Patagonia
Few places in the world have captivated the imagination of explorers and travellers like Patagonia. Shared by Chile and Argentina, this wild and remote region encompasses narrow straits and steep-sided fjords, rugged mountains, harsh, windswept plateaux and glacial valleys. In November and December 2011 I spent three weeks in South America trekking in the Patagonian Andes.
Gallery: Patagonia - Tour Highlights
I travelled south on the Carretera Austral, made a jetboat ride on the Lago General Carrera and visited the San Lorenzo region. In Argentina's Los Glaciares National Park I enjoyed close-up views of Cerro Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and the Perito Moreno Glacier. Another highlight: Chile's Torres Del Paine National Park.
Carretera Austral
Called 'Road of the South', the Carretera Austral in Chile runs from Puerto Montt via Chaitén, Puerto Aisén and Cochrane to Puerto Yungay. The bumpy and twisting track extends for more than 1000 kilometers between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, trough a barely discovered wilderness, trough dense jungles and snow-covered mountain passes.
Tour operator
This tour was organized by Hauser Exkursionen, Germany, and led by Swiss tour guide Gabriela Nager and Chilean tour guide Sergio Rebolledo.