My journey continues in Chile where I arrived in the north and made my way south across this long country. My final destination was Puerto Natales to hike in Patagonia. Travelling across Chile has been one of my favourite adventures on this trip and one that has allowed me to change how I travel. I exchanged fixed plans for living spontaneously and largely making my way by hitchhiking.

When I started this leg at the end of January, I had one goal: get to the south by the end of February. I challenged myself to hitchhike as much of Chile as possible as I’d heard it’s a safe country to do so, and I knew it would push me out of my comfort zone to grow in new ways.

Chile has quickly become one of my favourite countries because of it’s friendly culture and diverse landscapes. Hitchhiking overland has meant I’ve had a chance to meet people from across the country, and got to see the landscapes unfold as I’ve went along.

I had a timeline to meet a friend in the south which has meant just a few weeks to travel over 4000km, planning just a couple of days ahead as I’ve went along. This type of travel has made each day an unexpected adventure as I’ve been immersed in each moment.

A theme of this update is the amazing people I met along the way. I’ve tried to share some of the many stories I’ve lived over these last few weeks.

I’ve saved more pictures from Chile here. You can find some videos, landscpes, and even more people I met along the way.

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Reflections From a Backpack

Using my thumb to travel across much of Chile transformed my perspective on both travel and human nature. As a hitchhiker, I’ve become an outsider, a vagabond , a stranger, dependent on the kindness of others. By adopting this new role, I gained personal insight into the lives of others.

I chose this way of travel to push myself beyond my comfort zone towards new perspectives. Framing it as a personal challenge created accountability that helped keep me committed. By replacing control and certainty with trust in humanity, I found myself experiencing moments of presence and serendipity that exceeded any expectations.

These experiences also challenged the fear-based mindset so prevalent in our world. We’re conditioned to be afraid of the unknown for all of the potential dangers that may exist. However, I found the opposite as good people repeatedly welcomed me into their vehicles and lives, showing a side of humanity that rarely makes headlines.

Despite occasional inconveniences, hitchhiking has given me more freedom, not less. Without detailed plans, I found myself fully present in each moment—whether waiting on a highway or sharing deep conversations with drivers. This surrender to uncertainty put me in a state of flow, where even long wait times became opportunities for reflection.

I also found myself the happiest and most excited I’ve been in a long time. With just one goal to move south, I rid myself of the endless list of things I “should” be doing. I noticed how much lighter I felt when I wasn’t comparing my experience to all the other (productive) things I could be doing with my time. Without expectations, each small kindness brought me lasting joy.

In the end, everything worked out better than I could have imagined. The weather cooperated, wait times were manageable, and the people I met showed me the extraordinary kindness possible in humanity. This journey taught me something valuable: when you embrace uncertainty rather than fight it, the world has a way of taking care of you.

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Discovering New Places

The landscapes of Chile are as diverse as the country is long—stretching from northern deserts, lagoons, and endless copper mines to southern beaches, forests, and mountains.

San Pedro de Atacama (Pop. 10,000)

After a tour of the Bolivian Salt Flats, our group was dropped off in San Pedro de Atacama in the north of Chile. In the desert, the landscapes here are truly unique and offer a lot for the outdoor adventurer.

Our group from the tour in Bolivia stuck together for a few days, renting a car to explore the surrounding area.

A 4am wakeup allowed us to catch the sunrise at the nearby geothermal fields. The crisp air made me regret wearing shorts, but I was able to catch some heat standing near the thermal pools.

The surrounding desert in Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) and Valle de la Muerte (Valley of Death) had fascinating formations that let me daydream about living in the worlds of Tatooine in Star Wars or Arrakis in Dune.

Consistent clear skies in the desert make San Pedro de Atacama a hub for astrology. I booked a tour with Space Obs where I viewed the milky way free of clouds or light pollution. Powerful telescopes also let us see clear pictures of Mara, Jupiter, and Saturn with it’s rings.

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Antofagasta (Pop. 400,000)

I spent a few days in Antofagasta, a port town in the North of Chile. Days here were relaxed as I took some time to sit in cafes, visit the beaches, and jog around.

Here, I had my first experience with Couchsurfing–a program that pairs backpackers with locals who host them for free as part of a cultural exchange. Nelly welcomed me into her apartment for a couple of nights, where I stayed with her, her mom, daughter, and pets. We shared meals together while I learned about their lives in Chile.

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Santiago (Pop. 6 million)

an 18-hourbus ride brought me to Santiago, Chile’s capital. I used my time here to pick up some camping gear and explore the city. Highlights included hiking up Cerro San Cristóbal for a panoramic view of the city and meeting people from around the world in my hostel.

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Hitchhiking Across Chile

From Santiago to Puerto Natales, I hitchhiked over 3,000km and travelling with more than 25 different people. taking just one bus along the way. The Spanish I learned helped me connect with locals from every region, leading to meaningful cultural exchanges as I went along.

My strategy for getting rides was to make a visible sign and maintain a positive attitude. Finding cardboard sometimes involved dumpster diving which added to the adventure.

San Pedro de Atacama → Antofagasta (400km)

I started hitchhiking in San Pedro de Atacama, feeling nervous in the desert heat about who might stop. My first ride came from a kind Bolivian construction worker named Crisol.

Crisol would speond one full day each week commuting between his family in Bolivia and his better-paying job in Chile. Despite this inconvenience, he maintained a grateful attitude and welcomed me with a friendly smile which set the tone for the positive encounters to come.

Santiago → Chillán (260km)

It took a couple hours to find a good spot outside Santiago, but I eventually got a ride with Eduardo.

Chillán → Temuco (400km)

Louis picked me up while heading south to meet his family for hiking and was able to take me part of the way before dropping me back off on the highway.

I reconnected with Louis a few days later and we shared a campsite with another hitchhiker, swapping travel stories over drinks.

Temuco → Puerto Montt (400km)

Many of my rides along the way came from truck drivers on the clock.

Logging is common in this part of Chile which means many large logging truck on the highway.

Puerto Montt → Hornopiren (250km)

Puerto Montt marked the start of Patagonia in Chile. Cool winds, ocean water, and mountains surrounded me as I found myself in a beautiful section of the world.

As I headed south from Puerto Montt, traffic became slower but the people were even friendlier. Drivers with full cars would offer reassuring smiles and waves as they passed.

At a ferry crossing, I approached Eduardo to ask for a ride on the other side. After checking with his wife, they welcomed me into their truck. Over the next few hours, I got to know their family and discovered their daughters’ passion for Canada and ice hockey. Words can’t capture my deep gratitude for all the kindness and warmth I’ve received throughout this journey.

The family also treated me to a dish of curanto – a traditional Chilean dish from this region consisting of meats, seafood, and potatoes cooked in a hole in the ground with hot stones. It left me so full that I didn’t need supper.

I took the afternoon to explore Hornopiren. Though unique, the mountains, waters, and forests reminded me of the West Coast of Canada.

Hornopiren → Chaitén (150km)

During a four-hour ferry ride south from Hornopiren, I needed to secure a ride before reaching the other side to avoid being stranded. Though still nervous about approaching strangers, I pushed past my anxiety and began chatting with fellow passengers.

On the ferry, I met Jim and Karyn from Florida who offered me a ride. Later in Chaitén, we reconnected and they kindly drove me to a nearby volcano hike.

What I loved most about this style of travel wasn’t planned activities—since there weren’t any—but the spontaneous adventures and watching the landscape gradually transform as I journeyed south.

Chaitén → Coyhaique (450km)

The journey from Chaitén to Coyhaique follows the famous Carretera Austral, one of the world’s most scenic roads. The six-hour drive reminded me of winding through the mountains of Alberta.

I had several instances of crossing paths with people multiple times. While leaving Chaitén, the Brewsters—a family from Australia—spotted me from the previous day’s volcano hike and picked me up. They went even further by inviting me to visit them when I’m in Australia, an invitation I’m excited to accept.

Coyhaique → Perito Moreno, Argentina (350km)

The fastest route to the south of Chile involved crossing into Argentina for a stretch. I crossed the border on foot on a quiet Sunday and chatted with the border guards while waiting for a ride. The guards were so supportive of my journey that they started asking other travellers if they had room for me. Mike and Veronique, wine makers from Quebec, came through and happily offered to take me along.

I spent most nights sleeping in my tent. The mornings were often cold which made packing up camp difficult. The benefit was that this was the hardest part of my day and the rest of my day was easier by contrast.

Perito Moreno → El Calafate (600km)

Away from the mountains in Argentina’s dry badlands, the landscape transformed into colorful rock faces and windswept fields dotted with hardy shrubs. Herds of guanacos—wild relatives of llamas—grazed in the distance, bringing life to the seemingly barren landscape.

On these quiet roads, a French couple in their van picked me up. I gladly took a seat on their bed in the back as I settled into the 7-hour ride. We had to stop a few times to let the engine cool, but this gave us time to take in the views.

In El Calafate, I reunited with my friend Ben, who had inspired my Patagonian journey. We had first met in Mexico five months ago and kept in touch since then. Now together again, we’re planning to complete the 8-day Torres del Paine “O” Trek at the end of February.

The Perito Moreno Glacier near El Calafate was one of the most breathtaking places I’ve visited. My sense of perspective vanished as I struggled to comprehend the glacier’s immense scale.

Standing about 60m tall, the glaciers would frequently shed massive chunks of ice into the water below in spectacular splashes. It was all incredible and I was content just to stare at it for the couple of hours we were here.

El Calafate → Puerto Natales (350km)

I caught a ride with my friend Ben and his friend Chris from El Calafate to Puerto Natales. Arriving in Puerto Natales marked the end of my hitchhiking challenge, and a wave of relief washed over me as I arrived.

By stepping out of my comfort zone and facing my fears, I was rewarded with countless amazing stories. I’ve expanded my capabilities further than I thought possible. This is exactly why I’m travelling—each day brings new lessons in unexpected ways.

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Final Thoughts

I’m taking a few days to rest in Puerto Natales before my trek into Patagonia. Embracing uncertainty and spontaneity has led to some of my most memorable experiences of my life. Without rigid plans, I found myself truly present in each moment, letting serendipity guide my journey.

This new way of traveling has taught me to trust in my capabilities and embrace the unknown. In just a few weeks, I’ve traversed Chile from its northern deserts to the stunning landscapes of Patagonia, collecting lessons about trust, human connection, and personal growth along the way.

“You never know who you’ll meet when you stick your thumb out. That’s the beauty of it.” – Jack Kerouac

With love,
Adam