacier walking with crampons and ice axe
- Snow-slide descent in summer when conditions allow, or a ski descent in winter
The day
Early morning
Pickup at your hotel in Pucón
Pickup at your hotel in Pucón, confirmed when you book, and the drive to the base of the volcano.
At the base · Briefing and gear
Safety briefing and fitting of crampons, ice axe, helmet and harness.
Ascent · About 4–5 hours to the crater
A steady climb over snow and glacier to the crater rim at 2,847 m. Time at the top depends on conditions.
Descent
In summer, on foot or sliding down the snow when conditions allow. In winter, a ski descent for advanced skiers.
Afternoon
Drop-off at your hotel in Pucón
The drive back from the base of the volcano, with drop-off at your hotel in Pucón, confirmed when you book.
Included and not included
Included
- Certified mountain guide
- Technical equipment: crampons, ice axe, helmet, harness
- Park access ticket
- Lift ticket
- Trail lunch pack
- Transfers from Pucón
Not included
- Accommodation in Pucón
- Ski/touring equipment rental (quotable on request)
- Clothing layers and mountain boots (available for rent)
- Water (bring 2 L)
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities and personal expenses
What to bring and who it's for
What to bring
- 2 liters of water
- Clothing layers, including a waterproof shell (available for rent)
- Mountain boots (available for rent)
- Gloves, a warm hat, sunglasses and sun protection
- Ski or touring gear for the winter ski descent (rental can be quoted)
Who it's for
Adventurous travelers in good physical condition for 5 to 7 hours of continuous, steep effort. No technical mountaineering experience is needed on foot. The winter ski descent requires an advanced skiing level.
Good to know
- Villarrica is an active volcano. Whether you can reach the crater depends on conditions on the day, including wind and visibility. For safety, your guide may change the objective to a different volcano.
- CONAF warns of rockfall on the crater route between December and April.
- A health form and liability waiver must be signed before the trip.
- Clothing layers and mountain boots are not included but can be rented.
Where it happens
The map loads from Esri when you open it.
- PucónPickup at your hotel in Pucón.
- Pucón ski centerBase of the climb.
- Villarrica crater2,847 m.
- PucónDrop-off at your hotel in Pucón.
Make it part of a trip
Lake District · Winter
Three Volcanoes Ski Traverse
Ten days of backcountry ski touring on Lonquimay, Villarrica and Osorno with a certified mountain guide (UIAGM or national certification), a private chef and private houses.
10 days · Guided · Advanced ski touring
Or combine it with other days in a trip designed around you.
Plan a tailor-made trip
Mountains & volcanoes
Osorno Volcano Ascent
A guided glacier climb of Volcán Osorno (2,652 m, about +1,400 m) from Puerto Varas, with crampons, ice axe and a certified mountain guide.
Full day
Mountains & volcanoes
Volcán Lonquimay Ascent
A full-day guided climb of Volcán Lonquimay (2,865 m) from Malalcahuello, through araucaria country, descending on foot or on skis.
Full day
Fishing
Fly Fishing: Río Maullín & Lagos
A full day wading Río Maullín near Puerto Varas for wild rainbow and brown trout, with a certified bilingual guide, all gear and a riverside lunch.
Full day
Ready to go?
FAQs
Not on foot. No technical experience is needed, but you need good physical condition for 5 to 7 hours of continuous, steep effort. The winter ski descent requires an advanced skiing level.
On foot it is rated intermediate: non-technical, but physically demanding, with glacier walking on crampons. CONAF also classifies the crater trail as demanding. With skis in winter it is an advanced outing.
About 4 to 5 hours up to the crater at 2,847 m, then the descent and return to Pucón in the afternoon. Plan for a full day.
Reaching the crater depends on conditions on the mountain, wind and visibility. If the crater isn't possible, your guide may change the objective to a different volcano for safety.
We can't promise it. From the summit you look into an active, smoking crater, but what you see depends on the volcano's activity and the weather on the day.
From November to March for the climb on foot, with the option of sliding down the snow. From July to October the ascent runs in winter conditions with a ski descent for advanced skiers.
Clothing layers and mountain boots (both available for rent) and 2 liters of water. Crampons, ice axe, helmet and harness are provided, along with a trail lunch pack.
The climb starts in Pucón, and transfers are included: pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Pucón, confirmed when you book.
SOURCES · Vertic field notes · conaf.cl · andeshandbook.org