How to get to Aysen
Whether you’re travelling from Santiago, Torres del Paine, the Chilean Lake District or even by ship, Aysen is easy to get to from across Chile.
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Activities in Aysen
- Hit the hiking trails to enjoy impossible mountain views, on almost empty trails with barely another soul in sight
- Saddle up for a taste of gaucho culture, horse riding through the valleys and forests in one of Patagonia’s great frontier regions
- Paddle in a kayak to the Marble Caves, or float among the ice near the frozen cliffs of a mighty glacier
- Dip your rod on a fishing trip, casting in some of the world’s best stocked trout and salmon runs
- Clock up the miles on a road trip along the Carretera Austral, one of South America’s most epic highways
Hiking in Patagonia National Park
Horseback river crossing in the Avellano Valley
Trekking in Patagonia National Park
Kayaks inside the Marble Caves
Trout fishing in Aysen
What to do in Aysen
Hiking
Whether you’re looking for a scenic day hike or to push yourself on a multi-day trek through the mountains, Aysen has some of Patagonia’s best trails – all with hardly anyone on them.
For dramatic landscapes, Cerro Castillo National Park is a true rival to Torres del Paine, some truly world class hiking. In Patagonia National Park you can get wild and remote in the valleys, under some of the region’s most epic skies. Both of these parks offer day hikes and supported camping expeditions. Elsewhere, Queulat National Park offers hanging glacier views, while at the Exploradores Glacier near Laguna San Rafael you can even go ice hiking on its back.
Cerro Castillo (Horquetas) trek
Horse riding
The gaucho is firmly embedded into Aysen’s culture, making a horseriding trip one of the best ways to really get under the skin of the region.
Short half day and full day rides are perfect for exploring the scenery, and there are a number of excellent traditional lodges from which to base yourself and do as much (or as little) riding as you like.
For experienced riders who are after a longer adventure, there are extended camping trips riding with pack horses, taking you deep into the wilderness for a deep taste of Aysen’s frontier lifestyle.
Horse riding in Cerro Castillo National Park
Swoop says
I worked for three years as a guide in Torres del Paine, and I'm always amazed at the contrast with Aysen. This is a place that feels like a new frontier for adventure travel, where you can go hiking and have the most beautiful mountain landscapes almost entirely to yourself.
Felipe Cruzat Patagonia Specialist
Kayaking
Float downstream past snowcapped mountains, deserted beaches, or padding to the famous Marble Caves or even the face of the San Rafael Glacier: Aysen's vast waterways connect some of its most beautiful and untouched scenery, ready to be experienced by anyone from novices to expert kayakers.
Kayaking in Aysen can range from simple half day or full day paddling excursions, to longer river adventures spread over several days, where you wild camp on the beach to emerge at the end in the bay of northern Chile's prettiest fjords.
Kayaking at the Marble Caves
Fishing
Aysen is the jewel in Chile's crown when it comes to fishing. Alongside numerous lakes, lagoons and fjords, it has numerous rivers famous for their beautiful scenery, and an abundance of trout and salmon. The Simpson, Baker, Palena and Cochrane rivers are all essential destinations for anyone wishing to experience fishing in Patagonia, whether you take a day out of your adventure to fish, or relax in a fishing lodge on a dedicated trip.
One thing's for certain, the river runs here are so remote, you'll have your spot all to yourself, with only the sound of the water and the birds to break the stillness.
Trout in one of Aysen's rivers
Road trips
Aysen's lifeblood flows along the Carretera Austral, Chile's grandest and remotest highway, which stretches for over 620 miles (1000 km) through the heart of the region.
A road trip along the Carretera Austral, or just a section of it makes the perfect way to explore Aysen, stopping off en route to explore its national parks, and spending a night or two in a variety of locations to go hiking, horse riding, kayaking or more along the way. Time on the rod here makes for an essential introduction to the many diverse landscapes of Aysen.
Driving the Carretera Austral
Swoop says
Aysen has more to offer than almost anywhere else in Patagonia, with a fraction of the visitors. Getting into a kayak, onto horseback or setting off on a multi-day trek means you'll see more of the glaciers, mountains and temperate rainforest of this beautiful region.
What our customers think of Aysen's activity options
The trip across Lago O'Higgins on the 'Quetru' was spectacular. Other highlights in Aysen... Lagunas Atlas hike was beautiful and solitary - we only saw one other couple all day.
Travelled: March 2017
Sarah and Charles - UK
We stayed at Casa Sur hotel and really liked it. Good location, helpful staff and good breakfast choice. We used their free bikes and navigated the cycle ways around the city.
Travelled: February 2017
Mike and Edwina - UK
Aysen was another highlight of our trip. We loved the Enchanted forest and our stay at Fiordo Queulat Eco Lodge.
Travelled: February 2017
Mike and Edwina - UK
Explore more of Aysen
Marble Caves
The Marble Caves are one of Aysen’s most beautiful natural sights: surreal rock cathedrals in a glacial lake that can be explored by boat or kayak.
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Cerro Castillo National Park
Cerro Castillo offers the best hiking in the whole of Aysen. Trek among the peaks, ride like a gaucho, and seek the bright turquoise lagoons hidden deep in the mountains.
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Patagonia National Park
Explore the beauty of Chile’s greatest conservation project, where fences were torn down to recreate a thriving ecosystem amid spectacular valleys and mountain scenery.
Discover MoreReady to plan your Patagonia adventure?
1. Listen
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
2. Match
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
3. Reserve
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.