Carretera Austral Self-Drive Adventure
Are you hoping to travel before March 2023?
Patagonia's a big trip and we know how crucial it is to get it right. As you’re considering travelling in the next couple of months, we want to be upfront with you…
Finding available accommodation is proving almost impossible in Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks. While not uncommon, the pandemic has exacerbated the situation this year.
Alongside this, Swoop are also currently focused on ensuring that all of the logistics are in place for our booked travellers who are due to head south shortly.
Swoop has therefore decided to no longer accept any new bookings departing before the beginning of March 2023.
As alternative options, here’s what we suggest:
Option A:
Push your trip back and choose to travel instead in early 2023. April onwards has more accommodation options still available. The Patagonian autumnal colours are stunning and trails less crowded.
Option B:
Defer your Patagonia adventure by 12 months, benefitting by getting exactly the trip you want without compromise, and lock in plans now while there’s still good availability.
If you are able to be flexible on your travel dates, the next step would then be for us to arrange a time to talk through the options.
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I want to travel before March 2023
Unfortunately we can’t currently help with short notice trips to Patagonia. Sign up to our newsletter to get some Patagonia travel advice and inspiration!
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I’m flexible and could travel later
Trip type
Independent
Trip length
8 Days
From
$4,092
Location
Aysen
Carretera Austral Self-Drive Adventure - 8 - $4,092
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
Day 1: Drive from Balmaceda Airport to Coyhaique; Estancia Punta del Monte
Day 2: Drive to Queulat National Park; Queulat Lodge
Day 3: Trek to the hanging glacier; Drive to Coyhaique; Hotel
Day 4: Drive to Mallín Colorado; Mallín Colorado Ecolodge
Day 5: Drive to the Baker River; Horseback ride; Mallín Colorado Ecolodge
Day 6: Explore Mallín Colorado area; Mallín Colorado Ecolodge
Day 7: Drive to Glacier San Rafael; Mallín Colorado Ecolodge
Day 8: Drive to Balmaceda Airport
Start from Balmaceda Airport and end at Balmaceda Airport
Landmarks visited on Carretera Austral Self-Drive Adventure
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Drive from Balmaceda Airport to Coyhaique; Estancia Punta del Monte
Arrive at Balmaceda Airport and and drive to the main town of the region, Coyhaique. Here you'll have some free time to explore the town and have lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Estancia Punta del Monte, in Coyhaique Alto, where you'll have dinner and stay the night.
Journey: 1hr, 60km
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Estancia Punta del Monte
Day 2: Drive to Queulat National Park; Queulat Lodge
Today is a chance to visit a condor roost in the peaks of the nearby mountains; an opportunity to watch them from the summit and get up very close to these magnificent birds.
After a good breakfast at the estancia, you will drive north to Queulat Lodge. This is true Patagonia and you will pass several typical small towns along the road, with exceptional views of mountains, cattle and sheep farms. Arriving at Queulat National Park, you enter a humid native forest, impressive for its steep slopes and roads lined with nalca, also known as Chilean rhubarb, with enormous leaves.
Journey: 3.5hrs, 210km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Queulat Lodge
Day 3: Trek to the hanging glacier; Drive to Coyhaique; Hotel
After breakfast, you'll drive the short distance to the entrance of Queulat National Park. From here you'll trek along a wonderful trail, climbing a steep bluff to the north to reach a lookout over the hanging glacier and Tempanos Lagoon. While you soak up the views, you're likely to hear a deep thundering noise as the glacier calves off huge chunks of ice in front of you.
After this magical experience, you will return to Coyhaique where you'll stay the night.
Journey: 3.5hrs, 210km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Coyhaique
Day 4: Drive to Mallin Colorado; MallÃn Colorado Ecolodge
This morning, you'll start driving along the extremely scenic Carretera Austral, to the south of the region. Crossing the Ibañez Valley, passing Cerro Castillo's peaks and through humid forests, you will drive through some of the most remote areas of the Aysén region.
Stopping off along the way in Puerto Tranquilo, you can enjoy an excursion by boat to the mysterious and stunning marble caves. Then it is on to MallÃn Colorado and your lodging for the night at MallÃn Colorado Ecolodge, with time to settle into your cabin before dinner is served.
Journey: 4.5hrs, 265km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: MallÃn Colorado Ecolodge
Day 5: Drive to the Baker River; Horseback ride; MallÃn Colorado Ecolodge
After breakfast, you'll take a short drive south to visit the Baker River and its confluence with the Nef River. Here, the Baker River meets the sediment-coloured glacial waters of the Nef River, and the water changes colour as it flows on to the Pacific at Caleta Tortel.
After your visit here, head back to MallÃn Colorado Ecolodge, for horseback riding or hiking in the afternoon. There are 15km of trails on the property with beautiful native trees, amazing views of Lake General Carrera and the Cordón Contreras mountain chain.
Journey: 30mins, 30km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: MallÃn Colorado Ecolodge
Day 6: Explore MallÃn Colorado area; MallÃn Colorado Ecolodge
Today is a free day to explore the area around MallÃn Colorado and Lake General Carrera. A visit to the nearby town of Puerto Guadal with its many artisan shops is highly recommended and gives a real flavour of life in Patagonia. You can also explore the stunning Cascada Los Maquis nearby, visit an abandoned mine inside the mountains, or visit the beautiful cemetery of Puerto Guadal which is full of flowers and amazing views.
Alternatively, you may decide to simply rest in your cabin at MallÃn Colorado Ecolodge and take in the beautiful views.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: MallÃn Colorado Ecolodge
Day 7: Drive to Glacier San Rafael; MallÃn Colorado Ecolodge
Depart early from the lodge for the drive to Puerto Tranquilo and then on to BahÃa Exploradores to take a cruise to Glacier San Rafael. You will spend a full day onboard with breakfast, lunch and coffee all included.
Navigating through the fjords, you should arrive at San Rafael Lagoon by noon where there will be time to get close to the icebergs. The boat returns to BahÃa Exploradores around 5pm and you'll return to MallÃn Colorado Ecolodge.
Journey: 2.5hrs, 100km to BahÃa Exploradores
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: MallÃn Colorado Ecolodge
Day 8: Drive to Balmaceda Airport
Today you'll drive to Balmaceda Airport to take your onward flight.
Journey: 5hrs, 240km
Meals: Breakfast
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
Independent tours are USD $4,092 per person based on two people sharing a room and a rented 4x4 car.
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A departure can be set up on a date of your choice. Please get in touch for more details.
Additional Notes
Optional excursions – There are optional extra activities available. Please get in touch for more details and pricing on the following:
- Jet boat trip to Glacier Leones from Mallín Colorado
- Helicopter flight over the Northern Icefields
- Half-day hike to Puerto Guadal fossil site
Includes
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 picnic lunch, 7 dinners
- Accommodation: 2 nights in Coyhaique, 1 night in Queulat Lodge, 4 nights at Mallín Colorado Ecolodge
- 8 days rental of 4x4 vehicle for self-drive, from and to Balmaceda Airport
- 24/7 support from our local partner
- Visit to the marble caves
- Visit to the Baker River confluence
- Condor visit at dawn from Estancia Punta del Monte
- Hanging glacier hike in Queulat National Park
- Mallín Colorado trails: hiking or horseback riding
- Boat excursion to Glacier San Rafael
Excludes
- Meals not indicated in itinerary
- Drinks at lunch or dinner
- Any extra/optional excursions
- Personal equipment (see our recommended kit list)
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities/tips
- International and domestic/in-country flights
- Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses
