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Carretera Austral Self-Drive (17 Days) - Small Group Tour | Forward Travel | Forward Travel

Carretera Austral Self-Drive

Image of Carretera Caustral Cerro Castillo Patagonia Chile South America

Travel Map

Puerto Montt, Chile → Santiago, Chile

Country: Chile
Start: Puerto Montt, Chile
End: Santiago, Chile
Date: Flexible
Duration: 17 days
Theme: Discovery, Luxury
Physical rating: Challenging
Meals: 16 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 6 dinners
Transport: 4WD, ferry, kayak, boat, helicopter, flight, hiking, walking
Price: On Request

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Trip Highlights

Drive the length of Chile’s remote Carretera Austral through fjords, rainforest, glaciers, and steppe landscapes.
Cross isolated fjords by boat to reach Puyuhuapi Lodge, accessible only by water.
Explore the Marble Caves on Lago General Carrera by boat.
Fly by helicopter over Laguna San Rafael National Park and the Northern Patagonian Ice Field.
Stay at Explora Patagonia with guided hiking, biking, and kayaking excursions.
Visit Queulat National Park and optional roadside miradors along the Aysén region.
Disconnect in remote lodges without mobile reception or road access.
Travel through Cerro Castillo landscapes and Patagonia National Park.
Experience Chilean wine and cuisine in Santiago’s Barrio Lastarria.
Navigate one of South America’s most scenic self-drive routes with GPS-supported navigation.

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Itinerary

Must Know

Inclusions

4WD hire car with GPS navigation and pre-programmed itinerary routes
Airport and lodge transfers as specified in the itinerary
17 nights’ accommodation
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Guided excursions and entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
Helicopter excursion over Laguna San Rafael National Park and the Northern Patagonian Ice Field
Full-board stay at Explora Patagonia, including guided activities and standard beverages
Water provided during excursions

Exclusions

Travel insurance (mandatory)
International and domestic flights
Visa fees (if applicable)
Tips and gratuities
Premium alcoholic beverages at Explora Patagonia
Fuel, tolls, and personal driving expenses
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Items of a personal nature
Any services not specifically listed under inclusions

Will This Trip Suit You?

Comfortable with independent self-drive travel in remote regions.
Seeking scenic road journeys rather than fast-paced sightseeing.
Interested in wilderness, glaciers, fjords, and remote Patagonia lodges.
Couples, photographers, and adventure-focused travellers who enjoy flexibility.
Comfortable driving long distances on gravel and unsealed roads.
Looking for limited connectivity and off-grid experiences.
Uncomfortable with remote travel conditions or minimal mobile reception.
Seeking luxury city-based holidays or nightlife-focused experiences.
Uncomfortable driving in changing weather and isolated environments.
Travellers with significant mobility limitations due to optional hikes and uneven terrain.
Prefer fixed schedules and fully guided touring throughout.

✦Ready when you are

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Carretera Austral Self-Drive

Trip Highlights

Itinerary

Day 1: Puerto Montt – Hualaihué

Day 2: Hualaihué – Caleta Gonzalo

Day 3: Caleta Gonzalo

Day 4: Caleta Gonzalo – Futaleufú

Day 5: Futaleufú

Day 6: Futaleufú – Puyuhuapi

Day 7: Puyuhuapi

Day 8: Puyuhuapi – Coyhaique

Day 9: Coyhaique – Río Ibáñez

Day 10: Río Ibáñez – Marble Caves – Caleta Tortel

Day 11: Caleta Tortel – Patagonia National Park

Day 12: Laguna San Rafael National Park

Day 13: Patagonia National Park

Day 14: Patagonia National Park – Puerto Guadal

Day 15: Puerto Guadal – Río Ibáñez

Day 16: Balmaceda – Santiago

Day 17: Santiago

Must Know

Inclusions

Exclusions

Will This Trip Suit You?

Want to See Latin America on Your Own Terms?