This tour is better described as two tours because the conditions were so different during the first half, from Santiago to Puerto Montt, and the second half from Puerto Montt to Cochrane.  The first half was a breeze of glorious weather, fine roads, plentiful cabanas and restaurants.  We (Mel and I) could have done it carrying a Master Card and a windbreaker. 

 

Not so the second half, from Puerto Montt to Cochrane.  The weather got progressively cooler, the road (The Carraterra Austral) is legendary for it's primitive conditions, and restaurants and lodging became as scarce as hen's teeth. I had intended to go all the way to Ushuaia but chucked it in at Cochrane, beaten down by the rough roads.  You need a bike with a front shock and 45 mm tires; I had neither and after 11 days I couldn't take the pounding any longer.  Give me a break, I'm 60 years old.

Santiago to Cochrane, 1100 miles, Jan - Feb 07

My touring buddy, Mel Lucas.

Volcano

Boarding at Puerto Montt for the overnight trip to Chaiten

Arriving at Chaiten

The Carraterra Austral, "Paved in stone."

Puyuhuapi

Carraterra Austral, the main highway south of Puerto Montt

Ferry, Puerto Ibanez - Chili Chico. The trip takes from four to twelve hours, depending on the wind

Arriving Chile Chico