VILLARRICA VOLCANO

It pierces the horizon from the top of its 2,874 metres. As beautiful as it is threatening, this volcano is one of the most active in the country and is one of the three largest volcanoes in the Andes. It is a stratovolcano: its cone was formed in successive layers as it erupted, accumulated lava flows and cooled. Its last eruption, in March 2015, generated lava and ash more than three kilometres high. Thousands of people have been evacuated. An excursion requires a fairly good physical condition (part of the path may be icy) and especially the services of a guide. The landscape is sumptuous. Upon reaching the summit, the sight of the crater filled with lava rewards your efforts a hundredfold. However, at the time of writing, the National Emergency Office has issued a yellow alert after confirmation of increased volcano activity, and access is restricted to 50 m from the crater.

It's a day trip. We usually leave around 7am, we reach the Conaf station, then a chairlift, which we can take or not (within $5,000). Then expect a four-hour ascent. We come back around 4pm, and some agencies (like Aguaventura) welcome you with a small pot (beer, etc.) to relive your emotions, share a nice moment among the hikers, or tell your last frights.

In winter (from mid-June to early October), the volcano's slopes are transformed into a ski resort.