Since I arrived in Pucón the weather has been bad at a point that I didn’t even see the volcanoe (in the end I finally get to see it in the evening of day 3). Day 1 was easily spent just hanging out.
Day 2 was tougher, I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on thermal springs or hydro boarding as I was still hoping to be able to climb up the volcanoe in a few days – an expensive adventure. But then I heard about the German ranch and good horse back riding for much cheaper than the prices I saw so far. And before going to Patagonia I had the big dream of hiking a lot and the little dream of doing some horse riding. So I offer myself an afternoon on the horse. It’s just me and another girl who luckily also has experience. We get a short intro in the gaucho style of horse riding and then are off for a 3h30 ride. Unfortunately we have to follow a long time the road in the beginning, but I am happy with my horse and the change of perspective! It’s pouring in between but thanks to a huge Poncho and a hat, I am well protected and feel like a gaucha!
At half time we eat a sandwich before continuing, river crossings on a horse are much cooler than on foot! We don’t get to see the volcanoe but the raging rivers and I catch myself asking everything about crossing the Andes by horse. For another time, season is over not only for hiking. Who would have thought the best thing to do on a rainy day is horse riding?
Day 3 is still rainy and cloudy. Half the hostel went out last night (including me) as we know the weather is still bad and there’s not much to do. Nevertheless I get up in the morning and catch the 10.30am bus to the El Cañi reserve. I register and pay the 4000 pesos fee for the private reserve. It’s not raining but still very cloudy. I hope for the weather to get better and start hiking uphill.
Up and up, into the fog and more rain. At the hut I take a short break and then continue my way uphill, entering now the Cañi sanctuary. I wanted to come up here for the Araucaria trees, even with fog and rain they are very special and beautiful.
The Laguna also has a mysterious aura in the fog and I quite enjoy my hike today despite the bad weather.
Just heading up the final stretch to the mirador where you are supposed to see the 4 volcanoes wasn’t really worth it, the view was white in white and I could just imagine the volcanoes being out there somewhere.
After a bit more than 3h it’s time to walk back down. I just walk and walk, it’s raining a lot now, some time later further down it stops and I can even see the clouds clearing up and offering glimpses of the lake and hills.
I wait just some 10 minutes at the bus station before the same bus driver picks me up again. I am tired of not sleeping enough but back in town I get excited, I can actually see the volcanoe Villarrica for the first time now! It’s perfect shape and snowy white cover is beautiful! I cannot wait to hike it up tomorrow. I prepare some salad for dinner and then we have the briefing for the hike. I am going to bed early, we need to be ready at 6.30am tomorrow morning.
