Skip the brutal two-day summit slog and drive straight to Lake Huechulafquen for the sharpest views of the volcano. A 4x4 is non-negotiable; those washboard roads will wreck a standard rental car. Spend two hours hiking through prehistoric Monkey Puzzle forests, but pack heavy windproof layers even if it looks sunny. Skip the $797 four-day guided trip unless you really need a chaperone. Otherwise, just rent a rig, pack a lunch, and own the terrain yourself.
