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The Craze for Travelling
The Craze for Travelling

The Craze for Travelling

Travelling is a passion, and I've been on it since my childhood (courtesy my dad). My passion has led me all around the globe from high altitude deserts, to rain forests, to back waters, to snow covered peaks. You name it!! Read more🇸🇪Stockholm
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  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Reached Ventisquero Colgante

    January 11, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    After walking for about 1.5 hrs to do the 3.3 km trek, we reached the viewpoint at around 1 pm. The view of the glacier was breathtaking. The hanging glacier was many meter above the base of the mountain. There was a big waterfall below, formed by the melting waters of the glacier. The waterfall ended in forming the Rio Ventisquero river. We were totally mesmerized by the view amd it took quite a few minutes before we could take our eyes off it and started taking pictures.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Along the Colgante glacier trek

    January 11, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    The path to the Colgante glacier was covered with thick foliage. It was almost like walking in a rainforest. There were trees and bushes everywhere with some branches across the track forming a canopy. Moss was covering the tree trunks giving them a beautiful green, wet effect.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    A colorful container toilet
    Map of the treks in Queulat National ParkVentriloquist Colgante visible between the mountains

    Ventisquero Colgante trek

    January 11, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    We reached the pickup place at 8 am as jad been planned. The van wasn't there yet so we went to the supermarket nearby and bought some food stuff for our breakfast and for the lunch as well. We left Puyuhuapi at 8 am and reached the Queulat National Park around 11 am. We paid the entry fee of 5000 CLP per person and were dropped off at the parking place at around 11:20 am and the driver told us that he would come to pick us up at 2:30 pm. We protested since we wanted to do all the treks in the park, to which he said that 3 hours were more than sufficient for all and that he would leave if we weren't back by 3 pm.
    We decided to follow the treks 1, 2, 3 and 4 in that order. The 1st one was a 3.3 km trek uphill to the Colgante glacier. Just a few meters into the trek, we were able to see the glacier face far off in the distance. We crossed the wooden swinging bridge across the Rio Ventisquero and stated on the uphill trek.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Mirador that wasn't

    January 10, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 2 °C

    The path to the mirador was just at the North end of village. We followed the track on Maps.me and reached the place in about 10 min. Melinda and I were climbing in front while Hristo and Maria were following a few tens of meters behind us. We totally missed the turn marked on the map about 70% up the way. About 200 mts from the turn, we reached a dead end. There were thorn bushes everywhere. We couldn't find any path anywhere and the gps also showed us about 10 mts off track. We turned back and saw Maria and Hristo coming. They had tried to take the turn marked on the map but there were too many thorns all across the path and they had not been able to go more than 4-5 mts. We climbed down back to the turn and tried to go in bit after managing to go about 20 mts, we turned back. The path didn't seem to have been used for a long time and there were thorny bushes all across the path and it continued like this till where we could see. We tried to find alternate paths but it was too dense and thorny so we gave up and started our walk down back to the beach. We walked around along the coast for a while till the sunset happened. After that, we had our dinner and went back to sleep at the cabaña.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Puyuhuapi bay
    Having some fresh watermelon juice

    Puyuhuapi

    January 10, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We reached Puyuhuapi at around 4 pm. Tge bus dropped us just near the village center. Maria and Hristo waited with our bags while Melinda and I went around the town trying to find a place to stay and information regarding the tours etc.
    Our first stop was at the tourist information center. There we got some good information regarding the tours and things to do nearby. We also got some tips regarding the places to stay etc. We went around the village qnd saw some 15-20 places of stay. Eventually, we decided to rent a cabaña for 4 people right on the road coming into the village about 200 mts from the tourist information center and about the same distance from the bus stops. The cost of 40000 CLP for the 4 of us per night was a good price too.
    After settling down, we went to book a drop and pickup for the Queulat glacier for the next day. At the tourist information office, we had found that there was a person working at the Queulat Glacier National Park and that he picks up people at takes them there when he goes to work in the morning at 8 am and then returns at 5:30 pm after work. He charges 5000 CLP per person and has limited seats of about 9 people. We went there and found the place closed. We had just written a note with our phone number when the wife of the person came. She knew English so it was easy to communicate with her. She told us that the were no places with them for the next day but she told us she could ask a neighbor if they could drop us. After a quick discussion with the neighbor where she did all the talking for us, it was agreed that they will drop us the next day. The pickup would be at 8 am and the return would be at 5 pm and the charge would be the same 5000 CLP per person. There would be a few other people with us in the van. We specifically asked that if we wanted to do all the treks in the park and some who didn't want to do all what would they do, to which we were told that they would wait in the van for everyone to come back.
    Having arranged one whole day's excursion, we went to the fisherman who takes boat trips to got springs and into the fjords for a total of 50000 CLP for 7 people. This too had been told to us at the tourist office. When we reached the marked house, there was no one there. There was a phone number displayed on a board outside. We called and after a few tries were able to get through to the fishermen's wife. She told that the guy was away and that he would be available later. She confirmed the price of 50000 CLP for the boat and said that for the day after, it was just the 4 of us for now. We gave her our number and asked her to call back to confirm our place when the guy was back.
    Having done whatever bookings we could do now, we started our walk towards the viewpoint of the village on a hill nearby.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    To Puyuhuapi

    January 10, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Most of the points we had marked to see on the way to Coyhaique were near Puyuhuapi, just South of the town, so we had bought the tickets till Puyuhuapi only. The hope was to find some tours or taxis who could take us to these places from Puyuhuapi. Another thing that had been encouraging was the fact that we had been told that there were quite many buses from Puyuhuapi to Coyhaique. This would be much better than the twice a week connection between Futaleufu to Coyhaique on which we were travelling now. This was also perfect in that my tickets from Coyhaique to Santiago to collect my passport was for the 15th Jan, giving us time on the way to do the planned activities.
    The route was very scenic with snow covered peaks in the distance and the beautiful blue river and lakes along the road.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Villa Santa Lucia damaged by the landslide

    Past the landslide area

    January 10, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Just past the Laguna Yelcho, we crossed the junction village of Villa Santa Lucia. This was the town till where the landslide had washed away the road and everything in its path. Even 25 days after the landslide, the clearing efforts were still going on. The whole village was empty and there were only the emergency crew and the army clearing up the debris and half broken houses. This had been the main reason why we were now almost 4 days behind our rough plan 😎
    We stopped around 1 pm for a food and toilet break before carrying on.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Laguna Yelcho

    Off to Coyhaique

    January 10, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    As per the tickets we had purchased for the day, we took the 10:30 am bus from Futaleufu to Coyhaique. The initial 70 kms were back on the same route where we had taken the ride with the 9 of us in the SUV from the La Cabaña to Futaleufu, just in the opposite direction this time. We reached the Yelcho Lake by about 12 pm. This time, the journey was a very pleasant one with a nice and sunny day to enhance the experience. The glacial rivers and lakes looked a deep blue in color in the sunlight.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Calafate berries

    Back in Futaleufú

    January 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C

    A few minutes after the sunset, we started the walk back down to the town. On the way, we stopped and ate a few Calafate berries. We were back in the town by about 9:30 pm. By now, we were hungry so we went straight to a restaurant (Antigua Casona) for dinner. Surprise... Surprise... Bernardo and Jose were there too. They had just ordered when we walked in so we joined them and had a good time together over dinner.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Sunset over Laguna Espejo

    January 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    There were beautiful views of the Futaleufú town from the viewpoint. The sun was just above the hills and the reflection in the lake made the waters of the Laguna Espejo look golden. We sat and waited for the sun to set. It was a fantastic evening and true to what Bernardo had said, it was worth doing this later in the day.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Trek to the Laguna Espejo viewpoint

    January 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    It took us about 20 min to get to the viewpoint over the lake. The path was through lush green undergrowth at the start and then there were very steep stairs going to the very top. There were some lovely views of the valley on the way. We reached the top before the sun set behind the hills.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Laguna Espejo

    January 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We walked to the lake outside the village in about 15 min. It was a lovely little lake with nice views of the hills around. We walked along the shore slowly enjoying the views. There were 2 street dogs playing around us and sometimes in the water. It was a slow relaxed time we spent there.
    Around 8 pm, we decided to go to the viewpoint nearby to watch the sunset over the lake as had been suggested by Bernardo in the afternoon. Before we started the walk, we went to a grocery store nearby and bought some cold aloe vera juices and drank them immediately as we were all feeling a bit dehydrated after the afternoon trek.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Back to Futaleufu

    January 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    From the viewpoint, we trekked back to the entry point where we stopped for a while since Melinda wanted to pet the horses grazing nearby. After a few minutes, we trekked down to the base of the hill where we picked up our bicycles and rode back to the town. We reached back around 7:30 pm and dropped off the bicycles at the shop since the rental time was almost over and then trekked to the Laguna Espejo on the outskirts of the village.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    At the Piedra de Aguila
    The girls busy taking pictures below the top2

    Viewpoint behind the rocks

    January 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Just behind the Piedra de Aguila, there is another viewpoint with equally good views around. From here we could see the 2nd bigger lake further away from the 1st lake. The rock was now in the middle of the view giving a good perspective of its position in the landscape.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    At the Piedra de Aguila

    January 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    The climb on to the rocks was a steep uphill about 15 mts along the ridge of the rock. The views from the rock were stunning. It was a beautiful sunny day and the green of the valley and the blues of the lake and the river looked amazing. There is a small spot of about 1 mts where we stood and took pictures of the views around.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    1

    Reaching Piedra de Aguila

    January 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    Despite the steep climb, we reached the Eagle stone formation within 20 min. The path then crosses the stones and goes beyond. There was a barrier which said No Passing but one thing we learnt in Chile was that these boards are there just like that and no one follows them. So, we too went in and sure enough, just about 200 mts from the barrier was a person sitting in a small hut and charging for the entrance. We paid 1000 CLP per person and went on towards the rocks. From here, we could see the beautiful blue color of the lake nearby.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Piedras de Aguila formations

    Piedras de Aguila trek

    January 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Before starting the trek, we went to the river nearby and filled up our bottles. The climb up was quite a steep one with loose gravel road. The total trek distance is about 2.5 kms and the elevation difference is about 350 mts. The sun was out and it was quite hot in the clear. We tried walking under the shade wherever we could but there weren't that many tall trees there. This stretch was not possible to do on the biles so we had parked and locked them at the start of the walking way but a car with 4x4 managed to go almost all the way to the top (almost 2 kms). With each turn of the track, we went higher and the valley below came more and more into the view. It was a very scenic location with the stone formations on one side and a big open valley with beautiful emerald blue river flowing through.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Starting of the trek

    Starting point of the trek

    January 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    We crossed the Espolón river and then a smaller stream before we reached the starting point of the trek. The bicycle ride had been very scenic and a lot of of fun with ups and downs, starting on asphalted road and then continuing on gravel. We reached the starting point at around 4 pm. We went to the stream nearby to fill our bottles before the trek. It was quite sunny and hot and the climb looked steep so we would need extra water. We were told that there was an entry fee of 1000 CLP per person since the trek was on a private property. There were boards at a few places saying that it was private property and that an entry should be be paid, but we couldn't find anyone anywhere. We decided to start anyways and pay if and when someone asked.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Futaleufú river

    Off for the Piedras de Aguila trek

    January 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    We found the places where they rented the bikes and compared the prices. One of them was offering half a day at 8000 CLP with helmets and a puncture repair kit with portable air pump while the other one was offering the same for 10000 CLP, so the choice was easy.
    We rented the bicycles around 3:15 pm and started the ride out of town. On the way, we stopped at a viewpoint of the Espolón river. It had a stunning deep emerald blue color.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Where do we go??

    January 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    We had figured that in the half day we had remaining, we could do 2 different treks in this area. We decided to go to the Laguna Espejo just at the outskirts of the village about 20 min walk away and then do the Piedra de Aguila (Rock of the Eagle) trek after that.
    We decided to pick up some stuff to wat before we started on our treks. There, we met Bernardo and Jose again. They had arrived by the morning bus from Chaiten (the one we couldn't find place on, the day before). They had arrived by the afternoon and had gone to the Laguna Espejo. They suggested we do that later since the sunset from the viewpoint nearby was quite spectacular. We took their advice and switched our plans. We also found out that they were staying in a cabaña just 15 mts away from ours. They had come to the shop for the same reason, to biy some food items before they went rafting in the afternoon. We thanked them and started to plan the Piedra de Aguila trek.
    The starting of the trek was 4 kms outside of the village so we wanted to find out if there was a faster way to reach there. We went back to the tourist information office and found that we could rent bicycles for half a day and park them at the base of mountain and then do the 1 hour trek. They also told us where all we could rent the bicycles.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Hostel Cañete in Futaleufú

    Morning at Futaleufu

    January 9, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    We woke up a bit late and had breakfast at the hostel only. By the time we finished our breakfast, it was about 12 pm. We didn't have anything planned for Futaleufu since it had been off the original track. We just happened to be there due to the road closure. We checked out and left our bags at the hostel. We went to the tourist information center to find the bus stop and the connections to Coyhaique. There, we found that there was only 1 bus to Coyhaique every day and it left Futaleufu at 7 am everyday. Basically, that meant that we were stuck here for one more day. We found out about the various activities we could do there and then Maria went back to the hostel to extend our stay by a day and Melinda and I went to the bus stop to book our tickets for the next morning.
    On the way, to the bus stop, we saw a small outdoor equipment shop. We decided to do a quick check to see if we could find the micro filter water bottle. We didn't find it, but they had waterproof trekking shoes exactly my size and in colors I liked so I bought them immediately. After that, we went to the bus stop and booked tickets for the next morning.
    We returned back to the main square where we had decided to meet.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Temporary port of La Cabaña at Lago Yelcho
    Having dinner

    Futaleufú

    January 8, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    We reached the other end of the Lago Yelcho at La Cabañas at around 9:15 pm. Tge people in the navy boat had reached 15 min before us. The connecting bus had still been there. They had even requested the bus driver to wait for us as we were just behind them but he had left just 10 min before we arrived.
    So, with nothing to takes us the 60 kms, we were totally dependent on the Chilean person who had someone coming to pick them. They had an SUV for 5 people and luggage while we were 9 of us with our one big bag and one small bag each. The brother's friend who had come to pick up the Chilean guy and his friends agreed to fit us all in the vehicle. We managed to squeeze ourselves and our bags in every open space with people sitting on each other and bags and things under and besides every place available. It took us about an hour to reach there. On the way, Melinda had a claustrophobic panic again like she had in India so we had to stop for a while for her to catch her breath. Eventually, we reached Futaleufú by 10:30 pm. The fantastic people dropped us at the main square and told us some options where we could find a place to stay. Melinda and I waited at the main square while Hristo and Maria went around to find a place to stay. It took them almost 40 min before they returned after having checked about 15 places. Finally, they had found a guest house with 2 rooms in an old lady's place. We carried our bags there and then immediately went out to find a place to eat. Most restaurants were closed at this hour but we found one that was open and taking the last order of the day. We ate there and went back to our place (Hostel Cañete) by around midnight.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Reaching Futaleufú

    January 8, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    We were the 1st ones waiting when the fishermen's boat was arranged. We sat in the boat with our luggage and then we were off. The views were very beautiful on the way, but the main thing was we were off and not stuck at the place.
    On the way, we saw the navy boat go back to the port and within 20-30 min, they crossed us. That boat was really much faster than ours.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Navy search and rescue unit

    Puerto Cárdenas

    January 8, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    While we were waiting for the boats to come back, the chief of the rescue unit told us that they were trying to arrange for a fisherman to drop us on the other side but that the boat was much slower than the navy boats so the bus may not be there by the time we reach. He asked if any of the remaining passengers had any means of transport to Futaleufu. One of the local Chileans had a pickup but the rest of us would have to figure out something. The Chilean with the pickup knew a little bit of English and told us not to worry and that he could arrange for at least 2 of us to be dropped off about 4 kms from the port on the other side, where they had a few cabañas while 2 of us could walk. At least we would have a place to stay for the night and the ones walking wouldn't have to carry our big bags.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Puerto CárdenasStunning views of the glaciers and mountains at Lago Yelcho

    Off from Chaitén finally

    January 8, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    We came back to the village and had our lunch. After that I stayed back to sleep for a while on the grass along the promenade while Hristo, Maria and Melinda went to the sea shore to see the beach.
    At 4:40 pm, I started walking towards Chaitur to catch the 5 pm bus. I couldn't see Hristo or Maria anywhere near the shore. Melinda reached back around 4:50 pm and told that she had seen Hristo and Maria going to sleep on the beach. We both walkers to Chaitur and were told by Nicklas to wait for a while and that there were other locals that need to be given priority. We didn't listen to him and just took our bags and dumped them into the bus. We were putting Hristo and Maria's bags in when they reached exactly at 5 pm. They had put an alarm for 4:40 pm bit had miscalculated the time it would take to reach back. We just went into the bus and sat there. It was almost full with only 7-8 places left. Nicklas, not wanting to face us, sent the bus driver to talk to us to get us off the bus. Maria was so pissed with this whole thing that she told the driver that we were not getting off the bus for anything and he could go and call the carabineros if he wanted. The poor guy was shocked and said it was fine, we could sit and he'll see what could be done.
    Eventually, the bus left at around 5:20 pm, with all of us on board 😁
    We reached Puerto Cárdenas at around 6:15 pm. From here, the Chilean navy had arranged for boats to go across the Lake Yelcho where a connecting bus would take us to Futaleufu.
    The boats were very small and by the time our turn came, they were all full. The 4 of us and some other passengers waited there for the boats to come back. The day was very beautiful and sunny and we could see the glaciers and the mountains till far away. The views were amazing.    Read more

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