Tales from the Trail: Chile and Patagonia January 3rd, 2012 • by Matt Holmes by Ashley Morton Patagonia I never imagined I would visit a country whose national food is the hot dog. Yet, the idea of indulging in this generic American food on my two week journey from the northern Pacific coast to the southern Patagonian mountains was, I felt, a small price to pay to see the splendor that is Chile. As a new member of the Boundless Journeys team, I wanted to get my travel feet back underneath me, and so I set off to a place that has captured the imagination of adventurous travelers for centuries. Stretching over almost half of the continent of South America, Chile is comprised of nearly any landscape you could imagine – from expansive, uninhabitable deserts in the north, to the iconic Patagonia, immense glaciers, volcanoes, lakes, and islands in the south. For me the difficulty was choosing a two week itinerary to make the most of my adventure, while not overdoing it. Now reflecting back on my journey, I feel fortunate to have fit in quite a variety of experiences, but I’d have to say the most unique and memorable stopover was a visit to Chiloe, an enchanted, verdant island off the coast of the Lakes District in southern Chile. Over the course of several days I wandered the pathways of misty seaside settlements, dotted with Palifitos – houses mounted on stilts- and iconic wooden churches splashed in pastel hues, experiencing firsthand the mythical allure distinctive of this island. This was certainly a world away from hot dogs and American culture. Still feeling invigorated from trekking the trails of Patagonia, immersing myself in Chilote culture, surfing on the pacific coast, and yes even trying a Chilean hotdog, I would be more than happy to talk with you about our uniquely crafted Chile: The Lakes District and Patagonia adventure. Incorporating off the beaten path destinations such as Chiloe, with visits to the awe-inspiring well-known sights of Patagonia, and tasting world-famous wines, it is an experience to not be missed. Give us a call and we’d love to share more. About Boundless Journeys Boundless Journeys is an award-winning small group adventure tour operator. With a diverse collection of locally guided, small group itineraries and Private Collection trips around the world, Boundless Journeys offers “The World’s Great Adventures.” The adventure trips for 2-16 guests are active, ranging from leisurely cultural explorations and wildlife safaris to challenging trekking ― with plenty of easy to moderate walking and sea kayaking in between.