A common passion: soccer
There is no need to remind that in Maradona's country, soccer is king, as in the whole of South America. Adored by all Argentinians, the national soccer team has been for decades one of the best in the world, lining up exceptional talents like the prodigy Lionel Messi today. Among the eternal South American rivals, Brazil is of course the first, but the Chilean team is also one of the favorites in continental competitions. At the World Cup in Russia in the summer of 2018, the Argentine team, despite being the runner-up in the World Cup, lost in the round of 16 to the French team. In 2022 in Qatar, it is well among the favorites. For its part, Chile, after two historic victories in Copa America (2015, 2016), did not qualify for the last World Cups in Russia and Qatar. A blow for the golden generation of the superstar of the attack of La Roja Alexis Sanchez.
In the boots of the leftists!
Horseback riding is an excellent way to visit remote valleys and infinite spaces and to meet Chilean huasos or Argentine gauchos . The inhabitants of Patagonia, especially in the Chilean region of Aysén, still use this animal to transport themselves (the animal is then called sillero), or to transport goods (pilchero). You can rent a horse in almost all the inns in the south of Chile. The most pleasant places are near Valdivia, Puerto Varas, Cochamó, in the valley of the Puelo river, in the Chiloé National Park, in the Futaleufú valley, on the west coast of the General Carrera lake (Campos de Hielo Norte, great walks in perspective), near Cochrane or around the Torres del Paine.
Most estancias in Argentina also offer horseback riding tours, so you'll be spoiled for choice. The best places to go for a wild ride are near El Calafate and around Ushuaia.Cycling through the great outdoors
Here is an ecological and practical way to cross the Andes Cordillera! Generally speaking, it is very easy to rent bicycles (mountain bikes) in the most touristic corners of both countries. For experienced cyclists, here are a few ideas for stages.
In the Chilean South,
don't hesitate to leave the Panamericana. There is much less traffic on the secondary roads. Around Pucón, cycling is a perfect way to get to Lake Caburgua. Around Puerto Varas, bicycle paths have just been cleared to the Osorno volcano, Petrohue Falls and Lake Todos los Santos. The island of Quinchao, near Chiloé, is still a dream site. The Carretera Austral is one of the most exhilarating roads in the world. Finally, in the very south, the Ruta del Milodón makes it possible to reach in eight days, from Puerto Natales, the Paine Lake in the Torres del Paine Park.In Argentina,
the Ruta 40 is the major route for cyclists. From Junín de los Andes to El Calafate, the scenery changes and there are many sites of tourist interest. However, it may be advisable to use private transport between Perito Moreno and El Chaltén in particular: long distances, almost no traffic, very few opportunities to stay or eat... If you are tackling this legendary stretch of road, equip yourself accordingly! The Ruta 3, on the other hand, runs along the Atlantic and is very trying with thousands of kilometres swept by the wind. But that doesn't prevent you from coming across some brave people on the Alaska-Ushuaia route!Rafting and kayaking, the Chilean paradise
There are countless rivers that descend from the Andean glaciers! The landscapes here are fantastic. While Argentina offers some interesting descents, it is above all Chile which is a real paradise for lovers of these water sports. For Patagonia, the best season is between December and February
In the Chilean South, the most touristy corners (and therefore where most operators are located) are Pucón and Puerto Varas.
The following rivers are worth mentioning: ríos Nuble (class III), Bío Bío (class V, excellent), Trancura Bajo (class III, very popular for rafting), Trancura Alto (class IV), Maichín (near Pucón, very pleasant), Fuy (class IV, then V and VI, jumps of 10 m high), Futaleufú (classes IV and V, very famous, international competitions have been held there), Azul (class III), Espolón (classes II and III), Palena (class II, for longer excursions of about three days), Figueroa (classes III and IV), Cisnes (classes IV and V, crystal clear waters), Baker (classes III to V, some parts are very difficult). There are many operators everywhere and some even offer sea kayaking excursions (around Hornopirén for example).
In Argentina, the region of Bariloche and Lake Mascardi is recommended for rafting aficionados.
As a reminder. Class I: easy, little current, small waves; Class II: novice, very weak rapids, a few small waves to shake up the little family, you can be bored stiff or enjoy the banks that pass by; Class III: intermediate, a little faster, moderate waves that can shake from time to time, a few obstacles, but more fear than harm; Class IV: fast, irregular currents, with the presence of many stones that must be avoided and sometimes a steep slope; Class V: for the experts, rapids.Class V: for experts, very fast and sometimes dangerous; Class VI: for madmen, very dangerous rivers, many obstacles, very serious risk of falling.
Fishing, sometimes sporty
Chile and Argentina are two countries famous for salmon and trout fishing, especially in Patagonia. The rivers richest in fish are those with fast currents and shallow water. Don't forget that you will need a licence to enjoy your favourite activity.
In southern Chile, recommended spots are around Pucón (ríos Liucura, Palguín), in the Seven Lakes region (north of the Lakes region, not far from Panguipulli), Lake Ranco, around Lake Llanquihue, in the Cochamó, Puelo, Chepú, Futaleufú or Palena ríos (little known), in the Coyhaique region, the General Carrera Lake and Villa O'Higgins, in the very south of the Carretera Austral. Chilean Tierra del Fuego is also recommended, but transportation is not very convenient.
In the sea or in the estuaries, it is possible to practice sport salmon fishing. Particularly recommended sites are located in the Bahía Ralún (Reloncaví estuary), or near the Carretera Austral, at the mouth of the Chamiza river or in the Bay of Quillaipe. In the Aysén region and Patagonia, sport fishing is practised following the "catch and release" policy: catches are recorded and immediately released(pesca con devolución in Spanish). You can fish specimens weighing up to 7 or 8 kg (brown trout, rainbow trout...)!
In Argentina, the region of Bariloche is one of the musts for sport fishing lovers; generally speaking, Argentine Patagonia is full of lagoons and rivers that are a joy for fishing enthusiasts. Tierra del Fuego, especially near Tolhuin, south of Río Grande, is another interesting site.
Relaxation in the Chilean thermal baths
Chile is a country that has a certain amount of spas, either very developed or almost completely wild. A very pleasant leisure activity! It is always possible to stay on site, in a camping site or in a hotel (most of the time luxurious), or even in cabañas
(a kind of bungalow). It is in the south of Chile that most of the thermal establishments are located (nearly 30% of the total offer of the country). The thermal baths of Tolhuaca are very pleasant; around Pucón and in the Lakes region, there is a wide choice (Huife, San Luis, Menetue, Palguín, etc.). The area of Liquiñe, near Coñaripe, is recommended for nature lovers, who will find several rustic thermal baths there. The Baños Cahuelmó, in the Reloncaví estuary, can only be reached by boat, which is a pleasant excursion. The Puyuhuapi thermal baths, on the Carretera Austral, are perhaps the most comfortable structure of all. Finally, the Quitralco thermal baths are only accessible to the wealthiest who go on excursions to the Laguna San Rafael.Very popular ski spots
The andism, this specific term that evokes the mountaineering in the Andes is the dream of many adventurers. But the glaciers of the Cordillera also offer the possibility of putting on skis. The two countries are even the high places of skiing in South America. The season extends from June to September, sometimes until October in case of heavy snowfalls. The best equipped resorts are the following.
In the center of Chile, near Santiago, Portillo, La Parva, El Colorado/Farellones and Valle Nevado; the last three, linked together, form a quality area. The resort of Chapa Verde is less developed.
In the south of Chile, the infrastructure is less important. However, lovers of off-piste skiing and snowboarding will find plenty to do in Antuco, Lonquimay (also good for cross-country skiing), Las Araucarias, Villarrica, Antillanca (about 100 km from Osorno), El Fraile (near Coyhaique) or Cerro Mirador (in the Magallanes National Reserve)
In Argentina, needless to say, Bariloche is THE winter sports resort of South America. But the prices are quite high and the slopes are very crowded. Why not check out Junín de los Andes or San Martín de los Andes, or Esquel? Finally, for a more southern session, go to Cerro Castor, near Ushuaia. Unique !
