Global Adventure - Hike Dramatic Volcanoes, Rainforests and Hot Springs through Chile's Lakes District

Participants who are not coming over from the Argentina adventure need to arrive in Puerto Montt (reachable by air through Santiago) by no later than the afternoon of Wed, Feb 22, 2023.  Those who are coming from the Argentina adventure will be picked up that same day and transferred by bus and boat on the Cruce Andino ferry across the Andes crest to Petrohue, Chile  where we’ll meet our guide and other group members.  Our itinerary will take usl from Petrohue north through the Lakes District by private vehicle, and the trip will end with flights home from Temuco, Chile (book these to depart no earlier than the evening of Saturday March 4, 2023).   NOTE:  DATES ARE NOT CONFIRMED YET!

Itinerary Highlights:   The unique  experiences of this adventure start right out of the gate if you are joining the trip from the Argentina adventure - we'll board the famed Cruce Andino ferry and travel down the gorgeous Lago Todos Los Santos to the village of Petrohue standing under the majestic Osorno volcano.  Our guide will meet us there where we'll have a wonderful restaurant dinner and samplings of excellent Chilean wine hosted by our Chilean outfitter and guide Andres.  That will whet our appetite for the next 8 days!   

On the morning after our arrival  we'll transfer by van and ferry to Chiloe island where we'll spend two days.  On the first day we'll explore a colony of Magellanic and Humboldt penguins, then enjoy a "Curanto en Hoyo" fest with local family, before visiting the USNESCO Churches of Castro, the Local Market and colourful stilt houses "Palafitos". That night we'll stay in Castro.  On our second day we'll tour more of the unique UNESCO churches and culture on Nercon, Chonchi, Vilopulli, Dalcahue, Achao and Quinchao Island, before transferring back to Puerto Varas for the night.

On day 3 we'll drive through lush Chilean farm country to a trailhead on the side of Osorno volcano and hike with our guide high on its flanks on the Desolacion/La Picada trail to viewpoints high above Lago Todos Los Santos before descending to the lake for a swim.  That night will have us staying at the Aguas Calientes hot springs resort in Puyehue National Park, about 2 hours drive north.   

Over the next three days we'll hike with our local guide as far as we choose up volcanoes  Casablanca and Quetrupillan, with vast views across the innumerable lakes of this stunning region and the other signature volcanoes including Villarica, Lanin and Puntiagudo, and between those challenging hikes we'll  relax at the famous Thermas Geometricas with its seven hot pools deep in the rainforest with boardwalks passing between!  We’ll also hike with our guide through unique Araucaria forest in the El Cañi Nature Reserve to a high viewpoint with a spectacular 360 degree view of the region’s many lakes and more views of the region's iconic volcanoes.  On our last night we will be hosted for a traditional Mapuche 'asado' or barbecue at the home of a local Mapuche family and will have a chance to see and purchase Mapuche handicrafts.

The trip is scheduled so that busy working people can complete the Chile itinerary with only 5 days off work.

Time of Year:   We’ll be travelling in late summer, during the tail end of the warm season when the weather usually continues fair but the hordes of summer tourists have begun to head home.  Daily high temperatures in March average 60-70°F and lows 35-45°F; skies are clear or mostly clear, and the average rainfall for the month is just 0.7 inches.

Lodging:   We’ll be staying at comfortable small lodges, hot springs resorts or refugios every night, some with ensuite bath and some with shared bathrooms down the hall.  Some will have two-person rooms and some may be 4-6 person bunk rooms.

Food:   The trip price includes breakfasts and dinners every day and lunches on our hiking days (on our transit days and our free days at the hot springs we will be responsible for our own lunches).  Non-alcoholic beverages are included with all included meals.  Chilean cuisine is fantastic and distinctive with lots of local produce and seafood.  We will be hosted for one Mapuche ‘asado’ or barbecue on our last night.  Vegetarian diets can be accommodated but please check with the leader about any other special dietary needs.

Leader’s Experience:   Cheryl Talbert (cascadehiker12@gmail.com) is a long-time hiker and backpacker who has led extended treks and backpacks in the U.S. and overseas since 2009.  She has led Global Adventures treks and backpacks for the Mountaineers since 2013.  This will be her eighth trip to various parts of Patagonia and 12^th trip into the Andes, but other than the Osorno volcano hike this will be her first time on this route. 

Participant Requirements:    Must be a current Mountaineers member with waiver on file. Participants must be in good cardiovascular condition, confident on steep trail carrying a daypack for 6-8 miles and up to 3-4000 feet of elevation gain.  Participants need to have good balance, be comfortable with crossing streams on rocks or logs and climbing/ descending steep scree and boulder slopes.  Must demonstrate recent experience with moderate to strenuous scrambling or hiking, plus a positive attitude and the ability to get along well with groups under demanding conditions. To participate in this adventure, participants are required to carry international medical insurance and emergency evacuation insurance sufficient to get them back to a hospital near home.

Trip Price Detail:    $3,500  including all lodgings and most meals, an experienced local guide for the full itinerary; and all ground transport except for the Cruce Andino ferry from Argentina to Petrohue in Chile ($295).  The price does not include international airfare from Seattle (approx. $1800), travel insurance, personal items, guide tips (approx. $60-100 pp),  and any extra days you want to spend before or after.  The price may change based on the number of people who finally register.

Registration Instructions:   Those who were on the 2021 trip roster have first right of refusal for spots on the trip until March 31, 2022, then general registration will open.   Anyone new to the roster must first complete the application form, and after the leader’s approval, you may register right from this trip listing by clicking on the REGISTER button and paying a $1,500 deposit.  The deposit is required to hold your space on the roster.  Registration will close when the roster fills.   A place on the roster can only be held with payment of the deposit.    After registering, all participants are required to complete a Trip Agreement and Release Form and to arrange for international and emergency evacuation insurance for the trip.  The final payment date will be announced later.

Application     Trip Agreement     Release     Supplemental Information

Cancellation Policy:  If you cancel before the  deposit is paid to the outfitter,  you are eligible for a refund less a $100 cancellation fee.  If you cancel within 4 weeks of departure  you are eligible for a refund less a $700 penalty.  If you cancel between 25 and 29 days prior to departure, you are eligible for a refund less a $1180 penalty.  If you cancel between 20 and 24 days of departure, you are eligible for a refund less a $1250 penalty.  If you cancel between 15 and 19 days of departure, you are eligible for a refund less a $1900 penalty.  If you cancel within 14 days of departure, you are not eligible for a refund.   (The cancellation penalties may be waived if the trip is rolled over to the following year by decision of The Mountaineers.  In addition, penalties may be waived other than the $100 basic cancellation fee  if someone takes your place on the adventure 15 days or more before departure, but the agreed refund would only be paid after the new person is fully registered.)