Ascent of Volcán Lanín

Volcán Lanín, rising 3,776 metres above sea level, is the icon of mountaineering in northern Patagonia and one of the most sought-after summits in Argentina. The standard route begins at the information centre of Parque Nacional Lanín, 65 km from Junín de los Andes. On the first day, a well-marked trail winds through a lenga beech forest up to the Domos refuges at 2,315 m, where you spend the night. From there, the slope rises gradually along the famous 'espina de pescado' (fishbone) — a volcanic terrain of scree and loose rock — before reaching the glacier and snowfields. The summit push takes between 6 and 8 hours of demanding climbing, with crampons and ice axe required on the upper sections. From the top, the views sweep across lakes, volcanoes and the vast Andes on both sides of the border. Alquimia Expediciones has operated its own dome shelters on the volcano since 2022, complete with a kitchen, sleeping quarters and dry toilets, offering a unique high-altitude accommodation experience.

• Duration: 2–3 days
• Difficulty: Grade 3
• Altitude: 3,776 m a.s.l.