Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park
Lush rainforest, waterfalls, snow capped mountains, smoking volcanoes, glacier, lakes and jaw dropping beauty: Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park has it all.
Discover MoreDeep roots in Patagonia: We are ex-guides, tour leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, & adventurers.
We’ve got our feet on the ground: Impartial advice, a bespoke service, and at no extra cost.
For the ends of the Earth: Sustainability is more than our carbon footprint (but we’re reducing that too).
Deep roots in Patagonia: We are ex-guides, tour leaders, outdoor enthusiasts, & adventurers.
We’ve got our feet on the ground: Impartial advice, a bespoke service, and at no extra cost.
For the ends of the Earth: Sustainability is more than our carbon footprint (but we’re reducing that too).
Spanning more than 1,200km, the Carretera Austral is a road that runs south through southern Chile connecting to other roads by ferry or passes into Argentina. The unpaved road passes through lush temperate rainforests, skirts fjords, is surrounded by snow capped peaks, hanging glaciers, open plains, meandering glacial river and lush green valleys.
Construction of the Carretera was begun in the 1970s on the orders of General Augusto Pinochet, the de facto Chilean president of the time. Patagonia is a highly challenging environment for transport infrastructure - everywhere you look there is an obstacle of some sort, be it a mountain range, a fjord, or a glacier. As such, there was no land route that provided access to the highly isolated territory of southern Chile. The road wasn’t officially completed until 2003 when it finally connected the north with Villa O’Higgins. The village’s lake, Lago O’Higgins, marks the end of the road.
There are many reasons to explore the Southern Highway. Here are some of our favourites:
We can’t talk about the Carretera without talking about the awesome road trips that can be made along it. People say that there’s nothing quite like the freedom of the open road. But here at Swoop, we say that there’s nothing like the freedom of the Carretera Austral. Following the Southern Highway as it meanders around the endless and breath-taking fjords and lakes, and as it climbs over majestic peaks, is an unforgettable experience. Whatever you’re into, a Carretera Austral road trip is the way to travel around Chilean Patagonia…
Driving the Carretera Austral in Pumalín Park
The Carretera passes some fantastic hiking routes, many of them well-kept secrets. It provides access to no fewer than 22 national parks and reserves, meaning you’ll get to hike in acres of untouched beauty, often with few other people around. Spectacular highlights along the Carretera Austral include views of Cerro Castillo or the San Rafael glacial lagoon and the Queulat National Park.
The glaciers are a key part of the landscape in Patagonia, and one of the major reasons many people choose to visit. Whether you want to take some fantastic photos of some of the best known glaciers in the world, or you want to go ice-hiking on top of them, Swoop will make sure you visit the ones that are best suited to you and that you have the chance to appreciate some unmissable views like those of San Rafael and O’Higgins.
Rivers full to the brim with all manner of trout and salmon make this one of the world’s greatest regions for fishing. The Baker and Palena Rivers are of particular note among Patagonia’s various world renowned rivers that provide plentiful opportunities.
Aysen’s birdlife is fantastically varied; uniquely so, in fact. For example, there are Plovers and Sandpipers with their own sub-species that are native and unique either to central and northern Chile or to the south of Patagonia. Yet in the region of Aysen, the two habitats overlap, presenting a fantastic chance to see both kinds of bird in just one area! Winding through the mountains on the Carretera is the perfect way to observe these birds from above and below.
The region’s beautiful lakes such as the General Carrera and San Rafael Lagoon; the incredible cove of Tortel Harbour, which is built upon stilts and raised wooden pathways; its jagged mountain peaks like Cerro Castillo, and the glacial fjords that carve up the entire Aysen region… The fantastic panoramas of the region are a paradise for photographers. Here at Swoop we’re forever blown away by returning customers and the memories that they’ve captured with their cameras.
The Patagonian ice cap is the third largest in the world (approx. 18 000 km2) after Antarctica and Greenland. Split into the Northern and the Southern ice-fields, it is home to world famous glaciers, such as the San Rafael and O’Higgins, as well as the tremendous peaks of San Valentin / San Clemente (4, 058m - the highest in Chilean Patagonia).
The Rio Baker, in particular, is a spectacular and challenging place for rafting and kayaking. It’s home to Class II and III rapids and can provide adventure for those of varying experience at different points along its course.
The Rio Palena, meanwhile, can be descended all the way from the Argentinean border down to its estuary town of Puerto Raul Marin Balmaceda, on the Pacific coast.
Carretera Austral trips scored 4.7/5 from 5 reviews
The self drive Carretera Austral trip was perfect for us. We loved being in this remote area of Patagonia with small towns with plenty of day hikes to do. The Chilean people were very helpful and friendly. The landscape is stunning with snow-capped mountains, glacier blue lakes and rivers. Read the full review
Travelled: January 2020
Carolyn Adams - United States Of America
Review:
Although gradually being paved, the majority of this road is gravel making it quite slow going in places. This is no hardship as the scenery is stunning and varied and best enjoyed at a slow pace. To really get under the skin of the Carretera Austral and the places it passes through we would definitely recommend making sure you have the time to get off the road and hike the trails, kayak the fjords and soak up the gaucho culture.
The Northern stretch of the road is relatively short but has the opportunity for some varied and worthwhile side trips. Most notably would be to the Futaleufu valley or the wildlife rich Raul Marin Balmaceda. The road winds through jurassic like temperate rainforest, through steep sided canyons with rivers gushing below and along the side of lakes and fjords.
Lush rainforest, waterfalls, snow capped mountains, smoking volcanoes, glacier, lakes and jaw dropping beauty: Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park has it all.
Discover MoreThe Futaleufu Valley has a mesmerising and captivating beauty, with its raging rapids, lush green forest, granite walls and jagged peaks. Raft, hike, bike, horse ride or simply sit…
Discover MoreWith waters fed from glacial rivers, estuaries and the mighty Pacific Ocean, the fjords surrounding and islands off of Raul Marin Balmaceda are home to a wonderful array of …
Discover MoreThe Queulat National Park is covered with thick temperate rainforest, with hikes to a stunning hanging glacier and the bright blue Tempanos Lagoon.
Discover MoreAysen's mountain capital is the main entry point to the region. It's the perfect jumping off point for the Carretera Austral and the national parks that sit along its route.
Discover MoreCerro 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.
Discover MoreThe 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.
Discover MoreExplore 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 MoreAysen offers a variety of charming lodges, all set in beautiful scenery with some spectacular views. With lodges throughout the region there are plenty of places to base yourself during your stay, or to stop of on your road trip. Many of these lodges also offer daily excursions including hiking, kayaking, fishing and horse riding.
We'll spend some time listening to your aspirations, then discuss the kind of experience that might suit you.
Next we'll discuss the options, shortlist the best trips for you and present you our impartial recommendations.
We'll place a 24 hour hold on your preferred option - without obligation - whilst we talk through the details.
Whatever your budget, group size, length of stay, preferred activity or appetite for adventure, we can help.
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