Highlights of Aysen Roadtrip

Day 1: Arrive at Balmaceda Airport; Guided Drive to Cerro Castillo

You will be met at Balmaceda Airport by your English-speaking guide and driver who will take you south through mountainous terrain on your way to Cerro Castillo village.

This scenic drive will take you through an area where the endangered Huemul deer lives, and you may be lucky enough to spot them on your journey. If arriving on an early flight, you can visit the museum and see the hand paintings near town. 

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: B&B Cerro Castillo or similar

Day 2: Day Hike - Laguna Cerro Castillo

There are a few accessible routes for your day hike. Today we expect you to be able to hike to the iconic viewpoint of the national park: The Mirador Laguna Cerro Castillo. This hike will take you on well-marked forested trails, before clearing the tree line and arriving at one of Patagonia's most spectacular viewpoints, with the glacial lagoon and the majestic jagged peaks of Cerro Castillo as a backdrop. 

Weather permitting you will have great views of the castle-like peaks (the reason behind the name Cerro Castillo). The hike is moderately demanding as it climbs constantly upwards to the viewpoints, zig-zagging back and forth. You’ll follow the same route down afterwards. 

Length of hike: 13km total: there and back route, 7-8 hrs approx, about 1000 metres height gain. 

Meals: Breakfast, boxed lunch and dinner

Accommodation: B&B Cerro Castillo or similar

Day 3: Puerto Tranquillo and the Marble Caves

You'll leave Cerro Castillo at around 8am heading to the quaint town of Puerto Río Tranquilo. You'll then head out on a kayak excursion to Aysen's famous Marble Caves. Kayaking you will be about 2 hours on the water, for a leisurely group paddle, where your guide will interpret the singular sights of the Magnificent Marble Chapel, Cathedral and Caves that you’ll approach within touching distance. All Kayaking equipment - kayak (single or double)/paddle/skirt and splash jacket/life vest will be provided. Alternatively, take a small boat ride to the site, and explore these wonders from the comfort of a bigger vessel. 

Afterwards, enjoy a delicious lunch in town before a leisurely drive south as you border the continent’s second largest lake—General Carrera—to your accommodation for the evening at Mallin Colorado. You will then have a free afternoon to rest and recover before dinner. The self-guided trails around the lodge are a wonderful way to take in the beautiful surroundings if you have the energy. If you prefer you can sit back and relax by one of the lodge’s huge windows and simply bask in the lake’s mesmerising vistas. 

Meals: Breakfast, lunch (at a local restaurant) and dinner

Accommodation: Mallin Colorado or similar

Day 4: San Rafael Glacier Adventure

The day starts early in the morning with a 1.5hr drive north to Bahía Exploradores. The drive itself is spectacular, as you’d expect as you intern yourself up this truly spectacular glacial valley from where you will be privileged to see numerous glaciers pouring off the Ice Field. From there you'll take a boat for around 60km travelling through vast fjords to the secluded San Rafael Lagoon. 

Once here you'll have plenty of time to soak up the fantastic views of the constantly moving San Rafael Glacier and witness the calving of huge chunks of ice. If you’re lucky you might get a glimpse of one of the resident Leopard Seals that call this bay home. Enjoy a picnic lunch before returning via the same route to Bahía Exploradores, and taking to your vehicle once more to Puerto Tranquilo and finally to your accommodation in time for your evening meal.

Today's day is long, but provides a unique opportunity to cross the Andean mountain range to Pacific waters and back again, simply magnificent.  

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation: Mallin Colorado or similar

Day 5: Drive to Coyhaique Along the Carretera Austral

You'll travel 6 hours by road to Coyhaique over the same route that you followed southwards first. You’ll make a couple of programmed stops for coffee and the viewpoints that you want. 

It's a chance to take in the stunning scenery one last time.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner, and snacks are provided for the drive/stops at coffee shops.

Accommodation: Los Raices Hotel Coyhaique or similar 

Day 6: Drive to Balmaceda Airport

You will be driven back to Balmaceda Airport (30 minutes).