14-Day Carretera Austral Road Trip Itinerary
Here is our Carretera Austral road trip itinerary that includes tips on must-visit places, top activities, where to start and end your journey, how to rent a car, road conditions, and much more.
Carretera Austral was one of the best trips we've ever done.
The pristine nature and epic scenery, in combination with absolute freedom, was an experience we will never forget. And we will always keep fond memories of our trip to Patagonia.
Carretera Austral in Chilean Patagonia is one of the world's finest road trips. The scenery along the way is simply breathtaking and incredibly diverse.
However, due to unpredictable weather, challenging road conditions, and the fact that the road abruptly ends in Villa O'Higgins, it is quite challenging to plan the trip.
Therefore, we've created this Carretera Austral post to help you narrow down your itinerary and outline options for getting the most out of your vacation.
It's mostly aimed at visitors planning on renting a car. But you can use it even in case you decide that backpacking Carretera Austral sounds like a bigger adventure.
However, you will probably need to add a few days to your itinerary, as public transport here is not that reliable.
Without any further ado, here's our Carretera Austral itinerary, which will take you from Puerto Montt to the end of Carretera Austral, Villa O'Higgins.
Things to Know Before You Go
Are you planning a Carretera Austral road trip? Then you've come to the right place.
You might have already noticed that creating the perfect itinerary for this area is much harder than it seems at first sight.
There are tons of places in the world that you can visit without much preparation, be spontaneous, and simply go with the flow.
Carretera Austral is not the case. At least if this is your vacation, not a long term trip.
Carretera Austral Trip
One of the most common travel mistakes is underestimating your preparations. In this case, a good or bad itinerary can either make or break your trip.
Distances are vast and large sections of this road are still not paved yet. But that's not the worst thing about this route.
The biggest problem you will be facing when traveling the Southern Road (Ruta 7) is that once you get to the end, you will have to either drive more than a thousand kilometers back (1247 km, to be precise).
Alternatively, you will have a chance to cross a border to Argentina and continue exploring Patagonia from there.
But you will definitely need more than ten days for this journey.
Except for this post, you should also read our post on things to know before visiting the Carretera Austral.
It is easy to fall head over heels with Patagonia, and it does not matter if you spend a week, two, or a month here.
What matters is that it is always better to come well-prepared.
How Many Days Do I Need
We always recommend having about ten to fourteen days for Carretera Austral.
That's also the reason why we created a 14-day version of this trip, which can be easily extended to a more complex itinerary.
You don't get a chance to visit such a stunning place every day, so try to get the most out of your trip.
Also, keep in mind that you can always include some multi-day treks in case day hikes are not really your thing.
Lastly, you should always have at least an extra day or two in case not everything goes according to your plan.
For example, the road might be blocked by a fallen tree or landslide, a ferry can be delayed due to bad weather, etc.
Here you will find more information on when to visit Patagonia.
Where to Start Carretera Austral Trip
Deciding on where to start your journey across Carretera Austral is not as easy as it might seem.
The most obvious place to start your Carretera Austral road trip is Puerto Montt, located at the northern end of this scenic road.
Unfortunately, starting in the southern end of Villa O'Higgins with a car is not possible, as there are currently no rental offices.
Therefore, the privilege of beginning their journey in Villa O'Higgins is only reserved for backpackers arriving in Chile from Argentina by ferry.
Of course, you could rent a car in Punta Arenas, then drive to Argentina, and travel across the country until you reach Lost Antiguos - Chile Chico, where you could cross borders back to Chile.
Then you would need to drive to Villa O'Higgins and, from there, start your journey to Puerto Montt. It's complicated but not entirely out of the question.
Lastly, you could rent a car in Coyhaique and explore the north and south sectors from there. Once again, it's not an ideal solution, but it's better than nothing.
In this post, we'll focus on a road trip itinerary from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins, as this was where we started our trip.
We will also later explain other options you have in more detail so you can create your own itinerary according to your preferences.
How to Get to Puerto Montt
We've already established that you should consider starting your journey in Puerto Montt.
Luckily, there are several ways to reach Purto Montt, the commercial and transportation hub of Chile's Lakes District region.
Plane
The easiest way to get to Puerto Montt is by plane. Most direct flights to Puerto Montt go through Santiago Airport (SCL) anyway, so it's convenient even for international travelers.
Alternatively, you can take a flight to Temuco Airport near Pucon, a picturesque town located on the shore of beautiful Villarrica Lake.
Then you can drive south to Puerto Montt via another pretty town surrounded by volcanoes, Puerto Varas.
Those two destinations are great for hiking and also feature beautiful scenery.
Another option is to fly from Santiago to Coyhaique (Balmaceda Airport).
Coyhaique is the biggest city on Carretera Austral, which lies approximately in the middle between Puerto Montt and Villa O'Higgins.
This option is great for travelers who are short on time.
From Coyhaique, you can travel either north or south, explore only one part of Carretera Austral, and then fly either back to Santiago or continue to Punta Arenas.
Bus
Whether you go from Santiago, Pucon, or Puerto Varas, getting to Puerto Montt by bus is not difficult.
Buses frequently run along the Pan-American Highway (Ruta 5) and connect cities such as Talca, Temuco, or Osorno along the way. Cruz del Sur, Tas Choapa, Bus Norte, and Tur Bus are popular bus companies operating on this route.
Car
Obviously, you can start your road trip in Santiago and drive all the way down to Puerto Montt by car.
Make sure to choose the right drop-off location before you reserve the car. You will find more information on this topic down below.
Renting a Car
Before every road trip, it is necessary to rent a car. There is no way around it.
While the reservation process might seem pretty straightforward, there are a few things you should know about this topic before you go.
Where to Rent a Car
Puerto Montt is a place where you can rent a car without any problems, but it's not the only location in this region.
Your other options are Santiago, Puerto Varas, Coyhaique, and Punta Arenas.
Don't forget that it is not possible to pick up or drop off the car in Villa O'Higgins.
Patagonia is a top-rated destination, so when traveling in peak season, it is better to make a reservation well in advance to avoid disappointment.
To find the best rates, you can search for the best deals on rental cars in Patagonia here.
Car Insurance and Permit
In case your plan is to get only from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins and then drive all the way back, you do not need any additional insurance or documents, except for the regular ones.
However, if you would like to cross borders to Argentina, it is necessary to contact the rental car agency to make sure they will provide you with a document allowing you to travel across borders.
Remember that not all rental companies offer this service. It's always best to reach them before or at the time of making the reservation.
Don't forget that rental companies need at least fourteen days to arrange everything you need for your journey.
Try to contact them well in advance, so the local authorities have enough time to issue the permit.
One-Way Fee
When renting a car in Patagonia, it is always important to know that it is usually more expensive when you drop off the vehicle in a different location than in the place where you picked it up.
The one-way fee is quite high in Patagonia, so make sure it is worth paying it.
Sometimes it might be better to return to the starting point and fly home from there instead.
Drop-off Location
When you plan on crossing borders to Argentina, do not forget that although you can pick up the car in one place and drop it off in a different location, you still have to return it within the same country.
To make it more clear, let's say you want to start in Puerto Montt.
When traveling from Puerto Montt, the next drop-off point after Argentinian Patagonia is Punta Arenas.
Here, you will also have a chance to travel to Puerto Natales to see Torres del Paine National Park from there.
2WD or 4WD
Although Carretera Austral still has plenty of unpaved sections, you generally don't need a 4WD car. In most cases, a regular 2WD vehicle should be just fine.
However, a larger SUV might improve ride comfort as the road surface is not as smooth as you might expect.
Gas Stations
Almost every larger town along Carretera Austral has a gas station where you can fill up your car with fuel.
For example, there was even a gas station in Villa O'Higgins. Still, we recommend filling up the gas tank every time you have a chance to do so.
It is also not a bad idea to bring a spare tank with 20 or 30 liters just in case you run out of gas.
However, this should not be necessary if you're paying attention to your fuel gauge or staying on the main road.
Road Conditions
As we hadn't done much research before our trip, we were quite surprised that only about half of the Carretera Austral was paved.
At the time of our visit, the paved part of the road covered mostly the area between Puerto Montt and Villa Cerro Castillo.
From this point, there was construction and road repair on the way to Puerto Rio Tranquilo.
When driving along the road, you can expect delays due to road repairs and construction.
Even though quite a long stretch of the road was unpaved, the ride was comfortable enough except for some short stretches with potholes.
Always bring a spare tire (check your rental car has it before signing the contract).
Planning Carretera Austral Itinerary
Before you start creating your Carretera Austral itinerary, it is necessary to plan first what attractions along the way you want to see, what trails you like, or what activities you want to do.
Still, the most crucial question you need to ask yourself is, what are your plans after road tripping Carretera Austral?
Do you want to return to Puerto Montt (or Pucon) or Coyhaique, or do you want to continue to Argentina (and then back to Chile)?
Here are some options you have when exploring Carretera Austral with a rental car.
Puerto Montt - Villa O'Higgins - Puerto Montt
Explore Carretera Austral from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins, and return the same way back.
The disadvantage is that you will drive through the same scenery on the way back.
On the other hand, you can skip some places when traveling south and visit them on the way back, especially if the weather is not cooperating.
The main advantage is that you won't pay an additional one-way fee and don't have to worry about drop-off locations or border crossings.
Puerto Montt - Villa O'Higgins - Tortel - Puerto Natales
Start in Puerto Montt and drive to Villa O'Higgins and then return to the port town of Tortel (or nearby Puerto Yungay), located only 150 kilometers north of Villa O'Higgins.
Here, you can take a ferry and enjoy the epic 41-hour scenic boat ride to Puerto Natales, where you can embark with your car and continue your journey across Patagonia from there.
Coyhaique
Fly to Coyhaique, drive around Carretera Austral as much as you want, and explore both the north and south sectors.
Then drop off the car in Coyhaique and either fly to another part of Patagonia or continue by bus to Argentina.
Alternatively, drive from Puerto Montt only to Coyhaique, then continue by plane or bus.
Of course, you could even reach Villa O'Higgins and then return to Coyhaique. It really depends on your preferences.
Puerto Montt - Punta Arenas
Start in Puerto Montt and drive along Carretera Austral, then cross borders to Argentina via Chile Chico. While you're traveling south along Ruta 40, you can visit El Chalten or El Calafate.
Later, you will head back to Chile and explore Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas.
We believe this is one of the best options for travelers who have more time and want to see most of the attractions Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia has to offer.
If you're still not ready to leave Patagonia, keep in mind that you can consider traveling all the way down to Ushuaia.
Puerto Montt - Bariloche - Puerto Montt
Lastly, you can follow the same route as described above, Puerto Montt to Chile Chico.
Instead of heading south, turn left and make your way all the way to San Carlos de Bariloche, the gateway to Argentina's Lake District.
From here, head back to Chile and return your car at Puerto Montt (or Pucon).
How to Get From Puerto Montt to Chaiten
Whether you start your Patagonia trip in Puerto Montt, Pucon, or even Santiago, you will be facing another challenge once you arrive at the beginning of Carretera Austral.
The first part of Carretera Austral between Puerto Montt and Chaiten is not as accessible as you would expect.
While the dramatic scenery can be admired right from the start, the route also includes three ferry rides and requires adequate planning.
Basically, you have two options on how to get from Puerto Montt to Chaiten when traveling by car.
Taking a Direct Ferry from Puerto Montt to Chaiten
The most straightforward way to reach Chaiten is by direct ferry from Puerto Montt.
A direct overnight ferry between Puerto Montt and Chaiten usually runs several times a week (currently, it's six times a week).
The ferry usually departs from Puerto Montt at 11 PM, and the journey takes about nine hours.
It is better to book your seat as soon as possible so you can plan the start of your journey.
You need to book your ticket in advance via Naviera Austral, especially when traveling by car, as availability is limited with spaces filling up fast in the peak season.
The main advantage of this option is that you will not have to worry about the ferry rides along the Ruta 7.
Also, the ferry usually departs in the evening, and you will arrive in Chaiten early in the morning.
Driving a Car from Puerto Montt to Chaiten
If you are excited to go from Puerto Montt to Chaiten via Ruta 7, you're in for a treat.
The main advantage of this option over the direct ferry ride is that you will drive through the day and have an opportunity to enjoy the epic scenery along the way.
From Puerto Montt, drive to Caleta Arena, where you need to catch a ferry to Caleta Puelche.
The ride takes only about twenty minutes, and no prior booking is required.
Now you will need to drive to Hornopiren, where you will need to catch a ferry to Leptepu.
The ferry runs daily, the journey takes about three and a half hours, and you can book your spot in advance with Somarco (Barcazas).
A short 10-kilometer road connects Leptepu with Fiordo Largo, where you will take the final ferry to Caleta Gonzalo.
If everything goes well, you can reach Chaiten in one day, but you need to start early.
It's better to have an extra day for this journey in case you get stranded along the way due to severe weather conditions.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Carretera Austral Itinerary - Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins
There are so many national parks, incredible stops, and natural attractions along the Carretera Austral that it is impossible to create a perfect itinerary for everyone.
However, there is only one way you can follow, which makes planning a bit easier.
We have included the places we visited ourselves and also some parks and stops we skipped.
While we advise creating an itinerary before you go, don't be afraid to be spontaneous from time to time.
Depending on your preferences and time, you can always add or skip some destinations.
Day 0: Puerto Montt
In our itinerary, Puerto Montt is the starting point of the Carretera Austral road trip. The city is located about 1000 kilometers south of Santiago, so it takes time to get there.
When getting to Puerto Montt by car, places such as Pucon or Puerto Varas should also be on your list.
Either way, once you reach the port town, make sure to stock up on food and fill up your gas stank.
Travel Resources
Where to stay in Puerto Montt: Budget: ibis Puerto Montt | Mid-range: Hotel Gran Pacifico
Day 1: Puerto Montt to Chaiten
Firstly, you need to get from Puerto Montt to Chaiten. We've already mentioned above how to get there, so it's only up to you which option you choose.
If you have decided to drive from Puerto Montt, you have a long but scenic day ahead.
The start of your journey couldn't be more adventurous and the scenery more beautiful. One of the best things about Carretera Austral is that you get epic views right from the start.
For those who have more time, don't be afraid to make an overnight stop in Hornopiren.
The nearby Hornopiren National Park is still very underdeveloped and awaiting to be explored.
If traveling by overnight ferry, you can enjoy a relaxing day in Puerto Montt or visit Puerto Varas on a day trip.
Travel Resources
Where to stay in El Chaiten: Budget: Paraiso Patagonico | Mid-range: Posada de Expediciones Kahuel
Day 2: Pumalin National Park
Chaiten is a gateway to Pumalin, one of our favorite national parks in entire Patagonia. Traveling by car gives you freedom and allows you to stop wherever you want.
It also makes getting to national parks along the way much more effortless and way less time-consuming.
And Pumalin National Park is an excellent example of this fact, as it has two accessible sectors that are pretty far from each other.
For starters, you can choose one of the most popular day hikes in the national park, Volcano Chaiten Trail in Sector Oeste - Caleta Gonzalo.
Alternatively, you can explore El Mirador Trail or Ventisquiero Trail in Sector Sur - El Amarillo.
If you have a car and don't mind spending the entire day outdoors, it can be possible to explore both sectors in one day.
Again, you can stay overnight in Chaiten or find accommodation closer to Puyuhuapi.
Day 3: Queulat National Park
From Chaiten, drive to Puyuhuapi, which will be your base for visiting Queulat National Park.
The park features a lush green rainforest, a beautiful lake, and the stunning Hanging Glacier.
While the glacier might not be as massive as Perito Moreno or Grey Glacier, the setting is absolutely stunning.
Depending on your time and mood, you can also drive a bit more south and visit Enchanted Forest or see some waterfalls along the way.
If you prefer whitewater rafting over hiking, you can drive from Chaiten to Futaleufu, known for the pristine and powerful Futaleufu River, instead.
This area is famous for being one of the best places to go rafting in the world, so you can easily extend your time spent on Carretera Austral.
Keep in mind that Puyuhuapi is about 20 kilometers north of Queulat, so you need to retrace your steps a bit if you want to stay there overnight.
Travel Resources
Where to stay in Puyuhuapi: Mid-range: Cabana Senderos Puyuhuapi | Luxury: Puyuhuapi Lodge and Spa
Day 4: Coyhaique
After traveling through remote parts of Carretera's Austral North Sector, you will finally arrive at Coyhaique.
With a population of 50.000, it is the largest city along the way and a regional hub of the Aysen region.
Even though there is not much to do in the town itself, some people decide to base themselves in Coyhaique for a day or two and explore the beautiful surrounding landscape from there.
It's no wonder why, as the city has some nice hotels and even a few decent restaurants.
Coyhaique is a great place to stock up on food, so make sure to visit one of the local grocery stores to save some money.
Coyhaique also has a few outdoor stores in case you need clothing or gear. Don't also forget to read our guide on what to pack for Patagonia.
Travel Resources
Where to stay in Coyhaique: Mid-range: Huellas y Senderos Hotel | Mid-range: Raices Bed and Breakfast
Day 5: Cerro Castillo National Park
One of the most amazing and best day hikes in Patagonia can be found in Cerro Castillo National Park, which lies about 100 kilometers south of Coyhaique.
The trailhead is a few kilometers from the village, but it's easy to get there by car.
The trail leads from the bottom of the valley to the mountains until you reach an insanely blue lagoon with snow-capped peaks in the background.
With an elevation gain of 1000 meters, Laguna Cerro Castillo is one of the most challenging day hikes on this list.
Once you finish the hike, you should still have time to continue to Puerto Rio Tranquilo, a small village sitting on the shore of General Carrera Lake, the second largest lake in South America.
However, it's perfectly fine to stay overnight in Villa Cerro Castillo. Just be prepared that the accommodation here is a bit basic.
Travel Resources
Where to stay in Villa Cerro Castillo: Mid-range: Cabanas Cerro Castillo | Mid-range: Casa Cerro Castillo
Day 6: Puerto Rio Tranquilo - Cochrane
In the morning, take a boat trip across the lake to see the incredible Marble Caves.
If you have a feeling that you've seen everything that Chilean Patagonia offers, then you couldn't be more wrong.
Marble Caves are unique rock formations only accessible by boat or kayak, and we have to admit that we have never seen anything like this before.
On a clear day, the color and the shapes of the caves combined with the turquoise lake will leave you in awe.
It's better to start early in the morning, as the General Carrera Lake can get choppy in the afternoon.
In the afternoon, you should have more than enough time to drive to Cochrane. The scenery along the road is incredible, so prepare yourself to stop often.
Travel Resources
Where to stay in Puerto Rio Tranquilo: Mid-range: Cabanas Don Hugo | Puerto Guadal: Terra Luna Lodge
Day 7: Laguna San Rafael National Park
Laguna San Rafael National Park is a massive national park known for its pristine nature, some higher Andes mountains (in Patagonia), a 16-kilometer fjord, and part of the Northern Patagonian Ice Field.
Despite its size, it's not easily accessible. Therefore, your best bet is to take a guided tour.
In case you have enough time, you can spend one more day in Puerto Rio Tranquilo and arrange a tour of Exploradores Glacier.
The most popular tour features ice trekking within the national park (equipment and guides are included), and you will have a chance to explore the glacier, ice caves, and constantly changing small lagoons.
Alternatively, you can take a boat tour from Puerto Chacabuco.
The boat tours usually take a whole day, and you will see some of the finest scenery in Laguna San Rafael National Park.
Explore the bays and channels, and see glaciers and sea lion colonies. Obviously, you can also arrange the tours in Coyhaique.
Due to its remote location, you will need a whole day for this national park.
Day 8: Patagonia National Park
The youngest national park along Carretera Austral for sure deserves your attention.
Similar to Pumalin, Patagonia National Park is the result of Douglas Tompkins and his wife Kristine, who bought the land in this area and created a huge park accessible to the public.
As usual, the scenery in this park includes everything you would expect to find here.
Turbulent rivers, snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, glaciers, and pristine lakes. The grazing cattle is not here anymore, so you can spot here condors, guanacos, or huemuls.
The easiest way to explore Patagonia National Park is from Cochrane via Valle Chacabuco.
The main entrance is about 30 kilometers north of Cochrane, so having a car is a huge advantage in this case.
Once inside the national park, you can choose from several hikes the area has to offer, depending on your abilities and preferences.
After a day-long hike in Patagonia National Park, we were really glad that we could stay overnight in Cochrane.
Travel Resources
Where to stay in Cochrane: Mid-range: Ribera Cochrane | Mid-range: Kalfu Patagonia | Mid-range: Hotel Ultimo Paraiso
Day 9: Cochrane to Villa O'Higgins
As usual, leave early in the morning. The drive between Cochrane and Villa O'Higgins will be long and tiring, even though the distance between the towns is less than 250 kilometers.
You will be rewarded for your efforts with stunning scenery, so take your time and enjoy the drive.
Before your departure, check the current schedule, as this part of Carretera Austral includes another ferry ride.
The ferry from Puerto Yungay to Rio bravo is free and requires no reservation.
Once you reach Villa O'Higgins, you can either relax in your hotel room or take a walk and explore some of the shorter trails starting from the village.
Travel Resources
Where to stay in Villa O'Higgins: Budget: Puesto Canogas Hostel | Mid-range: Rumbo Sur Hotel
Day 10: Villa O'Higgins
Finally, you've reached Villa O'Higgins. After 1240 kilometers, you might get an idea that the hard work is behind you. The trip is far from over, though.
As you've probably noticed already, the setting is absolutely incredible. So what is there to do in Villa O'Higgins?
For starters, you should drive or walk additional seven kilometers to Puerto Bahamondes, a small port that marks the official end of Carretera Austral.
Here you can admire the beautiful scenery and take a photo of the sign that proves your achievement.
It's also the port from where you can catch the ferry, allowing you to get to Argentina via an alternate route.
Alternatively, you can hike Altavista Trail, Cerro Submarino, or Mosco Glacier.
We absolutely loved Altavista Trail as the trail was relatively easy and offered stunning views of the entire valley and surrounding mountains.
Day 11-14: Villa O'Higgins - Chile or Argentina
Depending on your Patagonia Itinerary, now it's time to turn around and drive to your next destination.
At this stage of your journey, you need to follow your initial plan and either return back to Puerto Montt or Coyhaique, take a ferry to Puerto Natales from Tortel, or return to Chile Chico and cross borders to Argentina.
Either way, all of these options will require at least two or three days.
If you're backpacking Carretera Austral using only public transport, then you should consider crossing the borders from Villa O'Higgins to El Chalten.
As we mentioned earlier, don't forget to have an extra day in case the weather is bad, the road is closed, or simply when you like a village or national park along the way so much that you decide to stay longer.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
