Carretera Austral Self-Drive Adventure

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; Mallín 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 Mallín Colorado and your lodging for the night at Mallín Colorado Ecolodge, with time to settle into your cabin before dinner is served. 

Journey: 4.5hrs, 265km

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Accommodation: Mallín Colorado Ecolodge

Day 5: Drive to the Baker River; Horseback ride; Mallín 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 Mallín 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: Mallín Colorado Ecolodge

Day 6: Explore Mallín Colorado area; Mallín Colorado Ecolodge

Today is a free day to explore the area around Mallín 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 Mallín Colorado Ecolodge and take in the beautiful views. 

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Accommodation: Mallín Colorado Ecolodge

Day 7: Drive to Glacier San Rafael; Mallín Colorado Ecolodge

Depart early from the lodge for the drive to Puerto Tranquilo and then on to Bahía 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 Bahía Exploradores around 5pm and you'll return to Mallín Colorado Ecolodge.

Journey: 2.5hrs, 100km to Bahía Exploradores

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Mallín 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