 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||
General information about Chile and Ayacara: trip notes
Chile
information:
Geographical
features:
Total area: 756,626 km2
Length: 4,300 km, which is equal to a tenth of the world's circumference.
Width: In no place does Chile exceed 400 km wide, and it averages
less than half that.
Topography: Situated between 18 and 56 degrees south, the
surface of Chile has three clearly defined features:
The Andes mountain range
Coastal (Cordillera) mountain range,
the valleys in between, and all along the west of the country (about
4,300 km) the Pacific Ocean.
Volcanoes: The Andean cordillera has more volcanoes than
any other mountain region in the world. Of its 204 volcanoes, 112 have
been formed or erupted within the last 10,000 years.
Earthquakes: Although Chile's major cities have suffered
earthquakes in the past, and are a potential hazard, they are generally
small tremors rather than earthquakes.
Glaciers: San Raphael is recognized as the most equatorial
glacier in the world to reach the ocean. Over 50 glaciers reach as far
as the sea in the Patagonian ice cap.
back to top
Other facts about Chile
Population
of Chile:
total 14 million, 5 million of which live in the greater Santiago area.
Spanish is the official language. There are also several
native languages, including Aymara (The Far North & the Altiplano), Mapudungun
(of the Mapuches in the 9th Region near Temuco) and Rapa Nui (Easter Island).
back to top
Time:
For most of the year, Chile is 4 hours behind GMT. Easter Island
is 2 hours behind the mainland.
back to top
Tipping:
Although tips are not obligatory, a 10% tip is normal in restaurants.
Bell boys will also expect a tip, but is not customary to give one to
taxi drivers
back to top
Telephone:
Local and international calls can be made from almost every public phone
and 'centro de llamadas'(call center). National long distance calls are
made via a carrier, e.g. 123 or 188. To call someone nationally, dial
'carrier number + area code+ number'. For international calls dial 'carrier
code + 0 + country code + number for international calls'. Call centers
are usually less expensive then the coin operated phones.
Back to top
Electricity:
220 volts, 50 cycles
back to top
Chile's
major resources:
Copper is Chile's primary resource and world copper prices directly influence
the value of the Chilean Peso. The Chilean economy also revolves around
the export of seafood, fruit and wine.
Back to top
Preparing for the journey - Tripe notes
Visas
and Passports:
All foreign visitors require passports to enter and exit the country except
those from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay, who only
need to show their identity card. Citizens from Guyana, Kuwait, Haiti,
New Zealand, African countries and some East European countries require
visas. Strictly speaking, you should also have an onward ticket, though
this is not often asked for. Upon arrival at the airport, your visa will
be stamped and you will be issued with a 90-day entry card. Be careful
not to loose this as you will be asked to present this entry card when
you leave the country.
Back to top
Money:
The local currency is the Chilean peso ($). Be careful not to confuse
this with the American dollar.
The easiest way to change money is with an ATM card, which can be used
in 'Redbanc' ATM machines. They offer good rates, are found throughout
Chile and, of course, mean you don't have to carry all your cash on you.
The next best exchange rate is with the dollar, which has the added bonus
of exempting you from paying the 18% VAT.
Finally, credit cards, mainly Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and
Diners' Club, are accepted sporadically throughout the country but you
are recommended not to rely on them.
Banks are open Monday to Friday from 0900-1400. One nuisance you will
probably encounter is a lack of change in shops and taxis. It is therefore
always sensible to carry a selection of smaller notes and coins.
Back to top
Health:
No vaccinations are required to enter Chile. Although the locals drink
the tap water with no consequences, if you want to play safe you are recommended
to buy bottled water while you are here. Don't forget to bring high factor
sun creams as the sun is extremely harsh in Chile.
Back to top
Airport
taxes:
Upon arrival those citizens from the US, Canada and Australia will also
be asked to pay a 'reciprocity fee' of US$45, US$50, and US$20 respectively.
There is a standard charge of US$18 on leaving the country, whereas the
airport tax for national flights varies between US$10 and US$14 depending
on your destination.
Back to top
Customs:
There are no restrictions on importing and exporting local currency. Duty
free allowances include 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars plus 2½ liters of
alcoholic beverages or perfume.
Back to top
Ayacara general information:
Lake
district geographical features:
Chile's Lake District is famous for its spectacular scenery of deep
blue mountain lakes, snowcapped volcanos, pristine beauty of alerce (larch)
forests, popular resorts, year-round sports, and traditional folklore,
handicrafts and legends.
The Lake District covers two of Chile's regions, the Ninth Region, more
evocatively known as La Araucanía, and the Tenth Region, Los
Lagos. It is anchored at the northern end by the inland city of Temuco,
in the middle by Valdivia on the Pacific and Osorno inland. Puerto Montt
on the Bay of Reloncavi is at the southern end From north to south, the
Lake District stretches from the Pacific east to the Andes.
Chile's Lake District is aptly named. There are twelve major lakes
in the district, with dozens more dotting the landscape. Between the
lakes there are rivers, waterfalls, forests, thermal hot springs, and
the Andes, including six volcanos with Villarica being the
highest at 9395 ft (2,847 m.)
Puerto Montt the capital of Los Lagos, is the gateway to Chiloé,
Aisén and Chilean Patagonia where the islands and fjords of Patagonia
begin. Nearest to Puerto Montt is Chiloé Archipelago, consisting of hundreds
of islands, the largest one being Isla Grande. Chiloé for many
years was all but isolated from the rest of Chile, thus retaining its
rich ethnic and folklore traditions and mythology. The ever-present
fog lends to the mystique of the area. This area, northern and southern
regions both, is very rich in flora and fauna, particularly so in birds
and marine animals.
Back to top
Ayacara village features:
Ayacara is located in the Palena district, equidistant from Puerto
Montt, Chiloé Island, Carretera Austral and Chaitén. Ayacara is part
of the Huequí Peninsula, which nature frontiers are Comau Fjord, Ancud
Gulf and Pumalin Park.
Ayacara it is a small village of fishermen, farmers and livestock owners.
It is joined to other three picturesque communities. These communities
are Buill, Huequi and Poyo. Ayacara in language huilliche means beautiful
village.
In Ayacara there is a school, a First Aid facility, post office, electricity,
telephone and a little airport for small planes.
Back to top
Folklore:
Formed by the fusion of native and Catholic belief systems, Chiloé
mythology is populated with strange figures including the troil-like Trauco,
magical sea creatures, and ghost ships crewed by fishermen lost at sea.
Back to top
History
Long inhabited by Cunco, Chonos, and Mapuche Indians, Chiloé Island
entered the history of the Spanish conquest around 1567, with the founding
of Castro. When the Mapuche insurrection of 1599 destroyed Spanish settlements
in the south, the islands' inhabitants ended up completely isolated from
the rest of the Spanish Chile, a situation that was to last for over 200
years. With luck, a ship from Lima arrived once a year to unload much-needed
provisions and buy up the islanders' production of wool, wood and gold;
over time, Spanish culture mixed with native culture, lives were lived
with a minimum of resources, and a unique rural tradition came into being.
The Jesuit order made this corner of the world their special responsibility,
leaving their mark in over 150 wooden churches and the country's highest
literacy rate.
Back to top
Shopping
Tips
The Lake District is the home of the Mapuche Indians, and their colorful
handicrafts are sold in craft fairs, shops and boutiques With so much
water, it's no wonder that seafood is so good. Visit the fish market
of Angelmó in Puerto Montt to see the wide variety. You'll also see the
large handicraft market representing the area's traditions in pottery,
copper and wood.
Back to top
El
Avellano lodge facilities and services | Location,
maps | Getting
to Ayacara |
Activities
and excursions | All
inclusive packages | Tailor-made
trips | Price
list | Contact
us, booking | About
us | Chilean Patagonia ecosystems | Weather
| Chile
and Ayacara | Photo
gallery | Guest book
| Interesting
links | Home
Ayacara, Correo de Ayacara - Provincia de Palena Región de Los Lagos - Patagonia - Chile
Phone: (++56-65) 264419 - mobile phones 56-9 6414613- 56- 93645692 / Phone-Fax (56-65) 293250 -
e-mail: info@elavellano-lodge.com - http://www.elavellano-lodge.com
Our website has been translated into English by non-native speakers, please let us know about any translation error to improve our website.
Photos:1999-2005© Gastón
Gallardo & Marcos Gallardo
It is forbidden to copy partially or the whole design without express authorization
of K2 webdesign or the photographer
Design and development 1999 - 2005©
K2 webdesign All copyright reserved
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
