Volcanoes, native forest and the lakes of Patagonia
Volcanoes, native forest and the lakes of Patagonia
Fly from Santiago to Temuco and transfer to &Beyond Vira Vira, a 22-hectare (54-acre) estate set on the Liucura River with sensational views of the active Villarrica Volcano. Three fully inclusive nights provide the base for an open menu of guided experiences: trekking through Villarrica and Huerquehue National Parks, whitewater rafting the Trancura River’s class 3 and 4 rapids, horseback riding with a Chilean huaso through open prairies and native forest, fly fishing for rainbow trout and chinook salmon, mountain biking volcanic slopes and lakeshore trails, and—for the curious—a tour of the estate’s own Swiss cheese factory. Scenic helicopter flights over the Villarrica crater are available for those who want to see the landscape from above.
From Vira Vira, fly via Santiago to Bariloche and transfer to Loi Suites Chapelco Hotel, a five-star resort set near San Martín de los Andes with easy access to the Seven Lakes region and Lanín National Park. Three nights here open up the same rich activity menu the region offers—hiking to the summits of Cerro Quilanlahue and Cerro Falkner, fly fishing world-class dry-fly waters, kayaking between Machónico and Pichi Machónico Lakes, rafting the Upper Chimehuin River and climbing multi-pitch routes along the Seven Lakes Road.
The journey ends with two nights at Las Balsas, a boutique hotel set on 17 hectares (42 acres) of woods, mountains and lakeshore on the banks of Nahuel Huapi Lake in Villa La Angostura. Complimentary spa access and two included massages per room make this a genuinely restorative close to the journey, with self-guided trails through the Las Balsas Nature Reserve adding a quieter counterpoint to the activity-rich days that preceded it.
3 nights Lake District | 3 nights San Martín de los Andes | 2 nights Villa La Angostura
Stay: &Beyond Vira Vira
Highlights: Villarrica and Huerquehue National Parks, horseback riding, fly fishing, cheese factory tour, scenic helicopter flights
Three nights at &Beyond Vira Vira offer a wide-ranging menu of guided experiences shaped around your interests and fitness level. Trek into Villarrica or Huerquehue National Parks, brave the rapids of the Trancura River on a whitewater rafting adventure, or ride with a Chilean huaso through open prairies and native forest at Huepil Malal. Fly fishing is available, mountain biking takes in the volcanic slopes and lakeshore trails, and a float down the Liucura River by raft is an ideal gentle introduction to the estate on your afternoon of arrival. A tour of Vira Vira’s on-site Swiss cheese factory is one of the more unexpected delights of the stay. Scenic helicopter flights over the active crater of the Villarrica Volcano are available seasonally at additional cost.
Stay: Loi Suites Chapelco Hotel
Highlights: Cerro Quilanlahue, Laguna Verde and Lanín Volcano, fly fishing, kayaking
Spend three nights here exploring the extraordinary Seven Lakes landscape: hike to the open summit of Cerro Quilanlahue for views over Lake Lácar, or push further to Cerro Falkner for dramatic outlooks across the region’s volcanoes and peaks. The border-straddling trail to Laguna Verde climbs through ancient araucaria forest beneath the Lanín Volcano. Kayak between Machónico and Pichi Machónico Lakes, fish dry-fly rivers and lakes, tackle the Upper Chimehuin River on a family-friendly Class III rafting run, or fly across the forest canopy on the nine-station Miramas Mountain Refuge Zipline above Lake Lácar and Lanín Volcano.
Stay: Las Balsas
Highlights: Las Balsas Nature Reserve, spa, Nahuel Huapi Lake setting
Spend your final nights at Las Balsas, a boutique hotel set on the banks of Nahuel Huapi Lake in Villa La Angostura. Two nights here are intentionally more restrained—complimentary spa access makes this a restorative close to the journey, with self-guided trails through the Las Balsas Nature Reserve offering an unhurried way to spend time in the landscape. The lake and its surroundings remain close at hand for those who want more; the famed mouth of the Correntoso River and the evening light over Nahuel Huapi are all within easy reach before a final morning transfer to Bariloche Airport.
Departure
Highlights: Morning at leisure, transfer to Bariloche Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Bariloche Airport for the flight back to Santiago.
This journey offers some flexibility to align with preferred travel dates and interests. Initial rates are based on valid travel dates as detailed in the digital itinerary, which includes the full day-to-day experience and all inclusions.
Talk to one of our travel specialists to tailormake your stay to any of our destinations