Isla Chiloé
Gastronomy, idyllic landscapes, 16 UNESCO World Heritage churches and a unique mythology, across the Chacao Channel.
Patagonia, for many travelers a must see destination. Those who traveled here will never forget the unique landscape. It starts from Puerto Montt to the south, but before exploring the end of the world, you should spend some time in the lake district. It is definitely worth it to visit national parks in this area like Puyehue and Gonguillío. In the lake district area, you can climb vulcanos, relax in thermal springs and enjoy the endless natural beauty.
Patagonia has so much to offer: you can spot penguins, hike in Torres del Paine, horseback rides, visit and walk over the Grey Glacier, kayak around fords, visit the Marble Caves and driving the Carretera Austral. To choose your own path and following your own rhythm, the best way to explore Patagonia is definitely by a camper. You can easily cross the border to Argentina and Holiday Rent RV will arrange all the paperwork for you.
If you are preparing a trip to the south of Chile, you may be found out that especially in high season it is not easy to find accommodation. Hotels and access to national parks has to be booked time in advance and that obligates you to plan day to day your trip. That is why traveling by camper is the perfect way to explore Patagonia without preoccupations were to stay the night. You just choose the place you like till the next morning.
Most of the highlights in Patagonia, are far from civilization. The advantage of traveling by a fully equipped camper is that you do not lose time to return to town or city every day. Having your own transportation with a cosy little house on it, you will feel like home in nature. You can make your own breakfast, lunch and dinner whenever and wherever you want accompanied with the most beautiful view that Patagonia has to offer.
The route by zones
Rivers, Lakes and Volcanoes
Millions of years of volcanic and glacier activity transformed the Region of Lakes into one of the most beautiful lake areas in the world. Located between Temuco and Puerto Montt it is divided into two main areas: Araucanía (between Temuco and Valdivia) and Lakes & Volcanoes (between Valdivia and Puerto Montt). Not disregarding the mystic island of Chiloé.
Araucanía is the main settlement of Mapuches (“people of the earth”), the most important indigenous group in South America. Located in Temuco, capital of the Ninth Region, “Museo de la Araucanía” displays the history and traditions of Mapuches.
Patagonia
Patagonia has an area of approximately one million square kilometers, three quarters of which are Argentine and a quarter is territory of Chile. Located on the Chilean side, is the almost unexplored territory of Aysén. Its lands flooded by the ocean and its rainy and cold weather have made up a region of innumerable channels, fiords and narrow gorges. Magallanes (Magellan's region), the southernmost region in the world, covered by ice, steppes and forests, is considered a land of extreme beauty.
Divided in two well defined areas: on one hand North Patagonia, located between Puerto Montt and Villa O’Higgins, (in Aysén’s Region) and on the other hand South Patagonia, (Region of Magellan), where the city of Punta Arenas, the capital of this region, can be found. From this point is possible to gain access to Torres del Paine National Park, to Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, to Tierra del Fuego (Land of Fire), to Estrecho de Magallanes (Magellan Strait) and Beagle Channel. Punta Arenas is also the starting point to connect with the Falklands and Antarctica. This southern Chilean city has a glorious past as a provisioning center for the vessels traveling between the two oceans Pacific and Atlantic. Nowadays it stands out for the oil exports, the success in the sheep farming and exports of sheep’s wool and meat. Another place of interest is Puerto Natales, a must for tourists who travel between Perito Moreno and El Calafate on the Argentine side of Torres del Paine, Campo de Hielo Sur (Southern Patagonian Ice Field), el Seno Otway (Otway Sound) with its colony of penguins and Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. But there is no doubt Torres del Paine National Park, declared Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, is the most interesting tourist place.
Places of interest in North Patagonia are the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway), with a length of 1,200 kilometers crossing rivers, cascades, mountains, cliffs and forests of larch and other indigenous varieties which offer a landscape of unforgettable beauty in places such as Parque Pumalín (Pumalín Park), with 42,000 acres of native forest protected by a privately owned organization and the amazingly beautiful General Carrera Lake, which crosses the border line between Argentina and Chile.
Puerto Varas
The fast growth of the coastal town Puerto Montt, 20 km from Puerto Varas, made Puerto Varas a residence of choice, which led to an increase in population and an enrichment of the urban life.
While in Puerto Varas you can engage in activities such as trekking, horseback riding or rafting and treasure the view by making sufficient pictures while ascending the volcano Osorno.
Tips for traveling by Camper
Chile and its neighbors offer much to discover with a Camper, pleasantly surprising you from end to end. So that you can plan your trip as well as possible, making the most of your trip to meet natural places that will captivate you, we have prepared information and suggestions that will help you organize your expedition.
The route in pictures
Main attractions
Lago General Carrera
South America's deepest lake: kayaking through the Marble Caves, recreational fishing, horseback riding and trekking.
Torres del Paine
Its fantastic water resources allow for kayaking and rafting whereas on higher grounds, mountaineering and hiking are favored. The hiking trails offering a further option to exploring the park. These trails are protected by the Chilean forest authority CONAF.
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Atacama to Patagonia
Chile
4,300 kilometers of contrasts: desert, valleys, volcanoes and glaciers in one country made for the road.
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Southern zone
Southern Argentina
Bariloche, Route 40 and the Perito Moreno glacier: Patagonia's Argentine side, one border crossing away.
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Route · South
Fly fishing
Rivers and lakes from the Araucanía to Magallanes: a world-class fly fishing paradise, at your pace.
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