Chile: Carretera Austral Travel Guide - Travel advice and expert holiday tips featuring Ruta 7 and Coyhaique highlights, natural history and wildlife. This guide also covers suggested itineraries and tour operators, driving and hiking, Caleta Tortel, Villa O'Higgins, Puerto Montt, national parks like Queulat, Hornopirén and Laguna San Rafael.

This guide to Chile refreshingly focuses on the country's natural history and culture. It encompasses every aspect of this geographically diverse country, from the immense deserts and peaks in the north, via the fertile central valleys, to the dense rainforests and glaciers of the south. There is opportunity to discover the culture of Chile, including mummies from the 5th century BC found in the Atacama Desert and Inca ruins. Travellers can hike the Andes, savour fine and affordable wine, and venture off shore to sail and kayak. This guide details every aspect of travel, from accommodation and eating out to national parks and sailing, in this most easy of Latin American countries for independent travellers.

Provides information on accommodations, restaurants, sights, shopping, nightlife, and outdoor activities.

Filled with personal recommendations this guidebook helps you to plan your trip to Chile independently and explore the most incredible places this country has to offer from the Atacama desert in the north down to the most remote parts of Chilean Patagonia in the very south (completely updated: April, 2017).Based on his own experience of traveling the country multiple times the author Steve H�nisch wrote this clear and concise Chile travel guide focussing on useful information to help you prepare your own trip. He sums up practical tips on things to do, where to stay, where to eat/drink and outdoor activities you shouldn't miss. The book includes travel guides for each region of Chile as well as a complete trekking guide for Torres del Paine & the Carretera Austral, plus route itineraries. Checklists are included to help make sure you don't forget anything.This travel guide is designed to save you a lot of time & make your trip much easier. What to expect Travel Guide featuring 18 Spots: Things to do, Tours, Restaurants etc. from the Atacama dessert down to Patagonia - practical tips, short and sweet Compact information: Everything you need to know in matters of safety, best time to travel, budget, entry requirements and much more Packing Lists: Complete South America & Patagonia Packing List Route Planner: Map with all featured spots and travel times from point to point Itinerary Suggestions: 4 sample itineraries featuring the best of Chile in 2-3 weeks Carretera Austral Guide: Comprehensive information, tips and trekking guides to the most adventurous part of Chile Hostel Recommendations: The best Hostels incl. personal reviews and links Trekking Guide: Detailed trekking guide for Torres del Paine incl. preparation, itineraries for 'W' and Circuit trek Insider Tips: My personal tips off the tourist paths Chile Resources: Helpful websites, blogs, recommended travel guides, maps and trekking guides to ensure best preparation possible! What's inside? 1) Preparation What to expect in Chile The Weather in Chile Top 5 in Chile Language & Communication Safety Chilean cuisine Budget & Prices Health & Insurance Entry Requirements & Custom Regulations Transportation Accommodation My South America Packing List 2) Map & Itineraries Route planner (A) Volcanoes, Coast & Desert in 2 or 3 weeks (B) Carretera Austral in 2 or 3 weeks (C) Carretera Austral & Patagonis in 5 weeks (D) Best of Patagonia for Trekking-Pro's in 3 weeks 3) Travel Guides San Pedro de Atacama Santiago Valparaiso & Vina del Mar Puc�n Puerto Varas & Puerto Montt The Carretera Austral Chait�n Puyuhuapi Coyhaique & Cerro Castillo Puerto Rio Tranquilo Cochrane & Tortel Villa O'Higgins Puerto Natales Punta Arenas My personal Chile Insider Tips 4) Trekking Guide Carretera Austral Day hike to Cerro Castillo Day hike to Mirador Altavista Border Crossing Villa O'Higgins - El Chalt�n 5) Trekking Guide Torres del Paine Preparation Patagonia Packing List for Trekking & Camping Trekking Guide "W" Route Trekking Guide O" / Circuit Route 6) Additional Resources Recommended Guidebooks Recommended Maps Websites & Blogs About the Author

After seizing power in a violent coup, President Augusto Pinochet ordered the construction of the Carretera Austral, a highway across Chile's southern wilderness. In an absorbing account, Justin Walker explores this territory from one end to the other, moving from village to village by any available means. His expertly crafted descriptions create a vivid picture of Chilean Patagonia. Combining independent travel with local history, social conscience with environmental awareness, and contemplative reflections with light-hearted humour, The Dictator's Highway is a unique book and a compelling read. Includes 17 maps and 24 photographs.