CHILE
Chile is located in the southeast corner of South America, squeezed between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. The country is only 240 km across at its widest point, but being more than 4,200 km long, it has an impressive range of geography and climate. In the extreme north you will find the most arid desert in the world, whereas towards the centre the environment changes completely into fertile lands, beautiful beaches and stunning mountains with excellent skiing. The south is the area of lakes, forests and volcanoes, leading to the ancient glaciers of Patagonia and Antarctica. Chile also has plenty of attractions off-shore, like Easter Island and its surrounding treasures, Robinson Crusoe with its unique fauna and vegetation, and ChiloĂŠ, an island full of mystery and special folklore. 93
** Useful Information about Chile ** General Tips * When entering the country, make sure you are not carrying any fruit or vegetables, grain or animal products, as Chile has very strict border controls and you will have to pay expensive fines. * You may find Chilean Spanish more difficult to understand because they speak very quickly and use a lot of slang.
How to make phone calls in Chile area code + tel. number (9 digits) 9 + cell. number (9 digits) (**)
58 + 2 553344
9 + 871 02397
area code + tel. number (9 digits)
9 + cell. number (9 digits) (**)
58 + 2 553344
9 + 871 02397
Country code + area code + tel.
Country code + 9 + cell. number:
(*) number: + 56 - 58 - 2553344
+ 56 - 9 - 871 02397
(*) To call overseas from Chile you must first dial a Carrier Code + Country Code + Number There are many carrier codes (188, 123, 181, etc). Just ask which one to use. (**) If you are calling from a Chilean cell phone you don’t need to dial “9”.
Distance Chart in km
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ARICA
Chile
Remember to show Get South on arrival wherever you go so that you can get the discounts and benefits offered in the guidebook! PLEASE READ THIS: Discounts in Get South cannot be combined
with any other discounts or special promotions and are ONLY valid with direct bookings, not through booking engines like Hostel World, Hostel Bookers, Booking, etc. Using your HI, Hola or any other card membership also makes Get South promotions invalid. Thanks for your understanding!
ARICA Arica is the northernmost city in Chile, just 19 km south of the Peruvian border. It’s called “the city of the never ending spring” because it rarely ever rains and therefore it’s possible to go surfing, paragliding, fishing, horseback riding and scuba diving here all year round. A must see spot is Morro de Arica, a headland offering great views of the ocean and the city, which also has a historical war museum on top. If you want to learn some more interesting history, check out San Marcos Church and the Old Customs House, both built by the same company who constructed the Eiffel Tower. Pelicans, cormorants and a few lazy sea lions are always present at the fishing port (2 blocks from the main plaza) so go and have a very close look! For beaches, the most popular is Chinchorro beach, where there’s good surf and safe swimming. A little further south you’ll find the beaches La Lisera (2.5 km) and El Laucho (2 km), as well as the Península del Alacrán (Scorpion Peninsula) where the biggest surfing competition in Arica is held. Make sure you see the Museum San Miguel de Azapa (12km from Arica) that houses some of the world’s oldest mummies, the cemetery nearby built on sand dunes, as well as the geoglyphs in the Azapa and Lluta valleys. From Arica you can take a tour to visit Lauca National Park, where Chungara Lake is the main attraction with all kinds of unique fauna. 95
ARICA
Chile
H0STAL SUNNY DAYS
Tomas Aravena 161, Población Chinchorro +56 582241038 This hostel is located near to the sunnydaysarica@gmail.com bus terminal and the principal beach www.sunny-days-arica.cl in Arica, close to a large fruit & veg market, stores, cheap restaurants & various nightclubs. It’s run by a Chilean and a New Zealander who will make you feel at home, providing a sumptuous, filling breakfast and as much help and advice as possible! There’s a good variety of rooms to choose from: ensuite privates, dorms with single beds (no bunk beds) and private rooms with shared bath. The kitchen is kept very clean and tidy and there is laundry service if you need it. You’ll never get bored with your choice of beach tennis raquets, boogie boards and bikes - all available for use!
ARICA UNITE H0STEL
Vicente Dagnino 117, Población Chinchorro +56 582247702 - Cell: (9) 79148547 A lot of people plan to be in Arica arica-unite@hotmail.com for just one night, but when they www.arica-unite-hostel.com find themselves at Arica Unite Hostel they end up staying for 3, 4 or 5 nights! As comfortable as your own home, this friendly hostel is the perfect place to sleep in late and relax. All the rooms have different decor themes. Downstairs there are 2 four bed dorms and 2 doubles, all shared bath and on the second floor 4 matrimonial rooms, 1 with private bathroom. Located in a quiet neighbourhood, the colourful market is just behind you and the Chinchorro beach is right in front, and you’re 5 mins from the bus station, 15 from the centre and 10 from the clubs. Make good use of the terrace with sea view, hammock on the patio, large living area and communal kitchen, and the staff are always there to help you book lake tours, surf or paragliding lessons.
Arica Unite Hostal
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Get your 4th night half price with Get South!
IQUIQUE
Chile
IQUIQUE Heading up or down the coast of Chile, Iquique is a logical stopping point – and you won’t be disappointed! It’s a gorgeous city where the sun shines practically all year round, making it excellent for paragliding (one of the best places in the world), surfing, scuba diving or sandboarding. Walking around town, the main street, Baquedano, is an attractive pedestrian boulevard with architecture that takes you back in time. The cathedral and the Plaza* Arturo Prat are both beautiful and worth taking a look at. Outside Iquique, don’t miss the geoglyphs Atacama Giant, the world’s largest rock art, and the remarkable Cerros Pintados (painted hills) which demonstrate the ancient Tiwanaku culture. Enjoy the natural hot springs at the Pica Oasis, explore the Tamarugos Woods or marvel at the salt flats and the geysers of Puchuldiza. If you’re after a change from all the outdoor activities, soak up some history in the nitrate mine ruins, Humberstone and Santa Laura, located outside of the city. It was this industry that gave life to the Iquique region but since the closure of the mines, they have become complete ghost towns and named World Heritage Sites. If you’re there in July, go to the “Fiesta de LaTirana,” one of the most important religious festivals of the country .
BACKPACKER’S H0STEL IQUIQUE
Amunategui 2075 +56 572320223 contact@hosteliquique.cl www.hosteliquique.cl
Backpacker’s Hostel Iquique is definitely a unique place to stay! The hostel is actually two houses joined together and is nicely decorated with all kinds of funky objects. Located a stone’s throw from Cavancha, the best local beach, and only a ten minute walk from downtown. It has single, double, triple and shared rooms with lockers. A fully equipped kitchen is supplied, and they also grill three yummy BBQs a week at discount prices! The hostel has balconies with great ocean views so you can check out the waves before hitting the surf. Otherwise, there is ping pong, foosball and a pool table if you want to stay inside. The friendly staff can help you arrange surf lessons, sandboarding, bike rental, or any local tours.
Free welcome beer with Get South!
Backpacker’s Hostel Iquique
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Chile
San PedrO de Atacama
SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA This little town is full of archaeological interests in the middle of the Atacama Desert. You should probably have the Atacama Salt Flats on your to-do list, but there’s also an amazing array of other natural wonders nearby. You’ll find most of them in the Los Flamencos National Reserve, which houses a variety of landscapes and incredible flora and fauna. Try moonwalking at the Valley of the Moon, one of the driest places on the planet. You can also see the Death Valley and the Cordillera* de la Sal, a highly recommended excursion. Head to Cejar Lagoon, where the high concentration of salt will let you float without efforts, just like in the Dead Sea! You can also visit the high altitude Altiplanic Lagoons (Miscanti and Miñiques). If you are keen to get a better view of the landscape, this part of the Andes has the highest peaks in the country, with a long list of mountains or volcanoes to climb. The El Tatio geysers will shock you with huge spurts of boiling water, but if you feel more like relaxing, check out the Puritama Hot Springs. Make sure you go and visit some of the pre-Hispanic villages like Toconao, Caspana and Chi-Chiu. Other interesting historical sites include the Tulor Ruins, Pucará de Quitor, the church at the main plaza and the Padre Le Paige Archaeological Museum.
AJI VERDE H0STEL
Ckilapana 69 A - Ayllu de Solcor Cell: +56 9 77765742 Ají Verde is a real hostel, a place where bookings@ajiverdehostel.cl you’re gonna hang out with lots of www.ajiverdehostel.cl travellers and the nice bilingual crew. Aji Verde Hostel It’s situated close to the center and bus terminal and the hostel’s garden is lovely with a BBQ area, ping pong table, trees to provide you some shade during the hot days and a delightful & refreshing swimming pool. You won’t feel lonely in one of the 5 dorms (4-8-10 bed dorms with lockers) and if you want privacy you can crash in one of the 2 ensuite matrimonial rooms (private rooms with towels) or in a ready-pitched & furnished tent in the yard, a very original and fun option! Laundry service is available, breakfast is included, and the kitchen is awaiting you to make your signature dish. To explore San Pedro’s beautiful surroundings almost every possible tour can be booked at the hostel! Sit back and enjoy 5% off accommodation at Ají Verde! with Get South! 98
Chile
San PedrO de AtaCama
H0STAL BACKPACKERS SAN PEDR0
Pasaje Portal del Inca 486 Población Condeduque +56 552424783 info@backpackersanpedro.cl www.backpackersanpedro.cl Backpackers San Pedro
This colourful hostel, at a 5 min. walk from the center, has room for 50 guests, including you! Their in-house tour agency offers all the classic regular tours, and private tours in a 4x4, at good prices or in a package deal. Feel welcome to hang out on the outdoor patio with hammocks, sunbeds, play ping pong and board games, refresh in the pool in summer, or enjoy a BBQ grill and bonfire. And sip a delicious cocktail, beer or wine at the bar (till midnight) followed by a peaceful night’s sleep in the 4 or 6 bed dorms, or single and double rooms (all with new comfy beds & shared bathrooms). Use the 2 fully equipped kitchens to cook a meal with friends, and the hostel’s wristband to get many discounts in town! Email them saying you have Get South and they’ll send you a detailed map & instructions making it easier to find the hostel. Free coffee and tea for all guests.
15% off showing Get South on arrival!
H0STAL RURAL
Calama 257 Cell: +56 9 75712844 info@hostalrural.cl www.hostalrural.cl
Right in the centre of town (only 30 meters from the main street), Hostal Rural is close to shops and restaurants, and has five dorms with lockers and shared bathrooms to get a comfy night’s kip and rest, taking shelter in the oasis before heading back out to the world’s driest desert! Gaze at the uncountable stars with a night time BBQ on their patio, chill out in the hammocks with a good book, set up a ping pong tournament, challenge your friends at a few old-fashioned board games, take a browse at the original art and get a calming sense of wellbeing, or get creative in the kitchen – there is plenty of space to relax and unwind in this artistically refurbished, rustic home. Make sure to speak to the friendly staff to get top tips from locals and book a wide range of activities in the region. Don’t miss their full moon Show Get South and get a Sandboard Party with DJ in 10% off your accommodation! the Death Walley! 99
Chile
San PedrO de AtaCama
TURISM0 LAYANA
Tocopilla 429-B
There is a lot to fit in at San Pedro! +56 552560233 – Cell: (9) 90893109 turismolayana@hotmail.com The otherworldly Tatio Geysers, the www.turismolayana.cl unique Valle de la Luna, the stunning Tara salt flat, beautiful Cejar and Altiplánicas lagoons, colourful Rainbow Valley, Puritama’s natural thermal pools, Guatín trekking and many more trips are offered by Turismo Layana. The experienced team of bilingual guides will make sure you get to see all the highlights with none of the hard work organising how to get there. If you want to get active in the Atacama desert, you can rent a bike or go horseriding with Layana too. And for those looking for a bit of exclusivity ask about 15% off with Get South! their private tours. (except special promotions)
LA SERENA La Serena is the 2nd oldest city of Chile. It has its own architectural style, and these old colonial style buildings have been carefully conserved as National Monuments. Visit the Archaeology Museum, which has a collection of objects from pre-Hispanic cultures, and St. Agustin’s Church with its impressive eclectic style. Avenida del Mar has the majority of restaurants, pubs and clubs, and La Recova Market is the best in La Serena for typical food and crafts. La Serena also has an excellent sky for star-gazing, so head to one of the many observatories outside of town, the most popular is Mamalluca in Vicuña village. Make sure you visit Isla Damas for the wildlife - you can see Humboldt penguins, sea lions, pelicans, dolphins, as well as go kayaking, sailing, fishing, scuba diving or picnic in the park! Just 12km south of the city you’ll come to Coquimbo, the most important port of the area. You can take a boat trip around the bay, go up the giant cross Cruz del Tercer Milenio for an excellent view or grab a beer in the Barrio* Ingles, the lively bohemian section of town. This region has some excellent beaches for swimming and water sports, which makes La Serena the summer hot spot for tourists. It can get very crowded in season, so make sure you reserve your accommodation in advance. 100
Chile
LA SERENA
AJI VERDE H0STEL
Vicuña 415 +56 512489016 reservas@ajiverdehostel.cl www.ajiverdehostel.cl
In the heart of the historical centre of La Serena, near great restaurants, bars, supermarkets and banks, this ecohostel is ideally located for exploring the city. However Ají Verde hostel is fully equipped to keep you entertained inside too... fuseball tournaments, darts championships, wine tasting, friendly tourist tips, BBQs, pizza parties, movie nights, a library, games, a terrace with a panoramic view (with binoculars!) and pisco evenings are sure to help you pass some time and make new friends with other backpackers as well as with the bilingual staff! Stay in one of their dorm rooms, or their private doubles, twins or quads, and make good use of the communal kitchen, laundry service, lockers, heating and 24 hour reception in case you need help at any time of the day or night. Aji Verde Hostel
Show Get South on arrival and get a 50% off on laundry service!
VALPARAISO Valparaíso, a 1.5 hour drive from Santiago, is a charming town of historical architecture built on 45 steep hills that look out onto the Pacific Ocean. Cerro* Concepción and Alegre are the lively, bohemian parts of town, which probably gave Valparaíso its reputation as a place of poets, painters and dreamers. The city has a great nightlife and is full of multicoloured private residences that seem to be stacked atop each other on the hillside. The best way to get around Valparaíso is on foot and using one of the 14 ancient “elevators”, remarkable feats of engineering that creak their way up the impossibly steep hillsides. These elevators and the historical sector of town have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Interesting attractions include the Museo La Sebastiana, the old home of the famous Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, as well as the Centro Cultural Ex-Carcel, the open-air museum, the natural history museum and the Museo de Bellas Artes. Head to Mirador Diego Portales for a great lookout, catch a boat ride on the inner harbour or follow the wine route to the Casablanca Valley. To get back to nature, the Parque Nacional La Campana has beautiful hiking trails. Just 5 km from Valparaíso is Viña del Mar, one of the more chic cities in Chile with modern architecture and trendy beaches. 101
Chile
VALPARAISO
H0STAL CASA AVENTURA
Pasaje Gálvez 11, Cerro Concepción +56 322755963 Hostal Casa Aventura is a perfect place to info@casaventura.cl spend a few days relaxing in Valparaíso. www.casaventura.cl The hostel is located in Cerro Concepción, the historical part of the city, and close to numerous restaurants, bars and cafes. There are 8 rooms with high ceilings, including 3 small dorms, 4 double/twin rooms and 1 single room, all with shared bath. The common space has a large table to sit around and socialize, and there is a spotless kitchen with everything a self caterer would need. Casa Aventura welcomes young travelling families - children below 13 can even come free (although they must be accompanied by their parents...)! The owners and young staff are fantastic hosts and will go out of their way 10% off to be helpful (in Spanish, English and German), giving a with great atmosphere to the place.
Get South!
THE YELL0 W H0 USE B&B
Capitán Muñoz Gamero 91 Cerro Artillería The Yellow House B&B is located in the +56 322339435 historic sector of Valparaíso, on the Cerro theyellowhouse@vtr.net Artillería, one of the city’s most picturesque www.theyellowhouse.cl hills. It’s situated in a quiet primarily pedestrian road, just a short walk away from the Artillería Elevator, the Paseo 21 de Mayo, and other major points of interest. This B&B has breathtaking panoramic views of the city, the sea & port and the surrounding hills, has nice rooms, a cosy feel and a wonderful atmosphere created by your helpful hosts. Make your choice from matrimonial rooms with or without private bathroom, a double room with shared bath or a bigger ensuite family room, all with towels included. A delicious breakfast is served and the kitchen can be used for a small extra charge. Activities like city walks, Free welcome drink wine tours, trekking… and with cookies or cake bicycle rental can easily be showing Get South! booked with your hosts! Theyellowhouse Bedandbreakfast
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VALPARAISO
Chile
CHILEAN CUISINE C00KING CLASS
Cerro Alegre One of the best things about Chile is the Pasaje Galvez corner Urriola Cell: +56 9 66214626 cuisine! Enrolling in a class with Chilean info@cookingclasseschile.cl Cuisine Cooking Classes is a great way to www.cookingclasseschile.cl discover tasty traditional Chilean delicacies while getting hands-on experience with an Cooking Classes Chile Valparaiso enthusiastic, expert, English-speaking chef. It is a fun day of cultural immersion and you will be able to prepare the dishes when you get back home and impress your family and friends! A fun wine tasting, with excellent vinos from 4 different valleys, is included and there is also a seasonal option for an organic class and wine tour combining cooking classes as well.
Extra pisco sours if you mention Get South when you reserve!
Classes are offered every day so what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
EC0RECICLETA - BiCyCle t0urs & rentals Urriola 562, Cerro Alegre Don’t worry about the city’s steep hills because Cell: +56 9 73286804 Ecorecicleta has the ideal solution: foldable super info@ecorecicleta.cl swell bicycles! In 30 seconds you fold your bicycle www.ecorecicleta.cl and hop on the famous elevators or on the bus and metro, making it super easy and quick to discover Valparaíso’s neighborhoods and viewpoints in an entertaining and different way! Ecorecicleta offers guided bicycle tours to the UNESCO historical sector and surrounding area, the coastal strip, Viña del Mar or Valparaíso by night. All tours include a local surprise to indulge the taste buds! Guiding is possible in Spanish, English, French & Portuguese. You can also rent a foldable bicycle to do your own thing. But honestly, take a tour, it’s dirt cheap, you get to know the nice spots and it’s fun! The office is located in the famous Cerro Alegre, or just give them a call! /ecorecicleta
Ecorecicleta
15% off or 4+1 free on guided tours with Get South! 103
Chile
SANTIAGO
SANTIAGO Santiago is the urban nucleus and heart of Chile; the financial, cultural, and political center of the country. Like any international city, it’s full of attractions, events, culture and nightlife. * Plaza* de Armas: is the main square in downtown Santiago, which dates from the 1540’s when Pedro de Valdivia founded the city. Here you’ll see street artists and plenty of local art for sale. You can also check out the Cathedral of Santiago. * La Moneda Palace: this neoclasical building is the Presidential house of Chile. Its high walls are witnesses of the country’s history, including the bombing during the Military Coup in 1973 when former president Salvador Allende died. Make sure to visit the courtyard where you willl find awesome sculptures by Chilean artists. Be sure to toss a coin into the fountain and make a wish. * San Cristóbal Hill: for great views of the city take a ride up in the funicular to the top and visit the statue of the Virgin Mary. The hill also has a Zoo and a Wine Museum. * Santa Lucia Hill: right in Santiago Centro, this hill provides another great view of the city and the Andes mountains. There are various statues, lookouts and ponds hidden all over the hill. Don’t miss the mural dedicated to Gabriela Mistral, Chilean Nobel Prize winner. * Bellavista, Brasil, Ñuñoa and Lastarria: are the funky, bohemian neighbourhoods of the city and have the best nightlife with great bars, discos and restaurants. * Memory and Human Rights Museum: learn about the recent history of Chile at this museum dedicated to the events which took place between 1973 and 1990. Walk around and see the photos, press clips and videos testifying the years of terror and repression of the dictatorship under military rule. Admision free. * Museo Bellas Artes and Museo de Arte Contemporaneo: both host some of the best contemporary art works in the country. Admision free on Sundays. * La Chascona: situated in Bellavista, it is one of the 3 homes of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. The place has an amazing collection of things from all over the world and it also hosts his Nobel Prize. * Skiing and Snowboarding: just an hour and a half from the city there are high quality ski resorts. Check out Valle Nevado, Farellones or La Parva for winter powder. * Mercado Central: walk around this lively market and admire the fresh fish and seafood. Then have a meal at one of the restaurants and taste exquisite Chilean seafood. From here check out La Vega Central, the biggest fruit market in Chile, just across the river from Mercado Central. * Winery Tours: for wine buffs, two great wineries to visit are Viña Concha y Toro and Viña Cousiño Macul. 104
SANTIAGO
Chile
HAPPY H0USE H0STEL Happy House Hostel is a beautiful early 20th century big house, located in the city center.
Moneda 1829. Barrio Brasil +56 226884849 recepcion@hhh.cl www.happyhousehostel.com
The accommodation is of top standard with beds that allow you to get excellent rest, spacious and modern bathrooms, and big bedrooms each with their own unique style. Lots of different meeting areas give you complete peace and maximum interaction and fun with other guests. You can enjoy yummy barbeques, ping pong championships, games of pool, reading, sunbathing on the big terraces, dipping in the swimming pool (at summer time) or hanging out at the pool bar, and wine tastings among other activities. The hostel has Wi-Fi to keep you connected and there are computers if you don’t have your own as well as laundry service, cable TV and a coffee shop. The staff are the hostel’s main pride and will make you feel like you are at home with your best friends. This is proved on Tripadvisor.com which, thanks to great comments from their guests, they won a Certificate of Excellence 2012, 2013 & 2014 from - another great pride of theirs. Happy House Hostel is located in the traditional and bohemian Brasil neighbourhood, 15 minutes by foot from the historic center of Santiago and only two blocks from the Los Heroes and Centropuerto metro stops with buses to the airport and other transport links close by.
10% off with
Get South!
Happy House Hostel
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SANTIAGO
Chile
H0STAL PR0VIDENCIA
Av. Vicuña Mackenna 92 Plaza Italia / Providencia “Stay centrally, pay economically & enjoy +56 226352536 ultimately”, that’s this hostel’s slogan. reservas@hostalprovidencia.com And we have to admit, the location is www.hostalprovidencia.com perfect! It’s close to the Baquedano metro station and at walking distance from tourist classics like the Bellavista neighborhood, the Parque Forestal, Cerro Santa Lucia, the Cathedral, the house of Pablo Neruda and more. The range of rooms is impressive, for every budget and from basic to deluxe: dorms with lockers & single rooms, double & matrimonial rooms and triple, quadruple, quintuple and sextuple rooms. You can choose between a shared or private bathroom, and they all come with towels and a fancy brekkie. Among the hostel’s facilities are a kitchen, dining room, living room, an outdoor patio & grill and a cozy bar. The English speaking staff will point you out what to do and where to go in Santiago. 10% off accommodation Free international phone calls from the hostel! with Get South! Hostel Providencia
Providenciahostel
PLAZA DE ARMAS H0STEL
Compañía 960, apt 607. Downtown +56 226714436 hostel@plazadearmashostel.com www.plazadearmashostel.com
Located in the historical quarter of Santiago right next to the Plaza de Armas Metro Station, this hostel gives you the convenience of being able to walk to the 10% off Mercado Central, the Cathedral, the Museo de Historia with Nacional, The Government Palace, the Santa Lucía Hill, Get South! banks, restaurants, shops, and call centres. The hostel offers shared and private rooms, including breakfast, Wi-Fi access, computers, a kitchen and terraces with incredible views. The hostel provides tourist bilingual information and fun weekly activities including “Chilean barbecues”, “choripanes”, Chilean films and documentary cycles plus games and raffles. Plaza De Armas Hostel
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SANTIAGO
Chile
CASALTURA - The B0utique H0stel
San Antonio 811. Downtown +56 226335076 CasAltura is a 2-story, boutique hostel in a info@casaltura.com restored 1912 neoclassical building right in www.casaltura.com downtown Santiago. Here, you’ll be just beside the Parque Forestal, a block from the Central Market for great Chilean seafood, and two blocks away from the metro stop at the Plaza de Armas. Walk around to all the great historic and heritage areas, or simply relax in the hostel’s TV room, around the foosball table or on the rooftop terrace with BBQ grill and great panoramic views of downtown and the Andes. Choose from private (twin or matrimonial) or shared rooms and enjoy the onsite amenities like laundry, lockers, open kitchen, tourist information and use of quality towels, linens and comfy mattresses. Spanish and English spoken! 15% off
with
CasAltura
Get South!
LA CASA ROJA HOSTEL
Agustinas 2113, Barrio Brasil +56 226964241 A beautiful house with a big garden, a info@lacasaroja.cl swimming pool with a bar, hang out spots www.tpihostels.cl and a kitchen. With a superb vibe and a great www.lacasaroja.cl location in the heart of the Barrio Brasil, La Casa Roja organizes activities like BBQ’s, winetasting, live music & tours. Make your pick from a range of private rooms with ensuite (breakfast included) or shared bathroom or dorms with big lockers!
Free bike rental if you stay min. 2 nights.
La Casa Roja Hostel
THE PRINCESA INSOLENTE HOSTEL
Moneda 2350, Barrio Brasil +56 226716551 info@princesainsolentehostel.cl The gorgeous brand-new Princesa Insolente www.princesainsolentehostel.cl Hostel, also in the Barrio Brasil, is a smaller cozy quality hostel that has all the facilities you need like a kitchen, communal space & backyard to chill-out, private rooms and spacious dorms without bunk beds to increase your comfort. Feel free to use the swimming pool of La Casa Roja, just a 5 min walk away! The Princesa Insolente Hostel 107
SANTIAGO
Chile
MONTAÑA NATIVA
Cell: +56 9 64778461 guia@montananativa.com Let Alejandra & Fabien, a Chilean - French www.montananativa.com couple, guide you into the gorgeous Andes mountains in the Santiago area and share their passion for nature & the outdoors. As certified mountain & nature guides, your safety is guaranteed with them and they can explain everything about the plants and wildlife to you. Join them on an exciting trek in the heart of the Andes to discover glaciers and summits, or book a relaxing day to the hot springs or their special “Andes & Condor” trip. In winter time it’s so much fun and so beautiful to go snow shoe trekking or to race down the slopes during a ski excursion. Are you missing the appropriate equipment? No prob, they can help you renting a backpack, jacket, hat, gloves or walking sticks. You’ll be picked up at Book minimum 48hr in advance and get your accommodation with their 10% off! And 20% off if you’re 4 or more! excellent 4x4. Spanish, English & (Not combinable with other promos) French spoken. Montaña Nativa montananativa@gmail.com
WICKED CAMPER VANS
Pedro de Valdivia 4190, Ñuñoa SANTIAGO - Tel: +56 226970527 Do you remember those super funky info@wickedsouthamerica.com camper vans covered with cool graffiti art www.wickedsouthamerica.com from your trip in Australia or New Zealand? Wicked Campers Chile Wicked is conquering South America now too! So rent a Wicked Camper Van and experience the ultimate freedom and run wild with a road trip through Chile & Argentina. For the price of a car you get a van for up to 3 people to sleep, and with all cooking gear. Or rent it with more fellow travel junkies, share the fuel, and sleep in a tent to make it really dirt cheap! A Wicked Camper Van means absolute freedom to tackle those remote roads and to sleep at a deserted beach, deep in the mountains, or on the edge of a stunning lake. Wicked’s bilingual team has several insane itineraries available for you if wanted. Let’s road trip baby!!!
Rent a camper van for 10 days and get 1 day free with Get South!
(Not combinable with other promos) Pick-ups & drop-offs in Chile: San Pedro, Santiago, Puerto Varas & Punta Arenas. 108
Chile
PICHILEMU
PICHILEMU Pichilemu is a surfer’s paradise: sick waves, laid back charm and a great party scene. A sleepy surfer town most of the year, it really steps up a notch in the Summer months when crowds pour in for the wild beaches and even wilder beach parties. But there is more than just the waves... During the day, meander through the town visiting the street markets (a great veg/ fruit market Wed & Fri mornings), San Andres de Ciruelos church and museum and the beaches in the town. Along the beachfront is the old promenade, former casino (with changing art exhibitions) and the pretty gardens designed by local legend Agustin Ross Edwards who tried to turn the town into a resort for Santiago’s rich. Don’t miss the small chapel underneath the park: carved out of the rocks, it is a strange homage to the Virgin Mary and molten candle wax. For more solitude and a cool crowd, head 6km out of town to the famous Punta de Lobos – where the surf really picks up and the beer bottle clink at sunset. This picturesque rock peninsula creates an ideal barrier from the wind and one of the world’s greatest surf rips harvesting waves of 15 meters, attracting top surfers and hosting championships in October and December. This is also a great place for whale spotting and bird watching and it is on the way to the salt flats, heated baths, large lake (with exotic flora) and some great trekking (20 mins from the centre). For an adrenaline hit, try canopying across the beach, taking kitesurf or surf lessons.
H0STAL PUNTA DE L0B0S If you are in Pichelemu to surf, watch the surf or just enjoy the view, Hostal Punta de Lobos is the perfect place, with dorm-style rooms with shared bath or private cabanas equipped with 1 or 2 rooms, kitchen, terrace with BBQ area, and living room with satellite TV. Set in the middle of Mother Nature with peaceful sea-view terraces, this is the place to relax… but also to party! The hostal organizes BBQs, bonfires and visits to the local beach parties and clubs.
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Sector Medialuna Catrianca n/n Punta de Lobos Cell: +56 9 87200671 hostalpuntadelobos@gmail.com www.hostalpuntadelobos.cl During the day you can take advantage of the free bikes to explore the area or get your toes wet with a surfing or kite surfing lesson or trek the nearby hills. Let your hair down and get your flip flops on!
Free transfer from bus terminal (taxi fare taken off of accommodation) + stay 4 night and get 1 free with Get South!
Chile
PICHILEMU
THE SIRENA INSOLENTE HOSTEL PICHILEMU Camino Punta de Lobos 169 This super cool hostel is only a short 5 min Punta de Lobos – Pichilemu stroll from the beach and Punta de Lobo’s +56 9 58565784 famous waves. It’s a tranquil and rural spot, www.tpihostels.cl surrounded by lots of green and the place info@sirenainsolentehostel.cl breathes surf: board and wetsuit rental & www.sirenainsolentehostel.cl repairs, surf lessons, special surf trips and a slackline & skate ramp to improve your balance! The hostel’s sociable vibe is perfect to meet people, and services like bike rental and Spanish courses will enchant all travellers, not only the wave-addict surf junkies. The hostel is new and is built with delightful recycled containers refurnished in wood, part of their ecological project. These are fit with all the comforts like a kitchen, living room, 2 nice private ensuite rooms, 2 dorms and an apartment for 3. Eat your included brekkie while enjoying the splendid views! Sirena Insolente is just a short bus ride away from Pichilemu downtown. La Sirena Insolente Hostel
10% off if showing the receipt of another TPI hostel! Tpihostels.cl
PUCON Undisputed capital of adventure tourism and nature in Chile, Pucón has an enticing mix of lakes, waterfalls, volcanoes, national parks and hot springs. The highlight is definitely climbing the Villarrica Volcano, the smoking monster that dominates the scenery and is one of the 10 most active volcanoes in the world. You can actually climb to the top and peer into the crater to see the molten lava! After, head to one of many hot springs in the area and soak your tired muscles or relax swimming and sunbathing in Villarrica Lake, which also offers many water sport activities. Adrenaline junkies should try white water rafting down the Trancura River. Its class 4 rapids are guaranteed to get your heart beating! Anything you may want to do - from cycling, skydiving, trekking, horseback riding, canyoning, hydrospeed, canopy, skiing to snowboarding - you’ll find it here! Winter to summer Pucón is a backpacker and adventure tourism haven that has activities for everybody! 110
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CASA SATYA PUCON
Blanco Encalada 190 info@casasatya.com Come to rest your body, mind and +56 452444093 / +56 9 84220368 spirit at Casa Satya. If you’re looking www.casasatya.com for a tranquil place to take in nature, meet fellow travellers, have a glass of Chilean wine and a delicious breakfast with homemade bread, this is the place for you. It is located a few meters behind TurBus terminal and a supermarket and less than a 10-minute walk to downtown and the lake beach. In this beautiful 2 storey wooden house with a gorgeous garden and volcano views, options to stay are bedrooms for 1 to 4 people with private or shared bathroom. There is a fully equipped kitchen and a comfy living room with TV. You’ll love their in-house relaxing and therapeutic massages, Shiatsu, new facility for yoga and fitness classes, sauna and modern woodburning fires throughout to keep you nice and warm! English, Spanish, French and German spoken.
10% off with Get South when staying min. 3 nights! Casa Satya Pucon
H0STAL D0NDE EGIDI0
Palguín 720 +56 452443986 This cozy hostel reflects the hostaldondeegidio2@gmail.com warmth of a home and with two www.hostaldondeegidio.cl kitchens, dining in is easy. There are double/matrimonial rooms with A/C and breakfast included, or dorms without breakfast (all rooms with private bathrooms). Don’t miss their self-organized original ethnic tour called Pucón Tour Mapuche Ruta Étnica ©, or marvel the starry skies on a night trip to natural hot springs. Donde Egidio is located 1 block from the JAC Bus Terminal. Hostal Donde Egidio
5% off accommodation & 10% off + welcome pisco sour on meals at Coppa Kabanna!
RESTAURANT & BAR C0PPA KABANNA
Is your stomach rumbling? Feeling the urge to lubricate your throat? Head to Coppa Kabanna, a super snug restaurant & bar, in downtown Pucón (corner of Urrutia & Ansorena street). Here they serve fast food and yummy traditional Chilean and Brazilian dishes, a wide range of heavenly cocktails and chilled quality beer! 111
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PUCON
THE PRINCESA INSOLENTE HOSTEL - PUCON General Urrutia 660 A pretty hostel with lots of outdoor space +56 452441492 located in downtown Pucón, isn’t that just pucon@princesainsolentehostel.cl perfect? The Princesa Isolente Hostel is close www.tpihostels.cl to Pucón’s restaurants & bars and its garden (with a hot tub!) is nice and large, perfect to relax and chill out. Opposite there’s a big supermarket, great to purchase the ingredients needed to cook up an exquisite meal in the hostel’s kitchen. The owners did a great job renovating this smaller hostel with lots of wood which makes it really cozy. You’re gonna snooze like a baby in the comfy private rooms (towels included) with ensuite or shared bathrooms or in one of the 3 dorms with lockers. Don’t forget to ask the easy going staff about the tours & activities in Pucón’s marvelous region! The Princesa Insolente Hostel - Pucon
10% off if showing the receipt of another TPI hostel! Tpihostels.cl
K0D K0D - Restaurant & Cabins
Km 21 on the road to Huife Pucon - Pichares Cell: +56 9 76535601 +56 9 74951536 vero@kodkod.net www.kodkod.net
The ideal place to relax and enjoy nature at its fullest, Kod Kod is 20 minutes away from Pucon town at the foot of Cañi Sanctuary. This is natural food with a heart - Kod Kod uses really fresh, simple ingredients, locally-produced and, where possible, grown in their our own organic vegetable gardens. Their sustainable policy means low food miles, precycling and recycling, composting and fair treatment of animals. Healthy doesn’t mean boring though! Along with a delicious variety dishes including Venison Pie, Tofu Curry, salads, nachos and homemade pastas you will find artisanal beers, fresh juice, cocktails and wine. Sit inside or out on the terrace and enjoy the woodland setting while children can keep busy in the play area. Keep your ear open for their twice weekly live music during the Summer! If you can’t pull yourself away from this naturelover’s paradise you can stay at one of the three cabins! Kodkod lugar de encuentros 112
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TURISM0 P0LITUR
Avda. Bernardo O’Higgins 635 +56 452441373 Come to Pucón to climb a volcano, take turismo@politur.com on roaring river rapids or trek in the vast www.politur.com national parks! Politur can take you on all these adventures and more! Their professional guides are bilingual and include some European interns during the high season. Their office is located on Pucón’s main street and they’ll help you live the vacation you’ve always dreamed of! Tours to… Villarrica Volcano Whitewater Rafting (Grade 3-4 rapids) Hot springs / Horseback ride Canopy / Zip-line / Rappel / Canyoning Ski & Snowboard Trek in the national parks (Huerquehue, Cañi, Lagos Andinos)
10% off with
Get South!
If you want some luxury at great prices, check out their brand new 3 star Hotel Vientos del Sur on Brasil 640. www.hotelvientosdelsur.cl
SKYDIVEPUC0N
+56 9 98200194 Get ready for an overdose of adrenaline peter.vermehren@gmail.com by jumping out of a plane doing a tandem www.skydivepucon.cl jump. You’ll be screaming your lungs out from pure excitement and happiness! The combo of the free fall, floating with a parachute and the views of Pucón’s incredible landscape make this an absolutely insane experience! The owner Peter is your entertainer at service, a real funnyman full of jokes and pranks, but extremely serious when it comes to your safety. This man has perfected his skills during 38 years of launching himself through the skies, and he picks only extremely reliable and bilingual crew members to assist him. If you’re too much of a scaredy-cat to go for it, you can opt for a scenic flight around the smoking crater of the Villarrica Volcano.
25% off your skydive video & 10% off a tandem jump for groups of 6 or more jumping on the same day! Skydive Pucon
Cessna180
Skydiving and scenic flights operated all year round.
skydivepucon
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VALDIVIA
VALDIVIA Valdivia, “The City of Rivers”, is located about 15 km from the Pacific coast, where the Calle Calle, Valdivia and Cau Cau Rivers converge. Valdivia was the site of the largest earthquake in recorded history - a 9.5 on the Richter scale in 1960. In the 17th century, the Spanish heavily fortified the point where the Río Valdivia and the Río Tornagaleones joins the Pacific. Today, the remains of these fortifications at Corral, Niebla and Isla Mancera are a strong reminder of its colonial past. Spend a few hours cruising the rivers to visit historical and cultural sights as well as the region’s wildlife in the nature reserves. Parque Saval and Laguna de los Lotos are a haven for nature lovers and the coastal boulevard with its impressive old submarine is perfect for an afternoon stroll. On the riverside is the Feria Fluvial, a market with local food, fish and handicrafts. Watching the sea lions, elephant seals, cormorants and pelicans beg for a meal is so entertaining. Just across the river is Teja Island where nice river trips start with solar powered boats. It’s also home to the botanical garden (free) and the Museo Histórico y Antropológico.Valdivia is very famous for its artisan beer and has many breweries. Tasting should really be on your list to do. One of them is the traditional Cervecería Kunstmann, with also good German food. A day trip that can’t be missed is to Niebla to visit the 17th century fort, the Feria Costumbrista to try local delicacies and to enjoy the beaches (accessible by local bus).
H0STAL INTERNACI0NAL
García Reyes 660 +56 632212015 - 632530246 Open year round, Hostal Internacional hostalinternacionalvaldivia@gmail.com www.hostalinternacional.cl offers a warm and pleasant service. Recently renovated, nicely decorated and very clean. It is located in the centre of Valdivia, three blocks from the bus terminal, the main plaza, four blocks from the sea front and in front of a Shopping Mall with a supermarket. The hostal offers rooms (dorms, double, twin, triple and quad) all with private bathrooms, cable TV and fresh towels. A fantastic breakfast is included with tea, coffee, milk, yoghurt, cheese, cold cuts, juice, fruit, bread and jams. Please keep in mind that the kitchen is not available to use, only to warm up food. They also have fully equipped cabins that accommodate up to 4 people with living room, full kitchen and maid service (breakfast not included). Facilities are a communal 10% off living room with big tables, central heating, with security box, safe parking and laundry service. Get South! As well as offering tourist info the hostel organizes different excursions around the area and Spanish courses. 114
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VALDIVIA
CERVECERÍA KUNSTMANN - Beer Tour & Restaurant Valdivia is Chile’s epicenter of beer, and Ruta T-350 Nº 950 Kunstmann is it’s most famous beer brewery, +56 632292969 located on the way to Niebla, easy to reach with contacto@lacerveceria.cl a 5 minute cheap bus, or a short taxi ride (open www.lacerveceria.cl 12hs to 24hs). Every hour, from 12hs to 21hs, a 45 minute Beer Tour about the history and production process is organized. It includes a big tasty beer, and you can keep the German beer mug! The brewery’s cozy German style restaurant serves delicious food and Kunstmann’s 11 varieties of top quality liquid gold. Take the special tasting to try them all! Kunstmann also offers a guided River Tour with a solar energy powered boat that departs from Teja Island to discover the waterways and the people’s culture & history, followed by the brewery tour! Don’t miss their annual Bierfest, at the end of January!
La Cerveceria Kunstmann
20% off on the tours and 10% off on food & drinks when showing Get South!
PUERTO VARAS On the shores of Llanquihue Lake, Puerto Varas is an adventure tourism hot spot located just 20 km from Puerto Montt, with buses shuttling between the two almost every five minutes. It’s a jaw-dropping place where you can admire both Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes’ snow-capped peaks while partaking in many adventure activities. Try to stay in the boat while white water rafting, scream your lungs out canyoning in the Blanco River or attempt to summit one of the volcanoes. Nearby lies the Vincent Pérez Rosales National Park, a great place to mountain bike, hike, canopy, horseback ride or sea kayak in the Lago de Todos Los Santos. Northeast of Puerto Varas lies the tranquil town of Ensenada where you can sail and sport fish to your heart’s content. From here, continue on along the Petrohué River to hike the forests and soak in the hot springs and to witness the beautiful Saltos de Petrohué, a series of waterfalls formed via erosion of the black volcanic rock, basalt. Cochamó Valley is another nature-rich area just 90 km from Puerto Varas where climbers try to conquer the 1,200 m granite walls. There you can get your hiking boots dirty amongst 3,000-year-old trees and Andean ice melt streams. 115
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PUERTO VARAS
H0STAL CASA AZUL
Manzanal 66 corner Rosario +56 652232904 Charming wood walls and beautiful casaazul@telsur.cl details make this hostel as cozy as it is www.casaazul.net harmonious. Find your Chi in the Japanese Garden amongst Bonsai trees and a rainbow of Koi Fish, or test your language skills with the German–Chilean family who also speaks English. It’s just a 5 minutes walk from the city center and Lake Llanquihue, with beautiful views of the Osorno Volcano. They offer dorms or private rooms with single, double and twin beds with private or shared bathrooms. All rooms have central heating, so you will stay toasty warm in winter. The laundry service, fully equipped kitchen and book exchange are nice benefits. You’ll love the buffet breakfast, complete with whole wheat bread, their special müsli, eggs and bottomless coffee cups. Yum! They offer individual excursions Movie nights on a by pick up truck or fishing wide screen TV! boat. Visit their website!
H0STAL C0MPASS DEL SUR
Klenner 467 +56 652232044 A Chilean hostel with Scandinavian flair! reserva@compassdelsur.cl Swedish, English, German and Spanish spoken. www.compassdelsur.cl Compass del Sur Compass del Sur is set in picturesque Puerto Varas in a classic colonial house with large private rooms and dorms, including single, double, twin, triple, quadruple and quintuple (private & shared bathrooms), a pretty garden patio (with camping space and free parking), a fully equipped kitchen and a cozy ‘internet’ lounge. Get a good night’s rest in the box spring beds and wake up to a hearty breakfast with homemade bread. Compass is located in a peaceful, historic barrio* by the park, train station and 5 minutes from the lake, downtown and bus station. You can book all the regular excursions here, as well as their own which are guided by the trilingual owner. Compass also offers laundry service, airport pick up and 10% off when staying min. 3 nights bike & car rental. with Get South! (valid only for direct
bookings and cash payments)
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H0STEL VERM0NT
Pasaje Ricke 224 +56 652232673 reservas@hostelvermont.cl www.hostelvermont.cl
At Hostel Vermont you can find everything you need: comfortable beds in the spacious dorms with lockers and private rooms, a beautiful large backyard for camping, clean shared bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a new little terrace to enjoy cold beers, free parking, and of course the opportunity to meet travellers from all around the world, especially at their weekly asado. Located on some steps above the pedestrian street a short walk from downtown, really close to popular bars, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and the beach is just a few minutes away. The staff can help you book fun nearby activities (reception open 8am till 11pm) and you can rent bikes to visit the beautiful coast line and Puerto Varas on two wheels! The bilingual and enthusiastic owner, Chilean Sirce, would love to welcome you to this, her new hostel, in Puerto Varas as well as Hostel Vermont further 10% off north in Osorno! with Hostel Vermont
Closed April to November
TERRASUR EC0AVENTURA
Get South!
Ensenada KM 44, Puerto Varas +56 65233140 / (9) 94957690 terrasuroficina@hotmail.com www.terrasurecoaventura.com Terrasur Ensenada
Terrasur & Barlovento are located 44km from Puerto Varas, in Ensenada. Nature & adrenaline junkies are gonna love their thrilling, high quality activities organized at rock bottom rates! - Rafting, hydrospeed, kayaking and sports fishing on the Río Petrohue. - Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes ascents (Oct to Feb). 10% off on activities - Mountain biking, trekking, canopy. & accommodation! - Rental of MTB’s, kayaks and climbing gear. Several buses per day from Puerto Varas to Ensenada. Bus stop: ‘Carabineros de Ensenada’, 50 metres from Terrasur.
BARL0VENT0 CABINS, H0STAL AND CAMPING
Spend some nights here too! Imagine sleeping at the waterfront of the Llanquihue Lake, on the doorstep of the Vicente Pérez Rosales NP, where all the action is, and saving daily transport from Puerto Varas. Double and triple rooms (shared bathroom), cabins (3-6 beds) and camping spots with roofs. Laundry service available. 117
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COCHAMO
COCHAMO Locals and tourists had told us about Cochamó’s extraordinary natural beauty and when we arrived the first time we had one of those jaw dropping moments. The village is located at the large Reloncaví Estuary with gorgeous volcanoes in the background. Lots of locals are fishermen, try a freshly prepared salmon or crab, but in recent years Cochamó and the whole area has opened up for tourism. Why? Because this tranquil and peaceful area is an unspoiled outdoor paradise! Cochamó itself and the area has ample trekking, MTB & horseback riding possibilities and an absolute highlight is definitely sea kayaking. But it is also your hub to go to the Cochamó Valley and its settlement La Junta, reachable on foot or by horse, a breathtaking place with crystalline rivers and natural water slides and overwhelming granite mountains & walls! It’s a world famous mecca for climbers but the area is also a trekking paradise with trails winding through this amazing landscape further east and south as far as the border. In fact there are two legal border crossings to hike to the El Bolsón area in Argentina. Cochamó is easy to reach with a daily bus leaving in Puerto Montt and picking up people in Puerto Varas, 90km west of Cochamó. To continue your trip you could take this bus out again or maybe a local will give you a ride south to Caleta Puelche, where several buses a day pass coming from Puerto Montt and heading to Hornopirén & Chaitén on the Carretera Austral.
LAS BANDURRIAS ECO HOSTAL
Sector el Bosque n/n We discovered this new hostal, an oasis +56 9 96722590 / 59285865 of rest surrounded by nature, on a hill in silvie.ramseier@gmail.com Cochamó. Its enormous windows, and the www.hostalbandurrias.com enormous grounds, offer you breathtaking views of the Reloncavi estuary and the surrounding mountains & volcanoes. This eco friendly hostal is designed to have minimum impact on the environment with solar panels and filtering of the waste water for example. You’ll be tempted to just hang out the whole day in the very cozy living room and fully equipped kitchen. At night you’ll doze off quickly in the comfy 4 bed dorm, matrimonial or double room with 2 very modern shared bathrooms at your disposal. An exquisite breakfast is served and towels are included. To discover the area mount one of their own horses or book any other activity. They also organize transport to La Junta. 10% off Spanish, English & French spoken. with Open all year. Get South! Contact them in advance for a free pick-up from the bus stop! 118
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PUERTO MONTT
PUERTO MONTT Because of its strategic location, Puerto Montt is the distribution centre and connecting point to most of the tourist destinations in the south, including Chiloé Island and the famous Carretera Austral (Southern Road). You’ll find the Tepual International Airport, the ferry port and a main bus station here in this capital of the Lakes Region. If you want to go to Ayacara or Chaitén (to get to Futaleufú) look up Naviera Austral (www.navieraustral.cl). They also connect Chaitén with Quellón and futher south. Navimag ferry is another large ferry company whose trips are almost always fully booked in summer, so reserve ahead if you have a strict itinerary. Navimag offers trips to Puerto Chacabuco (1 day) as well as all the way to Puerto Natales (3 days). Winding through the islands and fjords, these cruises amongst the glaciers are enough of a reason to book the trip, if not to get to the actual towns. It’s important to note that there is only one long-distance Navimag ferry per week, which leaves on Fridays. Check www.navimag.com for the full schedules and to reserve. While you’re waiting for your ship to come in, don’t miss walking along the Pelluco Beach or having an amazing (and cheap) seafood meal at the Angelmó market. While you’re there, visit the artisan market and cross to Tenglo Island by boat and hike up its nature trail to the top for a great view of Puerto Montt and the Osorno, Calbuco and Puntiagudo volcanoes.
H0USE R0CC0 BACKPACKER
Pudeto 233 corner Ecuador +56 652272897 This quiet, little hostel is conveniently hospedajerocco@gmail.com located close to all the Puerto Montt www.hospedajerocco.cl connections: bus station, Navimag ferry port and an easy ride from the airport. Angelmo, the fish market and 100 little restaurants, are within walking distance passing the string of souvenir shops. Share the dormitory room with other travellers or enjoy some solitude in one of the private rooms with a double bed, all with shared bathrooms. Rubbish gets recycled here and the hostel is exceptionally clean! Muddy shoes are removed at the door and flip-flops are provided to wear around the house. There is a fully equipped kitchen, a comfy living room with Wi-Fi and a smoking porch. Laundry service is available. Over a delicious breakfast (with only real coffee), the owner, Verónica, will give you enough information to fill a trekking backpack! House Rocco
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Free welcome coffee, tea or juice!
Chile
CHILOE - ANCUD
CHILOE ISLAND - ANCUD Chiloé is a string of 40 islands, the largest of which is Isla Grande de Chiloé. Of its 150 wooden churches scattered across the islands, 16 have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ancud is the entryway to explore the island, located 90km south of Puerto Montt. It’s a pretty seaside town with a bustling fishing port. In town you can find many attractions: the Plaza de Armas with the Museo Regional de Ancud just off the plaza, with an interesting collection of the early history of Chiloé and a replica of a small sailing ship La Goleta Ancud. The Mercado Municipal (town market) is a great place to sample the exquisite Chilote seafood and buy local handcrafts. 800m from the plaza is the Fort San Antonio (built in 1770) with great ocean views, which was Spain’s last stronghold in Chile after the War of Independence. Another old fort looking out onto the sea is Fuerte Ahuí. 28km away from Ancud Magellan and Humboldt penguins coexist at the renowned Pinguineras de Puñihuil penguin colony. These penguin colonies are on three small islands and you can go round in guided boat trips from September to March. Chepu (38km southwest) has beautiful landscapes of beaches, rivers and wetlands. From the river’s estuary you can trek along the long beach where after a 2hr-walk (aprox.) you’ll reach the penguin colony at Ahuenco. From Ancud you can easily go on to explore Chiloé National Park.
H0STAL MUND0 NUEV0
Av. Costanera Salvador Allende 748 ANCUD Hostel Mundo Nuevo is right +56 652628383 on the sea front, just one hostal@newworld.cl block from the main plaza and www.newworld.cl the bus terminal Cruz del Sur. Uniquely, the wood constructed hostel uses a solar power for its hot water and has a large glass greenhouse outside. There are all kinds of accommodations – from dorms, singles, and doubles with shared bath, to ensuite rooms with 2, 3 and 4 beds. Even better, they all have a view of the ocean! Relax on the seaview terrace, snuggle up in the cozy living room, cook up a storm in the fully equipped kitchen or soak in the new hot tub. The owner speaks Spanish, English and German and can help you with detailed Stay 3 nights & get a 10% off with Get South! information and maps for (not combined with biking and hiking tours.
other promotions) 120
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CHILOE - ANCUD
13 LUNAS H0STEL
Los Carrera 855 ANCUD +56 652622106 contacto@13lunaschile.com www.13lunas.cl www.13lunaschile.com
Chiloé is the kind of island that you end up wanting to spend a lot of time on, and 13 Lunas Hostel is ideal for home comfort. With a large living room with cable TV, fully equipped kitchen and comfy new beds you 13 Lunas Hostel can be sure to get some good rest. Right in front of “Cruz del Sur” bus station and only a few blocks from the sea front and the main plaza, this 1947 house/hostel is ideally located as a base to explore the beautiful island. The friendly bilingual team can advise you on island tours, but make sure you also take advantage of the BBQ and terrace with a sea view, while you stay in one of the dorms, private doubles or wheelchair accessible private rooms. Ecofriendly 13 Lunas Hostel recycles, composts and uses biofuel heating!
5% off or 6th night free with Get South!
CHILOE ISLAND - CASTRO Castro, 87km south of Ancud, is the capital of Chiloé and the third oldest city in Chile, after Santiago and La Serena. On the Plaza de Armas is the San Francisco Church, which was constructed out of wood by local craftsmen in around 1910. Visit the port, artisan fair, and be sure to check out the “palafitos” or wooden houses built on stilts above the water. The Museo Regional contains artefacts from the aboriginal tribes that inhabitated the island before the arrival of the Spanish. Twenty km northeast of Castro, Dalcahue is an important artisan centre. Browse through handcrafts and the local market, and don’t miss the Sunday “Feria de Dalcahue” artisan fair. From Dalcahue you can take a boat to Quinchao Island where you can visit the Santa Maria de Loreto Church, the oldest on the archipelago. Chiloé National Park runs along the western coast. Cooler and wetter than the eastern coast, this park is an ecosystem that includes dunes, Valdivian temperate rain forests, swamps and peat bogs. Take a traditional or mountain bike tour or go camping and trek on your own for a few days. Twenty five km southwest of Castro you can visit Chonchi, “the town of the three floors” because it was built on a hill. Tantauco Park, in the south of the island, is a 118,000 ha nature reserve renowed for its almost untouched rainforest with challenging treks that last 3, 5 or 11 days. Camping and refuges are available. 121
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PALAFIT0 H0STEL The famous Palafitos de Gamboa waterfront is speckled with traditional houses on stilts called “palafitos”. One of these charming little bungalows is home to Palafito Hostel, located just 10 minutes from the Plaza de Armas. The antique outside doesn’t prepare you for the absolutely stunning and completely renovated interior. Inside are 8 rooms, private and dormitory, each with private bathrooms.
Ernesto Riquelme 1210 Barrio Palafitos de Gamboa - CASTRO +56 652531008 palafitohostel@gmail.com www.palafitohostel.com Two of the double-bed rooms have balconies with spectacular views to the Gamboa River. The kitchen is well equipped for any culinary endeavor and the common areas will keep you well entertained with books and board games. Ask the friendly staff about fishing, horseback riding and all the excursions available.
Palafito Hostel
Stay 3 nights and get 10% off with Get South!
CABAÑAS PALAFIT0S L0S PESCAD0RES Right on the sea front, these private cabins Ruta 5 sur Km 5 are surrounded by beautiful gardens and Sector Nercón - CASTRO ideal sunset views on the terrace to enjoy +56 652635765 the beauty of Chiloé at its best. palafitoslospescadores@gmail.com www.palafitoslospescadores.cl Choose between the 15 cabins either with two rooms or one that sleep up to four people (twin, double and sofa beds). Whatever your chosen sleeping arrangements are, you will definitely rest easy with the attractive interior design, warming wood fires, fully equipped kitchen, bathrooms with hot water and clean towels, Cable TV, wifi, maid service and outdoor terrace. Ideally located for birdwatchers and to relax among the peace of nature on the outskirts of town, you are 5 - 10 mins by bus or car from 10% off the centre and the helpful, bilingual staff can with advise you on activities and tours to nearby Get South! islands or rent you out one of their kayaks to explore the area. 122
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TURISM0 PEHUEN
Latorre 238 - CASTRO +56 652635254 Turismo Pehuen offers a wide range of tours reservas@turismopehuen.cl lead by expert guides. Become acquainted www.turismopehuen.cl with the history and beauty of Chiloé on an excursion to the national park or the World Heritage Site churches. Take a boat tour to explore the Islands of Mechuque, Quehui and Chelín, or snap a few photos on a tour of the Penguins of Puñiguil. If you are looking to venture to the stunning and remote Carretera Austral (Southern Road), Turismo Pehuen has loads of information and offer transport and accommodation bookings! Their office is located half block from Castro’s Plaza de Armas. Naviera Austral & Navimag Ticket Sales!
10% off bike rental with Get South! Check out their hostel Parador Darwin on Chiloé National Park (2 doubles & 2 twins with shared bathroom) www.paradordarwincucao.cl
CATAMARAN MAR & MAGIA
Balmaceda 297 - CASTRO +56 652531048 Cell: +56 9 71395499 ventas@marymagia.cl www.marymagia.cl
Get out to sea and see the beauty of Chiloé from a different perspective with Mar & Magia’s catamaran tours. Take the half day tour in the morning or afternoon and visit the Fiordo de Castro where you can watch sea lions and see the Tauco colonial fort and different villages on the way. Or spend a whole day out on the water where you can visit Quehui island, a place lost in time, a unique opportunity to see how life has not changed here over the years. The full day tour (8 hours approx) also includes a traditional lunch such as “curanto” or roast lamb on the spit and a free drink. Staff are professional and bilingual and the specially designed catamaran was created with these tours in mind so you can travel in comfort, with also a cafe, cocktail bar and snack bar at hand just in case!
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In low season only the Fiordo de Castro boat trip is organized & just in the weekends! Catamaran Mar y Magia
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CHILOE - CUCAO
CHILOE ISLAND - CUCAO Cucao is a small village at the sparsely populated but beautiful western side of Chiloé Island, a place to enjoy natural beauty and some peace & quiet. The setting of this little town is really magnificent, situated in between the vast beaches of the Pacific Coast at the west side and the gorgeous Lago Cucao at the eastern side, and in between the northern and southern section of the enchanting Chiloé National Park. The park is literally walking distance and due to the cooler and wetter conditions of west Chiloé the vegetation here is green and fertile with an ecosystem that includes temperate rain forests, swamps, peat bogs, long wide beaches and big dunes. Information at the visitor center is available about the range of shorter walks and longer more challenging hikes. Put on some good waterproof hiking boots and clothes because it can get soggy here! In general the northern part of the park is most visited but don’t miss out on going by foot, by mountain bike or horse to the southern section, like to Punta Pirulil with the famous Puente de las Almas, a place with an intriguing legend and tremendous views of the Pacific. Leaving Cucao without doing a kayak trip on the marvellous lake with lots of birdlife is absolutely a crime, you’re gonna love it! And riding a horse or taking a long stroll on the beaches of the fierce Pacific is gonna put a big smile on your face. Getting to Cucao is easy with daily buses from Castro.
HOSTEL PALAFITO CUCAO
On the way to the National Park RURAL CUCAO +56 652971164 palafitocucao@gmail.com www.hostelpalafitocucao.cl
Only a stone’s throw from the National Park (200m), Hostel Palafito Cucao is at the heart of Chiloé. This is the perfect place to set off by foot, horse or kayak to explore. Although the focus is to help you fall in love with the island and enjoy nature at its best, guests are bound to become enamored with this stylish hostel built of native wood and in harmony with nature which overlooks Cucao lake. There is a kitchen available and a supermarket and restaurants are only 50m away. The nine bedrooms, a mixture of dorms, private doubles and twins, all have a terrace with a view of the lake, Wi-Fi, heating, hot water 24hrs a day and private bathrooms, but you won’t find a TV in sight, because Hostal Palafito Cucao is about getting back to the essentials of life, as nature intended.
10% off when you book 3 nights with Get South! 124
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HORNOPIREN
HORNOPIREN - Carretera Austral The Carretera Austral or “Southern Highway” stretches from Puerto Montt down to Villa O’Higgins (over 1200 km). It’s an outstandingly beautiful area with thick rainforests, stunning fjords, unbelievable glaciers, crystal blue lakes and rivers, snowcapped volcanoes, ancient trees, soothing hot springs, and rugged mountains. Hornopirén: It’s a miracle that Hornopirén hasn’t been converted yet in a bustling tourism mecca. There are few destinations with such a natural diversity, it’s absolutely a must for every traveller to stop here some days! The options are endless. You could do the 3 hr trek to Lago Cabrera or explore the Hornopirén NP, a fairly undeveloped trekking paradise with glaciers, mountains, snowy volcanoes and giant alerce tree forests. Summit the picture perfect cone of the Hornopirén Volcano or go up the Yates or Apagado Volcano. A volcanic area means thermal activity; it’s heavenly to soak in hot thermal baths. The Termas de Pichicolo are just a 10 min drive away but you could also enjoy the fjord’s thermal baths: the Termas Llancahué, Cahuelmó & Porcelanas. Yes indeed, Hornopirén has a privileged location at the end of a fjord. It’s an unforgettable experience to go kayaking or boating here, with islands and other fjords nearby, while being welcomed by sea lions, dolphins and birds. And Hornopirén still has more on its menu like visiting different waterfalls or crystal clear rivers such as the Río Blanco, and activities including horseback riding, river kayaking or just enjoying the delicious sea food in the town’s central market. Daily buses connect Hornopirén with Puerto Montt. One bus coming from Puerto Montt continues south by taking the ferry to the area of the splendid Pumalín Park and further to Chaitén (ATM available in Chaitén).
RESIDENCIAL AUSTRAL
Pasaje Pacífico Sur - Centro HORNOPIRÉN Walk just 1 block from the plaza +56 652217214 / +56 9 77487386 in Hornopirén or the bus stop to maria.covasich.diaz@hotmail.com Residencial Austral. www.alsuraustral.cl They have very affordable twin & matrimonial rooms with shared bathroom and matrimonial rooms and a triple room with private bathroom. Every room has cable TV and breakfast and towels are included. You can’t really cook here, but the warmhearted owners can easily heat up your food, and on request they also prepare you a nice meal. Going for a spectacular sea food dish at the nearby market is an excellent option too, yummy! Another possibility is staying in the spacious cabin next door which has a kitchen, living room, TV and 7 beds. Enjoy your stay at this excellent centrally located accommodation, it’s open all year.
5% off with Get south, 10% for 3 nights or more! 125
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FUTALEUFU
FUTALEUFU - Carretera Austral area This village is a world famous mecca for kayaking and rafting: experts rate its class 5+ rapids as within the top 3 in the world! It’s simply a must to grant yourself the extreme adrenaline rush by doing a rafting trip on the dazzlingly turquoise and wild Futaleufú river, or “big river” in native Mapuche. Rafting the river is possible for all levels: novice to expert! Kayaking the strongest rapids is a major challenge for experts. Just a mild walk away from the village, you can take a look at some of the ferocious rapids at the Gelvez Bridge. But the Futaleufú region has so much more up its sleeve for you! This area with lush green forests and marvelous mountains begs to be explored! Put on your hiking boots or jump on a mountain bike or horse to discover Eagle’s Rock and the Lake Espolón Waterfalls at the Northwest Circuit, or the Las Escalas Circuit which follows the banks of the Futaleufú river. The region’s towers and canyons also provide for heart-thumping canyoning, rock climbing and rapelling. To enjoy water in a calm way cruise the area’s lakes and more still rivers by kayak or canoe, or go for some topnotch fly fishing. The nearby border crossing, often used by travellers, connects Futaleufú with the area of Esquel, Argentina. ATM AVAILABLE!
H0STAL LAS NATALIAS
Sector Noroeste n/n The super friendly bilingual owner FUTALEUFÚ Cell: +56 9 61416305 Nathaniel made his dream come true and Cell: +56 9 96311330 built a real backpacker’s hostel, located hostallasnatalias@gmail.com in a quiet spot just a 7 to 10 minute www.hostallasnatalias.info walk from the plaza in Futaleufú. The gorgeous hostel has a spacious kitchen and living room to hang out, relax and make friends from all over the world. The location is amazing with spectacular views and the place is so serene! Las Natalias has 3 dorms with lockers on offer and 3 private rooms (1 with ensuite bathroom). Enjoy the natural climbing wall next to the hostel, take whitewater kayak lessons with Nathaniel and ask him, or his ever popular mom, for more info about local culture, rafting, canyoning, trekking, horseback riding, fishing and much more. Clothes dirty from doing all those fun activities? The hostel has a space for doing your laundry yourself. Normally opened from the 1st of November till the 30th of April. 126
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H0STAL LA GRINGA CARI0CA
Sargento Aldea 498 FUTALEUFÚ Hostal La Gringa Carioca is a super cozy house with a big garden and magnificent +56 652721260 / +56 9 96599341 lagringacarioca@gmail.com views of the Andes Mountains and the Río www.hostallagringacarioca.cl Espolón, where you’ll be welcomed with a big smile by the Brazilian owner Adriana. It’s just a few blocks from the plaza in Futaleufú, but it feels like staying in the countryside. This place is a little more expensive than a hostel, but the beauty and comfort in combination with the impeccable service makes it a great value for money. A good night’s rest is guaranteed in one of the old style, beautifully decorated private rooms: 3 twin rooms and 1 triple with a matrimonial and single bed, all with private bathroom, or in the junior room with a bunk bed and shared bathroom. Towels are included and a delicious breakfast variety is served with eggs, pancakes, fruits, jams, cheese, ham, cereals and more! Hostal La Gringa Carioca - Futaleufu
Free Pisco Sour & free pick-up and dropoff in the village area with Get South!
EXPEDIC IO NES C HILE - Rafting & Kayaking 30 years of experience and an Olympic kayaker as Gabriela Mistral 296 FUTALEUFÚ an owner, Chris Spelius, who’s still involved daily to + 56 652721386 guarantee you top quality. Go to their office at 2 blocks info@exchile.com from the plaza and join them for a day activity on one www.exchile.com of the 4 different rafting trips on the thundering Futa River, hop in a kayak or ducky on the calmer Espolón River, sign up for some topnotch kayak lessons, or enjoy exploring the area’s lakes by sea kayak. Really famous are also their multi-day journeys and adventure packages that take you to the most remote and exclusive places in the Futa area and the rest of Patagonia. Real once in a lifetime and mind blowing experiences. If you contact them for these packages a few days before your arrival in Futaleufú you can score a huge last minute discount if you mention Get South. Operating from November to April. English spoken. Expediciones Chile
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10% off on day activities & BIG discounts on multi-day packages with Get South!
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LA JUNTA
LA JUNTA - Carretera Austral La Junta, located at the confluence of the Río Palena & Río Rosselot, is a nice village surrounded by water in the northern section of the Carretera Austral. The attractive presence of the rivers and lakes like the Lago Rosselot make it a perfect spot to go kayaking, canoeing, boating and fishing of course. The Río Palena is a famous waterway, easily navigable, and insanely beautiful to discover. Lots of people gather in February for the “Ruta del Palena” (check the dates) when they all descend 80km from La Junta to Raúl Marín Balmaceda in a group. This is a very popular and unforgettable event! But you don’t have to hit the water to enjoy this area. A 5km trail starts opposite the village, on the Carretera Austral, to discover the Lago Rosselot National Reserve with wonderful views of the village, the confluence of the rivers and the surrounding mountains, or go trekking in the Mirta River Valley with its unspoiled wilderness. The 75km road west of La Junta to Raúl Marín Balmaceda, following the banks of the Río Palena and with the El Sauce hotsprings on the way, is a highly recommendable detour. This seafront fishing village is quiet & very traditional, and the setting is gorgeous in the delta of the river and surrounded by fjords and long sandy beaches. It’s a must to go fishing or to organize a boat or kayak tour to admire the place’s beauty and the rich marine life like sea lions, dolphins and with a bit of luck whales including the blue whale, the biggest mammal on earth! (Jan – April). Raúl Marín Balmaceda is also accessible by taking the Naviera Austral ferry departing from Quellón on Chiloé Island and making different stops in fishing villages in the fjords of the Carretera Austral region. (www.navieraustral.cl = Ruta Cordillera)
PUYUHUAPI - Carretera Austral Puyuhuapi is a quiet and peaceful village located at the far end of a fjord (220km from Coyhaique), surrounded by hills and mountains covered with thick green vegetation. Four young German immigrants founded it in 1935 and their influence can still be noticed in the local architecture and cuisine. Stroll through this tiny village and admire the local houses, the church, the beauty of the fjord with the clouds drifting over the water in the morning and the colourful fishing boats. Four species of dolphins play in the waters of Puyuhuapi. Take a kayak or boat tour to observe the wonderful fjord and these amazing creatures. Don’t miss out on the Queulat National Park (entrance 24km south of Puyuhuapi) with rivers winding through its fairy tale lush wilderness. The most popular route is the 3,2km hike to the famous hanging glacier or “Ventisquero Colgante” where you can see and hear the ice crashing down on the rocks. In summer you can take it easy and hop on one of the small boats that navigate you across the Laguna Témpanos to the glacier. 51km south of Puyuhuapi is the Bosque Encantado (Enchanted Forest), a moist, magical forest where gremlins and elves must live. An hour’s walk takes you to where the glacial waterfalls drop into the river. Take all your wet weather gear. Tired from being overwhelmed by the enchanting assets of Mother Nature? Soak your bones in the hotsprings “Termas del Ventisquero” or the more luxurious “Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa”. This is pure pampering, with fantastic views as a bonus! There is also a natural hotspring, but only accesible by kayak or boat. NO ATM AT THIS VILLAGE! 128
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PUYUHUAPI
H0STEL Y CABAÑAS AUGUST0 GR0SSE This is one of the only hostels with dorms Camilo Henríquez 4 on the Carretera Austral; a gorgeous PUYUHUAPI building located in the village, completely +56 672325150 – Cell: (9) 88260638 constructed in wood and wonderfully hostalaugustogrosse@gmail.com www.hostalaugustogrosse.cl decorated. No big overcrowded dorms here, but a very comfortable one with 4 beds with duvet covers and lockers. Also 2 private rooms are available: 1 matrimonial room and 1 with a bunk bed. Despite its small size, there are 2 bathrooms and towels are always included. There is also a new cabin for up to 5 people with a matrimonial and a triple room; a fairytale place to have an unforgettable stay. The hostel, as well as the cabin, has a cozy living room with a wooden stove to heat you up and in both a fully equipped kitchen is at your disposal. Don’t miss out on the many activities in the area; the owners will gladly help you with recommendations and reservations. Laundry service available. Open all year round.
Show Get South on arrival and get a free key ring made from native wood!
Bed and Breakfast COMUY-HUAPI Comuy Huapi’s rooms, all with private Pedro Llautureo 143 PUYUHUAPI bathroom & towels, are a very nice +56 9 77661984 surprise. Doze off in one of the comfortable, tere.puyuhuapi@hotmail.com spacious and affordable twin-bedded or www.comuy-huapi.cl matrimonial rooms or the larger family rooms. The kind owners, who try to deliver you a spotless service all year round are aware of the importance of having a shared room. Solo travellers now have a brand new 5 bed dorm with private bathroom at their disposal to count sheep. Did you notice another ultra hot globetrotter at Comuy Huapi? Surprise her or him with a sexy dish you made in the kitchen. You won’t have to go far to shop for the ingredients, everything is nearby with the place’s splendid location next to the town’s square and very close to the waterfront. By the way, a tasty breakfast will be awaiting you in the morning. Hostal Comuyhuapi
10% off with
Get South! 129
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PUYUHUAPI
LA SIRENA - Camping & Hostel
Costanera 148 PUYUHUAPI +56 672325100 Cell: +56 9 78806251 lasirenapuyuhuapi@gmail.com
The strength of La Sirena is the camping area with its roof sheltered sites that allow you to pitch your tent even when it’s raining cats & dogs. An indoor area with a wood stove is perfect to prepare your meals and to dry your wet jacket and boots. Fed up with camping? They also have a cabin with a private bathroom and hot stove to cook. Or sleep in one of the single or double rooms with a shared bathroom in their small hostel with cooking facilities. Don’t expect any luxury in these rooms, they are very basic, but you’ll sleep like a baby. Elio, the friendly owner, organizes boat trips through the fjord and all necessary transfers in the area. He also has a vehicle for rent. La Sirena is located at one block of the main street, at 20 meters from the waterfront. Closed in winter time!
Ask for your Get South discount. More nights = better deal! Also discounts on tours & car rental for guests!
EXPERIENCIA AUSTRAL
Otto Uebel n/n PUYUHUAPI This excellent agency has one mission: Cell: +56 9 87448755 delivering you the real Experiencia Austral contacto@experienciaustral.com in the incredible region of Puyuhuapi. www.experienciaustral.com Don’t miss their really cool and inexpensive half day kayak trip on the fjord to natural thermal baths, with a good chance of spotting dolphins on the way. But their menu includes so much more: exciting mountain bike & trekking tours to the fabulous Queulat Park, boat trips on the fjord or further to the Isla Magdalena area and multiday kayak trips. The local owner Adonis and his team can also solve your transport problems to the area’s highlights whether it’s by car or boat. He rents out mountain bikes and kayaks, and he’s even opening a café and bistro next to his office on the main road opposite the town’s plaza. English also spoken. Operating all year, but contact in advance from May to October. Experiencia Austral
10% off on kayak and MTB tours. 15% off for groups of 4 or more. 130
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PUERTO CISNES - PUERTO GAVIOTA
PUERTO CISNES - PUERTO GAVIOTA - Carretera Austral area Puerto Cisnes is a harbour town at about 200km north of Coyhaique and 90km south of Puyuhuapi. It’s located where the Río Cisnes flows into the ocean water of the Puyuhuapi Channel. Boat, kayak & fishing trips are the main attractions here with all this water. But one of the most special things to do on your Carretera Austral voyage is located at the opposite side of the channel on Isla Magdalena and in its National Park. This vast remote wilderness with exuberant vegetation has a very special village at the southern tip: Puerto Gaviota. Why is it so special to visit this little town? The answer is simple! It’s different of all the other things you’re gonna do on your trip! Imagine a very remote tiny fishermen’s village, only accessible by boat, built up at the waterfront with only one big boardwalk to connect all the houses of the small community that holds on to its traditions and tries to live from fishing. Learning about and participating in their way of life and their struggle to survive is a unique and unforgettable experience. You can join the welcoming locals when they head out with their fishing boats, also an amazing way to discover the extraordinary area and its abundant marine and bird life. And of course you’re gonna taste the yummy fish and gigantic mussels afterwards! You can make nice hikes from the village to explore the lush green vegetation of the Isla Magdalena NP as well. The easiest way to reach Puerto Gaviota is very cheap: a 3hr ferry trip with Naviera Austral leaving from Puerto Cisnes on Thursday & Sunday. Returns are possible every Friday or Monday. (check on www.navieraustral.cl: “Ruta Cordillera”). This “Ruta Cordillera” ferry actually operates between Quellón (Chiloé) and Puerto Chacabuco (near Coyhaique) and stops in different remote (island) villages. It’s fantastic to do this trip or a part of it: really of-the-beaten-track!
CABAÑAS AMPARO
PUERTO GAVIOTA blanca.morras@gmail.com Blanca Morrás, the very friendly Cell: +56 9 75301984 owner of Cabañas Amparo is proud islamagdalena.blogspot.com as a peacock about Puerto Gaviota Isla Magdalena Cisnes and is determined to give you a memorable stay! She’s practically the unofficial tourism ambassador and knows the place like the back of her hand. She’ll make sure you get in touch with the local fishermen and their special way of life. Blanca has a cabin at the waterfront with a double and a triple room at an affordable rate. And she doesn’t make any fuzz about accommodating a solo traveller, her goal is to make you happy and to show Puerto Gaviota to the world! The cabin has a kitchen but why would you make those pots dirty when you can eat the catch of the day together with the locals! Let Blanca know when you arrive via email or Facebook and your welcome committee will be awaiting you when 10% off with Get South & 25% off the boat arrives!
when staying 4 nights or more!
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COYHAIQUE
COYHAIQUE - Carretera Austral Coyhaique is the capital of the region and the only city you’re going to encounter on the Carretera Austral, so get all the Chilean pesos you are going to need (as there won’t be many options) or buy the equipment you’re missing. Outdoor stores, supermarkets, restaurants, banks, souvenir shops, and even some pubs. Do you plan to rent a car? Make your deal here! Visit the Coyhaique National Reserve (about 5km from the city) where you can do a wonderful day hike up to the top of the Cerro Cinchao with its moonlike landscape and a magnificent 360 degree view. The Río Simpson National Reserve is located along the road to Puerto Aysén and Puerto Chacabuco. The river is flanked by dramatic rock formations and is known for kayak descents, summer bathing and top-class fishing. 66km from Coyhaique to the west you’ll reach the second biggest place of the area, Puerto Aysén. Spend some time here; you’ll be surprised of the beauty of the surrounding area with its picturesque rivers and lakes, virgin green forest and stunning fjords. Kayaking on the Aysén River and the Los Palos Lake, and boating the fjords are definitely highlights of the trip and there are many trails to tackle by mountain bike or on foot, like at the Aiken Park, a 220-hectare reserve on the shores of Riesco Lake. 14km away is Puerto Chacabuco where the ferry arrives from Puerto Montt (www.navimag.com).
HOSPEDAJE COYHAIQUE
Lautaro 402 corner Cochrane COYHAIQUE If you are looking for convenience and +56 672524521 cheap prices Hospedaje Coyhaique is Cell: +56 9 94775430 / 91410967 the perfect spot for you. With 24 hour riquelmehaa@hotmail.com reception, you can arrive at any time to this 14 room budget accommodation where you’ll be given your own key to come and go as you please. They have 5 private matrimonial rooms, and plenty twin or triple room (some en-suite) to choose from, all with excellent prices! Just a block off the main high street and restaurants, 2 blocks from the bus terminal, and with two of the biggest supermarkets on your doorstep - everything is within arm’s reach. If you do decide to stay in during the evening and want to cook something yourself there is a guest kitchen on the first floor. Pick up 10% off a supply to make yourself breakfast too with as meals are left up to you at Hospedaje Get South! Coyhaique. 132
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PATAGONIA MARMOL TOUR
Max. Casas 795 COYHAIQUE The day tours of this agency with more than 30 years of experience +56 672233286 / Cell: +56 9 93562138 dario.figueroa27@gmail.com are operated with modern and www.patagoniamarmoltour.cl comfy vehicles with aircon. Sign in on a tour leaving from Coyhaique to Puerto Río Tranquilo to admire the famous Marble Chapels or opt for a tour that combines the chapels with a trip to the viewpoint of the Exploradores Glacier. Another popular trip is heading north, to the fairytale Parque Queulat, where you can explore its trails and impressive hanging glacier. The road to both destinations is gorgeous, regular photo stops will be made and the guide, bilingual if necessary, will tell you about the region’s culture, history and traditions. It’s also possible to do a tour one way and to stay at the destination, a great solution when all public transport is full. All bookings are made via phone or email.
10% off
Catedral de Mármol Capillas de Mármol
with
Get South!
THE PATAGONIAN EXPERIENCE
Dussen 317 COYHAIQUE Whether you want day trips or skiing (in winter) in Cell: +56 9 96371858 the Coyhaique area, 2 or 3 day trips to highlights +56 672210700 like the Queulat NP, Marble chapels, Caleta (English) +56 9 77573695 Tortel or the San Rafael, Leones & Exploradores info@tpe.cl / www.tpe.cl glaciers and longer trips to cover the whole north or south section of the Carretera Austral, The Patagonian Experience can do it all! But they are off-the-beaten-track experts too. In fact, Gonzalo, the owner, knows the Carretera Austral like the back of his hand, perfect to take you also to the most remote and special places. The personal approach and level of service by the team of bilingual guides will make you feel welcome and at ease. The office is located half a block from the Plaza de Armas in Coyhaique, next to their coffee & pastry shop “Holzer” - a really sublime place to have coffee and cake or a delicious breakfast. The agency operates all year round.
Free breakfast “Desayuno Holzer” when booking a tour.
the patagonian experience
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Villa Cerro Castillo
VILLA CERRO CASTILLO - Carretera Austral Located 95km south of Coyhaique, Villa Cerro Castillo feels more like a small settlement than a village, with only a few small streets and shops. But this little town is dominated by the impressive basalt spires and glaciers of its namesake, the Cerro Castillo National Reserve, a huge wild mountainous area with glaciers and spectacular views. Cerro Castillo has the ingredients to become “the new Torres del Paine” with the main difference that you will hardly find anyone there! Villa Cerro Castillo, at the south end of the park, is the perfect base to explore it. The people of the village are horseback riding specialists, and the Ibañez valley is a wonderful spot to go for a walk or ride. But the main attraction is going up into the park to the Cerro Castillo Lagoon at 1600m with jaw-dropping views of the lagoon, a hanging glacier and the valley. Go on horseback for the first half up and continue on foot, a really unforgettable and recommendable experience, or do the whole ascent with your own pure body strength. Hardcore hikers will definitely go for the 4-5 day hike starting from Las Horquetas Grandes at the northern entrance of the park, a spectacular high route via glaciers, rivers and lakes, ending in Villa Cerro Castillo. If you have all the equipment you can do the hike on your own, otherwise you can rent it or hire a local guide in the village (we recommend to hire a guide). A short 3km walk south from the village you’ll find the Aleros de las Manos, a natural rock shelter with interesting Tehuelche rock paitings. NO ATM OR PETROL!
SENDEROS PATAGONIA - Camping & Horseback riding Senderos Patagonia, opened from Carretera Austral Km 100 October to May, is a fantastic place VILLA CERRO CASTILLO to head to: it combines the option of Cell: +56 9 62244725 / 62057166 pitching your tent or sleeping in a bed, senderospatagonia@gmail.com a very high level of horseback riding www.aysensenderospatagonia.com & trekking expertise and a perfect location next to the Carretera Austral opposite of the village. The newly built refugio houses a matrimonial room, a spacious dorm with lockers, and shared bathrooms. People camping can also use the refugio’s kitchen, bathrooms and chill-out room. The horseback tours are amazing, with no over-sized groups, and their safety record is impeccable. Explore the valley on a 3 hour tour or do the full day combo of riding and trekking up to the Laguna Cerro Castillo and its glacier. The bilingual crew is also your perfect source of info on all your trekking adventures. And they offer guiding services, with all equipment & food, for the famous 4 day hike in the reserve.
5% off at the hostel or book a tour and get 1 night free camping or 10% off at the hostel! 134
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Villa Cerro Castillo
TURISMO AL GALOPE LA ARAUCARIA Walk from the Carretera Austral straight Los Pioneros 962 VILLA CERRO CASTILLO through the village to the end. Here you Cell: +56 9 76611709 will find Turismo El Galope La Araucaria cabalgatacastillo@gmail.com with its big green grounds. It’s a nice www.turismolaaraucaria.cl place with space for lots of tents and it’s the only campsite in the area that has domes - a modern kind of big tent with a floor and bunk beds. The campsite’s quincho is a communal space with a spacious dining room, a kitchen and a ping pong table to challenge your fellow campers. On request, a fire can be started up for a special Patagonian asado*, a traditional way to prepare a juicy and delicious lamb. Something unique to experience! Felidor, the owner, also organizes horse riding tours. Hop on a horse to do a full-day horseback tour up to the Laguna Cerro Castillo or shorter ones in the valley. Open from October to April.
4th night camping for free & 10% off on horseback tours with Get South! Turismo Al Galope La Araucaria
PUERTO RIO TRANQUILO - Carretera Austral It’s just a small village on the shores of the magestic Lago General Carrera, but a place where every tourist has to stop. Why? The answer is simple... this place has loads of extraordinary activities on offer. A must for everybody is a boat or kayak tour to the Capillas de Marmól or Marble Chapels. Thousands of years of erosion by wind and water have resulted in a masterpiece of natural art. You’ll be imposed by the game of light and colour in the caverns and tunnels, and the lake’s transparent water. The recently constructed 77km long Camino a Exploradores, a fantastic scenic road which departs in town and goes to the Exploradores Bay, has opened up a lot of possibilities in the area. This windy road packed with glaciers, rivers and lakes is absolutely impressive and is the gateway to visit the mighty Exploradores Glacier, where amazing ice walks are possible. Due to this road Puerto Río Tranquilo has become the new hub to visit the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve San Rafael National Park and its famous San Rafael Lagoon and Glacier. The combination of driving the Camino a Exploradores, admiring the spectacular scenery, boating from the end of the road to the Laguna* San Rafael, gazing at this mind blowing glacier and experiencing the thundering noise and the tsunami-like waves when the ice falls down, makes it a very special experience. NO ATM BUT PETROL AVAILABLE! 135
Puerto Río Tranquilo
Chile
HOSPEDAJE LA PAZ Hospedaje La Paz is a very good budget option in Puerto Río Tranquilo, located just 1 block from the Carretera Austral itself.
Los Exploradores 336 PUERTO RIO TRANQUILO Cell: +56 9 66488061 lapazenpatagonia@hotmail.cl
It’s a very homey place with a big living room with TV, run by a very sweet older couple: Domingo & Lidia. The rooms (singles, doubles, triples, quadruples) are nice and come with shared bathrooms. The brekkie is optional and to use the kitchen you should ask Lidia first. Very handy is the hospedaje’s grocery shop, open from 8am - 11pm, with products ranging from different kinds of meat, cheese, bread, pasta, veggies & fruits to instant noodles, cookies and even peanut butter. Non-guests are also welcome to purchase here. La Paz is opened all year and laundry service is possible.
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DESTIN0 PATAG0NIA - San Rafael Glacier Tours A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the San Gilberta Flores 208 PUERTO RÍO TRANQUILO Rafael glacier has a remote location, Cell:+56 9 91586044 with no crowds at all. Destino Patagonia is based in Puerto Río Tranquilo, but emilia.astorga@destinopatagonia.cl www.destinopatagonia.cl the tour starts at the end of the Camino a Exploradores, a recently built 77km long spectacular road. Two local and friendly guides will take you on a 2,5hrs adventurous boat ride across the Rio Exploradores delta through a picture perfect landscape until you reach the San Rafael glacier. They offer full day trips where you can sip a free whiskey prepared with glacier ice while being stunned by the view and the thundering noise of the glacier. They also have a 2 or 3 day tour with trekking possibilities and/or kayak trip if you like to be one of the few people to spend the night in the National Park (meals included in all trips). Destino Patagonia 10% off with operates from September to April. Get South! English speaking guides available. 136
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Puerto Río Tranquilo
EL PUESTO EXPEDICIONES
Pedro Lagos 18 PUERTO RIO TRANQUILO To experience the greatness of the Exploradores +56 9 62073709 / 51893146 glacier, to feel it and to be overwhelmed by its expediciones@elpuesto.cl crystal blue colour, your best pick is without www.elpuesto.cl a doubt El Puesto Expediciones - the pioneers El Puesto that started up the first tourism activities on the glacier. The nice wooden building at the glacier is theirs, a big plus to put on your equipment & get the briefing in a comfy way. Experience, safety and a quality product at a normal price, there’s no reason not to choose for them for a glacier walk, ice-climbing (also for beginners) or for camping on the glacier. A very popular & fun excursion is also their kayak tours to the Capillas de Mármol. El Puesto uses sea kayaks to guarantee your safety. Don’t underestimate the danger of renting a sit-on-top kayak on a lake of this size and its sudden weather changes & cold water. They have a main office (Casa del Turista) in 10% off on glacier Pedro Lagos 18 and a small ticket booth at the walks with Get South! waterfront. Operating all year.
TURISMO VALLE LEONES
Carretera Austral n/n +56 9 87485426 Sign up for a horseback tour with Turismo info@valleleones.cl Valle Leones, a local company with lots of www.valleleones.cl experience and English speaking guides. They take you on a gorgeous trip to the Leones Valley 29 km south of Puerto Río Tranquilo, one of the last untouched areas by men filled with rivers, waterfalls, natural terraces and green forest. Or join the Puerto Río Tranquilo horseback tour, following the ancient rider’s tracks, from the time when there were no roads, and learn about the gaucho culture while admiring the magnificent Lago General Carrera. Don’t panic if you’ve got a horse phobia. Turismo Valle Leones also organize treks in the Leones Valley to the Leones lake & glacier, really interesting hikes in the fossil fields of Puerto Guadal and glacier walks on the Exploradores Glacier. Their ticket booth & office is located at the waterfront. Operating all year round. Turismo Valle Leones
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PUERTO GUADAL
PUERTO GUADAL - Carretera Austral area Puerto Guadal, also called “La Perla del Lago” (pearl of the lake), is a sleepy village located in a beautiful bay at the southwest end of the Lago General Carrera, 13km east of the Carretera Austral, and well worth the little detour. It’s 89km from Puerto Río Tranquilo and 112km from Chile Chico. Due to the pleasant microclimate Puerto Guadal has more days of sunshine than any other village in the area! The view of the lake and the snowcapped mountains at the northwestern side is absolutely mind-blowing. This is an oasis of rest, to enjoy peace and quiet while relaxing at the beach or admiring the gorgeous views from a kayak. The nearby Falls of the Maquis River are really pretty. The river tumbles here over steep cliffs with multiple impressive waterfalls as a result. Do the nice hike up to see them all! And higher in the hills behind Puerto Guadal you can go back in time to very interesting fossil fields, a wonderful place to go for a hike or horseback ride with nice views of the lakes and the mountains. Laguna Manga is another option to walk to, a relaxed and quiet area. Puerto Guadal is also a nice base to go for a day trip to the rafting village Puerto Bertrand and its ultra blue Río Baker, just 25km away or to Puerto Río Tranquilo with the Marble Chapels & the Exploradores Glacier. There are bus services to Puerto Guadal from Chile Chico, Puerto Río Tranquilo, Cochrane and even Coyhaique. Check the website of Destino No Turistico for all the details (www.destino-noturistico.com). NO ATM!
ECO HOSTEL DESTINO NO TURISTICO Eco-conscious travellers will be Camino Laguna La Manga km 1,5 stunned when they arrive at this PUERTO GUADAL bright and colourful off-the-beateninfo@destino-noturistico.com track eco-hostel in Puerto Guadal’s www.destino-noturistico.com countryside. The hostel and the place in general with its native forest is so beautiful that you’re gonna stay here longer than you intended. The spacious 6 bed dorm, the twin room, the shared bathrooms and the living room & kitchen are gorgeous, and camping is so peaceful. Marcelo and Rocío’s ecological and educative project is all about sustainable life with solar showers, parabolic sun cooker, composting toilets... Here you will learn, experience and get inspired with new ideas about recycling, renewable energies, solar cooking, organic agriculture and permaculture. Guided visits to the project are also possible for non-guests. Closed: May to September, exact dates on the website. How to get there: Located 1,5 Km from Puerto Guadal town, on the “Camino Laguna La Manga” road. Check the website for bus information.
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CHILE CHICO
CHILE CHICO - Carretera Austral area Chile Chico is located at the southern banks of the Lago General Carrera only 6km from the Argentinean border. Nature lovers and hikers should definitely visit the spectacular Jeinimeni National Reserve (65km from town) with steppe, rivers & lakes, colourful & spectacular rock formations, high peaks and vast valleys. It’s a wild park with lots of remote corners, and it’s amazing for trekking & horseriding, camping and wildlife spotting. The Piedra Clavada is a prominent 40m high vertical rock column and at La Cueva de Las Manos you can admire ancient rock paintings. Have a guess at which birds are present at the Laguna de los Flamencos, and don’t miss drop dead gorgeous Lago Jeinimeni & Lago Verde. More and more travellers cross from Jeinimeni to Parque Patagonia (Valle Chacabuco), a fantastic 2 or 3 day trek! But it’s not just about Jeinimeni here, Chile Chico’s nice location at the marvelous Lago General Carrera makes it also a terrific place to paddle a kayak around for a few hours or up to several days! Watching the sunrise from Chile Chico’s renewed lakeside promenade is great and going up the viewpoint next to the center is something easy to do. Many travellers cross the nearby border coming from Los Antiguos and the Ruta 40 in Argentina to enter the Carretera Austral region. Moving on from Chile Chico is possible by ferry-crossing to Puerto Ibañez to go to Villa Cerro Castillo or north. Taking a bus over the windy and narrow road westwards to Puerto Guadal is a gorgeous and exciting option, with stunning views over the Lago General Carrera.
K0N-AIKEN Accommodation & Excursions Pedro Burgos 3 Kon-Aiken is located in the center of Chile CHILE CHICO Chico in the heart of Chilean Patagonia. It is +56 672411598 a popular budget option in town and a place Cell: +56 9 97950406 where you’ll meet a bunch of international jmercegue7@hotmail.com travellers. A big property with 4 fully www.kon-aiken.cl equipped cabins, a double room with private bathroom and some dorms of different sizes with shared bathrooms. Towels are included and breakfast is served. Kon-Aiken is also a place to camp. There is lots of space to pitch a tent and the high trees protect you from the strong winds. A kitchen and BBQ-grill are available for all guests and there is a separate shower block for the campers. Book your trips with the owner Juan like kayaking on the General Carrera Lake or a visit to the Jeinimeni National 10% off Reserve in his own minivan.
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CHILE CHICO
HOSPEDAJE DON LUIS
Balmaceda 175 CHILE CHICO Half a block from the plaza, in a perfect location, you’ll be welcomed with a big Cell: +56 9 77644561 / 84414970 hospedajedonluis1992@gmail.com smile at Hospedaje Don Luis. Choose one of the nice rooms with shared or private bathroom, the latter with towels included, and show off your culinary skills in the kitchen before guzzling down your meal in the dining & living room. Yolanda and Romina can also provide breakfast, lunch or dinner on request. Their small campsite, also with a cabin, 1km from town, has a communal area for cooking with hot plates and cooking utensils. Here you can pick your lettuce from the veggie garden. They allow just a few people at a time here, so it’s relaxed and quiet, and bicycles can be used to go into town. Let them know at the hospedaje and they’ll bring you to the campsite. Open all year. Hospedaje Don Luis
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PATAGONIA ACTIVA - Trekking, Horseback riding & Kayaking Juan Pablo and Cristina are so eager to show Miraflores 10 - Costanera CHILE CHICO you the natural beauty and local customs +56 9 87465579 and traditions of the area and its people. He +56 9 77001028 was born in Chile Chico and really knows the patagoniaactiva@hotmail.com region by heart. Trekking and/or horseback riding in the Jeinimeini reserve is spectacular. Patagonia Activa opened up new and remote routes here and you could even cross from Jeinimeini to Parque Patagonia (Valle Chacabuco) with them. The kayak expeditions on the Lago General Carrera or Laguna Jeinimeini are also absolutely epic, and they have many more breathtaking destinations up their sleeve for you. The tours & expeditions are always adapted to the group’s wishes and you’ll sleep or camp in the most unique and mind blowing natural spots. You’ll not regret choosing Patagonia Activa with its home base at the waterfront in Chile Chico. 10% off with English spoken, operating all year round.
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COCHRANE
COCHRANE - Carretera Austral Cochrane is the major village and hub of the south of the Carretera Austral. Try to spot the endangered huemul deer at the Tamango National Reserve (3-4 km from town) with the largest population in Chile of these shy creatures. The Río Cochrane going through the park is crystal clear. It’s so much fun to do the boat trips going upstream, the scenery is gorgeous. Tamango has nice trails for every level: from 1-2 hour walks to half, full day and multi-day treks. 18km north of Cochrane, Parque Patagonia (Valle Chacabuco) is the wildlife paradise of the Carretera Austral. It’s home to flamingos, foxes, armadillos, pumas, condors and herds of guanacos. The park is huge with different types of landscapes and a range of very attractive treks & campsites. More and more travellers also make the crossing from Parque Patagonia to the Jeinimeni National Reserve (Chile Chico area). The Cochrane area also invites you to hit the water: kayaking on Lake Cochrane or Esmeralda, or the mighty Río Baker. And diving or snorkelling in the former mentioned extremely clear Río Cochrane is a new exciting activity.The Monte San Lorenzo, 55km south, is a heaven for trekking & horseback riding with a refuge and campsites. Some people also attempt to summit this mountain, the second highest peak of Patagonia (3.706m). The gorgeous Calluqueo Glacier, also in San Lorenzo, is fairly new on the tourism map and is quickly gaining popularity. Taking the Carretera Austral 60km south of Cochrane, you’ll pass the side-way to Los Ñadis Valley. Here you’ll find campsites and the Río Baker ferocious El Saltón rapids & the spectacular El Corte San Carlos trail, carved out of the rocks to bypass the rapids. ATM (only Mastercard, no Visa) & PETROL AVAILABLE.
H0SPEDAJE Y CAMPING C0CHRANE
Dr.Steffens 451 COCHRANE You’ll not expect a garden this size and this nice, +56 672522377 at just one block from the main plaza. Pitch your Cell: +56 9 77664752 tent under one of the trees and enjoy the hot water pquintana13@gmail.com in one of the showers. The guestbook is filled with names from people from all over the globe; the perfect place to meet up with fellow travellers and to swop your novel at their book exchange. Craving for a real bed? They also have a small house opened all year round, with single or twin rooms and a living room with a stove and TV. The bathroom is shared and towels are included. During camping season (September to April), a cooking area is provided in an outdoor space with roof. Patricia, your hostess, breaths passion for her job and pampers her guests. She can make you a meal or organize laundry service and she will inform you in detail on how to discover the most special places around Cochrane! 10% off when Hospedaje y Camping Cochrane
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Chile
CALETA TO RTEL
CALETA TORTEL - Carretera Austral area Caleta Tortel is a unique isolated village at the mouth of the Río Baker, built up with boardwalks, footbridges and staircases instead of roads. Leg power brings you around the village, or you can take a water taxi. The scenery is beautiful; it’s surrounded by milky glacier water and breathtaking hills and mountains. Just strolling around, admiring the place’s extraordinary beauty and observing how the locals live in a special place like this, makes it already well worth going to Caleta Tortel. Close to the village’s entrance there’s also a trail going up with some magnificent panoramic views of town and the Río Baker’s delta. Jumping on a boat or kayak makes your Tortel experience complete. Just cruising around in the village’s area is marvelous, or join a longer tour to other great spots. Isla de los Muertos is located in the delta of the Río Baker. In the winter of 1906, the majority of a group of workers died here and nobody knows exactly what happened. The different theories and the mysterious graveyard on this lush green island will let your imagination run wild. Beautiful kayak tours descending the last part of the Río Baker, visiting the Isla de los Muertos, and ending with paddling on the area’s sea water are also possible. Caleta Tortel is also the point to organize the spectacular boat trip to the Steffen Glacier, located in the southern part of the Laguna San Rafael NP or to the Jorge Montt Glacier, a splendid glacier coming down from the famous Southern Ice Fields. Poor cameras! They’ll be working overtime shooting all those amazing views! Caleta Tortel has an excellent bus connection with Cochrane! No ATM or petrol station!
RESIDENCIAL CHANITO & RESTAURANT It’s the cheapest option in town, you Sector Rincón Alto n/n don’t have to go anywhere to buy Parking lot area CALETA TORTEL food, and the location of this place is +56 9 81819839 so incredibly convenient, situated at the solitachb@gmail.com entrance of Caleta Tortel, next to the parking lot. This means that you don’t have to drag your bags and bicycles all over the village, which is difficult with all the boardwalks and stairways. Residencial Chanito has two 3 bed dorms and one matrimonial room, a communal bathroom, and a kitchen for use at the restaurant next door (at certain hours). Breakfast is optional or you can buy their delicious homemade bread at their little shop which also has veggies & fruit. At their restaurant various meals are offered for every budget. It’s a good and easy option to fill up your belly! Open all year round.
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VILLA O’HIGGINS
VILLA O’HIGGINS - Carretera Austral When you arrive in Villa O’Higgins you’ve reached the end of the Carretera Austral, or if you’ve made the crossing from Argentina your journey on this mythical road is about to start! The real end of the Carretera Austral is in fact 7km south of Villa O’Higgins at Bahía Bahamondes. Don’t forget to take a snapshot here with the official sign! Villa O’Higgins is located at the stunning O’Higgins Lake, one of the biggest lakes in Patagonia. The region’s wildlife is abundant with different species of birds and the endangered huemul deer. The tourist office has a basic map with great day hikes to e.g. the Cerro Santiago, Glaciar Mosco or Tigre and the Altavista trail. Definitely explore some of these! Villa O’Higgins is also the entry point for the gigantic Southern Patagonian Ice Fields. Sign up for a (multi-day) ice hike or why not an adventurous expedition to experience them to the fullest. Different boats leave from Villa O´Higgins (Nov-Mar) to cross the lake to Candelario Mansilla (2,5hrs), and some of them continue to the awe-inspiring O’Higgins glacier with its spectacular walls. Candelario Mansilla is the place to get off if you want to hike to the famous viewpoint of the O’Higgins glacier or to start the adventurous crossing to El Chaltén in Argentina. Get ready for 22km of hiking or biking to Lago del Desierto, a 30 min boat ride, and a 1,5 hr bus or 40km bike ride to El Chaltén. (2 day trip: accommodation available in Candelario Mansilla & Lago del Desierto). It’s also possible by horse with an all-in package provided by an operator. Tip: the area of Villa O’Higgins & El Chaltén is one of Patagonia’s best trekking areas with an amazing amount of incredible trails. Get the superb map(s) created by the people of the Robinson Crusoe Deep Patagonia Lodge in Villa O’Higgins. No ATM.
TSONEK ECO CAMP & EXPEDICIONES A short 5 min. stroll from Villa O’Higgins center, at Carretera Austral s/n VILLA O’HIGGINS the north entrance of the village, will bring you to Cell: +56 9 78929695 nature heaven called Tsonek Eco Camp, a famous info@tsonek.cl meeting spot for travellers and adventurers from all www.tsonek.cl over the world. It’s located in a beautiful forest where you can set up your tent on one of the special platforms. The cozy communal area is the center point of the camp where people cook, chitchat and warm up in front of the wood stove. Tsonek is eco in the true sense of the word. Everything is built here with recycled materials, all energy is self-generated and waste is recycled. But Mauricio and Julia, the super friendly owners, do so much more than just running the camp. They are topnotch guides, perfect to take you trekking or bird watching in the divine Villa O’Higgins’ area with its Patagonian forest, lakes, rivers and glaciers. They speak English, French, Italian & Spanish. We bet you’re gonna stay here longer than planned! Open all year.
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At the time of writing Tsonek was planning to equip some platforms with roofs and to build a dorm. Tsonek Expediciones
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VILLA O’HIGGINS
HOSPEDAJE & SUPERMERCADO CORDILLERA Hospedaje Cordillera consists of 2 Lago Salto 302 VILLA O’HIGGINS buildings, the main house and a newly built part, with the supermarket in- +56 672431829 /Cell: 9 97796144 mir.ta.mendoza@hotmail.com between. Both houses have a communal living room and kitchen, and the various rooms with or without private bathroom are nice, especially the ones in the new part with its extremely comfy and modern showers. After a heavenly shower in the morning and drying yourself with the provided towels, a delicious breakfast is served with cheese, ham, eggs and homemade marmalade and bread. Enjoy your stay at Hospedaje Cordillera with its lovely owner Mirta. At the supermarket, between both houses, you can buy about everything, from food to spare bicycle parts, international plugs and chargers, situated at just 1,5 block from the town’s plaza and 1 5% off with block from the bus terminal. Can it get any Get South! more convenient? Open all year.
PUERTO NATALES - TORRES DEL PAINE Puerto Natales is the point of entry to Torres del Paine National Park. It’s a very pleasant town with beautiful views of the surrounding water and mountains. Most travellers spend some nights here before and after they go to the park. It’s the place to organize your park visit whether that means booking a tour or your park accommodation, signing up for a thrilling activity, stocking up your food supplies or renting/buying the equipment you’re missing. While you’re based in Puerto Natales, plan an excursion to the Milodón Cave, an archaeological site named after the milodón, a now extinct animal whose remains were found in the cave. Climb to the summit of Dorotea Sierra, to get a great panorama of the town as well as the fjords and mountains in the area. Visit Bernardo O’Higgins National Park and take a boat trip to feel tiny next to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. 144
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PUERTO NATALES - TORRES DEL PAINE
The renowned Torres del Paine National Park, located 147km from Puerto Natales, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1978 and it recently got chosen as the 8th Wonder of the World. This park will simply knock your socks off with its natural beauty, a landscape filled with lakes, rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, mountains and of course the famous granite towers that gave the park its name. It’s also home of an impressive range of animals like guanacos, ñandus*, foxes, pumas, skunks, condors, eagles, flamingos, etc. The possibilities to discover the park are endless. Get those boots dirty at this trekking paradise at one of the several day hikes, the popular 4 to 5 day W-Circuit or the 7 to 8 day O-Circuit. Put on those crampons and enter the massive Grey Glacier, hit the water with a paddle and kayak the lakes, rivers or in between gigantic icebergs, pump up those muscles and climb a challenging wall, mount a horse and gallop around like a pro, launch that bait in the water and catch a huge fish, cruise the lakes on a ship and admire the scenery or imagine being an 18th century explorer and do a multi-day expedition to the most remote corners of the park. A lot of people opt to sleep in a tent or in a refugio dorm bed in the park. Keep in mind that camping spots and refugio beds often are booked up quickly in high season, making a reservation in advance essential. The weather can be very harsh and changeable, dress in layers and take a good waterproof wind stopper and hiking boots. There are daily buses from Puerto Natales, stopping at different spots in the park. Inform where to get off depending of what your plans are.
FANTÁSTIC0 SUR - Treks & L0dging Fantástico Sur has several mountain Esmeralda 661 refugios, campsites or cabins in the Puerto Natales +56 612614184 famous Torres del Paine NP. They offer ventas@fantasticosur.com full packages, self-guided or with a guide, www.fantasticosur.com to tackle the W-Circuit with everything included, like accommodation, transport & food, so you have nothing to worry about! Their professional staff and clear website will help you plan and book your park visit and accommodation, whether you want to sleep in a refugio dorm bed, a cozy cabin, a domo or want to pitch your tent in the great outdoors. As well as booking a full package you can just secure your place to sleep (often necessary due to the popularity of the park). Seperate options like meals, sheets (in a made up bed), sleeping bags, camping equipment, ready pitched tents, and transport are also possible. Accommodation opened from mid September to the end of April. English spoken. fantasticosur.circuito.w 145
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PUERTO NATALES - TORRES DEL PAINE
PATAG0NIA ADVENTURE H0STEL & ORBIT PATAG0NIA With a hostel and a tourism agency at the Tomas Rogers 179 same place, you can sort out your rest and +56 612411028 info@apatagonia.com play both at once! Patagonia Adventure Hostel, www.apatagonia.com in a traditional style wooden house, has dorms, doubles, twins and triple rooms (all w/shared bath and heating) with an ideal location as the only hostel on the main plaza. Guests can use the full kitchen, luggage storage and there is an indoor climbing wall! Their travel agency, ORBIT Patagonia, is located in the hostel and the bilingual staff can organize visits to Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno, Cueva del Milodon, glacier boat trips, visits to the penguins on Magdalena and Marta islands, horse riding, kayaking, rock climbing, and trekking the W circuit and 10% off the larger O. The professional service uses all with their own transport and guides, and you can Get South! also hire all your outdoors equipment and tents with them. Patagonia Adventure Hostel
CARFRAN PATAG0NIA & BACKPACKERS ARKYA A good place to find everything in one spot, just Prat 367 1,5 block from the main plaza. The basic but +56 612413600 also cheap backpackers comprises of dorms turismo_carfran@yahoo.es www.carfranpatagonia.cl (with lockers) and double or triple rooms, all Carfran Patagonia with shared bathroom. Kitchen at your disposal and breakfast provided. Backpackers closed July & August. The agency offers several trips & tickets (Torres del Paine, Perito Moreno glacier, horse riding, bus tickets, glacier boat tours, kayak trips), and rents out quality camping/trekking gear to tackle the renowned W-circuit or bicycles to explore Puerto Natales. Spanish, English & German spoken. Open all year.
10% off on accommodation and agency’s services!
H0STAL ARKYA
Looking for a tranquil spot and more comfort? Head to their second property Hostal Arkya, 3 blocks from the bus terminal, on Manuel Bulnes 1494, with private rooms, towels, and full breakfast. Open all year. 146
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PUERTO NATALES - TORRES DEL PAINE
H0STAL FRANCIS DRAKE
Phillipi 383 +56 612411553 contact@hostalfrancisdrake.com www.hostalfrancisdrake.com
Hostal Francis Drake has an ideal location right only being two block from the sea front, the main plaza and centre of town with all the restaurants, bars and shopping within walking distance. A comfortable and clean colonial style house, the 20 rooms (single, double and triple) each have a private bathroom, central heating, towels included and cable TV and from the second floor living room you can appreciate magnificent views of the seafront and the nearby mountain peaks. A hearty breakfast of coffee, tea, milk, serial, yoghurt, cheese, ham, bread, juice, pastries and hot chocolate will set you up well for the day. The staff can help you book your own tour to see Torres del Paine mountain range, Perito Moreno glacier and other nearby glaciers whether you want to visit them by boat or in their own private vehicles. 10% off Closed June to August.
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T0UR EXPRESS
Bulnes 769 +56 612410734 ventas1@tourexpress.cl www.tourexpress.cl
Patagonia is a magical, mystical and sometimes a difficult place to get around. You can uncover some real world treasures here but you need to have a bit of know how and Tour Express can help you with that. Located in Puerto Natales, the company has more than 15 years experience and the fleet of modern, specially equipped vehicles are driven with care and constantly renewed. With their expertise and knowledge they will show you some highlights of Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia including: - Regular services to Torres del Paine National Park all year around. - Private services for groups and individuals to Torres del Paine, Milodon cave, Punta Arenas, Penguin colony (Chile), El Calafate, Perito Moreno Glacier, El ChaltĂŠn, Ushuaia in Argentinean Patagonia. - Trekking programs. Tour Express offers a quality service thanks to the combination of experience and knowledge of their territory with the sole aim of living the best experience in Patagonia. 147
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Chile
PUERTO NATALES ORRES DEL PAINE PUERT-O TNATALES
ANTARES BIG F00T PATAG0NIA
Pedro Montt 161 +56 612414611 Founded in 1996, they are first rate experts info@antarespatagonia.com in adventure tourism. Professional and www.bigfootpatagonia.com certified adventure guides from all corners www.antarespatagonia.com of the world take care of your safety during your (multi-day) trekking the W-circuit, ice hike or kayak trip. Antares has a fully equipped Big Foot base camp and exclusivity to operate ice hiking and kayaking at the famous Grey Glacier in the Torres del Paine National Park. Put on those crampons for world class ice hiking, you’ll be overwhelmed by the crystal-clear blue ice and the enormous crevasses and caves. Another amazing activity is kayaking in between the huge ice blocks that have broken off the glacier, you’ll feel miniature alongside them. This is an experience you’ll be bragging about for years! The office is located at the beautiful waterside in Puerto Natales. Antares Patagonia Adventure antarespatagonia
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BUS-SUR
PUERTO NATALES: Terminal Rodoviario Av. España 1455, off. 11 Bus-Sur is a very dependable Tel: +56 612412011 company to head to the Torres PUNTA ARENAS: Jose Menendez 552 del Paine National Park and to get Tel: +56 612614224 around in the south of Patagonia. info@bussur.com / www.bussur.com They have an office in Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas, and also a ticket booth in the bus stations of El Calafate, Ushuaia & Rio Gallegos! With more than 50 years experience and a recently renewed fleet of buses, your comfort is guaranteed! Check their website for the exact timetables! Bus-Sur’ routes: (always operated in both directions) Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine Punta Arenas –Puerto Natales Puerto Natales – Punta Arenas Punta Arenas – Rio Gallegos Puerto Natales – El Calafate Punta Arenas – Ushuaia Puerto Natales – Ushuaia Puerto Natales – Rio Gallegos bus-sur magallanes 148
PUNTA ARENAS
Chile
PUNTA ARENAS Punta Arenas is the southernmost (continental) city in America located on the shores of the Magellan Strait. Despite its remoteness, it has the most developed urban centre in Chilean Patagonia. Wander around downtown Plaza de Armas or the new coastal boulevard, dig your camera out to get a panoramic shot of the city from the Mirador del Cerro* de la Cruz, sip a cocktail in the casino’s Sky Bar with amazing views over the strait, take advantage of their tax-free shopping centre (Zona Franca) for buying trekking equipment, buy a souvenir and eat a typical dish at the Mercado Municipal, contemplate the city’s history in the gorgeous ornate municipal cemetery, and check out the monument to Magellan or the interesting museums (Maggiorino Borgatello, Regional, Armada de Chile, Militar Palacio Sara Braun and Instituto de la Patagonia). Venturing out of town, pretend your name is Ferdinand and kayak on the strait, travel to Isla Magdalena or Seno Otway and waddle like a penguin amongst thousands (October-March), take the ferry for a day trip to Porvenir in Tierra del Fuego, visit the mighty Fort Bulnes with its ocean views, put on your boots and do the 4 day trekking to Cape Froward, hike around Reserva Forestal Magallanes and discover Pali-Aike National Park or what the native Patagones used to call “Devil’s Country”.
PATAG0NIA H0USE - H0stel & Travel Av. Independencia 416 An experienced crew welcomes you at PUNTA ARENAS Patagonia House Hostel & Travel, in the +56 612242618 centre of Punta Arenas, at a 5 min walk hostal@patagoniahouse.net from the main plaza and just a few blocks www.patagoniahouse.net from the sea, city market and supermarket. Double rooms or dorms with ensuite or shared bathroom (all with brekkie), they have it all, and the large kitchen is at your disposal. It’s a typical travellers place, ideal to meet people, basic but with a nice atmosphere, and cheap! Free pick-up from the bus station & laundry service possible. Hostel open all year. Book your outings at their in-house travel agency. Tours with bilingual guides, operated from mid October to April: Penguin colony Isla Magdalena & Seno Otway, Sea lion colony of Isla Marta, Fort Bulnes, Cape Froward & Cruz de los Mares, Torres del Paine, City Tours, Rent a Car, Bus tickets...
10% off their self-organized tours with Get South!
Hostal Patagoniahouse
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Chile
PUNTA ARENAS
ADEL - RENT A CAR Y TURISM0 The best way to get around Punta Arenas and explore the area is through the luxury of your own car – go where you like, dictate your own time schedule and feel free!
Pedro Montt 962 +56 612224819 info@adel.cl www.adel.cl
10% off
with ADEL Rent a Car is located on the same block as the Get South! tourist office and will help you find your ideal transport – from small, economical cars right up to 4WD and SUVs. The bilingual staff will give you advice and information about driving around the area and if you hire a car for 3 days or more there is no mileage limit. So get your driving gloves on, and let loose in Patagonia!
KAYAK & H0RSEBACK RIDING AGUA FRESCA They organize breathtaking kayak trips with +56 9 91618824 +56 9 96555073 common sightings of sea lions & albatrosses kayakaguafresca@gmail.com and dolphins popping up next to you in the www.kayakaguafresca.com gorgeous setting of the Strait of Magellan Kayak Agua Fresca kaf and exciting & entertaining horseback rides through the coast’s beautiful area. The possibilities are ample: 1/2 day, full day or multi day kayak tours & expeditions and adventurous inflatable zodiac boat trips (destinations & detailed info on the website) Or gallop on a horse through an environment that includes steppe and beech forest with amazing views of the Strait of Magellan. Tours last between 1,5 and 2 hours. (also combinable with a 1/2 kayak tour) The transfer from Punta Arenas, all equipment and snacks/meals are included! Operating all year round!
Contact them via email mentioning Get South and get 10% off!
Payments via Webpay & Paypal possible on the website! 150
** Glossary ** •Adobe: mud brick construction •Albergue/Hostal: hostel •Amigo: friend •Asado: barbeque •Barco: boat/ship •Barrio: neighbourhood •Bodegas: wineries •Boliche: clubs, discos •Bosque: forest •Buceo: scuba diving •Buena onda: good vibe •Cabaña: cabin, cottage •Cabildo: old town hall •Cancha: fútbol stadium •Cañón: canyon •Cardón: giant cactus •Cascada: waterfall •Castillo: castle •Cerro: hill •Ciudad: city •Che: hey •Chicas: girls •Choripán: sausage in a bun •Cordillera: mountain range •Desayuno: breakfast •Desierto: desert •Dulce de leche: caramel •Estancia: ranches •Estero: marshal •Fogón: bonfire •Fútbol: soccer, football •Gauchos: Argentinean cowboys, in Chile called “huasos” •Guanaco: small llama •Hospedaje: budget accommodation •Iglesia: church •Isla: island
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•Lago: lake •Laguna: lagoon •Locro: an Andean stew dish •Lomito: a tasty sandwich made with beef, chicken or pork •Mariscos: shellfish •Mate: traditional tea drunk from a gourd with a metal straw •Micro: local bus (Chile) •Milanesas: deep fried or oven baked breaded veal or chicken •Mina: mine, chick (girl) •Mochilero: backpacker •Montaña: mountain •Novio/a: boy/girlfriend •Ñandú: South American ostrich •Palacio: palace •Parque: park •Parrilla: grill •Peña: places to enjoy traditional music, dances and local food •Picada: local nibbles platter •Playa: beach •Plaza: square •Pololo/a: boy/girlfriend (Chile) •Porteño: Buenos Aires or Valparaíso native •Posada: inn •Pueblo: town •Puerto: port •Quebrada: gorge •Río: river •Salar/Salinas: salt flats •Teatro: theatre •Tren: train •Valle: valley •Vino: wine
GET SOUTH Año 7 - N°18 / August - December 2014 / Distribución gratuita - Free distribution PROPIEDAD & DIRECCIÓN: Irina Schugurensky - irina@getsouth.com COLABORACIÓN: Jimmy Leys - Amanda Barnes - Patricia Staneloni REGISTRO DE LA PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL: 649667 AGRADECIMIENTOS: Quisiéramos agradecerles a todas las personas que nos apoyan y que confían en esta guía, especialmente a los anunciantes. Un agradecimiento especial al Sr. Sergio Andrade por toda su ayuda incondicional. MUCHAS GRACIAS!! INFORMACIÓN: El contenido de esta guía ha sido recopilado cuidadosamente e incluido de buena fe. No obstante ello, y si por un error involuntario, uno o más datos no coincidieran con la realidad, Get South no se responsabiliza de tales hechos y/o circunstancias. La información y contenido de los anuncios publicitarios son de exclusiva responsabilidad de los anunciantes. PUBLICIDAD: Para publicar en esta guía por favor contáctenos de las siguientes formas: Tel: +54 9 2615065695 – Email: info@getsouth.com - Web: www.getsouth.com DERECHOS RESERVADOS: Queda prohibida la reproducción total o parcial del contenido de la guía, por ningún método, sin expreso consentimiento del propietario. “La edición y circulación de mapas, cartas geográficas u otros impresos y documentos que se refieran o relacionen con los límites y fronteras de Chile, no comprometen, en modo alguno, al estado de Chile, de acuerdo con el Art. 2º letra g) del DFL Nº 83 de 1979 del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores.” Get South is supported by the advertisers displayed in the guidebook. However, Get South does not accept liability for any of the advertisers represented in this publication or on the web.
The core information comes from those who have been there and done that. We have done our share of travelling and have had many experiences, but maybe you have something more to add. We are sure you have lots to share about your travels so please give us your recommendations and suggestions!
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