2024 - Chile
We arrived in Santiago on January 1st, 2024. Ready to start the year of adventure travel…first stop - Tues 2nd - the car yard where we had ‘pre bought’ unseen! a used 4x4 Suzuki Grand Nomad. The perfect machine for the off roading adventures and we had also had a roof top tent fitted, so ‘Wanda’ as we had decided to call her, was ready to go when we got there. Few days in town, bought basic camping supplies - kitchen items, folding table, couple chairs and a car fridge…we were ready to go.
There was a small catch - Andrew had to leave within a few days to complete the work contract that he started last year. 2 weeks in Trinidad of all places…so Wanda and I set off; the plan a couple of weeks solo travel and then pick up Andrew from an airport further south 2 weeks later. Needless to say, I had a blast!!!!!
1000 kms straight south to get into the mountains.
First stop Melipeuco where I wanted to go to Conguillio National Park and do a hike; Mirador Sierra Nevada.
Then mosied onto Pucon, adventure capital of the Chilean lake district and did a couple more hikes in the Villarica NP
Next Puerto Octay relaxing weekend in a gorgeous eco hostel, just chilling
Next stop Cochamo valley, getting into northern Patagonia now and it was stunning. Waterfall walk and short hike.
Finally got to Puerto Varas ready for the airport pick up in nearby Puerto Montt, Monday 22nd Jan.
Total coincidence, the day I arrived in Puerto Varas a housesit came up for the following weekend. We decided that it sounded good as it would give us time to regroup, do an overnight camp ‘trial run’' and get supplies for the dirt adventure coming up and start to plan the way forward.
We had a fabulous few days, had a camping couple of days to test run the tent and equipment…competed the 4 day housesit and ready for the off.
From here - a boat across from Chiloe (peninsular) to join the Carretera Austral. 1200kms of dirt road, direction south! with stunning views and hikes in the National Parks along the way.