Pucón is located on Lake Villarrica and, with numerous restaurants, small supermarkets, hotels, and hostels, is perfectly geared for tourists and the starting point for our hike up the Villarrica volcano. Since the sheer number of tour operators overwhelmed us, we'd appreciate a recommendation!
At 6 a.m. sharp, we set off with a group of 11 people and four guides by bus to the entrance of the national park. Equipped with hiking poles, helmets, gas masks, gloves, sturdy rain gear, gaiters, hiking boots with matching crampons, butt sliders for the return trip, and an ice axe, which we used primarily to slow ourselves down on the descent, we set off. The climb was very strenuous. From the rim, covered in fresh snow, we could see into the crater and, in the perfect weather, had a fantastic panoramic view.
In the evening, we jumped into the lake again and celebrated the sunset in Pucón with numerous other visitors.