Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > SOUTH AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 31 Oct 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Alaska
Posts: 21
Close to Santiago? MUST CHECK OUT FARELLONES!!!!!

I rhode from Alaska to Chile last year and I can't even begin to tell you how many amazing roades and beautiful places I managed to see. But there is one place in particular I fell that every tour rider must know about. Farellones Chile is a small mountain ski resort town just 35klm outside, (above) Santiago. It was the original ski mountain in Chile but since there are now three huge ski resorts here. Colorado, La Parva, and Valle Nevado. But Farellones is still at the base and literally in the center of it all. During the winter time the place is Crawling with skiers from around the world making it nearly impossible to find housing. But during the summer time it is almost a ghost town as summer tourism is yet to really catch on here making it extreemly easy to find accomodation in this beautiful little town. The road there is one of the funnest most beautiful drives we did on our entire trip. The road begins winding up the bottom of the canyon from Santiago along side the Rio Molena river. Anyone who knows about riding knows roadss that wind along rivers are not only beautiful, but fun. This continues for approx 20-30 min. before you hit the turn to actually head up the mountain towards Farellones. This is where the real fun begins. The 40 horse shoe curves then begin and you start climbing approx 1500 meters from bottom to top. Once you arrive at Farellones and look back you will be absolutely amazed by the view not only of the city of 6 million off in the distance below you, but also at the sight of the road you just came up. We had originally come here for the reason the couple we were riding with needed to do some maintinance on their bikes and needed to go to the city. We on the other hand decided that since we needed nothing from the city we would head into the mountains where storing a bike is usually much easier and less stess full. And in fact it was. Once arriving at Farellones we saw a local store there called ECO ROUTES. The people there not only spoke spanish but english and they had a refuge right there that they rented us for the night. We had no idea what we were in for. The refuge was not only beautiful but it consisted of a modern day jacuzzi out on the deck where we sat and watched one of the most beautiful sunsets of our entire trip. The next day we contacted our friends in Santiago and persuaded them to make the trip up the mountain. What was originally supposed to be a one night in the mountains soon turned into a one month long living in the refuge in the mountains. We did a over night horse back ride tour to the base of a glacier, rented four wheelers and cruised around the mountains, did some rock climbing at the local rock wall and spent countless hours photographing the Condors and sunsets that constantly filled the skies. Another wonderful thing about this place is it is so small that we left our bikes untouched right out front the entire time we stayed here except the occasional trip back down the mountain for groceries. But sometimes we just did it for the ride. This place is absolutely stunning and I think that everyone traveling this way owes it to themselves not to miss this one.

There are several Hotels and people willing to rent our refuges, feel free to e-mail me if you would like more info. Here are a few pics from our stay.




Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Seeking routing & timing suggestions from Santiago ==> Ushuaia arooni SOUTH AMERICA 0 4 Jan 2013 18:44
Santiago and Osorno, Chile. MotoAventura! dstehouwer Repair Shops, South America 0 11 Mar 2012 18:18
Help please! - buying new bikes in Santiago pander SOUTH AMERICA 1 23 Feb 2012 14:43

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:15.