Chile: Las Rutas de --Los Vinos, Los Rios, Los Lagos, etc

Chile: The Long Wonderful Slice of Geographic Diversity

Our journey south resulted in a smooth border crossing from Peru into Chile at Arica on November 14, 2009. The only difference this time they checked everything; so we had to take everything out of the SUV and put it through an x-ray machine to enter Chile from Peru. Enter permits for Amadeus and Ewok were processed very efficiently. After reviewing all the prior documents they valued most the Panamian vetinarian documentation, with the two official stamps (that took me all day to get in Panama City).

Part 1: Las Rutas de -- Los Vinos, Los Rios, Los Lagos, Los etc.

Our travels through Chile took us to different regions. We continued coastal desert journey stopping at Arica (camped), Cuya (camped at Pta. Camarones), Autofagasta (Hotel del Sur), Taltal (Cabañas Hueso), and North of Los Vilos (camped).

Next, it was onto San Fernando (Hotel Espanola) and Santa Cruz in the Central Valley where we enjoyed some of the best cuisine and wine in the world (Entre Viñas – wonderful boutique hotel). As usual after I inquire about room availability – I ask if they accept pets. If they do not out right refuse I show a photo of Ewok on my i-phone. In this case since we planned on staying three nights I informed them of also of Amadeus. The response was – o.k. … You look like a cultured lady so we accept … “su perrita, gatito y pajarito”.

Continuing south to the lake district we visited Recinto (Cabañas), Pinto (camped), Rio Bio Bio (camped at Naciemento of Rio Bio Bio)) Parque National Conguillo (camped), Villarrica (Cabañas Bungalowlandia), Peurto Varas (camped at Playa Niklitschek), Ensenada (camped at Camping Montanya) and Pueyehue (Cabañas Copihues).

Again, we had anticipated hot weather late November through mid-December, but it was a great weather for travel. We were just before the tourist season making finding a camp spot or accommodations was easy. The Chilean Police are totally professional – if we were stopped it was a reminder like (turn on your headlights).

Part 2: Chilean Patagonia and Tierra Del Feugo

After spending the holiday season in Bariloche, Argentina and traveling south on Argentina (Ruta 40) we re-entered Chile in Patagonia enroute to Ushuaia, Tierra Del Feugo (a small part of which is also in Chile). This time we visited Parque Nacional Torres Del Paine (Refugio Laguna Azul), Punta Arenas (camped near the airport and at Donde Juan; Hostal Bulnes). We returned to Punta Arenas after Tierra Del Feugo to begin treatment for our Ewok (15.5 years old), as she was just diagnosed with Leukemia. It possible that she can live up to 2 years with the disease – but, we’ll see. We are most fortunate that Punta Arenas has good veterinary care and we received excellent advice from Dr. Tatiana Lopez.

We enjoyed our journey through Chile the following i-movie captures some images from our travels.

Sharon
Punta Arenas, Chile
January 13, 2010

Part 1



Part 2