Chile

In the Footsteps of Patagonia’s First People

I remember, as if it were yesterday, walking alone at the bottom of the Río Pinturas Canyon, in the heart of a landscape straight out of the greatest Westerns. We are in the province of Santa Cruz. Twenty-five years have passed since I first discovered this region, on the shores of the largest lakes in Argentina and Chile, Lago Buenos …

On the territory of the Puma

The puma is present from the North to the South of the American continent, but it’s in the extreme South of Chile that the largest specimens are found. The Lord of Patagonia Both admired and feared, sometimes hated, the Puma is none other than the Lord of these places. I have been hoping to cross his path for a long …

10 experiences to live in Argentina and Chile

These are not necessarily “must-sees” things in the literal sense of the term, or great tourist classics, but rather moments that will leave you with very strong memories. The key is to interact with others and let yourself go. I can only encourage you to also master a little Spanish to be able to fully experience most of these experiences. …

When to go to Argentina or Chile?

Before booking a stay or a tour in Argentina and/or Chile, particularly in Patagonia, you’ll want to put all the chances on your side and know in advance what the weather will be like during your trip, and that’s quite normal! Which months should we choose? – What weather is expected? – When can we observe this animal or natural …

Camelids of South America

The llama, alpaca, guanaco and vicuna belong to the camelid family, they live in different habitats and have their own way of life. It is quite difficult to distinguish them when you are not initiated. I therefore wrote this article with the aim of letting you know a little more about these typical South American animals, which were already present …

10 must-see destinations in Chile

Lauca Park and its vicunas Lauca Park in Chile The first of the must-see destinations, Lauca Park is a real gem, located in the Andes mountain range, stuck on the borders of Bolivia and Peru, perched at the top of an endless descent to the Chilean beaches of the Pacific. Lauca National Park, the heart of this mountain range, just …

My advice for visiting Torres del Paine Park

As I write these lines, fifteen years have already passed since I discovered the Torres del Paine National Park for the first time. I won’t hide to you that my memories remind me of the sweet image of an unreal and wild park at the end of the world; with few tourists, but lots of guanacos and rheas at every …

Mate, tea from Paraguay

It seems natural to me that I talk to you about Mate. Indeed, during your trip, you’ll very quickly see people drinking mate everywhere. Both in the city and in the countryside, it’s consumed without moderation and sometimes leaves the visitor perplexed. Mate, also called Paraguayan tea, is a natural and energizing drink consumed daily in South America, particularly in …

Chile, land of volcanoes

Chile is a country with more than 2,000 volcanoes (2,085 to be exact!), accumulating geographical and geological records. Along its 4,300 km, Chile is bordered by the Cordillera de los Andes, which stand as a natural rampart between the Pacific Ocean and the two neighboring countries to the east: Bolivia and Argentina. Chile has more than 500 volcanoes considered active. …

Legendary Patagonia, land of wind

Because it is here, at the end of the world, that the most spectacular landscapes of the Great South are gathered: the mythical Fitz Roy massif, the fantastic ice cap of “Campo de Hielo Sur” and its gigantic glaciers, including the famous Perito Moreno, and, on the Chilean side, the Torres del Paine massif and the Patagonian canals, between majestic …

Pachamama: Mother Earth or Nourishing Earth

Le terme Pachamama vient des mots Quechuas “pacha”, qui signifie à la fois “terre” et “temps”, et “mama”, “mère”. Mère du Temps donc, peut-être parce que liée au rythme des saisons ? On l’imagine fréquemment sous la forme d’une femme, dont l’âge peut varier suivant les régions. Elle est la déesse-terre dans la religion des amérindiens d’Amérique du Sud. La …

Yámana Indians (Yagans): peoples of Tierra del Fuego

Convaincu de l’existence d’un passage entre les côtes Atlantique et Pacifique, Magellan, premier européen à avoir observé ces terres australes, part d’Espagne en 1519 pour trouver une route maritime plus courte que celle de l’Océan Indien ouverte par Vasco de Gama, pour atteindre les Îles aux Épices. Il s’engage dans le détroit qui portera son nom. Tout au long de …

The Licancabur Volcano and three Salars

Not far from the Licancabur volcano, as the crow flies, the Puna Argentina offers you a truly beautiful spectacle. Il était une fois une région désertique qui n’intéressait personne, pas même les conquistadores espagnols. Ils avaient donc dessiné un peu à la va-vite une frontière entre le Pérou, le Chili et l’actuelle Bolivie. Mais un beau jour, vers la fin …

A fragile border between Argentina and Chile

The border between Chile and Argentina has been a headache for geographers and diplomats. Named by ancient geographers “Tierra Magallanica, de los Patagones y los Cesares”, the Magellanic Lands, of the Patagonian’s and of the Caesars. From the day after the independence of these two nations (respectively in 1818 and 1816) and throughout the 19th century, there was nothing but …

The children of Llullaillaco

Immortalisées dans la glace, ces trois petites momies figent un moment de l’histoire des Incas et de leurs rituels. Cette découverte archéologique a été faite à 6 739 mètres d’altitude ! au sommet du Llullaillaco, dans les Andes. Le Llullaillaco ou Llullay-Yacu est le troisième plus haut volcan actif au monde, après le Monte Pissis et Ojos del Salado. Le …

The Birdman cult on Easter Island

This is the “Tangata Manu” festival. The aim of this festival is to designate a second king on Easter Island for one year. The competitor (an influential person) is represented by a servant, the Hopu. He heads with the other competitors to the Orongo cliff and goes to the island of the Birdman which is the furthest, about 2 kilometers …