Next to the wonders of the great volcano
The natural attraction of the Lanin National Park and the homonymous conical volcano always catches you from afar. Taking into account that the enchanting Andean mixed forests, with streams, waterfalls and dreamlike lakes, are added to this banquet, paradise is never impossible to reach.
This route proposes to enjoy these wonders doing a complete trekking, suitable for lovers of the activity and also suitable for those who wish to start.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Departure in the morning, by charter transfer, from San Martin or Junin de los Andes. On the way we will enter the Lanin Central National Park, passing through the Currhué Chico, Currhué Grande, Verde, Epulafquen and Carilafquen lakes. After leaving the Epulafquen Hot Springs behind, we will arrive at the beginning of our path. We accommodate the equipment and say goodbye to our driver. The adventure has begun. The forest, in this sector, is very dense; the trail descends and crosses large streams. Lunch with one of them. About three hours of walking and we reach the campsite, almost next to the western headwaters of Lake Paimún. Setting up the camp. Lunch by the lake. Free and rest. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Breakfast. This section will be quite an exploration and amazing way, bordering Lake Paimún on its north shore, along a little marked path. We cross a dense forest, valleys, high altitude pampas, grasslands. Finally we reach a large Paimún beach and we are ready to enjoy the afternoon and the place. New camp.
Day 3: Breakfast. This day we continue bordering the lake, along an inconspicuous path, to the Paimún River, which we ford (cross). There we begin a slow ascent through the aforementioned river valley to the Carilafquen lagoon, where we get a magnificent view of the west face of the Lanin Volcano. Overnight by the lagoon.
Day 4: Early breakfast. This day we go to the old Paimún Pass and begin to skirt the base of the Lanin Volcano. We will pass through the Paturuzú refuge, at the base of the southwest face and very precarious, and we will descend into a valley for a new camp.
Day 5: Breakfast. Descent to Piedra Mala, again next to the magnificent Paimun Lake. We will then advance along the gravel road and then we will enter another path towards the southern base of the Lanin. The trail reaches the waters of the Rucu Leufú stream, which we must go up. We found our new campsite, feeling the giant next to us. Snack and rest. Dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Breakfast. the last of the journey and perhaps the most exhausting. We ascend to the base of the volcano and then begin the great detour to the east. Now the land is arid, with volcanic sand soil, already outside the forest. We go up and down; the sun makes its force felt in our bodies. We pass by the base of the great east face of the volcano and its glaciers. Then we begin to see the north face, where the normal route to the summit ascends. And finally we descend to the vehicular road and the campsite that is next to the Río Turbio Ranger station. The great journey is over. Here a vehicle will pick us up to take us back to Junin or San Martin de los Andes.
NOTE: Ask us for the ascent to the Lanin Volcano after this program.
