Road trip on the Carretera Austral: magnificent nature and freedom

On arrival in Santiago, a private transfer takes you to your hotel. Once settled, you'll explore the Chilean capital with an English-speaking guide, against the impressive backdrop of the Andes Mountains.

The tour begins in the historic heart of the city: the Plaza de Armas, surrounded by emblematic buildings such as the La Moneda presidential palace, the Casa Colorada and the San Francisco church, a testament to ancient architecture. Then climb up to Santa Lucía Park for a view of the city as a whole. Stop off at the central market, a veritable gastronomic sanctuary where seafood products take pride of place.

To round off this introductory day, there are three options: the lively Bellavista district, the refined gastronomy of Lastarria or the contemporary ambience of the Italia district.

This morning, a private transfer takes you to the airport to catch your flight to Balmaceda. On arrival, an agent will hand you the keys to your rental car.

Your adventure on the legendary Carretera Austral begins with a drive through the unspoilt landscapes of northern Patagonia. Along the way, you'll pass through Cerro Castillo National Park, where it's often possible to spot a pair of roadside huemuls, and condors soaring through the air.

Continue on to Puerto Río Tranquilo, a peaceful village on the shores of Lake General Carrera, South America's second-largest lake.

Morning departure for an excursion into the heart of Los Exploradores Valley. The drive takes you to the park entrance, followed by a walk to the eponymous bay, where you'll discover waterfalls, rivers and surrounding peaks.

Several trails allow you to explore the region's typical forests and access viewpoints offering panoramic views of the Exploradores glacier and Mont Saint Valentin.

After breakfast, set sail on the General Carrera Lake. Your guide will show you the famous chapel and the marble caves, rock formations shaped by water over the millennia, where astonishing shades of blue and green unfold. The tour continues to Puerto Sanchez, a former mining village, where you can explore the caves and Panichini Island.

After this aquatic discovery, take National Route 7 back to Cochrane, skirting the turquoise waters of the Baker River. Stop at the confluence with the Neff River, where the colors of the water create a striking contrast.

Today, you'll drive to Caleta Tortel, a village out of time. This hamlet has no conventional roads, only wooden footbridges linking houses on stilts along the Baker River and Tortel Fjord.

Take a stroll through this atypical village, where cypress trees dominate the architecture, and discover the way of life of its inhabitants, who have lived in harmony with their environment for generations.

A new glacial experience awaits you today. Join your guide and the rest of the group for this collective adventure.

The tour begins with a boat trip to the foot of the Calluqueo glacier, one of the most impressive in the region.

With the assistance of an experienced guide, hike to the glacier's moraine before donning crampons to venture out onto the ice. A memorable walk, with exceptional views of the surrounding peaks and the raw beauty of the glacier, its deep crevasses and icy structures sculpted by time.

Early departure to meet your guide in the Leones Valley. After crossing rivers and dense forests, you reach the Los Leones glacier, an imposing wall of ice overlooking the lake of the same name. Enjoy the serenity and rugged beauty of a place untouched by mass tourism.

After breakfast, drive to Chile Chico, a village on the shores of Lake General Carrera near the Argentine border. The village is renowned for its sunny microclimate, in stark contrast to the rest of the region, and for its vineyards producing quality wines. There are many stops along the way for short hikes.

In the afternoon, head for the Jeinimeni reserve, 30 km from Chile Chico, part of Patagonia Park. Among its many trails, the Valle Lunar offers a landscape strikingly similar to the Altiplano of northern Chile.

In the morning, embark on a group crossing of Lake General Carrera. A guide accompanies you to Puerto Ibáñez, allowing you to admire the azure and emerald reflections of the waters shimmering beneath the mountainous relief.

The afternoon begins with a drive to Coyhaique, the administrative center of the Aysén region. This town of character, nestled in a valley surrounded by peaks, offers a perfect balance between urban convenience and proximity to the wilderness.

Once there, discover Coyhaique by strolling through its traditional markets, where Patagonian handicrafts rub shoulders with local produce and specialties. Don't miss the Plaza de Armas, with its monuments sculpted in the heart of lush green spaces.

Continue your exploration to the viewpoint overlooking the Simpson River, giving a view of the entire valley and the famous rock known as the "Indian Stone".

This morning, you drive along the Carretera Austral through landscapes of fjords, rainforests and rugged mountains to Puyuhuapi.

Along the way, you'll discover some remarkable sites: cascada de la virgen, la laguna de las torres, piedra del gato and salto el condor.

Once you've arrived, take advantage of this haven of tranquillity with its sublime surrounding landscapes.

Day devoted to free exploration of Queulat Park, famous for the beauty of its fjords, lush forests, glaciers and rivers.

Main attractions include the Ventisquero hanging glacier and Tempanos Lagoon, where numerous small icebergs float.

Access to the viewpoint is via a narrow path, easily negotiable without any particular physical condition.

After several days of adventure, treat yourself to a morning of relaxation at the renowned Puyuhuapi hot springs, located on the edge of a peaceful fjord.

Enjoy massages or body treatments at the spa, or discover local crafts, enhancing sheep's wool weaving with handmade ponchos and blankets, heritage of German settlers and indigenous traditions. Woodworking, especially cypress and lenga, is manifested in sculpture and the manufacture of utilitarian objects. There is also basketry, which is less common, with baskets made of vegetable fibres.

In the late afternoon, return to Coyhaique to spend the night.

In the morning, go to Balmaceda Airport, to return your rental car and take your flight to Santiago. Upon arrival, a private driver will take you to Valparaíso, the "Pearl of the Pacific". Clinging to the hills overlooking the ocean, this port city stands out for its colorful alleys, street art and characteristic corrugated iron constructions.

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of this maritime city by exploring its emblematic sites: the Plaza Sotomayor, the historic and administrative center, the Naval Museum and the Reina Victoria Elevator, one of the many historic funiculars. Stroll through the multicolored Cerro Alegre neighborhood and climb to Paseo 21 de Mayo for panoramic views of the bay.

Take advantage of this last evening to enjoy the local cuisine, particularly rich in freshly caught seafood and fish.

After a final breakfast facing the vastness of the Pacific and according to the schedule of your international flight, a private transfer takes you back to Santiago's Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport.

Thus ends your Patagonian adventure, a journey where the Carretera Austral has revealed its most precious treasures to you. You leave Chile with images imbued with a wild and unspoiled nature, where glaciers, thousand-year-old forests and steep mountains make up a picture of rare intensity.