Buckle up for one of the world’s great road trips, driving through some 800 miles of pristine Patagonian wilderness.
Through remote villages, past glaciers and volcanoes, deepwater lakes, rivers and fjords, a journey along Chile’s Route 7 – also known as the Carretera Austral – showcases some of the wildest landscapes on Earth.
This trip begins in Futaleufú, carving its way south through the temperate rainforests of Palena and Aysen, past Queulat and Coyhaique to Lago General Carrera, ending in Patagonia National Park. Along the way, kayak and swim in vast electric-blue lakes, hike in the Chacabuco Valley, raft the Futaleufú river, cast a line in remote creeks, and stay in some of our favourite small lodges in Patagonia.
Every trip we design is tailor-made, built around your interests and preferred travel style; consider this itinerary as merely a starting point to inspire your own.
WHEN TO TRAVEL
November – April
SUGGESTED LENGTH
13 nights
DAYS 1-3
Futaleufú
Fly into Esquel, Argentina, and collect your car for the two-hour journey across the Chilean border into Futaleufú. Here, on the banks of one of the world’s great white-water rivers, PATA Lodge offers a warm welcome.
Futaleufú is a haven for lovers of the outdoors. Ride on horseback through the surrounding valleys, fly-fish for trout, or trek through the landscape spotting wildlife. Set off with a guide into the Futaleufú Nature Reserve, where two pristine lakes – Lonconao and Espolón – invite kayaking, fishing, and wild swims. For something more exhilarating, spend a morning rafting the rapids of the Río Futaleufú.
PATA is also a working farm. Join Don Beni to learn about the traditional, pesticide-free farming techniques they use, or spend an afternoon with Gabriela trying your hand at beekeeping. Much of what appears on the table is grown or produced on the land.
DAYS 4-6
Melimoyu
After breakfast, the road trip begins in earnest. Head west to rejoin the Carretera Austral, then turn south through northern Aysén, where paved roads give way to gravel, winding between forest, rivers and the Andes. Leave the main road near La Junta for the final stretch to Melimoyu Lodge.
Set out to explore the surrounding hills on horseback or mountain bike, or paddle across Rosselot Lake by kayak. One of our favourite outings takes you by boat deep into the forest to secluded natural hot springs, inaccessible by road. The fishing here is exceptional too, with brown and rainbow trout and the powerful Chinook salmon waiting in the clear waters.
DAY 7
Coyhaique
Leaving Melimoyu, it‘s back on the road to continue the journey down one of the most scenic stretches of the Carretera Austral. Pass by dense temperate rainforest draped in moss and ferns, opening up to fjords and rivers with the snow-dusted peaks of the Andes rising above glacial valleys.
Stop en route at Queulat National Park, where a short walk leads to views of the Hanging Glacier, a sheet of ice cascading down the cliffs. Lunch is a picnic in the wilderness before continuing on to Coyhaique. Here, the landscape changes noticeably, as the wet forests and fjords of northern Aysén give way to wide valleys, open grassland and Patagonian steppe. Spend the night at Pura Hotel – a well-placed stopping point before continuing south the following morning.
DAYS 8-9
Lago General Carrera
Leave Coyhaique and follow the Carretera Austral south through the Río Ibáñez valley and past the jagged peaks of Cerro Castillo, before dropping towards Lago General Carrera.
The lake straddles the Chile–Argentina border and is the second-largest in South America. Its colour changes constantly with the weather, from deep blue to an almost opaque turquoise where glacial rivers enter the water. Break the journey at Puerto Río Tranquilo and take to the lake by kayak to explore the Marble Caves, where thousands of years of wave action have carved pillars, chambers and overhangs into the calcium carbonate rock.
Afterwards, continue around the lake to El Mirador de Guadal, set on the lake shores with uninterrupted views across the water towards the mountains and Northern Patagonian Ice Field. The following day, head out on foot to explore ancient fossilised forests, or ride on horseback through the surrounding countryside to the Maqui waterfalls.
DAYS 10-12
Patagonia National Park
This morning, it’s a short two-hour drive south to Patagonia National Park, in the Chacabuco River Valley. Once one of the region’s largest sheep ranches, the land has been restored over the past two decades through the work of Tompkins Conservation, and is now protected as a national park. It’s home to abundant wildlife, including the endangered huemul deer, puma, guanacos, and massive Andean condors.
Stay at Explora Patagonia, the only lodge within the park. Walk the Los Pumas trail directly from the lodge, following the Chacabuco River across open steppe, or head south to Lake Cochrane for a walk above the water followed by kayaking on the Cochrane River. Longer hikes climb towards high lagoons and views of Mount San Lorenzo, and the park can also be explored by e-bike.
DAYS 13-14
Cerro Castillo
This morning, begin your journey back to civilisation up through Patagonia, leaving behind the wild grasslands and granite peaks of the Chacabuco Valley.
This route winds past turquoise rivers and high mountain passes before descending back toward the vast, shimmering expanse of Lago General Carrera. Follow the lake’s northern shore before continuing toward Balmaceda through open steppe and windswept plains dotted with wildflowers and grazing horses.
Spend your final night at Alto Castillo, a small lodge overlooking the Río Ibáñez valley and the Cerro Castillo massif. The following morning, continue north to Balmaceda Airport, drop off your car and catch a flight to Santiago to finish your journey.
Our Approach
The Carretera Austral is one of our favourite corners of South America: vast, sparsely populated and far wilder than the better-known parts of Patagonia. We’ve explored it extensively and know the roads, lodges and landscapes first-hand.
Every journey is bespoke, built from scratch around how you like to travel. We arrange your vehicle hire, lodgings, guides and activities, and carefully map out each driving day. If you would rather not take the wheel, one of our excellent local drivers can accompany you. Either way, our team handles all logistics and is available 24/7 throughout your journey.
CONTACT US
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