• Self Drive & Hike: Carretera Austral & Aysén

  • Capilla del marmol, Carretera Austral

    Self Drive & Hike: Carretera Austral & Aysén

  • Self Drive & Hike: Carretera Austral & Aysén

  • Cerro Castillo Mountain, Carretera Austral, Aysen Region

    Self Drive & Hike: Carretera Austral & Aysén

  • Drive and Hike Carretera Austral

    Self Drive & Hike: Carretera Austral & Aysén

  • Drinking Mate-tea together with a Gaucho, Carretera Austral

    Self Drive & Hike: Carretera Austral & Aysén

  • Self Drive & Hike: Carretera Austral & Aysén

Aysén Untouched - Patagonian Road Trip

8 days Self-Drive & Hike: Carretera Austral & Aysén - Hidden Trails & Valleys

Home / Patagonia Trips / Aysén Untouched - Self Drive Trip

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • The ultimate South America road trip: Drive on a 4WD the Carretera Austral, surrounded by hanging glaciers, lush green forests and breathtaking mountain scenery
  • Visit by kayak or a small boat the blue and turquoise sparkling “Capilla de marmol” (marble chapel) nearby Puerto Tranquilo or enjoy a rafting tour on the torrent Rio Baker
  • Discover one of Patagonia’s best kept secret, the Exploradores valley with its countless waterfalls, glaciers an unclimbed granite walls and peaks
  • Explore the Patagonian Moon valley in Patagonia Park (formerly Jeinimeni National Reserve)

Insider Tip

  • Drink Mate tea with a tropero (cattle driver)
Duration

8 days from/to Balmaceda

Activity
  • self-drive tour
  • nature adventure
Lodging
  • 7 nights hotel / guesthouse
Meals
  • 7 x breakfast
Price

from 2.390 USD

TRIP DESCRIPTION

This unique self-drive tour takes you along Chile's largest lake, Lago General Carrera. Explore the unique natural wonders of this still untouched region, for example the lake´s impressive surreal marble caves or the mighty Baker River. Cerro Castillo and Patagonia National Parks entice with spectacular hikes.

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Activity level 2 – Moderate – Suitable for people who are reasonably fit and hike at least once a month. Participants should be able to walk with their daypack (15-20 lbs) 4-8 hours a day with some strenuous ascents and descents. The equipment for your belongings must be carried by you throughout the duration of the trip day (rain gear, fleece or light down jacket, trekking poles, gloves, hat, camera, lunch and water for the day, and also gear for good weather conditions).

ITINERARY

Day 1-2: Balmaceda - Villa Cerro Castillo - Cerro Castillo National Park

Day 1: Balmaceda – Villa Cerro Castillo (about 1 h drive – 72 km/45 mi)

The journey begins at Balmeceda Airport in Southern Chile´s Aysén province. After picking up your rental car, travel south on the Carretera Austral that traverses Chile´s remote south. It doesn’t take long before you get to enjoy spectacular views of the Cerro Castillo mountain range on the right-hand side.

Overnight at a 3*-hotel in Villa Cerro Castillo. (-/-/-)

Day 2: Cerro Castillo National Park

Recommended hike: 7-8 h medium difficulty /15 km (9 mi) length / 1,061 m (3,481 ft) elevation

Cerro Castillo National Park has become a new attractive hiking destination over the past few years. There are various options; we recommend the ascent to the "Laguna" of the Cerro Castillo mountain massif. This can easily be done on your own, as the hiking trail is always well marked. Enjoy wonderful views of the wide valley, the mountains and the village. Past imposing glaciers, after three to four hours you reach the lagoon with the majestic peaks of the Cerro Castillo in the background. Take your time to enjoy the incredible surroundings, before descending the same way.

Overnight at a 3*-hotel in Villa Cerro Castillo. (B/-/-)

Day 3-4: Villa Cerro Castillo - Puerto Guadal - Chile Chico

Day 3: Villa Cerro Castillo - Puerto Guadal (about 4 h drive - 180 km/112 mi)

Today, your trip continues south on the Carretera Austral. Follow the course of the Murta River until it finally flows into Chile's largest lake, Lago General Carrera, whose blue-green glacier water is visible from far away. Near Puerto Rio Tranquilo, we recommend a visit to the Marble Caves, a unique geological formation made mostly of marble on the pristine shores of the lake. The rock formation "Capilla de Mármol" (Marble Chapel) is one of its highlights. Afterwards the journey continues along the shore until you reach Puerto Guadal.

Overnight at a 3*-hotel in Puerto Guadal. (B/-/-)

Day 4: Puerto Guadal - Chile Chico (2-3 h drive - 105 km/65 mi)

In Puerto Guadal, the "Fossil Mountain" and the impressive waterfall Los Maquis are worth a visit. Later on, continue your journey along the southern shore of Lago General Carrera to the small village of Chile Chico, near the Argentine border. Its mild microclimate allows for the cultivation of cherries and other fruits, which is why it is also called the Chilean "sun city".

Overnight at a 3*-cabin in Chile Chico. (B/-/-)

Day 5-6: Patagonia National Park (Jeinimeni) - Chile Chico - Puerto Bertrand

Day 5: Patagonia National Park

Recommended hike: 4-5 h medium difficulty / 7.4 km (4.6 mi) length

Discover Patagonia´s breathtaking landscape on a unique hike in the recently opened Patagonia National Park (formerly Reserva Jeinimeni). The 7.4 km (4.6 mi) long circular trail of medium difficulty starts about one hour from Chile Chico and takes at least 4 to 5 hours to complete. Marvel at the 40 m (130 ft) high freestanding rock 'Piedra Clavada' in the middle of the pampa and discover the cave 'Cueva de las Manos' with countless old wall paintings, several thousand years of age, one of the most important cultural legacies of this region. The colorful rock formations of Valle Lunar inevitably remind of a lunar landscape. On the way, you are likely to encounter wild guanacos and condors, if you´re lucky even pumas.

Overnight at a 3*-cabin in Chile Chico. (B/-/-)

Day 6: Chile Chico - Puerto Bertrand (3-4 h drive - 130 km/80 mi)

Drive back along the southern shore of the lake to the village of Puerto Bertrand, where you stay amid beautiful scenery near the eponymous lake. It is the source of the Baker, one of Chile´s mightiest rivers, which flows together with the Neff about 20 km (12 mi) further south. This spectacular confluence is definitely worth a detour.

Overnight at a 3*-hotel in Puerto Bertrand. (B/-/-)

Day 7-8: Puerto Bertrand - Coyhaique - Balmaceda

Day 7: Puerto Bertrand - Coyhaique (5-6 h drive - 285 km/177 mi)

Today´s journey on the Carretera Austral leads back north to Coyhaique, the largest city in the region. Back in "civilization", there are good options for restaurant visits and shopping.

Overnight at a 2-3*-hotel in Coyhaique. (B/-/-)

Day 8: Coyhaique - Balmaceda (1 h - 57 km/35 mi)

Drop off your rental car at Balmaceda Airport. From here you can continue your trip to another region of Chile, or fly back home via Santiago. (B/-/-)

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Accommodation: 7 nights in the mentioned middle class accommodations, rooms with private bathroom
  • Meals: 7 x breakfast
  • 8 days rental car (SUV 4x4) from/to Balmaceda Airport including CDW with 240,00 USD deductible, unlimited mileage
  • Rental car category F2 (JEEP NISSAN XTRAIL AUTOMATIC or similar)
  • Airport service charge
  • Programmed GPS
  • 24 h emergency contact

WHAT’S EXCLUDED

  • Single supplement: extra charge p.p. $360 USD
  • Meals and beverages not indicated on the itinerary
  • Optional trips
  • Tips/gratuity
  • Local payments
  • International and domestic airfare
  • Travel insurance is not included in this tour. Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to the start of the trip.

DEPARTURE DATES & BOOKING

01.12.2024 - 30.04.2025
available
daily from 1 person; on request
from 2.390 USD

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