Foto: The vast Atacama Desert (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Chile - At the viewpoint, we have a view of the village of Putre. We also see the cultivated agricultural terraces with the imposing Parinacota volcano in the background, with its summit over six kilometers high. We have now ascended to 3,500 meters, and this is clearly noticeable. Everything takes more effort because there is less oxygen in the air at this altitude. At the entrance of Lauca National Park, we are welcomed by Lama Lollie. The animal is clearly used to tourists and immediately sticks its snout through the door. Outside, Lollie happily circles around us and lets everyone pet it. In the National Park, we also see llareta moss. The moss looks soft but is actually very hard. It secretes a sticky substance. The llareta moss is sometimes hundreds of years old. The nearby Laguna Cotacotani is a beautifully shaped landscape of bright blue lakes, ice deposits, and green islands. In the background are two volcanic mountains. The lakes were formed by melting ice. Eventually, we arrive at what Chileans consider the highest lake in the world: Lago Chungara. The lake lies at an altitude of 4,600 meters. Lago Chungara offers a picturesque scene with llamas and alpacas in the foreground and the Parinacota volcano in the background. The altitude does not pass unnoticed. As soon as you make a small climb, for example, to take a photo, you get out of breath within a few steps. Some fellow travelers already suffer from headaches or nausea. To make matters worse, the bus won't start at this altitude. The starter motor is blocked. Together, we push the bus. I am immediately out of breath again.
Climbing the Villarica volcano
Chile - For the first hour, we walk over gravel and rocks. Then we reach the first patches of snow. Soon we climb through the snow. As the sun rises higher, it also gets warmer. We zigzag slowly up the volcano. By following the tracks of those ahead, a kind of ...
Easter Island
Chile - Jacob Roggeveen gave Easter Island its name on Easter Sunday when he visited the island in the Pacific Ocean in 1722. Easter Island, or Isla de Pascua as it is called in Spanish, is also known as Rapa Nui. The island has fewer than 4,000 inhabitants and ...
San Pedro de Atacama
Chile - At the bus station, the luggage is loaded into a minibus. We then walk about ten minutes to the hotel in the center. San Pedro de Atacama is already a very nice and busy village early in the morning. It seems like time has stood still here. The hotel ...
Torres del Paine
Chile - Shortly after, we stand at the starting point of the hike to the mountain lake at the base of Torres del Paine (the towers of Paine). Just as we start, it begins to drizzle lightly. With my rain pants and jacket on, I climb steadily for the first hour. ...