Reply To: Help for my South American (in)sanity

[LD27]

@davefl. Your revised itinerary sounds good.

Easter Island is a long way (approx 5 hours flying time). Our flights in each direction were delayed. Going out by more than 2 hours and nearly two hours for return flight. The plane was full in both directions. The plane outbound was old with old style seats in business. Return flight was a new plane with flat beds. We had been unable to get business on outbound flight so didn’t miss much whereas inbound and arriving late a flat bed was good. You also need to check in at least 3 hours before flight at SCL in separate area. A day is taken up travelling in each direction. As much as I found Easter Island fascinating, I wouldn’t go back.

We liked Valparaiso and Vina del Mar and would definitely go back. We also enjoyed wine tasting in Casablanca (between Santiago and Valparaiso).

During our stay in Bariloche we attempted to hike in Llao Llao NP. Unfortunately it was closed for at least 3 days because of high winds. So on second attempt decided to take return boat trip with Turisur from Puerto Panuelo via Puerto Blest to Chilean border. We were the only English speakers outbound and a crew member who spoke excellent English explained everything to us. At Chilean border a tour group of about 15 Americans joined us for the return journey. Would definitely recommend Turisur. It was a good day trip.

We had previously been to Chile and had considered taking this route but as we made other arrangements to visit volcanoes, Lake and Petrohue falls from Puerto Varas and wanted to head south within Chile, we decided to rule it out. If you’ve got time/money definitely worth considering. Decisions. Decisions.