ARAUCANIA AND LAKE DISTRICT
Itinerary:
8 days
8,090 meters of accumulated elevation gain
430 km distance
Views of the Sierra Nevada, Llaima, Sollipulli, Villarrica, Quetrupillan, and Mocho volcanoes.
Accommodation in lodges as per itinerary.
Prior trip: Malalcahuello mtb.
Day 1: Arrival to Malalcahuello.
Pick up at Temuco airport and ground transfer to www.posadadelrio.cl Lodge in Malalcahuello.
Briefing and dinner.
Day 2: Malalcahuello - Sollipulli
Departure from Malalcahuello in the morning.
Travel along rural dirt and volcanic gravel roads. Spectacular scenery of Araucaria trees and views of the Sierra Nevada, Llaima, and Sollipulli volcanoes.
Distance: 89 km
Elevation gain: 2,100 m
Accommodation in domes in Sollipulli. Dinner. (Luggage transfer in support vehicle)
Day 3: Sollipulli – Menetue Hot Springs.
Distance: 87km, Elevation gain: 1050m.
Breakfast. We starts our bike day to Menetue begins with a series of river crossings. After 11km, the road descends towards Flor del Valle. After a break, we continue along a fast road that leads us, after 48km at the Menetue Hot Springs.
Accommodation in rooms with unlimited use of the hot springs.
Dinner.
Day 4: Menetue – Villarrica Volcano.
Distance: 50km, Elevation gain: 1,300m.
Breakfast. On this day (a must-do in this area), we'll cycle to the beach resort of Pucón. After a visit to the lake, we'll begin the ascent to Villarrica Volcano, up to the ski resort, approximately 13km of uphill riding that will take us to the top of the ski resort.
Descent to Pucón, lunch at a restaurant.
Return by vehicle to Termas de Menetue. Afternoon at the hot springs. Dinner.
Day 5: Menetue – Coñaripe.
Breakfast. Departure 9:30 AM.
Distance: 75 km, elevation gain: 1,650 m.
This route connects the Villarrica Lake area with Calafquen Lake. The road climbs towards the pass between the Villarrica and Quetrupillan volcanoes (20 km). Spectacular views of both volcanoes. Descent towards Calafquen Lake to reach the Coñaripe Hot Springs. Relax in the thermal baths and dinner in the afternoon.
Day 6: Coñaripe – Panguipulli – Choshuenco.
Distance: 82 km, elevation gain: 2,490 m.
Breakfast. Start of the route along the southern shore of Calafquen Lake until reaching Panguipulli Lake. From here, continue along the northern shore of Panguipulli Lake to the town of Choshuenco. Accommodation and dinner. Total distance: 59 km.
Day 7: Mocho Volcano - Choshuenco.
Distance: 50 km (round trip)
Total ascent: 1,110 m.
Breakfast in the morning. Ascent to Choshuenco Volcano via a trail on the western slope.
Return to Choshuenco. Accommodation and dinner in the afternoon.
Day 8: End of services, returning to Temuco Airport.
