Peteroa Volcano -
The Sulphur Monster (3 days)

Difficulty: mountaineering

As for rugged beauty, no other mountains in this area can match this group of volcanoes. The massif unfolds along the border east of Curicó over an area of 130 km². Its highest point is the stratovolcano Azufre at 4,100 m, which is easily identified from as far away as the Panamericana highway, given its longish shape and, above all, its icefields -about 60 percent of the volcano is covered by glaciers. The tour will spoil you with views of the glacier area around Cerro Palomo. It goes past picturesque Laguna Teno; up to the impressive craters of 3,603 m volcano Peteroa. This monster has erupted as recently as 1991, and its acid sulphur dioxide and sulphur hydroxide fumes will not let you forget that fact. In one of the craters, you can see caustic sulphuric acid boiling next to the edge of the glacier -a dip is not advisable. Crampons, iceaxe, and -depending on the route- a rope are essential.

Day 1: Base Camp
We leave Casa Chueca very early and after a drive of about 4 hours we reach the pass over the Andes known as the Vergara Pass. A 1-hour ascent to Laguna Teno offers us a truly beautiful view over an amazing landscape. After another 4 hours we reach the base camp.

Day 2: The peak
An ascent of about 4 hours through snowfields takes us to the fascinating crater at the peak of the Peteroa. We are rewarded not just by the spectacular views over the surrounding countryside, but also by the wonderful view down to the bottom of the crater, filled with a lake of pure acid. After a lunch break we return to base camp.

Day 3: Descent
We descend back to where we started and return to our hotel "Casa Chueca".

Service includes: tents, catering, transfer, entrance fees, tour guide, climbing irons and pickaxes.