We have been to Chile before. In 2019 we travelled from Argentina to Santiago, and then turned north along the Costa Pacifico. An epic, four months journey. This time we aim for more southern parts of this fascinating country, in only a little over two weeks. Not all the way to the south, that requires more time, but a taste of the fjords, a taste of the scenery in some of its national parks, a hot spring or two, and a couple of days exploring the Chiloe island, with its wooden churches. Enough variety, but I am afraid it will involve a bit of driving – as usual, I want to pack too many things in one trip.
the route down south, from Temuco and side trips, to Quellen on Chiloe island
and the route north, along the Caretera Austral; the part from Quellen to Puerto Chacabuco we travel by ferry
We start in Temuco, almost 700 km south of Santiago and in the heart of Mapuche country, Chile’s most autonomous-minded Indian minority, with a history of fierce resistance against the Spanish colonisers of the 16th Century. From here we are going to explore the lake district, composed of several national parks centred around volcanos – with lots of lakes in between, obviously. Then Valdivia on the coast, more volcanos and lakes in the Petrohue area, and via Puerto Montt to Chiloe island. From here we take an overnight-and-day ferry to the mainland again, to Puerto Chacabuco, the furthest south we get. And then we start driving back, along part of Ruta National Nr 7, the famous Carretera Austral, to ultimately arrive at Temuco again.
Pretty straightforward, rented car, for the rest on our own. With all the flexibility to change plans, except that we are bound to certain days for specific ferry crossings. And a fixed end date, because Christmas is beckoning shortly after, of course.
next: the first day
