10.01.2024 :: 17.01.2024

Tecka – Chaiten (volcano camping)

This day. it was just one dconstant highlight. It started with the road to the border, where Stefan basically five minutes in already stopped for a picture with a very lilac blossoming thistle, and it got better and better throughout the day.

Later that day we moved onto the Carreterra Austral, which we have done 2020, but this time we had clear weather all around and saw all the mountains and volcanos, we did not see the last time around. We went back to a camp site about 30km north of Chaiten and this time there was no rain, perfect view of Chaiten volcano and a rather enjoyable evening. The only pinch of salt of this day were the myriads of mosquitos trying to eat us alive at the campsite, oh and i tumbled my bike twice, while attempting u-turns. Here he is again, the idiot.

Chaiten – Quellon

The only driving we did this day was back to Chaiten to take a ferry to Quellon (Chiloe Island) to traverse the island south to north. The ferry ride took about 4 hours and yet again, the views of Chaiten, the mountains and the volcanos were stunning. But first we left the campsite.

Found a nice little camp site in Quellon, after the first room i looked at was not worth the money they wanted. And luckily enough the forecasted rain did not come.

Quellon – Puerto Montt

The day started rather cool, and did not get that much warmer even after the sun came out. But as soon as we went of Ruta 5, the scenery yet again was pretty good, and somewhat reminded me of a Mallorquinian fishing village.

At the northern end of Chiloe our last ferry ride for quite some time awaited, and after another stretch of backroads we reached Puerto Montt. Where we stayed for two nights. The off day was spent as usual with media work, basically Stefan cutting the videos, me fiddling with the pictures and running.

Puerto Montt – Villarrica

I do not want to say that we are racing but there are two things in need of being done. #1 we need to get our bikes serviced, and we decided to get that done in Mendoza. #2 we need to leave Argentina and Chile behind us. We have been here before and even though we haven´t seen everything or hiked every parque nacional, we have spent enough time here. And mind you we are still in Patagonia.

Villarrica is located at the northern part of the seven lakes. And apart of all the volcanos you see around, this could easily be located at Italian or Swiss alps (or French – for our French readers 😉 ).

The day started very cloudy and rainy to some extend, but for the large part we only saw the rain from afar. Upon reaching Villarrica the sky had cleard up, two volcanos in sight and about 24°C. Perfect setting for a nice evening. Later that night the Villarrica volcano put on a bit of a lightshow and Stefan remembered a sentence … let´s do the responsible thing, and go to bed … but as he could not explain the deeper meaning of it, a second round of really good pisco sour´s where ordered.

Villarrica – Chos Malal

Let the video speak for itself

We were back on the Ruta 40, and back at Camping Municipal.

Chos Malal – Malargue

We have been on Ruta 40 but somehow i got the feeling, that the scenery became more and more stunning the further up north we get.

This concludes week #7
Till next time everyone,
Happy hacking