Anyone been to Chile - or good knowledge of South America?

funkey_monkey

Hi everyone.

I've travelled alone (albeit in group tours) quite a few times now - been to States a few times and fulfilled my travel dreams of visiting Cuba and Peru.

I'm now wondering where do I go next. I want to finish off South America so I was considering Chile and Patagonia.

Now I've looked at the Chile guidebooks in bookshops and there doesn't seem to be anything grabbing me.

Has anyone here been to Chile and Patagonia who can give me some idea as to what the country is like?

I think now that I've seen the main things in the world which interested me, I might be struggling to find things that excite me in a similar way.

Alternatively, can you please recommend a place to visit for a 33yo male to visit solo?

All advice appreciated.


Thanks.

nyconuntouch

Heading to Chile myself in 3 months.

I was there when i was about 12, and don't really remember a whole lot about the experience, so now at 26 i'm heading back in August.

Patagonia is suppose to be beautiful in the summer, but crazy snowy and cold in the winter.

what time of the year are you thinking of going?

I'm over for 3.5 weeks, will be visiting the Atacama desert (in the North) and spending 5 days there. It's the driest place on the planet and has never recorded any rainfall there EVER.

then back to santiago for a few days and then over to easter island scuba diving (one of the most remote places on the planet).

there was a whole lot more we want to do but restricted with time. Spending my xmas there this year too

The good thing about chile is that it has a desert in the north and has the antartica in the south--it has the best of both of the extremes.

Keedowah

I spent 3 months in South America - tiny bit of Brazil - Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Chile.

Spent 6 weeks in Argentina - Peru was my favourite with Chile being the least interesting. Because we had seen Patagonia in Argentina we didn't go to the Chilean side because of time.

I would fly into Buenos Aires - spend a few days there then head south along the coast to Puerto Madryn, and onto Ushuaia - one of the coolest places ever (no joke intended). Then I would fly to El Calafate and travel north along the Andes to Mendoza, Bariloche and onto Salta before entering Boliva.

We had to rush through Bolivia to get on our Inca trail - but I would defo love to go back. Cycle the worlds most dangerous road in La Paz btw!

imme

Chile is sure a varied country.

It's length is phenomenal. Glaciers down south and deserts up north.

I was in Chile in 2010, from bottom to top.

I got there from the south of Argentina, from Ushuaia, the 'end of the world', they call it. Southern Chile and likewise Ushuaia weren't as cold as I'd expected, was there at the end of their summer. I got to see the penguins in Ushuaia before they left for the winter.

You've got glaciers and stunning in southern Chile.

From southern Chile I took a ferry from Puerto Natales to Puerto Montt, maybe check it out if you fancy it. Ferry takes about 3 days and you pass by the coast of Chile through the chanels of Chile. You pass by the Andes along your way.

In the middle of the country you've got the capital Santiago. I wasn't too impressed with it as a city and wouldn't recommend it in particular. A reason to go there might be to do a wine tour from the city.

Up in the north of the country you have the desert in Atacama and more desert regions close to the border with Peru.
Each of these desert regions off something different to see and do.

All the while there are surfing opportunities, if that's your thing.

The country is very easy to navigate by bus, unless you're joining in an organised trip. Busses are reliable and offer good value.

Enjoy.

Coeus

imme wrote: »

From southern Chile I took a ferry from Puerto Natales to Puerto Montt, maybe check it out if you fancy it. Ferry takes about 3 days and you pass by the coast of Chile through the chanels of Chile. You pass by the Andes along your way.

I have taken this ferry (the Navimag) in the opposite direction (Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales) as I thought it would be a cool way to get down to Patagonia. Price was reasonable @ $300 for a couple of nights accomodation with all food and drink included (except alcohol). It aint cheap to buy on board but you can always bring your own. The boat does goes out on the ocean for a couple of hours where the seas are a bit rough. We did this at night so I didnt really notice it.

My highlight of Chile would be Torres Del Paine NP which is maybe 2 hours by bus from Puerto Natales. I trekked there for a couple of days and the scenery is amazing. You dont even need much trekking gear as there are hostels to stay in along the more frequented parts of the trek. I would have been there in late October which is spring for them and the weather was grand if not a bit cool.

I was actually travelling solo and met people on the ferry who I ended up doing the trek with.

funkey_monkey

Thanks for the replies.

I'm currently thinking about how to plan this trip. I'll be arriving in Santiago and probably flying out from Buenos Aires.

I'm having to make a call as to whether I go north to Atacama and then back downa gain to the Lake District, Patagonia, and then into Argentina - taking in El Calafate, Iguasu Falls and Buenos Aires along the way.

I expect to spend roughly 3 weeks on holiday. I'm not sure how to go about it. Are there any overnight buses in Chile which could make my travelling easier. Currently the company who is helping me ogranise the trip say the the best way is to fly.

Internal flights using the South America Pass on www.lan.com comes in at £317GBP for the following:
Santiago -> Calama (Atacama)
Calama -> Santiago
Puerto Montt -> Puerto Arenas
El Calafate -> Buenos Aires

I'm not sure what my best options are. Should I avoid Atacama due to distances I need to cover? Are there any overnight buses?

Any suggestions on itinerary would be greatly appreciated. Anything you recommend to see and/or avoid.

Thanks.

Coeus

I have taken 2 of those flights (Calama -> Santiago and El Calafate -> Buenos Aires) but on 2 different trips.

There are overnight buses alright in Argentina and Chile. You are looking at 24 hours on a bus from Santiago up to San Pedro de Atacama. Even Calama is 2 hours on the bus from San Pedro if you fly up.

You are deffo trying to fit a lot in. My last trip was just over 3 weeks going Buenos Aires to Buenos Aires via Bariloche - Puerto Montt - Puerto Natales - Ushuaia - El Chalten - El Calafate.

By the time I got to El Calafate I only had 1 day to go see Perito Moreno Glacier and had to get a flight back the next morning to be back in Buenos for my flight home the following day. I would have loved to gone to Foz de Iguacu but even its a hours flight from Buenos Aires or 18 odd hours on a bus. If I had it back I would have skipped Ushuaia and been back in time to go to Foz de Iguacu.

I guess you should make your itinerary of what you most like to do/see. I'm into trekking so the visiting and hiking in the national parks in the lake district and Patagonia were the must dos for me. I'm also a big football fan so I chose to start and end in Buenos Aires for that reason.

center15

I'm in South America at the moment, I've been here for about 8 months. Chile is very nice but very expensive compared to the rest of South America (excluding Brazil). I did Patagonia from the Argentina side and it was simply stunning, just no words for the beauty there. Argentina has been one of my favourite places in South America and Buenos Aires is amazing. I've taken a lot of pics on here if you'd like to take a look and maybe get some ideas.. http://www.willdeasyphotography.com/SouthAmerica

funkey_monkey

This is my current planned itinerary. Do you think it is feasible or should I leve something out?
1. Arrival Santiago
2. Santiago City tour - La Moneda, Plaza de Armas, Barrio Bellavista and San Cristobal.
3. Depart for Atacama.
4. Quitor tour & Valle de Luna
5. Salt Flts and Altiplanic Lagoons
6. El Tatio Geysers & Puritama Hot Springs
7. Depart for Santiago
8. Day trip to Valparaiso
9. Depart for Puerto Varas
10. Frutillar
11. Peulla
12. Depart for Punta Natales
13. Torres Del Paine - Milodon Cave, Amarga Lagoon, Lakes, Salto Grande waterfall, Greys Glacier.
14. Depart for Calafate
15. Perito Moreno
16. Depart for BA.
17. Chill day - no activities
18. Fiesta Gaucha
19. Depart for Iguassu
20. Brazilian Falls.
21. Argentina Falls - Paseo Inferior, Paseo Superior, Garanta del Diablo Waterfall.
22. Depart for BA
23. Departure day.
Is this too ambitious?

center15

I think it's too ambitious. There's a huge amount to do and you don't just want to see something to tick it off your list and then run off. I think pick a few things you really wanna see. You'll enjoy it much more if you can some time around those areas. Also it's South America where nothing is on time and it's hard to plan each day in advance especially from another country.

Coeus

funkey_monkey wrote: »

12. Depart for Punta Natales
13. Torres Del Paine - Milodon Cave, Amarga Lagoon, Lakes, Salto Grande waterfall, Greys Glacier.
14. Depart for Calafate

This is not really feasible. As far as I know you'll have to fly to Punto Arenas which is around 3 hours from Puerto Natales by bus. The buses to Puerto Natales stop at the airport so you can hop on there rather than going into the town.

If you have a full day in Puerto Natales. You can get a morning bus out to Torres Del Paine NP. This takes about 2 hours. The waterfall is near where the bus drops you off in the park so I think there is time to go have a look before the first boat which you have to get (across Lago Pehoe) to the part of the trail that heads towards Glaciar Grey. The Glacier viewpoint is about 11 km up that trail at Refugio Grey. So you would have walk 11 kms back to meet the last boat. Not sure what time that is at but I dont it is much after 6 since it has to meet a bus going back to Puerto Natales. Laguna Amarga (which is just a fancy hotel) is at the other side of the park.

If I had just 1 day I would skip Glaciar Grey since you are going to see Glaciar Perito Moreno and do the hike upto Torres Del Paine lookout. Its 10 km hike up from Laguna Amarga and you will easily make it up and back to meet the buses which dropoff at Laguna Amarga first and pickup last.

When I was there I think there was a daily bus to El Calafate but check this when you arrive in the town. For Perito Moreno Glacier, you'll be able to organise a half day tour at a minimum when you get there. I didn't do the glacier walk so you may need a full day to do that.

Ideo

Mind me asking how much this is costing nyconuntouch? Would love to see Easter Island!

nyconuntouch wrote: »

Heading to Chile myself in 3 months.

I was there when i was about 12, and don't really remember a whole lot about the experience, so now at 26 i'm heading back in August.

Patagonia is suppose to be beautiful in the summer, but crazy snowy and cold in the winter.

what time of the year are you thinking of going?

I'm over for 3.5 weeks, will be visiting the Atacama desert (in the North) and spending 5 days there. It's the driest place on the planet and has never recorded any rainfall there EVER.

then back to santiago for a few days and then over to easter island scuba diving (one of the most remote places on the planet).

there was a whole lot more we want to do but restricted with time. Spending my xmas there this year too

The good thing about chile is that it has a desert in the north and has the antartica in the south--it has the best of both of the extremes.

nyconuntouch

Ideo wrote: »

Mind me asking how much this is costing nyconuntouch? Would love to see Easter Island!

flights to easter island (from santiago) were about 350 euro , and the accomodation + food, tours and scuba diving on the island was 420 euro (4days of activities)

fichillie

nyconuntouch wrote: »

flights to easter island (from santiago) were about 350 euro , and the accomodation + food, tours and scuba diving on the island was 420 euro (4days of activities)

Can you recommend somewhere to stay on EI? I have my flights booked for July...heading over by myself but cant decide whether to stay in Hanga Roa or a little bit outside the town in one of the camping grounds or hostels

nyconuntouch

fichillie wrote: »

Can you recommend somewhere to stay on EI? I have my flights booked for July...heading over by myself but cant decide whether to stay in Hanga Roa or a little bit outside the town in one of the camping grounds or hostels

the town is tiny and unless u have transport u'll be good distance from ANYTHING!!.

i stayed at hotel otai, recommend here