Journey Carretera Austral Chile

21 days - from €4.075 per person

driving - active - nature

• Go kayaking on Lake Llanquihue in Chiles’ Lake District
• Drive one of the most beautiful routes in the world
• Stop for day hikes in primary forest
• Take the Ruta 40 to Bariloche in Argentina
• Enjoy superb views on high Andes-passes

Day 3: Santiago - Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas

After breakfast you will board your domestic flight to Puerto Montt. Here you will be welcomed by one of our local staff and together you will pick up your rental car. Once in possession of the rental car, you will drive to your hotel in Puerto Varas within an hour (approx. 35 km). Puerto Varas is a small town, situated on the south side of Lake Llanquihue. You will stay at the hotel Casa Molino, a beautiful country house in the middle of nature. Casa Molino has a spacious garden and from the hotel you have a breathtaking view of the perfectly pyramid-shaped crater of the Osorno volcano. 
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Molino | bed & breakfast

Day 4: Puerto Varas

Today you can explore the beautiful surroundings of Puerto Varas. From the east side of the lake you can easily reach Lake Todos los Santos, located at the foot of the Osorno volcano. Also visit the rugged waterfalls of Petrohue, located in the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, known for its lush flora and exuberant fauna. The waterfalls with the Osorno volcano in the background will allow you to contemplate all the natural beauty that Chile has to offer.
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Molino | bed & breakfast

Day 5: Puerto Varas - Caleta Gonzalo

(approx. 240 km | 9 hours driving and sailing)
A long day of travel alternating between road and water. Definitely worth it. First you drive in the direction of Puerto Montt after which you continue to Caleta Gonzalo. You follow the route along the Llanquihue lake and drive south. When you arrive at the village of Hornopiren, you board the first ferry, along the Cholco canal and the special Comau fjord. This crossing takes about 4 hours, but you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the surroundings. On land you will continue your journey and then board the last ferry, which will take you to Caleta Gonzalo. You will spend the night in hotel Cabañas Caleta Gonzalo. This is a small-scale accommodation in a beautiful location on the Reñihué fjord in the natural park Pumalín.
Accommodation: Cabañas Caleta Gonzalo | bed & breakfast

Day 6: Caleta Gonzalo

Today you have time to explore the surroundings of Caleta Gonzalo. Take a look at the small organic farm where they also grow the vegetables they use in their own kitchen. Furthermore you can follow several routes through the natural park on foot, taking you through the rainforest and passing some vantage points.
Accommodation: Cabañas Caleta Gonzalo | bed & breakfast

Day 7: Caleta Gonzalo - Futaleufú

(approx. 220 km | 5-hour drive)
Today you drive a little further south to Futaleufú. This town is beautifully situated amidst green surroundings on the river Espolón. In the area you can make beautiful walks. You will stay in El Barranco hotel. This hotel offers various activities, such as fly fishing and horseback riding, for free.
Accommodation: Hotel El Barranco | bed & breakfast

Day 8: Futaleufú

Day in Futaleufú is planned. Enjoy the very green surroundings with many rivers and beautiful views where you stay. The town of Futaleufú is named after the nearby Futaleufú river and in the language of the Mapuche this means "great river". The area is mountainous, green and the rivers are considered the best rafting rivers in the world. A lovely area for walking. From your accommodation you can make various walks along the south side of the 'Futa', along a gorge where you can admire the wild water passages and rapids.
Accommodation: Hotel El Barranco | bed & breakfast

Day 9: Futaleufú - La Junta

(approx. 150 km | 4-hour drive)
Today you will drive along a beautiful route to La Junta. La Junta is situated on a spectacular spot in the heart of the Aysen region and is a perfect base for discovering the unspoilt nature and especially the forests that surround this village.
Accommodation: Hotel Espacio y Tiempo | bed & breakfast

Day 10: La Junta

Today, you will witness the rich animal life. You will find hummingbirds, condors and other bird species in this area that are found nowhere else in the world. With a bit of luck you will come across Huasos, typical Chilean cowboys, with their cattle. In addition to its rich animal life, this place is also known for its beautiful nature. Take walks along the river or through the woods or choose one of the activities you can do in the area, such as fishing, kayaking, mountain biking or horseback riding.
Accommodation: Hotel Espacio y Tiempo | bed & breakfast

Day 11: La Junta - Coyhaique

(approx. 280km | 6-hour drive)
From La Junta you drive to Coyhaique. You drive the first part through the Quelat National Park where the road winds through a dense and untouched forest. The last part of the route runs through a wide valley. When you approach Coyhaique, the landscape becomes drier and wider.
Accommodation: Hotel Boutique Patagonia House | bed & breakfast

Day 12: Coyhaique

This day you can spend your time in Coyhaique. Coyhaique offers one of the most beautiful landscapes in Patagonia, surrounded by the Simpson and Coihaique rivers and snow-capped mountains. The city itself serves as a regional shopping centre and has a museum, among other things. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings!
Accommodation: Hotel Boutique Patagonia House | bed & breakfast

Day 13: Coyhaique - Puerto Guadal

(approx. 280 km | 7-hour drive)
You drive further from Coyhaique to Puerto Guadal. Without making a stop you could do this route in about 4 hours, but you will encounter so much beauty along the way that it is almost impossible to continue in one piece. The first part of the route is asphalted and leads through the Cerro Castillo National Park. Then you drive to Puerto Tranquillo. Along the main road you will still see clear traces of the Hudson volcano eruption in 1991. From Puerto Tranquilo you will continue to your lodge, on the shores of Lake General Carrera.
Accommodation: Mallin Colorado Ecolodge | bed & breakfast

Day 14: Puerto Guadal

This day you can enjoy the spectacular surroundings of Lake General Carrera. It is the deepest lake in South America and is very rich in trout and salmon. The lake is situated on the border with Argentina and has an Argentinian and Chilean part. The Argentines call the lake 'Buenos Aires'. The lake is of glacial origin and is surrounded by the Andes Mountains. You can go out and explore the beautiful surroundings. In the area you will find untouched forests with unique tree species such as Coigues, Nirres and Lengas. It is a must to make a boat trip to the Catedral de Marmol, or marble caves, a miracle of nature.
Accommodation: Mallin Colorado Ecolodge | bed & breakfast

Photo: Tim de Groot©

Day 15: Puerto Guadal - Esquel

(approx. 730 km | 10-hour drive)
Today you say goodbye to Lake General Carrera, to continue your journey to the village of Esquel. Today you will make the crossing to Argentina. You will drive through the Argentine pampas and via the Ruta 40 to your next destination, Esquel. The village where you will stay is known for its sheep breeding.
Accommodation: Las Bayas | bed & breakfast

Day 16: Esquel - Bariloche

(approx. 300 km | 4-hour drive)
Continue north via Ruta 40 to Bariloche. Snowy peaks, deep blue lakes, crystal clear rivers and vast dense forests. These are some of the ingredients that make the Argentine Lake district a great destination. In addition to the fairytale Nahuel Huapi lake, there are countless places of unprecedented idyllic beauty to be found in this area.
Accommodation: Design Suites Bariloche | bed & breakfast

Day 17: Bariloche

Bariloche, whose full name is San Carlos de Bariloche, is the capital of the lake district. By car you can go out and explore this beautiful area, there is more than enough to do in this area. Kayak, for example, relax on one of the quiet mountain lakes or take a boat trip to one of the islands for lovely walks. For the more active there are also opportunities for horse riding or mountain biking along the Nahuel Huapi lake. You will mainly find peace and quiet outside Bariloche, but if you do choose to visit Bariloche, the highly regarded Patagonia museum or one of the many cheese, meat or chocolate fondue restaurants are a nice option.
Accommodation: Design Suites Bariloche | bed & breakfast

Day 18: Bariloche - Puerto Varas

(approx. 320 km | 5-hour drive)
Today you drive back to Puerto Varas. The first part you drive along the banks of Lake Nahuel Huapi in the direction of Villa la Angostura. Then cross the border back to Chile and drive the last part along the Llanquihue lake. On the way you will have beautiful views of the Osorno volcano.
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Molino | bed & breakfast

Day 19: Puerto Varas - Puerto Montt - Santiago

Today you will drive the last stretch in your rental car to Puerto Montt airport (approx. 30 km | 30-minute drive). Upon arrival at the airport, you will drop off your rental car and board your domestic flight to Santiago. In Santiago you will be escorted to your hotel and have the last afternoon and evening for leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel Altiplanico Bellas Artes | bed & breakfast

Day 20: Santiago - Amsterdam

Unfortunately, your journey through Chile and Argentina is over. After breakfast you will be taken to the airport and board the intercontinental flight to Amsterdam.

Day 21: Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.