Trekking Crossing the Andes through Neruda´s Route - From San Martin de los Andes to the border with Chile - Ilpela Pass - Huella Andina

Beyond being a wonderful setting, between the Lakes region in Chile and the Lanin National Park, in Argentina, the route we propose to take includes a unique story with one of the most famous characters in Latin American art.

On January 6th 1948, the famous Chilean writer Pablo Neruda delivered a strong speech that was later published as the document "I Accuse", when he was a senator of the Republic of Chile. The government of the time sued him and the Supreme Court approved his immunity, ordering the courts to immediately arrest him. From that moment on, the poet was immersed in secrecy, living in different places in Santiago, Valdivia and the commune of Futrono, until on February 24th 1949, he crossed to Argentina, along the route that we offer you here to repeat and enjoy.

The Lanin National Park represents one of the most representative regions of the Patagonian Andean forest. The sector that includes the Nonthue Lakes and the Hua Hum area is home to a remarkable variety of Nothofagus, mainly among Coihues, Lengas, Ñires, Raulíes and Roble Pellín.

This route joins the Lacar Lake, from Quila Quina with the Escondido Lake, then the Nonthué and the Queñi until reaching the Ilpela Pass. 5 days of hiking and 4 overnights in the paradise near San Martin de los Andes.

Day 0: We recommend spending the night tonight in San Martin de los Andes, to check equipment and see last minute questions. Hostel suggested not included.

Day 1: Early we move to the port of San Martin de los Andes and embark to Quila Quina, about 45 minutes of navigation. There we begin the first section of the trek to Lago Escondido. Set up camp and first night on the mountain.

Distance: 16 km
Approx time: 6 hours

Day 2: We continue along the path, now through a pass that takes us back to the shores of Lake Lacar, which we skirt again, heading west. We pass through numerous beaches, always passing through a closed forest of lengas, reeds and coihues. Finally we access the beach of our next camp, in Ruca Ñire.

Distance: 18 km
Approx time: 8 hours

Day 3: This day we continue along the coast towards Pucará, passing through Lake Nonthue. There the path widens and we access the next camp, in Chachin. We visit the homonymous waterfall and camp next to Lake Nonthué. Option to bivouac (sleep on the beach, under the stars, with the sleeping bag).

Distance: 10km
Approx time: 6 hours

Day 4: Day in which we walk to Lake Queñi, in 2 hours. We set up the camp and overnight.

Distance: 12 km
Approx time: 6 hours

Day 5: Return from Queñi in approximately 2 hours to Hua Hum, the western headwaters of Lake Nonthue. The Hua Hum River is born there, ending in a lake in Chile and through which both Lake Lacar and Nonthue drain into the Pacific. Last lunch in the mountains and return in the afternoon by charter vehicle or regular bus to San Martin de los Andes. End of the program and our services.

Distance: 12 km
Approx time: 6 hours

Important note: Depending on the conditions of the paths and accesses of the Lanin National Park, the route can be modified for the other shore of Lake Lacar.

You can ask us for ascent to the Lanin Volcano, the following two days (with one rest in between) with a discount in the price.