Take a road trip through Patagonia and journey south into untouched wilderness on one of the world’s great drives. This Patagonia road trip reveals the beauty of Chile, the route known as the Carretera Austral and the Torres Del Paine National Park, deep in the heart of the stunning Patagonia wilderness. This is a Patagonia Tour with a difference.

The Carretera Austral, translated as the Southern Road, was opened up just in the 90s. So it’s one of the worlds newest great dives and we think one of the most spectacular and rewarding. If you’ve driven in Canada, through California or down in South Africa and are looking for somewhere new and exhilarating for an adventure on four wheels, Chile takes some beating. Bringing massive bragging rights from driving in Chile in such an undiscovered region.

When down in Patagonia it’s a must-do to head into the Torres del Paine National Park. So fly south for three nights in Patagonia Camp for luxury glamping at the end of the world. Stay in an all-inclusive Mongolian style yurt with organised activities included. You never get tired of the views of the jagged towers of Torres del Paine, an iconic South American wilderness.

Add in a few city days in Santiago with a culture and gastronomy day, and a night on the Pacific Ocean in Valparaiso.

It’s a scenic overload and when you recount your trip to your friends just like us you’ll struggle to think of a new way to describe the scenery here in Chilean Patagonia. It defies description, just look at the images on this page! To discuss more contact your South America Travel Specialist today.

A Patagonia Road Trip – Tour Highlights

• One of the world’s great road trips 

• Head on the open road in a 4X4

• Stay in cosy lodges set in extraordinary scenery

• A circular route designed for thrills and well-balanced driving distances

• Luxury glamping in Torres del Paine

• Food and wine tour in Santiago

Suggested Itinerary – We customise this for you!

 

Day 1 – To Santiago

Depart overnight to Santiago

Day 2 – Santiago

See views of the Andes and the ocean as you land in Santiago. Be whisked off to your hotel for time to relax, and have a wander around the Providencia district of the city.

Hotel: Le Reve

Day 3 – Santiago, Sky Costanera and food and wine walking tour

They say the way to know a city is through its food. So head out with a private guide to explore on a ‘food and drink’ walking tour through different parts of the city.

The day starts with a trip up to the Sky Costanera viewing platform in the Gran Torre Santiago which happens to be South America’s highest building. On the 61st and 62nd floor there’s a viewing platform and on clear days you can see all the way to the ski resorts high in the Andes.

The walking tour begins at Tirso de Molina market where you see some of the abundant produce from this fertile land with its long coastline. Work up an appetite with a wander through Parque Forestal to the Bellas Artes district, stopping here in a local bar for a refreshing craft beer and picoteos which are the Chilean equivalent of tapas.

Walk on into Lastarria neighbourhood and up Santa Lucia hill where Santiago was founded. Lastarria is Santiago’s upmarket neighbourhood which is full of fashionable boutiques and restaurants, and also features the striking architecture of the Gabriela Mistral Centre. Your guide will take you into a restaurant bar to sample some of Chile’s fine boutique wines with food pairing.

Hotel: Le Reve

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3 – South to Patagonia and the Carretera Austral drive

Fly down to Balmaceda, the gateway to the southern stretch of the Carretera Austral, the Southern Road. This small airport is close to the border with Argentina, already feeling that you are in end of the world frontier town.  There are no big cities down here, not many hotels and just one road south and as such it’s one of the final wildernesses of the world!

Pick up a 4WD car and drive the way these cars are built for. All the insurances are sorted out, additional driver and emergency cover, so you can hit the road with freedom but also reassurance.

The Carretera Austral was only completed in 1996 and it has opened up this region of great lakes and ancient forests, under the gaze of Andean mountains.

Head to Puerto Tranquilo today. It’s a 220km drive winding through the Cerro Castillo national park, Chile’s newest national park named for its magnificent granite peaks – the Castle Mountain!

A boat trip on General Carrera Lake to its bizarre marble caves is included. The turquoise waters of the lake are formed by glacier melt from the spectacular surrounding peaks.

Stay on the shores of the lake in Puerto Tranquilo at the cosy Hosteria Costanera and don’t miss the delicious homemade country dinners on offer.  It’s an ideal bolthole after a day’s travelling, in a serenely beautiful location.

Hotel: Hosteria Costanera

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 – Drive to Puerto Bertrand

Hit the road continuing the drive around General Carrera Lake, it’s Chile’s biggest lake and stretches as far as the eye can see.

Continue south past Lake Bertrand and along the edge of the huge San Rafael Lake National Park. A cool stop off here is to see the powerful waterfalls of Baker River. The waters of the river are crystal clear because they are fed directly from nearby glaciers and in parts you can see huge rainbow trout. It’s a 70km drive today so can take your time through this beautiful scenery.

Stay overnight directly on the banks of the Baker River near the small settlement of Puerto Bertrand. Green Baker Lodge is a cosy little getaway with hot tubs on the river banks, a perfect spot to open a bottle of Chilean wine and see the stars come out….there’s absolutely no light pollution in this pristine land!

Hotel: Green Baker Lodge

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 – To Puerto Guadal

Turn back north and drive to the eastern shores of General Carerra Lake, it’s an area surrounded by protected national reserves which form some of the biggest national park networks on Earth.  Huge tracts of land in this region were bought by Douglas Tompkins, the founder of North Face clothing and donated to Chile to create these national parks which spread over thousands of kilometres.

It’s a 125km drive to Puerto Guadal, and we suggest breaking the journey here a little. Stay for 2 nights at Terra Luna lodge and revel in the amazing scenery….did we mention scenery already? Terra Luna Lodge has a breathtaking position on Lake General Carrera, looking over to San Valentin mountain, standing at over 4,000 metres high.

Hotel: Terra Luna Lodge

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 – Puerto Guadal layover in the wilds

Take a day off from the expedition south and connect with the Patagonia wilderness around Puerto Guadal.

It’s an excellent place to stretch the legs on a hike, and Terra Luna Lodge offers some excellent adventure excursions including mountain biking river rafting and horse riding as well as boat trips. The countryside around here is one big adventure playground.

Alternatively, strike out on your own for the day. Whatever you do, get back in time for a soak in the hot tub. Midsummer is amazing here with those long nights at the end of the world with a glass of the local Chile wine or two. 

Feel free to spend a bit longer here or indeed anywhere along the route, the freedom is yours.

Hotel: Terra Luna Lodge

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7  – Car ferry across Lake General Carrera to Puerto Ibanez

Back on the road, this is one of the best driving days. Although they’re all amazing driving days. This route is 110 km along the southern shore of the massive lake under endless skies to the town of Chile Chico.

Here, you’re just a few kilometres from the Chile-Argentina border. Drive onto the car ferry and skirt the border with a journey across Lake General Carrera. Did we mention the lake was huge? It takes 2 hours to traverse on the ferry.

Arrive on the north of the lake and a night in sleepy Puerto Ibanez.

Hotel: Cabanas Patagonia Bordelago

Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 – To Balmaceda then Torres del Paine

Drive back to Balmaceda, a short 50km drive. Drop the car off at the airport and bid farewell to the open road. But it’s not for long, as you head further south to the iconic Torres del Paine further into Patagonia.

Fly to Punta Arenas, and from there it’s a private transfer for a few hours into the Torres del Paine National Park. Car hire in this region is possible however we don’t recommend it yet as navigation is not easy and the car would be parked up for a few days.

Stay for three nights at Patagonia Camp for a wild glamping experience in the heart of Patagonia. Stay in a Mongolian style yurt, with comforts including heating and ensuite bathroom, as well as a small rooftop dome allowing views of the night stars. The yurts are spaced out along wooden walkways in a pretty woodland clearing, offering privacy and peace. Stay in a yurt with a private jacuzzi and soak in the moment with unforgettable lakeside views.

Depending on arrival time you might have the chance to head out and explore the scenery. It’s all-inclusive at Patagonia Camp with some excellent activities on offer.

Hotel: Patagonia Camp

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 9 – Torres del Paine out in the wild

A variety of activities are organised by Patagonia Camp and included in your stay in order to make the most of the extraordinary setting. The camp is surrounded by the glaciers of the ancient Patagonia ice shelf and you might be able to spot Patagonian wildlife such as the flightless rhea birds.

This region is home to some amazing treks. You don’t have to walk far to be in solitude in the wild, or you can go out for full days on challenging treks up the mountains. The first place to head is towards the huge peaks of the Torres del Paine mountains, where jagged edges reach towards the sky. You can walk in the valley below and also walk to Grey glacier.

Drink in the scenery, and drink and eat the fresh flavours of Chile with an all-inclusive package. The locally sourced fish and the seafood from not far away on the coast is amazing, naturally accompanied by Chilean wine.

Hotel: Patagonia Camp

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10 – Torres del Paine

We recommend at least 3 nights at Torres del Paine because there’s so much to do in the national park, so much wilderness to take in and you won’t want to drag yourself away from this untamed land.

You can take a guided kayak on Toros Lake, a wonderfully serene experience, or hike to a condor viewpoint to try and spot America’s largest bird with its 3-metre wingspan. Condors were believed to be Gods in days gone by as they soared majestically over the entire region.

Hotel: Patagonia Camp

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11 – To Valparaiso

This morning transfer back to Puerto Natales and fly to Santiago.

Rather than spending a night in the city we suggest the short transfer to the coast for a night at Valparaiso. This was once of the biggest ports on the Pacific Ocean, and it’s a striking coastal town with colourful building perched on sea cliffs. It’s also close to some of Chile’s wine lands and you can visit the nearby Casablanca Valley.

End the trip in style at the boutique Casa Higueras hotel with views of the Pacific Ocean. 

Hotel: Casa Higueras

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 – Depart

A bit of time to chill out this morning and perhaps some last-minute shopping. Then transfer to Santiago for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 – Arrive home

Land back full of fresh air and Patagonia dreams.