DAY 1: SANTIAGO (SCL) – DOMESTIC FLIGHT TO TEMUCO – MALALCAHUELLO

Upon arriving to Santiago’s International Airport, you will have to take the connection flight to Temuco (1 hour flight). Welcome to the Southern Volcanoes!

Our ski trip starts in Corralco Ski Resort, located in the south slopes of Lonquimay volcano. This fantastic ski resort is known for its excellent snow conditions. Proof of that is the French ski racing team and the USA ski racing team were training last September 2014 in Corralco, including Olympic gold medal Ted Ligety. This year 2015 they are coming back!

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Our local staff will meet you at Temuco Airport and help you with your luggage. We’ll start driving to the mountain village of Malalcahuello, located in Chile’s first Geopark “Kütralkura” (fire rock). Here we’ll visit the National Reserve Nalcas-Malalcahuello and travel through a phenomenal forest of araucarias (Araucaria araucana) that leads to Corralco, the Ski Resort located at the foothill of an active volcano. This wild protected area features amazing Araucaria tree forests and the active Lonquimay Volcano.

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We’ll check-in and then relax at the fantastic SPA. At 8:15 pm your guides will give a briefing about the tour and its details, followed by a Welcome Dinner.

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Accommodation: Corralco Mountain Resort & SPA, 4 *  

Meals: Welcome Dinner

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DAY 2: BACKCOUNTRY SKIING IN LONQUIMAY VOLCANO

Today in the morning we’ll fit our ski and mountain gear and go skiing in this fascinating area. Our guides will evaluate your skiing skills and so we can split the group in 2 teams according to your level.

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Get ready to enjoy the excellent slopes and unmatched snow conditions of this ski center. Corralco offers 500 acres (200 hectares) of uncrowded ski runs for all levels of ski and snowboard lovers. In 2013, Corralco made a USD $12 million renovation, including a new hotel, restaurants and more lifts. We the new lifts, we can literally enjoy the whole mountain, reaching almost every corner. The view from above is absolutely stunning, overlooking fantastic peaks of the Andean Araucanía, such as Sierra Nevada (2.554 meters / 8.379 feet) and Llaima volcano, as well as more distant landmarks like Lanín volcano (3.710 meters / 12.172 feet) to the south. You’ll have a vast 2,470 acres (1.000 hectares) ski domain to go on-piste and off-piste through valleys and gullies.

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Additionally, if we have favorable weather conditions, we’ll try to ascend the Lonquimay volcano and reach its massive crater (2.865 meters / 9.400 feet). From the end of the top lift we’ll begin the tough hike to the top (1 to 2 hours). Upon reaching the top we’ll take in the magnificent view and then begin skiing off-piste to the bottom of the slopes. This activity is strictly reserved for those people in strong physical condition and an advanced level of skiing.

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In the evening we’ll go back to our hotel and relax in the SPA. For those more interested in revelry and merry making, there is a restaurant and a fantastic bar.

 

Accommodation: Corralco Mountain Resort & SPA, 4 *  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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DAY 3: SKI IN CORRALCO – DRIVE TO PUCÓN

Today we’ll go Backcountry skiing again, around Lonquimay volcano area, always using the new lifts “cumbre” and “navidad”. Quick lunch on the way and continue driving to Pucón, the capital of Adventure Travel in Chile. In Pucon we’ll try out the mountain gear that we’ll use next day to climb Villarrica Volcano. Later we’ll eat dinner and then stay overnight at the famous Antumalal Hotel. Feel free to spend a relaxing night at the Antumaco SPA. www.antumalal.com

Pasta Dinner at Hotel Antumalal and then sleep early for another epic day.

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Accommodation: Antumalal Hotel & SPA, 4 *  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

 

 

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DAY 4: VILLARRICA VOLCANO CLIMB – SKI PUCÓN

In the morning (7:45 am) we will go to Pucón Ski Center, If the weather permits, today we’ll have the chance to hike up the Villarrica volcano (2.847 meters / 9.340 feet) and reach its active crater, and then ski off-piste all the way down (only if you have an advanced level of skiing). We will always be accompanied by our specialized guides. The ascent lasts approximately 6 hours and only 40 minutes to ski down. The center has 9 ski-lifts (5 draglifts and 3 chairlifts), and 20 runs to choose from. The views from the slopes overlooking Lake Villarrica and the surrounding volcanoes are fabulous. At the base of the resort there is a lively cafeteria, and a nice terrace to relax and enjoy your meal. Return to Pucon and then in the evening we’ll enjoy a Chilean style BBQ with our local guides.

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Accommodation: Antumalal Hotel & SPA, 4 *  

Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch and Dinner

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DAY 5: REST DAY + GEOMETRICAS HOT SPRINGS

Today we’ll have a relaxed day. In the morning we can explore downtown Pucon and visit its many shops. We’ll have lunch together and then we’ll head south throughout the 7 Lake Route. We’ll drive 2 hours and visit a wonderful thermal complex located in the environs of the Villarrica National Park. We’ll see several majestic snow-capped volcanoes such as Quetrupillan and Rucapillan. We’ll visit the Geometricas Hot Springs. Located in the environs of the park, Termas Geometricas has 16 strategically located thermal pools, allowing the visitors to never feel overcrowded. The natural surroundings are exuberant and the facilities are simple but very cozy. Due to the volcanic activity in this part of Chile, many thermal spa or natural hot springs can be visited in this area, but only a few can offer the perfect combination of thermal facilities and natural surroundings. www.termasgeometricas.cl

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Continuing with our tour, we’ll head south having a wonderful view of Calafquén Lake and drive back to Pucon. Dinner in downtown and lodging at Antumalal Hotel.

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Accommodation: Antumalal Hotel & SPA, 4 *  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

 

 

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DAY 6: SKI PUCÓN – DRIVE TO HUILO-HUILO BIOLOGICAL RESERVE

Today we’ll go skiing to Pucon Ski Resort. We’ll spend all morning exploring some off-piste areas of the ski resort. Then we’ll go back to our hotel to check out and drive to Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve. After three hours we’ll arrive at the private reserve of Huilo Huilo. Upon our arrival, we can relax at their fantastic SPA Lawenko. Here we’ll check in at very unique hotel, where we’ll enjoy our dinner.  www.huilohuilo.com

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OPTION: Try to climb Villarrica volcano if weather conditions were not good the day before, and then drive to Huilo-Huilo

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Accommodation: Nothofagus Hotel & SPA, 4 *  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

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DAY 7: MOCHO VOLCANO CLIMB – SKI IN HUILO HUILO

Today we’ll experience one more time the fantastic adventure of climbing and skiing in active volcanoes. After an early morning breakfast we’ll take a 4×4 truck and go off-road through the native forest until we reach the snow. There, a Cat-ski and snowmobiles will be waiting to take us for an hour-long ride to a plateau at the skirts of both volcanoes. There aren’t any ski lifts, so skinning and hiking are the only ways to reach the top of both volcanoes, Mocho (2.422 meters / 7.946 feet) and Choshuenco (2.415 meters / 7.923 feet). The views are absolutely amazing, overlooking the Lanín and Villarrica volcanoes. We’ll be back to Huilo Huilo around 6 pm where you can relax at their SPA and then get ready for our Farewell dinner.

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Accommodation: Nothofagus Hotel & SPA, 4 *  

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Farewell Dinner

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DAY 8: HUILO-HUILO – TRANSFER TO AIRPORT

Sadly it is time to say good bye to the Southern Volcanoes of Chile. Transfer in the morning from Huilo-Huilo to Temuco’s Airport to catch the flight to Santiago. End of our services.

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PLEASE REMEMBER TO CHOOSE AN INTERNATIONAL RETURN FLIGHT THAT DEPARTS AFTER 5:00pm FROM SANTIAGO AIRPORT (SCL).

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Slight itinerary modifications might occur due to weather and or road conditions, or force majeur.

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NOTE: This program can be modified according to your requirements.

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EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

• No extra equipment is required for this trip other than your normal skiing equipment. If you intend to take the options of getting to the top of the volcanoes then we recommend you bring ski touring equipment (skis with touring bindings, skins, and ski crampons). These can be hired before travel if required, no previous ski touring experience is required. Off-piste safety equipment (transceiver, shovel, probe) will be provided if necessary. A backpack with carrying straps for skis is essential. Don’t forget your camera!

• We highly advice clients should bring their own ski wear (pants and jacket), goggles or sun glasses, woolen cap and gloves.

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DRESS CODE

• Sunglasses for the sun, goggles for the shade/cloud.

• Don’t wear a cotton base layer or you’ll get cold.

• Have a thermal base layer next to your skin.

• Use layers of clothes, not big jumpers – it keeps you much warmer.

• Only wear one pair of socks – more will actually make your feet colder.

• Make sure your outside layer is waterproof, especially your bottom half.

• Make sure you have lots of pocket space.

• You can take off layers when you get hot and carry extra ones in case the temperature drops.

• Protect your skin – from the sun, wind and cold. Snow reflects the suns rays, which is great for tanning but you don’t feel its power so pack plenty of sun cream. Some sun cream also coats your skin in a protective layer which stops wind and cold burn too.

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