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Adventure in South America: Family from Laupheim conquers Chile in a vintage car!
A family from Laupheim explores South America in a vintage truck and describes their unique travel experiences.
Adventure in South America: Family from Laupheim conquers Chile in a vintage car!
The German family Karoline and Dominik from Laupheim have decided to experience a very special adventure. They are traveling through South America with their three children in a vintage truck and began their journey in August 2024. They are currently in Bolivia, having already explored the impressive landscapes of Chile. Considered one of the most spectacular in the world, this country offers a remarkable variety of natural features, including the legendary Atacama Desert, majestic glaciers, active volcanoes and the impressive Andes Mountains.
Their experiences also include a visit to the Torres del Paine National Park, which is known for its exceptional hiking and mountain opportunities. The Patagonian ice field, the largest outside the Arctic and Antarctic, begins in Torres del Paine. The family spent three days there, during which they enjoyed the breathtaking mountain views. As their journey continued, they encountered the Carretera Austral, a 1,200 kilometer long road that connects the southern part of Patagonia with Puerto Montt.
Experiences in Patagonia
Much of the Carretera Austral is unpaved, and the final stretch of the route requires a ferry ride. This region is known for its cold rainforest, dense forests and scenic waterfalls. The family visited the Marble Caves at Puerto Tranquilo and the Valle Exploradores, which is surrounded by glaciers and waterfalls.
In Puerto Montt the family turned onto the Pan-American Highway, which will accompany them all the way to Colombia. They also visited the little-frequented Conguillio National Park, where araucaria trees and lava fields characterize the landscape. On their journey, they drove to the "magic road" to Lonquimay Volcano and took an alternative route to the Pan-American Highway known as the Ruta de los Cristales, along which they collected gemstones. Another highlight was arriving in the Atacama Desert, which is considered the driest desert in the world and only records rain every ten years.
Farewell to the land of superlatives
Although there are no plants or animals in the Atacama Desert, the family enjoyed the proximity to the coast and the stargazing opportunities. The Paranal Observatory of the European Southern Observatory is nearby and offers ideal conditions for astronomy lovers. The last stop in Chile was the desert town of San Pedro de Atacama, where the family said goodbye to this impressive country. Karoline describes the trip as particularly challenging, as long journeys and changing landscapes were constant companions, but the experiences remain unforgettable.
Chile, a country full of superlatives, gave the family unforgettable impressions and was a formative chapter in their adventure. The journey through the breathtaking landscape shows once again that South America offers a wealth of experiences and challenges.