Your Itinerary
Day 1 - PUERTO MONTT – PETROHUÉ (90 KM / 56 MI)
Pick up your car at the airport or the city rent- a-car office and drive to Petrohué located in the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park.
You will be accompanied by beautiful views of the Llanquihue Lake and volcanoes.
Overnight in Petrohué. (D)
Day 2 - VICENTE PÉREZ ROSALES NATIONAL PARK
You will have an entire day to explore the park and its hiking trails or enjoy a variety of outdoor activities organised by the hotel such as rafting, kayaking, trekking or fishing (not included).
Overnight in Petrohué. (B, D)
Day 3 - PETROHUÉ – HORNOPIREN (200 KM / 124 MI)
Today you will set out to reach the amazing Carretera Austral. Go south along the Reloncaví Fjord, passing the beautiful rivers of Petrohué, Cochamó and Puelo. As you continue along the road the landscape will contrast between forest and sea.
Overnight in Hornopiren. (B)
Day 4 - HORNOPIREN – CALETA GONZALO (20 KM / 12 MI + 5 HRS NAVIGATION)
After breakfast you will board a 4 hour ferry that takes you along the Cholgo Channel and the stunning Comau Fjord. After a brief drive of only 10 minutes, you will take a second ferry to Caleta Gonzalo.
Overnight in Caleta Gonzalo. (B)
Day 5 - PUMALIN PARK
Today you will have some spare time to discover the primitive forests of the Pumalín Park; one of Chile’s main ecotourism attractions. We recommend a hike to one of the various lookout points that boast breathtaking views.
Overnight in Caleta Gonzalo. (B)
Day 6 - CALETA GONZALO – PUYUHUAPI (245 KM / 152 MI)
After breakfast you will continue south pass Chaitén towards Risopatrón Lake. This is a stunning drive filled with impressive views of rivers, lakes, glaciers and mountains.
Overnight in Puyuhuapi. (B)
Day 7 - PUYUHUAPI AND QUEULAT NATIONAL PARK
Today you will visit the quaint village of Puyuhuapi and spend time hiking in the Queulat National Park. The park contains 1,541 km² / 595 mi² of glacier capped mountains and virgin evergreen forests.
Overnight in Puyuhuapi. (B)
Day 8 - PUYHUAPI – COYHAIQUE (221 KM / 137 MI)
Today’s trip continues past the Queulat National Park and through the spectacular valleys of the region. Shortly before arriving at the capital of the Aysén region, Coyhaique, you will also pass through the Simpson National Reserve.
Overnight in Coyhaique. (B)
Day 9 - COYHAIQUE – GENERAL CARRERA LAKE (265 KM / 165 MI)
A beautiful but long drive calls for an early departure. Your trip today will lead you to the immense Lake General Carrera. Stop for magnificent views from the various lookout points along the lengthy and uninhabited stretch of the Carretera Austral. Make sure you don’t miss a visit to the Marble Caves just after Puerto Río Tranquilo.
Overnight close to the shores of Lake General Carrera. (B)
Day 10 - GENERAL CARRERA LAKE
Take delight in the beautiful landscapes and explore the surroundings of the lake.
Overnight close to the shores of the Lake General Carrera. (B)
Day 11 - GENERAL CARRERA LAKE – LAGO POSADAS (212 KM / 132 MI)
After breakfast you will start to drive west. At the crossing with Ruta 7 you will turn left, heading south along the river Baker towards the direction of Cochrane. After about 40 km you need to turn left towards the Chacabuco Valley; an unknown region with a great diversity of terrain, wildlife and geology. The road has many curves, so drive carefully.
Overnight near Lago Posadas. (B)
Day 12 - POSADAS LAKE – EL CHALTÉN (530 KM / 330 MI)
Today, you will set out for an especially long trip to El Chaltén along Route 40; the “Patagonian Highway”. El Chaltén is situated at the foot of the Fitz Roy Mountain Range.
Overnight in El Chaltén. (B)
Day 13 - EL CHALTÉN (FITZ ROY)
This will be a relaxing and fun day in El Chaltén. We suggest hiking in the national park and visiting the Southern Ice Field.
Overnight in El Chaltén. (B)
Day 14 - EL CHALTEN – EL CALAFATE (212 KM / 132 MI)
You will drive around Lake Viedma today to reach another huge glacier lake called Lago Argentino. You will spend the night on the shores of the lake.
Overnight in El Calafate. (B)
Day 15 - EL CALAFATE - PERITO MORENO
Visit the magnificent glacier Perito Moreno, a true natural wonder. Specific trekking routes can be organized.
Overnight in El Calafate. (B)
Day 16 - EL CALAFATE – TORRES DEL PAINE (350 KM / 217 MI)
You will drive into Chile via Cerro Castillo through the vast pampa and arrive at one of the most beautiful national parks of the American continent; Torres del Paine. Enjoy the views on your way to your hostería.
Overnight in or close to the Torres del Paine National Park. (B, D)
Day 17 - TORRES DEL PAINE (110 KM / 68 MI)
Visit some of the various sites within the park, navigate to the Grey Glacier or trek along one of the trails to experience this magnificent landscape close up.
Overnight in or close to the National Park Torres del Paine. (B, D)
Day 18 - TORRES DEL PAINE – PUNTA ARENAS (400 KM / 249 MI)
On this 4 to 6 hour drive to Punta Arenas you can visit the Mylodon Cave where scientists discovered the remains of a gigantic sloth. When arriving in Punta Arenas you can explore this historical city on the shores of the Magellan Strait.
Overnight in Punta Arenas. (B)
Day 19 - CAR DROP OFF AT PUNTA ARENAS
Your amazing Patagonian adventure ends in Punta Arenas where you will return your car at the airport or the downtown car rental office. (B)
DETAILS -
This holiday costs from £3,510 per person based on two adults sharing accommodation.
The price is a price from based on the lower season of October and March/April. The correct price will be quoted upon enquiry.
Chile car rental companies charge an additional airport service fee when vehicle will be picked up from airport. This service charge is not included in the total cost. This extra fee has to be paid upon returning the car and will be quoted upon enquiry/booking.
Hotels we use in this program:
Hotel Petrohue (Superior Room), Hosteria Catalina (Standard Room), Hosteria Caleta Gonzalo (Cabin), Hosteria Alemana (Standard Room), Hotel Belisario Jara (Standard Room), Mirador de Guadal (Standard Cabin), Hostería La Posada del Posadas (Standard cabin), Hotel Lunajuim (Standard Room), Hotel Sierra Nevada (Standard Room), Hotel del Paine (Standard Room) and Cabo de Hornos (Standard Room).
The total cost is based on these hotels. In case of unavailability and/or clients wishing to stay in another hotel, the holiday price will change.
Flights
No flights or other overnights are included in the cost. This itinerary is meant to highlight a self-drive holiday through Patagonia. At least one night in Santiago at the beginning and at the end will be necessary, and the relevant domestic flights which should cost around £400.00 per person in economy.
International flights tend to cost between £700 and £900 per person return if booked well in advance – do ask us for advice. Alternatively we can book the flights for you but a booking fee may apply.
Please remember this is a sample itinerary and we are happy to modify it to suit your plans. Give us a call or email us to discuss your requirements and start planning your Chile holiday!
When to travel
We suggest avoiding the winter of the southern hemisphere if interested in a self-drive in Patagonia. This means that this holiday is best between September and April.
What's included?
INCLUDED:
- Prices start from £3,510 per person
- 14 nights accommodation with daily breakfast (B)
- 4 nights including half board (2 nights at Hotel Petrohue and 2 nighst at Hotel del Paine) (B,D)
- 19 days car rental (Mitta category D1) including unlimited free mileage, local tax, full CDW coverage with deductible
- Drop off costs.
- International permission to cross into Argentina with vehicle
- Roadmap and descriptions
- Ferry Tickets
- All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are fully covered
