Pucón itinerary for 2 or 3 days

Pucón, on the eastern shore of Villarrica Lake, is a handy base for the lakes, national parks and rivers of the Lake District (source: Sernatur, chile.travel, January 2026). This plan covers 3 days; with only 2, do days 1 and 2. To get there, see How to get to Pucón.

Before you plan: the volcano

• Yellow alert: Sernageomin raised Villarrica volcano's technical alert from green to yellow on September 4, 2026, due to activity limited to the crater area, and Senapred declared a preventive early alert for Villarrica, Pucón and Curarrehue (source: Sernageomin, September 4, 2026). When we reviewed this guide on October 15, 2026, we found no later change.
• Crater climb: the protocol under which the route reopened in 2024 applies only while the alert is green and there is no safety perimeter (source: Cooperativa, November 18, 2024). That is why this itinerary leaves it out; if the alert drops, the climb is always done with a certified guide (source: Sernatur, chile.travel). More on the Villarrica volcano page.
• Villarrica National Park: CONAF lists the Pichillancahue trail and the glacier route as closed until December 31, 2026 (source: CONAF, checked October 15, 2026).

Day 1: Villarrica Lake and Caburgua

• Morning on the lake: boat trips with volcano views leave from the Pucón pier, and the lake is popular for sailing and kayaking (source: Sernatur, chile.travel). Page: Villarrica Lake.
• Afternoon at Ojos del Caburgua: turquoise pools reached on the Caburgua road, with a left turn in the Carhuello area, about 15 km according to Interpatagonia and 21 km according to Pucón Tourism (puconchile.travel). Access is through private grounds that charge an entrance fee.
• End the day at Caburgua Lake, 23 km northeast of Pucón (source: Wikipedia), with its Playa Blanca and Playa Negra beaches.

Day 2: Huerquehue National Park

• Los Lagos trail: 10.8 km and about 4 hours one way, rated medium (source: CONAF). It runs through araucaria forest past lakes such as Chico, Verde and El Toro (source: Sernatur, chile.travel, January 2026). Start early and pack lunch.
• What is open: as of October 15, 2026, CONAF only admits visitors up to the Los Lagos trail sector, and the Quinchol and San Sebastián trails stay closed until December 15, 2026 (source: CONAF).
• Tickets: buy them in advance at pasesparques.cl (source: CONAF). Getting there: How to get to Huerquehue National Park.

Day 3: Trancura River, Curarrehue and hot springs

• Rafting the Trancura: the put-in is about 15 km from Pucón towards Curarrehue (source: Sernatur, chile.travel, January 2026). The Lower Trancura takes children from age 8; the Upper Trancura requires age 14 and previous experience (source: Sernatur, chile.travel). Always book with a registered operator.
• Curarrehue: the Trawupeyüm Intercultural Village brings together a museum, a crafts market and Mapuche cooking (source: Araucanía sin Fronteras).
• Hot springs: along the roads to Huife and Caburgua there are several hot-spring centers 30 to 40 km from Pucón (source: Sernatur, chile.travel, July 2024 article). Check directly that the one you pick is operating, as some have closed.

If it rains

Swap the outdoor day for hot springs and the Curarrehue village. Between June and September there may be snow on Huerquehue's trails (source: CONAF). To choose your dates, see spring and summer.

Information reviewed on October 15, 2026. The volcano alert, open trails and services change: confirm at sernageomin.cl, conaf.cl and pasesparques.cl before you travel.