Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and connect with the serene beauty of Chilean nature on this exhilarating journey. Beginning in Santiago de Chile, you board a plane to Balmaceda, where the adventure truly begins along the Carretera Austral route - recognized as one of the world's finest road trips thanks to its unspoiled Patagonian landscapes. From there, trek through breathtaking national parks, discover picturesque waterfalls, and immerse yourself in the stunning rivers and lakes. Feel the thrill of river rafting and ice trekking surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery
Welcome to Chile! Upon arrival in Santiago, you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel (early check in is not included).
Rest of the day at leisure.
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Balmaceda (flight not included).
Welcome to the Chilean Patagonia! Upon arrival at Balmaceda airport, you will be picked up and transferred to Cerro Castillo National Park (approximately 1-hour drive) where you will begin your 1.5-hour trek to the Cajón del Peñón sector. Along the way, you will make a stop at a breathtaking waterfall hidden on the trail. You will trek through picturesque forests and continue through a glacial moraine with impressive views of the Río Ibáñez Valley. Upon arrival at the viewpoint, you will have some time to enjoy the amazing surroundings of the Peñón glacier. After a well-deserved rest, you will make your way back down the glacier, after which you will be transferred to Refugio Cerro Castillo, where you will spend the night.
Hiking distance: 7 km
Hiking time: 3.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
This morning you will be transferred to Puerto Beltrand (approximately 4.5-hour drive), a small, welcoming town, situated near Lake Bertrand, which boasts vibrant turquoise water. Here, you will have some free time to enjoy lunch (not included). You will also have the opportunity to partake in one of two different excursions on the Baker River (at an additional cost). For the adventurous, there is the possibility to go rafting, and for those who would like a more peaceful experience, there is the option of floating on inflatable rafts while enjoying the majestic surroundings. If you wish, you can even take a dip in the amazingly pure water. Next, you will leave Puerto Bertrand behind to continue for about 15 minutes to the viewpoint of the junction of rivers Baker and Nef, a place of spectacular scenic beauty. Afterward, you will be brought to the town of Cochrane (approximately 45-minute drive) where you will spend the night at Posada del Loberias del Sur.
Today you will enjoy an excursion to the Tamango National Reserve. You will navigate the Cochrane river on a motorboat while you take in the unique scenery. After about 40 minutes you will disembark and begin a short trek with moderate difficulty. If you are lucky you might spot a Huemul, a Chilean deer, and a national symbol. After this scenic excursion, you will return to Cochrane where you will have some free time before being transferred Puerto Río Tranquilo (approx. 2.5-hour drive). This evening you will spend the night at Hostal El Puesto.
Today’s full-day excursion is perfect for those who want to get up close to nature’s wonders. After a 1.5-hour drive from Puerto Río Tranquillo, you will reach the Exploradores glacier, where you will receive a safety briefing and the necessary equipment. Your ice trekking adventure starts through an evergreen forest where you will be able to spot various native species and birds. You will gradually ascend the frontal moraine of the glacier until you reach the viewpoint from which you will be able to take in impressive views of the glacier, Monte San Valentin (the highest mountain in the Chilean Patagonia) and the Bayo lake.
From there you will commence your descent down the moraine on ice covered with stones and sands until you reach clean white ice (after approximately 1.5 - 2 hours of trekking). Here, you will have a break to dig into your boxed lunch before putting on the necessary safety equipment to continue your trek. Enjoy the chance to see, feel, and hear the perfect white ice underfoot while trekking down the glacier. You will be able to peer into ice caves and marvel at the deep blue water while learning all about how the glacier descends from the ice field into the river to ultimately reach the ocean.
In the evening you will be transferred back to Puerto Río Tranquillo where you will spend the night at Hostal El Puesto.
This morning you will take part in an exciting kayaking adventure. After a short transfer to Bahia Mansa (approximately 10 minutes), you will board a kayak and begin navigating the stunning blue waters of Lake General Carrera. You will have the chance to explore the magical ‘Capillas de Marmol’ (the Marble Caves), a fascinating natural wonder. Formed by the erosion of some of the purest water in the world, these beautifully sculpted stone caves are a breathtaking sight. After returning to the shore, you will be transferred to Coyhaique, the capital of the Aysén region (approximately 4.5-hour drive). This evening you will spend the night at Hotel Raíces Bed & Breakfast.
Today you will make your way to the pristine Río Simpson national reserve (approximately 20-minute drive). The protected park encompasses an area of 41.161 hectares. You will begin the day with a stop at the visitor center where you can observe some flora and fauna of the area. Afterward, you will continue with a short walk to the Simpson river banks where you can take in the spectacular surroundings with the prominent so-called ‘English Cake’ hill in the background. After enjoying the scenery, you will return to Coyhaique where you will have some free time before you are transferred back to Balmaceda airport to board your flight back to Santiago (approximately 50-minute drive, flight not included))
Upon arrival, you will be assisted for check-in at the airport hotel in Santiago.
It is required to have a good physical and health condition to take part in the excursions of this itinerary. A minimum age of 10 years is required. Please note that a departure flight from Balmaceda after 16:00 is recommended. The itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions.
Packing recommendation: Bathing suit, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, small towel, trekking shoes (with high top and semi-rigid soles), trekking pants, waterproof and windproof jacket, gloves, small backpack for snacks/water during treks, winter hat, layered clothing.
This morning you will be assisted at the airport at check-in for your international flight (flight not included).
Welcome to Chile! Upon arrival in Santiago, you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel (early check in is not included).
Rest of the day at leisure.
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Balmaceda (flight not included).
Welcome to the Chilean Patagonia! Upon arrival at Balmaceda airport, you will be picked up and transferred to Cerro Castillo National Park (approximately 1-hour drive) where you will begin your 1.5-hour trek to the Cajón del Peñón sector. Along the way, you will make a stop at a breathtaking waterfall hidden on the trail. You will trek through picturesque forests and continue through a glacial moraine with impressive views of the Río Ibáñez Valley. Upon arrival at the viewpoint, you will have some time to enjoy the amazing surroundings of the Peñón glacier. After a well-deserved rest, you will make your way back down the glacier, after which you will be transferred to Refugio Cerro Castillo, where you will spend the night.
Hiking distance: 7 km
Hiking time: 3.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
This morning you will be transferred to Puerto Beltrand (approximately 4.5-hour drive), a small, welcoming town, situated near Lake Bertrand, which boasts vibrant turquoise water. Here, you will have some free time to enjoy lunch (not included). You will also have the opportunity to partake in one of two different excursions on the Baker River (at an additional cost). For the adventurous, there is the possibility to go rafting, and for those who would like a more peaceful experience, there is the option of floating on inflatable rafts while enjoying the majestic surroundings. If you wish, you can even take a dip in the amazingly pure water. Next, you will leave Puerto Bertrand behind to continue for about 15 minutes to the viewpoint of the junction of rivers Baker and Nef, a place of spectacular scenic beauty. Afterward, you will be brought to the town of Cochrane (approximately 45-minute drive) where you will spend the night at Posada del Loberias del Sur.
Today you will enjoy an excursion to the Tamango National Reserve. You will navigate the Cochrane river on a motorboat while you take in the unique scenery. After about 40 minutes you will disembark and begin a short trek with moderate difficulty. If you are lucky you might spot a Huemul, a Chilean deer, and a national symbol. After this scenic excursion, you will return to Cochrane where you will have some free time before being transferred Puerto Río Tranquilo (approx. 2.5-hour drive). This evening you will spend the night at Hostal El Puesto.
Today’s full-day excursion is perfect for those who want to get up close to nature’s wonders. After a 1.5-hour drive from Puerto Río Tranquillo, you will reach the Exploradores glacier, where you will receive a safety briefing and the necessary equipment. Your ice trekking adventure starts through an evergreen forest where you will be able to spot various native species and birds. You will gradually ascend the frontal moraine of the glacier until you reach the viewpoint from which you will be able to take in impressive views of the glacier, Monte San Valentin (the highest mountain in the Chilean Patagonia) and the Bayo lake.
From there you will commence your descent down the moraine on ice covered with stones and sands until you reach clean white ice (after approximately 1.5 - 2 hours of trekking). Here, you will have a break to dig into your boxed lunch before putting on the necessary safety equipment to continue your trek. Enjoy the chance to see, feel, and hear the perfect white ice underfoot while trekking down the glacier. You will be able to peer into ice caves and marvel at the deep blue water while learning all about how the glacier descends from the ice field into the river to ultimately reach the ocean.
In the evening you will be transferred back to Puerto Río Tranquillo where you will spend the night at Hostal El Puesto.
This morning you will take part in an exciting kayaking adventure. After a short transfer to Bahia Mansa (approximately 10 minutes), you will board a kayak and begin navigating the stunning blue waters of Lake General Carrera. You will have the chance to explore the magical ‘Capillas de Marmol’ (the Marble Caves), a fascinating natural wonder. Formed by the erosion of some of the purest water in the world, these beautifully sculpted stone caves are a breathtaking sight. After returning to the shore, you will be transferred to Coyhaique, the capital of the Aysén region (approximately 4.5-hour drive). This evening you will spend the night at Hotel Raíces Bed & Breakfast.
Today you will make your way to the pristine Río Simpson national reserve (approximately 20-minute drive). The protected park encompasses an area of 41.161 hectares. You will begin the day with a stop at the visitor center where you can observe some flora and fauna of the area. Afterward, you will continue with a short walk to the Simpson river banks where you can take in the spectacular surroundings with the prominent so-called ‘English Cake’ hill in the background. After enjoying the scenery, you will return to Coyhaique where you will have some free time before you are transferred back to Balmaceda airport to board your flight back to Santiago (approximately 50-minute drive, flight not included))
Upon arrival, you will be assisted for check-in at the airport hotel in Santiago.
It is required to have a good physical and health condition to take part in the excursions of this itinerary. A minimum age of 10 years is required. Please note that a departure flight from Balmaceda after 16:00 is recommended. The itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions.
Packing recommendation: Bathing suit, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, small towel, trekking shoes (with high top and semi-rigid soles), trekking pants, waterproof and windproof jacket, gloves, small backpack for snacks/water during treks, winter hat, layered clothing.
This morning you will be assisted at the airport at check-in for your international flight (flight not included).
Prices are not valid on national holidays:
* Day 2 and 7: Depending on flight arrival/departure time a boxed lunch may be more suitable than a 3-course lunch. Please note that this itinerary is only available from 2 travelers onwards. For solo travelers please contact us for a tailor-made quote.
