Condor’s Circuit Andean Adventure

Early in the morning, after breakfast, the group will meet with the porter and his horses. Here, we’ll organize and distribute the equipment before setting off on a relatively gentle trail through the Claro Valley. Along the way, we’ll pass through native forests and a distinctive rock formation known as the ‘Colmillo del Diablo’ (Devil’s Fang), offering a scenic backdrop.

The trail covers approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) to this point. From here, we’ll tackle a more demanding 3-mile (4.8 km) stretch, ascending an average of 1,640 feet (500 meters) to reach our destination for the day: Ánimas Lake.

Tents will already be set up along the lagoon’s shore, providing an idyllic camping spot. As the day draws to a close, our team will prepare a delicious dinner, marking the end of the day’s journey.

At 7:00 am, we begin the day with breakfast, and we distribute the day’s rations for the hike. Hikers should prepare their towels and swimsuits as we’ll be visiting the ‘El Volcán’ hot springs later in the day.

The first leg of our journey involves ascending a steep slope of 1.7 miles (2.7 km) until we reach the hill pass of ‘Las Cruces’ at an elevation of 8,202 feet above sea level. We’ll take a short break here, enjoying the breathtaking views, before continuing along a path of pumice rock on a northeastern-facing hillside. This path eventually leads us into the Volcán Ravine, where we’ll reach the hot springs. At this picturesque location, we’ll take a refreshing bath, relax our muscles, and recharge our energy before embarking on the final leg of our day’s hike.

After our pleasant bath in the hot springs, we’ll proceed through the ravine to reach our campsite. Once there, the group can settle in and get comfortable while our team prepares dinner. We’ll also take this time to evaluate the day’s experiences and discuss plans for the following day. This marks the end of our eventful day.

This day primarily involves a downhill hike. Our journey begins with a hike through a natural corridor known as ‘La Calle’ (‘The Street’). This corridor offers stunning views, showcasing the magnificent and colorful Manantial Pelado mountain. After a gradual descent and covering approximately 8 miles (12.8 km), we will reach the ‘El Blanquillo’ hot springs.

‘El Blanquillo’ serves as the base camp for those embarking on the climb of the ‘Descabezado Volcano’ and provides an ideal spot to enjoy a refreshing bath in crystal-clear pools with temperatures ranging from 20 to 22 degrees Celsius.

After our comfortable soak, the group readies for dinner. We’ll take this time to reflect on the day’s experiences and discuss plans for the next one. This marks the end of the day’s activities.

On this day, we retrace our steps to the main trail and head south, following the course of the Blanquillo River, which will guide us to the ‘Altos de Lircay National Reserve.’ Leaving the Blanquillo valley behind and after descending the Escorial, the last significant downhill stretch, we enter an ancient forest of nothofagus trees, which is characteristic of the subantarctic climate. In these ecosystems, you may have the opportunity to spot Chilean lizards and Woodpeckers, just a couple of the many bird species that call this environment home.

We’ll cover approximately 6 miles (9.6 km) before reaching the ‘El Venado’ site.

Here, we can take a break, have lunch, and recharge before embarking on the final part of our journey, which leads us to ‘La Playa’ (‘The Beach’). This spot, situated along a river, will be our camping location. The group settles in and prepares for dinner. We’ll also take this time to review and assess the day’s experiences and discuss plans for the next one. This concludes our day’s adventure.

The day begins with the group rising early, enjoying breakfast, and distributing snacks as we prepare for one of the most challenging sections of our five-day journey. This section involves ascending an eastern-facing hillside, climbing approximately 1,800 vertical feet to reach the ‘El Venado’ viewpoint. This leg of the hike takes about 2.5 hours and features significant slopes. Once we arrive at this lookout, we can take a well-deserved rest and admire the breathtaking landscape, which offers a panoramic view of the ‘Descabezado Volcano’ that stands tall over the Andean scenery.

Continuing from this viewpoint, we transition to a more manageable trail that leads to the entrance of the reserve. As we descend, we immerse ourselves deeper into a forest where sclerophyllous species, typical of Mediterranean climates, coexist with nothofagus trees, represented by the Coigüe (Nothofagus bombeyi) and Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio).

From ‘El Venado,’ it’s less than 6 miles (10 km) until we complete our journey at the Altos de Lircay Reserve Administration in the Vilches Alto Sector. Here, you’ll be greeted by our driver with a ‘surprise lunch’ before we begin our return to Santiago. We estimate arriving in the Chilean capital around 8:00 PM.