Carretera Austral Fundamental – Patagonia on a Round Trip in 3 Weeks

Overview

Discover the south of Patagonia, Chile's Lake Region and the Carretera Austral road on a Patagonia trip in 3 weeks. You visit the vibrant capital Santiago with its many faces, historical places and great city panoramas. At Puerto Natales you dive into the wild nature of southern Patagonia with massive mountains, turquoise lakes and mighty glacier ice. Travel to one of the southernmost cities in the world and observe the agile bustle of King Penguins on Tierra del Fuego. Then, you fly to the Lake Region and take your rental car. Admire picturesque waters near Puerto Varas and wooden churches on the island of Chiloé. The fabulous Carretera Austral road in northern Patagonia is flanked by ancient trees, convoluted fjords and slumbering volcanoes. Chaitén symbolizes the beauty and drama of Chile's turbulent, active nature. With its warm thermal springs and German relics, Puyuhuapi casts a spell over you. And you are amazed in front of the massy hanging glacier Ventisquero Colgante in Queulat National Park. Finally, in the port city of Valparaíso, colorful hills, jolting elevators and outstanding street art are waiting for you.

Highlights

Natural spectacle Torres del Paine

Conical volcanoes in front of Puerto Varas

Seclusion of Carretera Austral

The magical allure of Puyuhuapi

Hanging glacier in Queulat National Park

Itinerary

Day 1-4: Santiago de Chile

Welcome to Chile! Here in Santiago beats the heart of Chile. And at the same time, at the foot of the snow-covered mountains and not far from the mighty ocean, you feel what gave this country its name according to a legend: Chilli - where the world ends. Glorious buildings and busy commerce on the streets, flourishing parks and modern high-rise complexes come together in Santiago. And the secrets of the Andean habitat of central Chile get revealed on an excursion to the Cajón del Maipo.

Day 4-7: Puerto Natales

You move on to the extreme south of Chile. Puerto Natales is the gateway to the grandiose phenomena of Patagonia. Discover the highlights of the renowned Torres del Paine National Park. Turquoise lakes and jagged granite mountains, floating ice floes and grazing guanacos combine to create an incomparable scenery of Patagonia. And on a boat trip, you cruise on the Fjord Última Esperanza to the glaciers Balmaceda and Serrano in the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. It is rough out here and magical.

Day 7-9: Punta Arenas

You travel to Punta Arenas, one of the southernmost cities on earth. This is where the American continent ends. And that is how it feels. On an excursion you cross the famous Strait of Magellan and enter Tierra del Fuego. In Parque Pingüino Rey, King Penguins with orange beaks and up to nearly one meter tall, breed in groups, waddle around and groom their plumage. There is a special aura that pervades Tierra del Fuego, which you soak up here.

Day 9-12: Puerto Varas

You fly to the Lake Region and start your tour with a rental car. Puerto Varas carries its own magic with its panorama of the sparkling Lago Llanquihue and the snowy volcanoes on the horizon, with German architecture and inviting cafes. The inexhaustible rapids of Río Petrohué break over the volcanic rocks and roar impetuously. With its cone shape, Volcán Osorno looks like something out of a picture book. And on the island of Chiloé, you discover colorful stilt houses, wooden churches and indigenous mythology.

Day 12-13: Hornopirén

Set off for the northern gate of the Carretera Austral road. On your way, you skirt lush forests with Alerce trees over 3,600 years old and scattered fishing villages before arriving in Hornopirén. The small town on the Gulf of Ancud already bears its nature in its name. Furnace of Snow means the title of this place and vividly refers to the dominant volcanoes that encircle Hornopirén.

Day 13-15: Chaitén

Nestled in a devotional setting of forests, green hills and the fresh Pacific Ocean, you stop in Chaitén. Enter the enormous conservation area of Pumalin Park. Hundreds of waterfalls, trees of biblical age, fjords, lava fields and two active volcanoes comprise the amazing reserve. Or put your feet up on Santa Bárbara Beach, with its dark volcanic sand and overgrown shore.

Day 15-17: Puyuhuapi

With its gorgeous nature, its hiddenness and harmony, your destination Puyuhuapi is emblematic for the ambience of the Carretera Austral. Particularly eye-catching is the massive glacier tongue Ventisquero Colgante, which steadily breaks down the rocky escarpment behind a mountain lagoon. And in the nearby thermal baths, you can wind down body and mind while Patagonian dolphins glide sweepingly across the Puyuhuapi Fjord in front of you.

Day 17-18: Coyhaique

You leave the peaceful Puyuhuapi and continue south traversing the grandiose landscape of Northern Patagonia. Finally, you reach Coyhaique, the capital of the region surrounded by cliffy mountains and green farmland. Here you can recharge after the past days in the isolated nature of the Carretera Austral and appreciate the benefits of urbanized life. In Coyhaique ends your tour by rental car.

Day 18-21: Valparaíso

You return to central Chile. Valparaíso is known for its colorful tin-clad houses, historic elevators and street art full of politics and irony. Meander attentively through the winding sidewalks on the hills of the port city. An entertaining cooking class gives you a taste of Chilean food culture. In the Casablanca Valley, you gain interesting glimpses into local viticulture. And encircled by pine forests and the shimmering Pacific Ocean, you listen to the harmonious sound of the sea in Quintay.

What our Travel Packages Include

Travel service:

Basic package Full package

Individual advice before and during your journey
Tailor-made travel planning and organization

Accommodation:

Basic package Full package

20 nights in standard, comfort or premium accommodation
Double room usually with private bathroom and breakfast

Local transport:

Basic package Full package

3 national flights
7 transfer connections
Rental car (see below)
1 car ferry cruise

Rental car:

Basic package Full package

Rental car for 9 days (SUV)
Car type: Nissan Kicks or similar
Pick up: Puerto Montt (Airport)
Drop off: Balmaceda (Airport)
Kilometers: free
2nd driver: incl.
Border crossing: excl.
Insurance: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) with basic protection against damage and theft without deductible (via refund)

Half and full day tours:

Basic package Full package

City tour Santiago (private)
Cajón del Maipo and Embalse El Yeso (shared)
Highlights Torres del Paine (shared)
Boat trip to Glaciers Balmaceda and Serrano (shared)
Tierra del Fuego and King Penguins (shared)
Cooking class in Valparaíso (shared)
City tour Valparaíso (private)
Quintay and winery at Casablanca (private; excl. tasting)

Additional travel services:

Basic package Full package

Intercontinental flights
Travel insurance
Language course
Other travel services

Our Prices for your Journey through Chile

Included:

Travel service
Accommodation
Local transport
Rental Car

Total price per person:

From €2,987.00

Excluded:

Arrival and departure, half and full day tours, entrance fees, travel insurance, short rides, meals not mentioned

Included:

Travel service
Accommodation
Local transport
Rental Car
Half and full day tours

Total price per person:

From €3,957.00

Excluded:

Arrival and departure, entrance fees (partly with exceptions), travel insurance, short rides, meals not mentioned

Add individual travel services to your journey. For example:

Intercontinental flights from €970.00 per person
Car hire for other regions from €59.00 per day
Family motorhome from €226.00 per day
Free adjustment of destinations and order of your journey through Chile

Chile Central promotes sustainable and solidarity tourism. By booking your trip, you support CO₂ offset as well as a social project for disadvantaged children in Santiago.

Decided in advance? We offer attractive special rates for early bookers.