74th day in South America, San Martin de los Andes

長得醜活得久
I just finished 7 days in lake district
Following are my summaries for the latest 2 stages of my trip
1. South Patagonia by Ruta40 and North Patagonia by Carretera Austral and Chiloe
2. Lake distrcit from Puerto Monnt to Barriloche and Northern lake district
Just share my experience with all of you for further reference

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1. South Patagonia by Ruta40 and North Patagonia by Carretera Austral and Chiloe

route
Ruta40
El Chalten - ruta 40 by bus - Los Antiguos
Carretera Austral
Los Antiguos,Argentina -bus- Chile Chico, Chile -ferry- Puerto Ibanez -bus- Coyhaique
Coyhaique -bus- Chaiten
Chaiten -ferry- Quellon, Chiloe -bus- Castro, Chiloe
Castro -bus, bus on ferry, bus- Achao- Castro
Castro -bus- Ancud -bus on ferry- Puerto Monnt

comment
Ruta 40 is really boring. All you can see is sand raised by other cars. In conttast, its parallel route carretera austral is full of mountain, forest, and lakes. Winding mountain roads may be not so special to Taiwanese, but imagine how they will look like if added by more intervening rivers and lakes with scattering western countryside farms in a even wider landscape. Carretera Austral may be not amazing enough in comparison with glaciars and ice moutains, but I felt comfortable and easy when surrounded by those scenes, much better than that aweful ruta40!
The more south part, especially those south to Coyhaique, is more beautiful, so I expect that the southmost section till villa OHiggins could be the best part. Many travellers from israle start carretera austral from there by crossing the border via El Chalten by ferry. However, the public transportation south to Coyhaique is not convinient. There is no deaily departure of bus or ferry. Be prepared to be stuck there if you want try!
All along this route situated many national parks with many opportunities for hiking. I didn´t visit any because of bad weather and impending expiratory visa. Many travellers easily asked the bus to drop them off at the entrance of hiking trails, but they have to hitch hike to the next destination. That all depends on luck. Difficult! Be prepared to be stuck again! Anyway, they all feel it worthy.
The bus is always small and crowded. I was lucky to be always assigned to the window seat. The amazing feel of traversing such a long distance came not only from the hours you take but in fact the dramatic change of different landscapes. I really like it and never felt bored even if I only took bus and ferry all along this way.
From Chaiten, the northmost start of carretera austral, you have two choices to arrive Puerto Monnt. I chosed the one via Chiloe . It is not so attractive but still derserves a good intermediate to jump into a large city and offers more chances to change between bus and ferry, which give more different views. Anyway I was satified with this compliocated route whenevery I follow it again on the map!

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2. Lake distrcit from Puerto Monnt to Barriloche and Northern lake district

route
Puerto Monnt -bus ship combination tour 4 buses 3 ships- Barriloche
Barriloche -bus- Mt. Catedral, trekking
Barriloche -bus- Villa la Angostura
Villa Angostura -cycling- Arrayanes National Park
Villa la Angostura -bus, 7 lakes route- San Martin de los Andes

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Too many lakes! Just like watching whales in Antarctica, I didn´t want to see anymore at last! The route crossing from Puerto Monnt is really nice, views of lake district from chilean side is very different with Argentina side, especially contributed by those volcanos. You can also visit this interborder part of lake district by go from either sides in two times, but that will waste 2 more days and the cost of ships is only a little cheaper. For me, that,s the final dya of my chile visa, so it was the fastest and most beautiful way to cross the border. It was really worthy!
Trekking in Barriloche could be out of your expectation. The route I went, called refugio Frey, is on the opposite side of the lake and I couldn,t imagine that there is so many huge rocks behind the lake side! In fact rock climbing is also popular in Barriloche, too.
For the 7 lakes, you can join a full day tour or take public bus like what I did. Surely you can,t take good photos through the windows in public bus and some views of lakes are masked by tress, rocks, etc. I thought that,s enough because I saw too many lakes in these days from ships, buses, and Miradors...........
I really recommned the national prak Arrayanes. That forest is golden in coler! very special! Cycling round trip is 24km. Hiking to the end and take a ship back is another choice. The view of the isthmus connecting the peninsula with two port by side is really nice, which you could see from the mirador in the park.

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Now I am waiting for the bus to BsAs
It will take more than 20hrs and everyone told me that there is nothing to see on la Pampa, but I am really interested in what,s the nothing looks like and how the transition between nothing and lake district and the metorpolitan BsAs
I am addict to the changing landscape now, Ha!