Carretera Austral Self-drive North or South- 6 days
Southern |
Northern |
DAY 1: BALMACEDA AIRPORT –PUERTO RIO TRANQUILO (195 KM / 120 MI)
Pick up your car at Balmaceda airport and start your Self Drive adventure. As you travel along, the dry Pampa of the region will gradually give way to green forests. In addition you will cross the pass leading to the Cerro Castillo National Reserve. Much further south you will find Puerto Rio Tranquilo home to the amazing marble caves. Overnight in or near Puerto Rio Tranquilo. DAY 2: PUERTO RIO TRANQUILO – CALETA TORTEL (237 KM / 147 MI) After about an 8 hour drive you will reach the hamlet of Caleta Tortel. The surrounding geography is rugged, formed by a number of islands, fjords, channels and estuaries. The town itself consists mainly of stilt houses, built along the coast. There are no conventional streets - instead there are only wooden walkways. (B) DAY 3: CALETA TORTEL An early departure is recommended to take full advantage of exploring your stunning surroundings. Caleta Tortel is located between the mouth of the Baker River the largest river in Chile and a small embayment of the Baker Channel. The wooden walkways give the village its distinctive look and its unique culture. (B) DAY 4: CALETA TORTEL – LAKE GENERAL CARRERA (198 KM / 123 MI) Today’s drive will take you back up north. Along the way stop to visit either the Tamango National Reserve (named after its awe-inspiring hills: Tamango (1722 MAMSL. and Tamanguito 1485 MAMSL) or the Chacabuco Valley (heart of the future Patagonia National Park). Overnight at the shores of the General Carrera Lake. (B) DAY 5: LAKE GENERAL CARRERA You will have the entire day to enjoy and discover your surroundings. Lake General Carrera is the biggest lake in Chile and home to several outdoor activities including; hiking, horseback riding, fishing and boat ride excursions. Overnight at the shores of the General Carrera Lake. (B) DAY 6: LAKE GENERAL CARRERA – BALMACEDA (252 KM / 157 MI) Drive back to Balmaceda and to its airport to drop off your vehicle and board your flight. (B) Price per person in US$ till April 30, 2025
Notes: Based On Half Twin. The single supplement also applies for 1 person
Hotels we use in this program: Apart Hotel Valle Exploradores (Standard Room), Entre Hielos Lodge (Standard Room), El Mirador de Guadal (Superior Room) Included: - 5 nights including breakfast. - 6 days car rental, including unlimited free mileage. - Local tax. - Full CDW coverage with deductible (for details see rental contract) for any damage that may occur during the rental period. - Roadmap and descriptions. Not included: In Chile car rental companies charge an additional airport service fee when vehicle will be picked up from airport. This service charge is not included in the rates published above. This extra fee has to be paid upon returning the car. |
DAY 1: PUERTO MONTT – HORNOPIREN (99 KM / 62 MI)
Pick up your car at the Puerto Montt Airport and start your trip along the Carretera Austral. You will pass the towns of Chamiza and Metri before arriving at the ferry crossing at Caleta La Arena. After a 45 minute boat ride you will arrive at Caleta Puelche. From there continue on your drive for approximately 2 hours until reaching the settlement of Hornopiren. Overnight in or near Hornopiren. DAY 2: HORNOPIREN – CALETA GONZALO (10 KM / 6 MI) From Hornopiren board the ferry heading South, the journey will take approximately 3 hours during which you will be able to observe impressive views of the Andes Mountain Range and Patagonian Fjords. After disembarking at this beau- tiful bay, take a short drive to Caleta Gonzalo. Overnight in or near Caleta Gonzalo. (B) DAY 3: CALETA GONZALO AND PUMALÍN PARK Day at leisure to explore your surroundings and the Pumalín Park. Designated a Nature Sanctuary in 2005, it is Chile's largest private nature reserve and is operated as a public access park. In addition conservation area not only provides a spectacular wilderness experience, but also protects the area's threatened ecosystem and species. Overnight in or near Caleta Gonzalo. (B) DAY 4: CALETA GONZALO – RISOPATRÓN LAKE – EL PANGUE (202 KM / 125 MI) Today’s drive will take you further south along the humid evergreen forests of Northern Patagonia passing the marvelous Lago Yelcho and the town of La Junta. Your finale destination for the day will be Risopatrón Lake. Overnight at or near Risopatron Lake. (B) DAY 5: EL PANGUE – QUEULAT NATIONAL PARK – COYHAIQUE (220 KM /140 MI) Drive southbound witnessing ever-changing landscapes. During the day stop and visit the Queulat National Park and the Ventisquero Hanging Glacier for spectacular natural scenery. Afterwards continue towards the city of Coyhaique, capital of the Aysen region. Overnight in or near Coyhaique. (B) DAY 6: COYHAIQUE – BALMACEDA (55 KM / 34 MI) Drive to the airport of Balmaceda to drop off the car and board your flight. (B) Price per person in US$ till April 30, 2025
Notes: Based on Half Twin. The single suplement also aplied for 1 pax
Hotels we use in this program: Hostería Catalina (Standard room), Cabañas Caleta Gonzalo (Cabin), Cabañas El Pangue (Standard room), Hotel Belisario Jara (Standard room). Program includes: - 5 nights including breakfast. - 6 days car rental including unlimited free mileage. - Local tax. - Full CDW coverage with deductible (for details see rental contract) for any damage that may occur during the rental period. - Drop off fee. - Roadmap and descriptions. Not included: Chile car rental companies charge an additional airport service fee when vehicle will be picked up from airport. This service charge is not included in the published rates. This extra fee has to be paid upon returning the car |