I spent three weeks in Chile this last October/November freelancing my fishing, although I did hire a guide for a few days out of Coyhoquie to get me started. Rented a real nice extended cab truck with heavy duty tires, and bed cover out of Coyhoquie. Went as far as the Cochrane to the south and Futlalafu to the North. Excellent trip, no worries or even a sense of danger or unfriendlies. You really should have some command of Spanish, as even in Coyhoquie there are very few who speak much English. My truck rental was my biggest expense, about $50/day US with insurance. Fuel is expense, and roads are rough and slow.