Jordy and Em South America Trip!

Our first stop in Patagonia was in the Northern part of Chilean Patagonia, with a road trip of the Carretera Austral! We spent two weeks in a campervan travelling from Puerto Montt to Cochrane and back through some of the most stunning scenery we’ve ever seen!

After picking up the van (and struggling to get used to driving a manual with the gears on the wrong side AND on the wrong side of the road!) we took an overnight ferry from Puerto Montt to Chaiten. From Chaiten we explored the nearby Pumalin National Park. We did a day walk to Volcán Chaiten which was incredible! We were also lucky to start our trip with the most beautiful campsite right on the water. We even saw sea lions playing in the water while we had dinner and breakfast!

From Chaiten to drove further south to Queulat National Park. We were lucky to find another waterfront campsite to park! In Queulat we did several short hikes to different viewpoints of the “hanging glacier”.

Our next stop was the largest town in the Carretera Austral region, Coyhaique! The town itself was predominantly just a good chance to stock up on food and regroup, but the roads surrounding it were stunning (and only a little narrow/stressful!).

From Coyhaique we travelled to Puerto Rio Tranquillo, a small town on Laguna Carrera (the second largest lake in South America, after Lake Titicaca). We took a boat trip to the marble caves which are found on the lake, which was one of the most incredible experiences of the trip!

Next we travelled Cochrane, our furthest stop along the Carretera Austral. Cochrane is the gateway to the Patagonia National Park, the largest national park in the region. The highlight of the park was the Lagunas Altas circuit, a one day 25km trek with views of the park! It included lakes, views of the mountains, and lots of wildlife!

After heading north again we stopped at Cerro Castillo National Park. Here we did another day hike to Laguna Cerro Castillo. The trek was tough, 16km total with the first half all uphill, but the views were worth it! The water was so blue, and the snow capped peaks behind the lake were stunning.

Before returning to Chaiten, we stopped at Futaleufú. This town near the Chilean/Argentinian border is known for white water rafting on Rio Futaleufú. Despite some reluctance/ nerves (from Em only) we did a rafting trip including grade 3-5 rapids! We also had the chance to catch up with a travel friend that we met in Ecuador, and again in Peru, who was volunteering in Futaleufú!

From Futaleufú we travelled back to Puerto Montt via Chaiten, three ferries and some more narrow roads! The road trip was one of the best experiences of the trip so far, especially as it was so quiet and much more remote than the rest of Patagonia. It was such a wonderful experience to see such a beautiful part of Chile!

Our next stop is Torres del Paine National Park in the southern part of Chilean Patagonia, where we will be doing the 5 day W-trek!