
First we will start taking a long walk from the hotel to the base of the volcano Osorno, going through landslides and native forests until we arrive to a bay where we will stop and have a rest and eat lunch. We will then return to the hotel via millenary forests and volcanic sand beaches.
This hike offers unique views of the lake, river and surrounding volcanoes, as well as offer chances to see local flora and wildlife such as: (flora) Coigues (Nothofagus dombeyi), Ulmos (Eucryphia cordifolia), Tiacas (Caldcluvia paniculata), Avellanos (Gevuina avellana), Tineos (Weinmannia trichosperma), Alerces (Fitzroya cupressoides); and (fauna) Chimango caracaras, Chucao tapaculos, Chestnut throated het huets, woodpeckers and Dark bellied inclodes.
Optional:
A chance to travel by boat to the beach “Del Alerce”.
Leaving early in the morning from Petrohué, we hike the skirts of Osorno Volcano (2661 m.) towards a pass between the volcano and La Picada Peak (1710 m.). Our ascent will take us through a dry stream bed which becomes a canyon of dry basalt formed in the volcano’s last eruptions. The native flora changes significantly with the gain in altitude. We will take a path through the vegetation which will allow us to enjoy the fabulous panoramic views of Lake Todos los Santos and the area, including Tronador Volcano (3490 m.).
Once we have reached our goal we’ll re-energize with a well deserved picnic. Our break takes place at the edge of a beautiful waterfall produced by the surrounding mountains’ melting snow and ice.
We will descend through the residuals of the volcano’s last eruption, through a prehistoric vegetation that first colonized our planet millions of years ago. Our route takes us towards Playa Larga, a long stretch of beach well-suited for a refreshing dip in the lake before heading back towards Petrohué.
Early in the morning we leave Petrohué boating across Lake Todos Los Santos. In approximately 15 minutes we will arrive to Playa León (Puma Beach).
Here we’ll ascend a narrow valley, entering a forest of coigüe, arrayán, tepú, mañío and ulmo. Our trek takes us through creeks and up and down small gorges that lead to River León. We will enjoy a box lunch picnic along the way. Afer our break, we continue our path to a fabulous valley of Alerces, native milenary trees. In danger of extinction, the Alerce has been declared a National Monument. This trek is an exceptional opportunity to understand what was the majesty of southern forests before colonization.
On our return, we’ll find the boat waiting for us at Playa León to take us back to Petrohué.
Day 1: Petrohué – El Callao
We start off early in the morning in Petrohué, preparing our gear and equipment for the trek that awaits us. Once ready, we will board a boat which will take across Lake Todos Los Santos to the northern corner of El Rincón where our trek begins.
For approximately 4 hours we will hike through typical southern Validivian forests filled with coigüe, mañio, ulmo and lingüe. On our path we will encounter many bird species such as the chucao, woodpecker, blackbreasted lapwing, hummingbird and traro.
At midday we will stop on the beach of the River Sin Nombre to refresh ourselves and have some lunch. After a break we will continue on the trail to Valley Sin Nombre, at the base of Volcano Puntiagudo (2,830m). The Callao hotsprings are located on the River Sin Nombre, not far from the rustic cottage where we will spend the night. After getting settled in the refuge we can recover our energy in the nearby hotsprings. Dinner at 20:00 hrs.
Day 2 : El Callao – Petrohué
Breakfast at 9:30 a.m. Morning free with the possibility to explore the beautiful surroundings, enjoy the hot springs, fish in the river or simply enjoy the scenery. Around midday, we will have lunch and afterwards prepare our belongings to start our descent towards the lake. Now that we have become more familiarized with the area, we can train our eyes on spotting the different species of flora and fauna that this magnificent forest offers.
In the late afternoon we will be arriving at El Rincón where our boat will be waiting to take us back to Petrohué.
n pre-Colombian times the Vuriloche Pass was regularly used by the Mapuches to raid Tehuelche and Araucano settlements. The route was once the only passage between the Reloncaví Sound on the Pacific Ocean and the Patagonian steppes. After the arrival of the white man, the pass was used to travel and transport animals between Chile and Argentina.
In 1998 this international pass was legally reinstated for the first time. It is one of the most unique crossings of the Andes, in which one travels for days in virgin forests of native flora with stunning views of Mount Tronador. This trek takes the valley of River Blanco north from Lake Todos los Santos, crossing Vuriloche Pass and continuing into Argentina, bordering the flanks of Mount Tronador to Lake Frias and finally returning back to Chile via the international pass Vicente Pérez Rosales.
Day 1
Petrohué - Peulla
At 10:30 a.m. we meet at Petrohue’s dock on Lake Todos los Santos. We embark on the catamaran Lagos Andinos to Peulla. We can relax over the course of this two-hour boat ride and enjoy the impressive views of the highest Andean peaks in the area. We will lodge at Hotel Peulla. In Peulla we will spend the rest of the day checking out the surroundings. At 19:00 hrs. we will meet to discuss the trip itinerary. Dinner at 21:00 hrs.
Day 2
Peulla - River Blanco – La Junta
Breakfast at 7:00 a.m. After preparing our gear we’ll boat to the mouth of River Blanco. A brief walk takes us to a meadow where our pack horses await. Once we have transferred our gear and provisions to the horses we will begin our hike up this deep valley, crossing River Blanco various times. After about 2.5 hours the valley narrows and we take a trail through virgin forest, replete with native species such as coigüe, ulmo, canelo, radal and others. Along the way we can spot the bird species common to this cold forest.
We continue our trek, passing a bridge that covers a narrow rock gorge where the River Blanco flows 30 meters below. The path ascends northward, snaking through native forest. After several hours we will meet up with River Blanco again, crossing a hanging bridge and ascending to our campsite at La Junta. At a short distance you’ll find hot springs which we’ll surely visit. Dinner is at 20:00 hrs.
Day 3
La Junta - El Buitre
After breakfast we will pack up our gear and prepare the horses, continuing on the southern bank upvalley. On the tops of the mountains surrounding us we can view millenary alerce trees. As we approach closer and closer to Mount Tronador we’ll have spectacular vistas of its glaciers and snowcapped peaks. Today’s hike is less demanding and shorter. We will make our camp in El Buitre, where we’ll find nearly-hidden mountain hot springs to enjoy nearby.
Day 4
El Buitre – Mallin Chileno
Early in the morning we will pack up camp and begin our hike towards Mallin Chileno, located near the border with Argentina. This will be one of the most demanding and rewarding days of the trek. As we gain altitude we’ll have great views of the the White Hanging Glacier. Try to spot the pairs of condors circling the heights alongside steep rock walls. There are unbelievable views the rushing River Blanco and the thick forests of native lenga trees along the whole length of the valley. At the day’s end we will make camp in the area near Mallin Chileno.
Day 5
Mallin Chileno – Pampa Linda
After breakfast and breaking camp, we will head towards the pass into Argentina, hiking through a boggy area until finally crossing the border at 1,300 m. of altitude. Descending the trail, we will arrive around midday to the Pampa Linda Inn, located in the National Park Nauel Huapi. Once we have settled and gone through Argentine border control, we’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to explore the surroundings.
Day 6
Pampa Linda – Bariloche
In the morning we’ll have breakfast at the inn and take a transfer to the city of Bariloche. End of services.
Personal equipment:
Day pack to carry on the hike
Backpack or dry bag* (recommended that you store your belongings within a plastic or waterproof bag) to transport your gear/belongings on the pack horses.
Sleeping bag and foam pad
Hiking boots
Warm clothes, including windbreaker, towel, bathing suit, water bottle (1 liter), hat, sunglasses, sunblock.
It is recommended that you use trekking poles.
* Maximum weight of personal gear must not exceed 20 kg.
Terms and Conditions:
• Trek includes:
Specialized professional bilingual guide
All meals included in the program
Tents
Pack horses
Necessary transport (boat and land)
Accident insurance
• Trips only valid with minimum 2 guests
• Departure time: 9:00 a.m.
• EXPEDICIONES PETROHUÉ reserves the right to alter and/or change the schedules and itineraries of the above mentioned programs as a consequence of climatic conditions, circumstances concerning the company and/or decisions made by the guide in charge concerning the security and wellbeing of any person of the group or the group itself.
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