A Little Bit of the South

Chile is a really long country, (over 4000 kilometres!) and as a result there are many differing landscapes and climates one can experience without crossing any international boarders. The flora and fauna also change dramatically throughout the 15 regions. After hearing so many positive reviews of the South of Chile I was pretty excited to be part of an eight person group trip to a little town called 'Puelo' a few hours away from Puerto Montt. 

Cabalgatas Rio Puelo

After flying for two hours, driving for 30 minutes, taking a three hour bus followed by a 45 minute ferry and a mini-van ride, the group was only just maintaining its cheery disposition. It definitely helped that on arrival to our new home we were greeted by a warm rustic cabin and a barbeque!

Cordero en palo

Cooking a ram, or cordero (not to be confused with a ewe, or oveja) is a traditional activity of the South of Chile and everyone was pretty enthusiastic to take part in this special tradition. It took more than four hours to cook, but it was well worth the wait. In the meantime there was ample opportunity for everyone to have a chat around a big fire in the quincho (a room with a barbequing area in the centre, the roof above is designed to let smoke out without letting rain in). Once the meat had been turned over and over for four hours, using the wooden poles that skewer the animal, it was ready for our hungry mouths. The meat tasted very differently than your standard lamb chops and it looked a white colour, almost like chicken. Delicious and tender.

The Start of the Hike

Hiking was a highlight. The track was amazingly entertaining. I found it similar to a choose your own adventure book. Will I trudge through the dense mud, will I follow a trail up onto a high walkway or will I swing on trees and jump from rock to rock until I reach that wooden bridge ahead? So many options, and all lead to a sense of childish freedom and delight.

Entertaining Tracks

Cows around Refugio La Junta

The campsite was a welcoming resting place after six hours of uphill hiking (climbing, more like). The cows hung around until the sun went down, then we were left to enjoy our evening by the fire. Wood collecting teams were sent out, fire builders were put to work and soon we had warmth and something to cook on. Nothing better than building your own fire.

Campsite

The humidity and generally cool temperatures of the South of Chile are aparent as soon as you step off the plane. One perk of all the rain is that everything is super green and luscious. I was amazed at the amount of water around and the life that it supported. Every rock had fluro moss or lichen growing on it, every tree trunk was home to seven other plants, every vine was covered, it was stunning.

Growth Everywhere

Rivers run constantly down from high mountain tops, filled with crystal clean water. I drank it without any issues and it tasted great. River beds were mainly filled with beautifully light coloured granite rocks and icey water.

Also staying at the Cabalgata Rio Puelo site was a middle aged Swiss man and a young Hungarian man. One interested in the fishing prospects of the South of Chile, the other working through Helpx and learning Spanish. The vibe was very relaxed, as a tiny town in the middle of mountains and rivers should be.

Over all it was great to get acquainted with another part of Chile. It was nice to know that all those people who rave on about the South of Chile were right. Definitely worth a visit.


Check out the Photos page for more shots of Puelo.

Puelo