Click here to reserve your spot with a $500 deposit.

Non-technical ascent of:
Copahue 9,728’ / Villarrica 9,338’ / Osorno 8,728’
(14 DAYS)

Bathed by the clear waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi, Bariloche is located on the West of the Province of Río Negro, 1,640 km from Buenos Aires City.

Founded in 1902, San Carlos de Bariloche owes its name to Carlos Wiederhold, who set up the first grocery in the area, and to the deformation of the term Vuriloche ("different people from behind or from the other side"), used to name the natives from the valleys located to the west of the Andes mountain range, before the arrival of the mapuche people.

Since then, Bariloche has turned into one of the main tourist destinations in Argentina. The facilities designed by man, as well as the beauty offered by the natural environment, mingle in perfect harmony to satisfy the visitor.

The Lake District, located on the Northern Patagonia Andes is not only home to some beautiful resorts and scenery but has many different types of volcanoes, some of them dead for millions of years, others still active, like Villarrica.

This EMS itinerary is set for exploration and adventure, taking us though many different landscapes like; the Andean Range, desserts, mountain forests and the Valdivian Rain Forest. We’ll pass through a different environment each day during this trip along with climbing three different volcanoes. Between climbing the volcanoes you’ll also get the opportunity to do some whitewater rafting, explore the local culture, day hike, or just relax and read a book, it’s up to you.

None of the volcanoes on this trip require previous mountaineering experience. We do take on day to teach you some mountaineering skills to use while climbing Osorno. All climbing equipment is provided. This trip is designed so that you have some memorable climbs and a lot of fun in between.

COPAHUE
Copahue volcano is a stratovolcano with a composite cone situated on the central Argentine - Chilean border. The 8-km-wide caldera formed 0.6 million years ago near the NW margin of the Pliocene. The eastern summit crater contains a briny crater lake and displays intense fumarolic activity. About 1,800 volcanoes are located on the Argentine-Chilean border. Copahue volcano is near Caviahue city, in the province of Neuquén. The word Copahue, which in mapuche language means, "place for celebration, or reunion". Caviahue possesses a rustic landscape sprinkled with streams, falls and woods. 

VILLARRICA
Dominating the landscape, the Villarrica volcano is its major attraction, just outside the city of Pucon. At an altitude of 2,847 m (9,338 ft) above sea level, and with the reputation of being the most active volcano in South America, this volcano is the center of tourist activity in the area. The volcano boasts a ski center and volcanic caves worth exploring. You can also climb up to the crater of the volcano to admire not only the boiling lava in the interior but also the view from above of the surrounding lakes, lagoons, and other nearby volcanoes.

OSORNO
Osorno’s perfectly conical, snowcapped summit ideally synthesizes what a volcano is. Its unique colors, as well as its slopes and a summit that remains covered with white snow almost 365 days a year.

    Standing almost 60 kilometers to the Northwest of Puerto Varas, Osorno reaches a height of 8,728’ above sea level. Its great height makes it visible from every point in the district of Osorno, even in some places on Chiloé Island. Therefore, it represents an impressive and typical postcard of the region. With its classical blackish dark green color and ornamented with arms of eternal snow, its presence attracts the thousands of tourists who visit it every year.

Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrive San Carlos de Bariloche. Transfer to hotel. Group will meet and go over your gear and details for the next day’s departure to Caviahue.

DAY 2: After breakfast we head to Caviahue, heart of the Andes Mountain Range, Northwest of the Province of Neuquén and on the Argentinian-Chilean border. During the drive the area will remind you of Nevada, dry and mountainous, but as we enter the Caviahue area things change and the landscape is dotted with pines, water falls and high peaks. In mapuche language Caviahue means “place for celebration or reunion” which gives you insight of how special the area is. Caviahue sits on the shores of lake Lago Agrio and is a very comfortable city to spend a couple of days in acclimatizing for your first climb, Volcan Copahue. (B/D)

DAY 3: Today we spend our time visiting the local sites around Caviahue. There are local hikes and sightseeing. (B/D)

DAY 4: Today we take the short drive to Copahue. During our drive you’ll be looking right at Volcano Copahue (9,728’) and it’s snowy white slopes. This is a stratovolcano, with an 8-km wide caldera formed 0.6 million years ago. The hike is not technical and will take us 8 hours to complete, a long but rewarding day. We’ll be returning to our hotel in Caviahue for the night. (B/D)

DAY 5: After our first climb we’ll head to Pucon, considered a year round destination for hiking, climbing, skiing and water sports. This small town sits right at the foot of Volcan Villarrica (9,339’), a cauldron of bubbling lava, with the last eruption in 1971. This is considered Chile’s most active volcano. Lodging tonight will be cabins, or hosteria.  (B/D)

DAY 6: Today is considered a “free day”, but we’ll have some fun options for you to explore. One would be whitewater rafting, another might be kayaking on the lake. If you’d like to just hang out and walk about town that’s OK to.  (B/D)

DAY 7: Climb of Volcano Villarrica. We’ll get an early start for the summit of Villarrica. This climb will take all day. Once reaching the top we stay up wind from the gaseous crater, allowing us enough time to take photos eat something and then head down. The downhill part of this climb is a controlled slide down a human toboggan chute. After the climb we’ll head back to Pucon and stay in a hotel. (B/L/D)

DAY 8: Transfer by car to Ensenada Village on the shores of Llanquihue Lake. The view of Volcano Osorno is amazing from anywhere in the area. We’ll be staying at a hotel tonight. (B)

DAY 9: After breakfast we head up the mountain for a few nights at Refugio Teski mountain huts. The afternoon will be spent fitting the crampons to your boots and practicing some rope safety and mountaineering skills. This is not a highly technical climb, but you will be climbing around crevasses and caves. The afternoon is free time to prepare for an early start the next morning. (B/L/D)

DAY 10: Hike to the “La Burbuja” crater on Osorno, back down to Teski Huts. 6 hours (B/L/D)

DAY 11: Summit climb of Volcano Osorno (8,728’) Early 5am start and finish back at the Teski Huts.  8 hours (B/L/D)

DAY 12: Lake Crossing back to Argentina – We descend back to Ensenada and visit the Petohue wa  ter falls, before taking the lake crossing tour to Bariloche,

Argentina. Hotel in Bariloche. (B)

DAY 13: Free day for shopping and self guided sightseeing in San Carlos de Bariloche. (Anyone wishing to can have an early departure arranged for this day) (B)

DAY 14: Departure for Home. Transfer to airport for flight home. (B)

WE PROVIDE:

• 2 local certified mountain guides (national mountain guide association and Argentine National Park certification) for a group of 7 to 9 people, one extra guide to ascent Osorno volcano). 
• All mountaineering equipment
• 3 nights at 2* Hotel in San Carlos de Bariloche (double room occupancy, with private bathroom and breakfast)
• 3 nights at Hostería in Caviahue, (double room occupancy, with private bathroom and breakfast)
• 3 nights Hostería in Pucón (double room occupancy, with private bathroom and breakfast)
• 1 night in cabins at Ensenada (with breakfast only).
• 3 nights at mountain hut Refugio Teski, Volcano Osorno.
• 10 dinners at towns and cities.
• Transfer Airport / Hotel / Airport (San Carlos de Bariloche).
• Transfer Bariloche / Caviahue
• Transfer Caviahue / Pucón/ Refugio Teski.
• Transfer Refugio Teski / Bariloche to lake crossing tour.
• Rafting or Trekking in Villarrica National Park.
• Excursion in Caviahue nearby area.
• All breakfasts on mountains, along with 3 lunches and 3 dinners on Osorno. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).

NOT INCLUDED: International & domestic flights to San Carlos de Bariloche, Tourist permit when crossing from Argentina into Chile ($100), personal belongings, sleeping bag, airport taxes, personal expenses, and tips. Day rooms in San Carlos de Argentina on final day are not included but can also be organized if required. Lunches and dinners unless stated on the itinerary. Tipping of driver and guiding staff.

PLEASE NOTE: The “Patagonia Three Volcano Accent” involves climbing that will require good physical fitness, and if you’re unable to summit we will escort you off the volcano. Thus, whilst our guides endeavour to minimize the chances of anything-unexpected happening, it has to be noted that no itinerary can, or should be rigidly adhered to. This is the very nature of adventure travel and we expect our clients to be prepared for delays and slight alterations in our programmed events.

A pre-departure meeting will be held on arrival. It is highly recommended you attend. All clients will be asked to sign an additional release and waiver form once in San Carlos de Bariloche and must provide a photocopy of your travel insurance, or other insurance.

Guided climb of Copahue, Villarrica and Osorno

Climbing Equipment Included for Osorno

All lodging, including huts on the mountains

Vehicle transportation during the trip

TOTAL: 13 Nights / 14 Days

Arrival/Departure City: San Carlos de Barlioche, Argentina

2008 LAND COST:

• $2190 per person

(If you request a single lodging there will be an additional fee. Please let us know if you'd like this option)

Group Size: 3 - 10 people

DATES: 2008

• January 20 - February 02
• February 17 - March 01
• March 16 - 29

DEPOSIT INFO: The deposit amount for this trip is $500. per person

Click here to reserve your spot with a $500 deposit.

FITNESS: You should be an experienced hiker and in good general fitness. No known problems with high altitude.

MEALS: Most meals are included. Check itinerary for symbols (B/L/D) for exact meals provided.

STYLE OF TRIP: Lodging will be a combination of quality hotels in cities and tents, each night of the trekking section.

Download a PDF of the complete trip overview by clicking below:
3 Volcanoes Itinerary

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For more information, or to book your very own Eastern Mountain Sports adventure, call our travel guru Becky Harrison at
888-755-8735
or e-mail us at becky@emstrek.com.

Call 888-755-8735 / Contact Us