Routing suggestions from Puerto Montt ==> Chalten

[arooni]

Hi folks:

I'm in Osorno now and about ready to head south. Looks like I've got three options to get to Chaiten (Chile):

1) Book a ferry directly from Puerto Montt
2) Ride through Chioloe to Quellon and then find a ferry to Chalten from there.
3) Ride overland which includes:

1.a 30 min crossing 28 miles south of the start of the HWY in Puerto Montt
2.a 5 hour crossing from Homopiren 68 miles to Caleta Gonzalo. It runs just during Jan and Feb
3.a 50 min crossing from Puerto Yungay to Rio Bravo conecting to the final 62 miles of the route

Any suggestions on which is more awesome and scenic?
Also, can you tell me where I can find a place to mount a tire in Puerto Montt?
Finally, any detail on the road conditions or where I can find ferry schedules for these routes?

Best!
David

[Manolito]

Do you mean Chaiten (Chile) or Chalten (Argentina)?

[arooni]

Originally Posted by Manolito

Do you mean Chaiten (Chile) or Chalten (Argentina)?

Sorry I meant Chaiten!

[Manolito]

I thought I was missing something

If you are doing Carretera Austral and you see a Red G650 GS, a Red KLR 650 and a Red Honda NX 400... say Hi to them, they are some frineds of mine (I was going to do that trip with them )
Back to topic... Try here, you might get an answer

http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...699272&page=16

[Hache_arg]

did you check the ferrys first?
Last year, when I try to do the Chiloe road, the ferry was booked 2 weeks in advance.
I had to go back to Argentina, Villa La Angostura, Bariloche, Esquel, Trevelin and into Chile again, to reach Carretera austral on La Junta.

H

[crashmaster]

No need for a ferry. Back track north to Pucon, then cross into Argentina and head south, Junin, San Martin, Bariloche, bypass Esquel on the 71, then back into Chile at Futaleufu and pick up the Austral. I imagine there might be another way to do it, but this one is off the top of my head.

Suerte.

[arooni]

Sort of off topic on this thread; but can I buy ferry tickets with credit card or must I buy with cash?

[Rustysauce]

My vote is to go to Chiloe!!! I didn't try the other routes, but Chiloe is an amazing place. Friendly people and good riding all over the island. One of my highlights of Chile, in addition to the Carretera Austral.

The ferry between Quellon and Chaiten with Naveira Austral operates once a week only, so that is the only thing you have to plan for. I travelled from Chaiten to Quellon and even in the small town of Chaiten they accepted credit cards. The only downside is the price (30k-ish pesos). You are forced to buy a 'seat' as well as pay for the motorcycle.

The short ferry between Puerto Montt and Ancud is frequent and you pay while onboard (6-7k pesos).

[csustewy]

Originally Posted by arooni

...

3) Ride overland which includes:

1.a 30 min crossing 28 miles south of the start of the HWY in Puerto Montt
2.a 5 hour crossing from Homopiren 68 miles to Caleta Gonzalo. It runs just during Jan and Feb
3.a 50 min crossing from Puerto Yungay to Rio Bravo conecting to the final 62 miles of the route
...

Finally, any detail on the road conditions or where I can find ferry schedules for these routes?

Best!
David

Step 3 that you listed is a long ways south from Chaitén, as it is the last ferry before you get to Villa O'Higgins, so don't include that in your comparison here (and it's free anyways). If you decide to ride overland (and water), find schedule and price info here:

Ferry 1: La Arena-Puelche
www.ayacara.cl/Transbordador%20Estuario%20del%20Reloncavi-Caleta%20La%20Arena-Puelche.htm

Ferry 2: Hornopiren-Caleta Gonzalo
www.ayacara.cl/Barcos%20Hornopiren-Caleta%20Gonzalo.htm

Ferry company:
www.navierapuelche.cl

General info with options:
http://www.parquepumalin.cl/content/eng/comollegar.htm

[CheckerdD]

I paid for the Navimag ferry with a credit card last year. Note the ferry is more crowded going south than it is coming back north. YMMV. Dave

[Dan Man]

Originally Posted by Rustysauce

My vote is to go to Chiloe!!! I didn't try the other routes, but Chiloe is an amazing place. Friendly people and good riding all over the island. One of my highlights of Chile, in addition to the Carretera Austral.

The ferry between Quellon and Chaiten with Naveira Austral operates once a week only, so that is the only thing you have to plan for. I travelled from Chaiten to Quellon and even in the small town of Chaiten they accepted credit cards. The only downside is the price (30k-ish pesos). You are forced to buy a 'seat' as well as pay for the motorcycle.

The short ferry between Puerto Montt and Ancud is frequent and you pay while onboard (6-7k pesos).

I skipped Chiloe You are making me regret it.