WIKI INFO: "Arica is known as one of the driest inhabited places on Earth, at least as measured by rainfall: average annual precipitation is 0.76 mm (0.03 inches), as measured at the airport meteorological station." "Lake Chungará , situated in northern Chile, in Tarapacá Region is one of the highest lakes in the world. It is near the Volcanos Parinacota (20,827 feet or 6,348 meters) and Pomerape (20,413 feet or 6,222 meters). It was formed 8000 years ago, when a major collapse of the edifice of Parinacota produced an avalanche of 6km³ of debris which blocked drainage pattern, thu [View Full Entry]

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Last minute , I decided to go up northern Chile, since I have 10 days to kill before flying to the Easter Islands which was also last minute only because people we met in the Villarica climb told me rates are cheaper if you buy them at LanChile local website, for under $500 I got a round trip ticket, if I book 1 month before departure I would have paid only$330. But I dont want to spend any longer time here Chile is not cheap. 32 hour bus ride from Pucon, Mick saw me off at the bus station, I booked [View Full Entry]

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ecole is the place we decided to stay in Pucon, arriving on a 5 hour bus ride from Puerto Varas, along the way we stopped in Osorno, Valdivia and some other small towns. the trip was quite pleasant, Valdivia seems very nice i made a mental note to come back there in the future. Jo, Simon and i shared a room. there is a portable heater but not working and it gets cold here at night, at least the duvet is super thick. We got down to business fairly quickly, booked with Aguaaventura for the Villarica Volcano hike the next day, [View Full Entry]

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1st day on Navimag, we checked in at 9pm we all got herded to the ship,rooms got sorted out and an orientation in the lounge room then off to bed,my roomies are David from Switzerland and British docotor,Simon who just volunteered for Doctors without borders in Chad and Niger. The next morning woke up to use the toilet see some beautiful colors in the sky, nice sunrise i thought, went back to bed when i got up it was gloomy and rain is starting, windy as well. breakfast was ok and lunch we had salmon. chicken for dinner ,not bad . [View Full Entry]

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The border guards on the Chilean side was a bit strict, cant bring along meat and fruits or you get fined $4,500! We were also asked if we have been to yellow fever areas as there apparently an outbreak in the north of Argentina. Soon as i arrived in Natales I looked for the Kashewar hostel owned by a dude named Omar. Nice guy, there is room but i have to provide my own sleeping bag and is a bit cheaper. So got myself money from ATM and also met Neil and Louise here, they just arrived from doing the Navimag [View Full Entry]

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Arrived in very cold Calafate. Gareth and Hinesh was to catch the next bus to Rio Gallegos so we separated ways in tme main street. I wanted to go to America del Sur hostel i follwed the directions from the map posted in the bus station but I got confused and lost and have been looking for it for 30 minutes walking withquite heavy pack, got annoyed, then decided to try the hill, and that was the right street. I dont understand why they dont post a sign before going up the hill that will make it easy for people to [View Full Entry]

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Got up when Alex’s alarm went off at 8:15am, he leaves for Perito Moreno town on his way to Bariloche. I need to get up before 10am , check out time here in rancho Grande, I decided I probably will stay here for another night or two, it is nice, only 4 beds in a dorm and has got internet though not free and warm and comfy. So I got down for breakfast and paid for another night’s accomodation. After breakfast I decided to do a short hike. Alex mentioned he did 2 short hikes, the Los Condores and Las Aguilas, [View Full Entry]

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Got up quite early to catch the 6:45 am bus, i asked the reception dude if it was safe to walk San Martin street that early in the am, he said should be fine. Arrived at the meeting point with 3 other people there, a Mexican couple and a Japanese/Australian girl. The bus as usual was late, we have the big bus all to ourselves. The ride to El Bolson was fantastic scenery wise. We picked up a French woman there and off we go, i fell aslepp most of the time and woke up realizing the terrain had changed to [View Full Entry]

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The bus from Puerto Madryn left on time, I man came onboard in Trelew and snored like a pig, did not get to sleep well and worse my seat was next to the toilet people coming in and out all the time. In Esquel the next day the man got off and finally slept well for the next 5 hours drive, seen some spectacular scenery but could not be bothered enjoying it really, too tired and exhausted. Very cold in Bariloche when we arrived at the bus station, gloomy but the clouds dissipated a bit and we saw the sun for [View Full Entry]

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The bus was quite comfortable, like a plane trip, complete with a steward, meals like in the plane was meager but quite a good experience. The bed inclines up to 140 degrees i think. in the morning after being served breakfast we played bingo! I lost but was fun and weird at the same time. Arriving in Puerto Madryn, it was cold!! i was shivering as I wait for my backpack to be handed to me, it has to go through x ray at the bus station, dont know why. Went to info office and asked about what to do in [View Full Entry]

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