CARRETERA AUSTRAL

The Carretera Austral is located in northern Patagonia, encompasses the southern Lake District and the Aysen region. When trying to delineate its boundaries, one could consider it beginning in the north with the city of Puerto Montt, the gateway to Chilean Patagonia, and ending in the far south with the small town of Villa O'Higgins, considered the final stop on the southern route. This road, increasingly popular with cyclists and travelers who enjoy self-drive tours and wide-open spaces, offers more than 1,200 kilometers of trails with vast and varied landscapes. Indeed, it features a jagged coastline lined with fjords, an endless steppe interspersed with mountains, but also dense virgin forests, a succession of volcanoes, each more beautiful than the last, and lakes and rivers that delight fishermen and tourists who enjoy water sports. Accessible by sea by ferry, by air from Coyhaique or Balmaceda, and by land, this region of the planet, one of the wildest, most natural and still intact, cannot be visited quickly given the significant distances between the various sites of interest. A non-exhaustive list of the must-sees in this area:

The Futaleufu area is ideal for enjoying adventure water sports like rafting or kayaking on the clear, cool waters of the Azul or Macal River, all of which allow you to appreciate the beauty of the valley surrounded by glaciers and mountains.

The town of Puerto Rio Tranquilo, known for its massive marble chapels (Capillas de marmol), various islets with caves at water level, into which boats or kayaks can slip. For diving enthusiasts, it will be possible to explore the depths by diving into tunnels and other secret passages beneath the clear, turquoise waters of Lake General Carrera.

The Exploradores Glacier, which you can discover on a full-day excursion, including walking on the ice field equipped with crampons and exploring the ice caves while admiring the scenery and enjoying the tranquility that reigns there.

The Southern Route, a true breath of fresh air with its magnificent landscapes, is still a circuit to be done in the form of a loop or including a connection by sea (via Caleta Yungay or Puerto Chacabuco). Because once you reach the south at Villa O'Higgins, there is no longer a road allowing you to continue further down.