Patagonia Traveler

Carretera Austral

The World’s Most Scenic Road Trip

Stretching over 750 miles (1,200 km) through the heart of Chilean Patagonia, the Carretera Austral (Route 7) is a legendary journey through one of the most untouched corners of the planet. This is not just a road; it is a gateway to a world of hanging glaciers, turquoise rivers, deep fjords, and ancient forests. From the misty evergreen woods of the north to the majestic ice fields of the south, the Carretera Austral offers a raw, profound connection with nature that few other places on Earth can match. It is the ultimate destination for those who believe that the journey is just as important as the destination.

4 tripsin Carretera Austral
Turquoise waters lap against white and gray marble caves carved into towering cliffs at Capillas de Mármol in Patagonia.
Straight asphalt road through dense Patagonian forest with mountain backdrop on the scenic Carretera Austral near Coyhaique.
Kayaker paddling through turquoise waters beneath towering marble cave formations in Patagonia's Carretera Austral.
Snow-capped peaks rise above a golden wetland valley with mineral-orange streams in Patagonia's Carretera Austral region.
Self-driveHeritage and CultureNature and LandscapesGetaways

Carretera Austral South – Deep Chilean Patagonia

5 days
Chile

The Carretera Austral is one of the most spectacular scenic routes in the world involving lakes and rivers, glaciers and fjords, mountains, volcanoes and hot springs. This tour combines history, virgin landscapes, a little rafting adventure, relax in the hot springs, glaciers and the spectaculars capillas de mármol (Marble Chapels).

From
USD 1,750per person
Marble Rock formation rises from turquoise waters in Puerto Tranquilo along the Carretera Austral, Patagonia.
Aerial view of pristine blue lakes and forested islands in Patagonia National Park along the Carretera Austral, southern Chile.
Hikers in red jackets explore rolling green hills with mountain views in Patagonia National Park along the Carretera Austral.
Woman reading map while camping on rocky mountain overlook along Carretera Austral with scenic valley vista.
Self-driveHeritage and CultureNature and Landscapes

Explore Carretera Austral: Rivers, Glaciers & Patagonia Landscapes

8 days
Chile

The Carretera Austral is one of the most spectacular scenic routes in the world involving lakes and rivers, glaciers and fjords, mountains, volcanoes and hot springs. This tour combines history, virgin landscapes, a little rafting adventure, relax in the hot springs, glaciers and the spectaculars capillas de mármol (Marble Chapels).

From
USD 2,550per person
Kayaker paddling toward the marble caves with turquoise waters at Capillas de Mármol, Patagonia.
Snow-capped peaks rise above a golden wetland valley with mineral-orange streams in Patagonia's Carretera Austral region.
Ventisquero Colgante glacier cascades down steep cliffs in Queulat National Park along the Carretera Austral.
Turquoise river flows through rocky terrain with snow-capped mountains and Patagonian steppe vegetation under cloudy skies.
Self-driveNature and Landscapes

Carretera Austral North and South

7 days
Chile

The Carretera Austral is one of the most spectacular scenic routes in the world involving lakes and rivers, glaciers and fjords, mountains, volcanoes and hot springs. This tour combines history, virgin landscapes, a little rafting adventure, relax in the hot springs, glaciers and the spectaculars capillas de mármol (Marble Chapels).

From
USD 2,100per person
Misty mountain waterfall cascades into turquoise glacier-fed lake along Carretera Austral near Coyhaique, Patagonia.
Carretera Austral road sign with snow-capped mountain peak and forested landscape in Patagonia, Chile.
Misty mountains reflect in calm waters of Fiordo Puyuhuapi along Chile's Carretera Austral.
Turquoise river winds through lush forest canyon on Carretera Austral in Patagonia, Chile.
Turquoise glacial lake surrounded by rocky mountains and sparse vegetation along Carretera Austral in Patagonia.
Self-driveHeritage and CultureNature and Landscapes

Carretera Austral North - From Puerto Montt to Balmaceda

7 days
Chile, Patagonia

The Carretera Austral is one of the most spectacular scenic routes in the world involving lakes and rivers, glaciers and fjords, mountains, volcanoes and hot springs. This tour combines history, virgin landscapes, a little rafting adventure and relax in the hot springs.

From
USD 3,000per person

Travel Essentials

Rocky coastline with turquoise waters at the confluence of Baker and Nef rivers in Patagonia, Chile.

Climate

Temperate and rainy. Even in summer, expect showers. Temperatures range from 50°F to 65°F (10°C - 18°C). The further south you go, the more dramatic and unpredictable the weather becomes.

Aerial view of Valle Chacabuco's meandering blue river cutting through green meadows with snow-capped Patagonian mountains in the distance.

Best Time to Visit

November to April. This is the Patagonian summer. Days are long (up to 16 hours of light), and the weather is mild enough for hiking and navigating.

Duration

To see the highlights, stay at least 7 to 10 nights. For the full end-to-end journey (Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins), we recommend 14 nights.

Logistics

The route involves several ferry crossings and sections of unpaved road. We recommend a 4x4 vehicle and a flexible itinerary to truly savor the "slow travel" pace of the region.

Stunning glacier valley in Queulat National Park with cascading waterfall, turquoise river, and snow-capped peaks.

Must-See Experiences

  • Queulat National Park & The Hanging Glacier: Witness an enormous glacier suspended over a cliff, feeding a dramatic waterfall that plunges into a lagoon.

  • The Marble Caves (Capillas de Mármol): Navigate the crystal-clear waters of General Carrera Lake to see intricate caverns carved by the waves into solid marble—a surreal turquoise spectacle.

  • Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park: One of the world’s largest conservation projects, featuring ancient Alerce trees (the "Redwoods of the South") and pristine trekking trails.

  • Cerro Castillo National Reserve: Often called the "new Torres del Paine," this jagged basalt massif offers some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in Patagonia.

  • Patagonia National Park: Explore the vast, steppe-like landscapes of the Chacabuco Valley, a haven for pumas, guanacos, and flamingos.

  • Exploradores Glacier: For the adventurous, a chance to walk upon a massive ice field and explore blue ice caves at the foot of Mount San Valentín.