Organising your road trip on the Carretera Austral
The Carretera Austral is one of the most beautiful roads in South America. Built under the regime of Augusto Pinochet, it connects the remote regions of Chile. In recent years, it has become a genuine tourist route thanks to the beauty of its landscapes. Here is how to organise your road trip on the Carretera Austral.
Planning your road trip on the Carretera Austral
The itinerary
The Carretera Austral connects the towns of Puerto Montt and Villa O'Higgins over 1,240 km, passing through villages, national parks and lakes with breathtaking scenery. Depending on your itinerary and preferences, you can cover it in a few days or over several weeks. Before you set off, it is important to plan your route carefully, as some sections include ferries, for example, which do not run all year round.
The time of year
While it is possible to organise your road trip between October and April, we recommend doing so during the austral summer, between December and February. Due to poor weather conditions, winter is not the most recommended season. It does, however, offer breathtaking scenery, provided you are very
well equipped and organised for your trip.
Getting there
While many travellers opt for an individual car hire on the Carretera Austral, it is also possible to travel it by motorbike, bicycle, public transport or hitchhiking. Bear in mind, however, that some road sections are unpaved and lightly trafficked.
Organising your travel on the ground
Food
While the Carretera Austral is very popular in summer, towns are few and far between, so it is important to stock up on food in key locations such as Chaitén, Puerto Cisnes, Puerto Aysén and Coyhaique. As for restaurants, you can easily find them in small villages where cervecerias are plentiful.
Money
In most remote locations, cash payments are preferred. Make sure to withdraw enough money from ATMs in larger towns to cover the various activities and other expenses along the way.
Accommodation
Finally, accommodation is available all along the Carretera Austral. If you are on a tight budget, you can opt for camping sites and youth hostels. If you prefer comfort, hotels, private room lodgings and unique stays are also available in great numbers.
The must-sees of the Carretera Austral
National parks
Although it passes through a few towns, the Carretera Austral is above all known for crossing national parks with unique flora and fauna. You can thus discover Pumalín Park, home to the vast Coigüe trees and the Chilean hummingbird; Queulat National Park with its immense hanging glacier; Cerro Castillo National Park where you can complete several hiking routes or spot the huemul, an endangered South Andean deer; San Rafael Lagoon National Park with its famous glacier; and Patagonia National Park.
Other places and activities
As well as exploring the national parks, the Carretera Austral takes you to unique destinations. You can admire Lago General Carrera, the second largest lake in South America. In its turquoise waters lie the marble cathedral, chapel and cavern — mineral formations sculpted by the water that can be viewed by boat or kayak. Finally, you can visit the Exploradores Glacier and hike across it for a magical experience on the ice.
Organising a road trip on the Carretera Austral is the guarantee of a one-of-a-kind experience. By travelling this legendary route, you can discover unique landscapes and exceptional wildlife on a journey that will undoubtedly be unforgettable.
Also explore the
Torres del Paine national park.
