Southern Carretera Austral Tour

Meet and greet your private English speaking guide upon arriving at Santiago International Airport, and transfer to your downtown hotel to drop off your luggage.

Dynamic and cosmopolitan, the capital of Chile enjoys a picturesque location at the foot of the Andes, its snow capped peaks a dramatic backdrop for Santiago's 32 distinct autonomous municipalities. Each embodying its own unique characteristics, Santiago embraces you with diversity as you discover neighborhoods dedicated to sophisticated art galleries, energetic nightlife and burgeoning food scene, and historic downtown where you're invited to learn about the country's history from its collection of museums and government buildings. As the cultural and economic heart of Chile, Santiago presents you with a sound introduction to the nation.

After you've settled at the hotel, embark on a private city tour with your guide. Start at La Moneda, inaugurated in 1805 as Chile's royal mint before serving as the seat of the president, and take in the building's elegant neoclassical facades. Tour La Moneda's inner courtyards, one of which is flanked by two 18th century canons at its entrance. Relive the 1973 military coup when Augusto Pinochet violently took power for 17 years, then continue to Plaza de Armas - the bustling heart of the city surrounded by government offices and historical buildings. Tour the Central Post Office and the Metropolitan Cathedral, and continue to the Central Market, which offers an extensive variety of fresh produce. Along the Parque Forestal, make your way to San Cristóbal Hill, Santiago's second-highest point, to admire a bird's eye view of the city.

Enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight at your hotel in Santiago.

Begin with an early morning transfer to Santiago International Airport for your flight to Balmaceda.

From here, begin your journey south on the famously long Carretera Austral, in which you'll discover Chiguay Lake and Piedra del Conde among a wealth of natural features.

Continue to Cuesta del Diablo, passing by Portazuelo Ibañez, and revel in the sweeping panoramas of Ibañez River Valley and the frosted peaks that surround it as you stand on the steep slopes of Cuesta del Diablo.

Journey onward to Cerro Castillo Village, the vibrant capital of the Commune of Torres del Paine and the gateway to one of the nation's most treasured national parks. Though the paved road ends here, the journey continues south past Murta River before reaching Puerto Rio Tranquilo. A base for the outdoorsy that's quickly gaining popularity, a stop in this village will grant you access to General Carrera Lake, in which its turquoise waters are shared between Chile and Argentina.

From General Carrera Lake, sail to Marble Caves, a series of whimsical calcium carbonate formations, sculpted by the natural forces of wind and waves. The 3 main formations nicknamed the Cathedral, the Chapel and the Cave are designated Nature’s Sanctuary and considered to be a protected natural area.

After your 1.15-hour boat trip, continue south for another 67 km on the Carretera Austral, hugging the pristine shorelines of General Carrera Lake to Puerto Bertrand.

Afternoon at leisure. 

Free evening. 

Overnight in your lodge at Puerto Guadal.

Travel a total of 286 km on gravel roads today, spread out over a 6-hour journey. Begin by heading south from your Lodge, and cruise along the Carretera Austral to the junction of the Baker and Neff Rivers.

From there, continue 50 km to Cochrane, a bustling village on the south of this winding road, and a popular hub for water activity, as Lago Cochrane and Río Cochrane provide plenty of opportunities for kayaking and boating.

Reach Puerto Yungay for your ferry to Rio Bravo, crossing the Mitchell Fjord to reach Villa O’Higgins. After lunch in a local restaurant, spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Free evening.

Overnight at your lodge in Villa O'Higgins. 

Transfer to Bahamondes Bay and board a boat to the base of the Southern Patagonian Ice Fields, the largest of the South American icefields with an area of 13,000 square km. Stretching 350 km in length, the weather that encompasses this vast icy tundra is often adverse, and its strong and cold winds make this one of the least explored mountain regions of the world.

Spend your day exploring the turquoise lagoons and the mesmerizing glaciers that carved this expanse of land, and experience the unforgiving elements that make this environment so desolate. With your guide, cross the Lago de Los Glaciares and witness O'Higgins Glacier. Aptly nicknamed the Great Glacier, this is one of the largest glaciers in the Southern Hemisphere.

While making your way to O'Higgins Glacier, you'll stop briefly at Candelario Mancilla, a tiny settlement along the shores of Lago O'Higgins, some 16 km away from the Argentine border.

Free evening.

Overnight at your lodge in Villa O'Higgins. 

Retrace your journey by heading north from Villa O'Higgins on the same route you came, and stop on the banks of Baker River, Chile's largest river measured by the volume of water. Its contents fed by General Carrera Lake and recognized for its dazzling hues of turquoise, Baker River is a playground for water activities like fly fishing and kayaking.

Travel 5 km to the Tamango Sector of Patagonia National Park for a 20-minute boat trip and a short hike. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of huemuls, a south Andean deer native to the mountains of Chile and Argentina.

Then continue to Puerto Guadal for lunch in a local restaurant.

End of the afternoon free. 

Free evening.

Overnight at your lodge in Cochrane.

Transfer to Puerto Bertrand sector to spend 2 hours rafting on the waters of Baker River, and easily spot schools of rainbow trout in its crystal waters on your adventure.

Continue to Puerto Tranquilo and stop for lunch in a local restaurant. End of the afternoon free.

Free evening. Overnight in your hostal at Puerto Tranquilo.

Depart for Balmaceda Airport for your flight to Santiago. 

Board your afternoon flight to Santiago, and transfer to your hotel upon arrival with a private English speaking guide.

Flight to Santiago.

Enjoy an evening at leisure in Santiago.

Overnight at the hotel. 

Your 7-day Chile tour ends with a transfer to Santiago International Airport, where your guide will assist with check-in for your onward journey.