Blog Archive

After the last three months back at the campo Rukapiwel I am moving on to Argentina to spend some quality time with my mom. We are visiting the National Park Iguazu at the border to Argentina and Paraguay and will then visit Uruguay to sunbath and relax on the atlantic beaches.

A lot of you might have heard about the crises in Venezuela at the moment through the media. Although many blame Maduro for the fall of the economy in Venezuela the situation is in fact much more complicated than that.

After 9 days hiking and trekking near and around Bariloche, I took the bus south to El Bolson. The bus leaves the main terminal every hour or so and costs 250 argentine pesos. The bus ride takes approximatley 2h 15min.

After a night at the Hotel Tronador on the shore of Lago Mascardi, I walked back to Puente Colgate to continue onwards to Pampa Linda.

After having recuperated from my New Year Illness I was ready to do some trekking in the National Park Nahuel Huapi. On account of strong wind and snow the 5 Laguna trek didn't work out. I found a different route hiking up to Cerro Catedral and from there onward to Refugio Frey.

After spending new year at the camping Huenei Ruca in Colonia Suiza near Bariloche and partying on Cerro Catedral with locals I got sick. My stomache twisting and turning and all my joints aching, I spent a whole day in my tent, hoping it wouldn't turn out to be a longterm malheur.

This morning I took the bus with Andesmar from Osorno to Bariloche. The trip was supposed to take 5h 30min so that I would arrive in the town at 4pm giving me two hours to sort out my things and buy supplies for my trek. Instead it took us over 7h to get there.

I spent Christmas at campo Rukapiwel, celebrating with the family. We ate a late dinner on the 24th of December and at 11 pm we hid the presents while young Juanito was searching the forest for Papanoel.

It's Monday morning after my first week at the campus Rukapiwel and I'm feeling great. The sun is shining and it looks like there will be a clear sky all day. 

Termas Puyehue -(18km)- Anticura -(11km)- Pampa Frutilla -(14km)- Antillanca -(18km)- Aguas Calientes

The Trek to Pampa Frutilla is one of the most beautiful Treks I came across in the Region of Los Lagos, Chile. The path takes you through every terrain typical for Patagonia.

Isla Fresia, on the eastern side of Lago Puyehue is a private property soon to become one of the best tourist destinations in the region. The 157km² small island consists of a centuries old native forest, small pampas and pebbled beaches.

On Monday 12.11.2018 I got my first opportunity to work for accomodation in Chile to gather experience and improve my Spanish. I couldn't have found a better host than Nico and his family.

Osorno is a city and central point to get around in the Region de Los Lagos. The prices for accommodation and groceries are immensly high but typical for this region of Chile. I'd compare them to prices in Europe.

For purpose of making budgeted travel easier, I noted the buses I took in the region of Los Lagos and Los Rios in Chile including the fares they charge in October and November 2018. There are always multiple options and some are quite a bit more expensive than others.

When travelling Chile or another country in South America for a longer period of time, it makes sense to get a local phone number, even if you just use it for 4G (whatsapp, instagram and the sorts). There are different providers you can choose from.

From Puerto Varas to Osorno and then further to Entre Lagos at the eastern end of lake Puyehue (2000 + 1300 pesos)

Hitchhikeing turns out to be much more difficult than I initially thought (probably because it is not yet the high season), so I took a bus to Puerto Varas for 900 pesos. The small town is very nicely maintained and much cleaner than the city of Puerto Montt.

After a 35 hour journey from Zurich to Puerto Montt I finally arrived at my starting point in Patragonia at 9 o'clock in the morning. After a quick strole along the Shore I made my way up the steap roads of the small city to Casa Perla, where I booked my first two nights.

Putting together my gear for trekking longterm showed to be quite a challange. This meant having everything I need for the next 6 to 12 months packed in a 100l Backpack and having enough space for food and water when leaving civilization for a trip to a national park or a sole expedition.

Breakout Imminent! - Three more Months to go until I start my journey.

Still one of the moste remote free treks in South America, the trail to Cabo Froward will soon be corrupted by new coastal road that is currently under construction. I tried the trail myself in late 2015 but had to turn back early because of bad wheather.

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