From the volcanic to the idyllic.

We drive to Argentina’s Nahuel Huapi National Park, where we find a fantastic parking space right by the lake. There, we kayak along the coast and are even given fresh fish from our camp neighbours. Before we know it, a whole week has passed! Our next stage takes us across the border from Argentina to Chile: 40 km of no man's land between the border posts – we got goosebumps!

In 2011, the eruption of the Puyehue volcano destroyed the surrounding landscape. Now, lush young plants are growing up among the dead trees – it's a beautiful sight. We camp next to gorgeous lakes at the foot of the volcanoes and enjoy breathtaking sunrises.

Our next destination is Chiloé Island. It's the largest of around 30 islands in an archipelago located around 1000 km south of Santiago de Chile. Although it rains here for more than nine months a year, we strike lucky and get to explore the island in bright sunshine with a view of the endless white chain of the Andes on the other side of the Gulf. 

Chiloé is best known for its picturesque palafitos (stilt houses built on the water) and its colourful wooden churches, 16 of which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We stroll through the colourful markets in the fishing villages and buy a huge garlic bulb – the garlic here grows twice as big as elsewhere!

On our last evening on the island, Mike gives the Axor a thorough check. But apart from two broken cable ties, everything is in tip-top condition.

During the ferry crossing to the mainland, we see a blue whale: a rare sight and a real stroke of luck! As the ferry puts in at Chaitén, we set off on a truly legendary road.

Andrea and Mike Kammermann have been on the road in the Expedition Axor since June 2020. The Swiss couple have visited much of Europe, from the northernmost point of Norway to the Canary Islands, and also made a detour to Tunisia. Distance covered on the road on the journey: 83,000 kilometres! Travelling to other destinations was not possible, mainly due to pandemic-related restrictions. Until now! Andrea and Mike are now discovering South America. Find out what happens next! This current tour is the second one that the Swiss couple have undertaken in their Axor. They travelled through more than 20 countries in 2018 and 2019, covering a good 47,000 kilometres.