Cycle Tour Chile: Southern Austral Road

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival

   At 3 pm, participants and staff will gather at the accommodation in Coyhaique for introductions, a briefing on the bike journey, and a thorough check of bikes and equipment. This is the last chance to buy any necessary items for the trip in a big city.  If you need to store luggage in Coyhaique or send it to a southern town for further travel in Patagonia to El Chaltén or Torres del Paine National Park, please inform us (additional service).

   
   

   
   
   

   • Rumbo Sur Apart Hotel
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Cerro Castillo

   Your first stretch will be on a paved road of the Southern Way, riding along the flatlands known as the Chinese Wall, where the countryside of Coyhaique unfolds. We'll pass through the town of El Blanco, surrounded by the stunning landscape of Patagonian steppe and rock formations. After the junction of Route 7 and Balmaceda, the road gradually ascends to Laguna Chiguay, an ideal spot for a picnic lunch. We then continue riding through the breathtaking Cerro Castillo National Park, reaching its pass, the highest point of the Carretera Austral. The descent, known as the "Devil's Slope," begins here, offering views of the Ibañez River and leading us to Cerro Castillo Village.

   
   

   • 57.8 miles
   • Ruta 7 Cabins
   • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
3. Day 3Puerto Tranquilo

   After 15 km from Villa Cerro Castillo, the asphalt ends, and you'll begin a road of high difficulty with loose gravel and a corrugated surface. Along the way, you'll have the chance to explore various attractions, like the Green Lagoon and the Dead Forest along the Ibañez River, shaped by the ashes from the Hudson Volcano eruption in 1991.  The ride is supported by the minibus to approach Murta Valley and ride next to the turquoise waters of the second-largest lake in South America, General Carrera Lake. The day finishes in the cozy town of Puerto Tranquilo.

   
   

   • 51.6 miles
   • Turismo Don Hugo Cabins
   • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
4. Day 4Puerto Bertrand

   Early in the morning, kayaking or a motorboat trip to the Marble Chapels is possible (extra service). The ride starts by bordering what is also called Chelenko Lake in the Indigenous dialect. In the distance, you can admire valleys and glaciers that descend from Campos de Hielo Norte (the Northern Ice Field), and will arrive at the General Carrera hanging bridge, where Bertrand Lake is formed, followed by the famous Baker River. The road continues to the junction between Puerto Guadal and Chile Chico, then follows the Carretera Austral through a section of constant climbs and slopes to reach the beautiful townscape of Puerto Bertrand.

   Road type: Loose Gravel
   
   

   • 45.4 miles
   • Konaiken Cabins
   • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks

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     Marble Chapels

     Have fun on and off the bike with a variety of other activities to do

5. Day 5Cochrane

   You'll continue along the Southern Highway, following the Baker River through a Patagonian steppe landscape where trees begin to disappear and grasslands take over the scene, surrounded by winding mountains. You will stop for a hike at the 'confluence of the Baker and Nef rivers,' admiring the impressive flow descending from the depths of the Northern Ice Field. The journey continues, passing by the Patagonia National Park, founded by Mr. Douglas Tompkins, the owner of The North Face, who made the largest donation of conservation lands in the world to the Chilean government. At this spot, wildlife observation of Guanacos (Camelidae family) and other native species may be possible until reaching Cochrane.

   Road type: Loose gravel
   

   • 31.7 miles
   • Choikehuapi Cabins
   • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
6. Day 6Los Nadis

   The initial ride starts on a paved road and then continues on a gravel surface while enjoying the views of Emerald, Juncal, and Chacabuco lakes amidst Patagonian steppe fields. It will also be possible to admire the view of Mount San Lorenzo. You will then continue through a landscape of native forests until descending the Los Ñadis Hill, entering one of Patagonia's best-kept secrets, surrounded by unique scenery. In this valley, you will share time with pioneering handworkers who will host you and prepare a unique Patagonian BBQ with lamb on the spit and vegetables. Minibus transportation will be available to reach the accommodation.

   Road type: Paved & gravel
   
   

   • 31.1 miles
   • Camping La Araucaria
   • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
7. Day 7Caleta Tortel

   By minibus, this first section will be shortened to get the bikes at Los Ñadis. You will continue through native forests, wetlands, and peatlands. Did you know that a recent study by National Geographic and Rewilding Chile explains that Patagonian forests can store three times more CO2 per hectare than those in the Amazon? From this area, the transition from the Patagonian steppe to the evergreen forest emerges, until reaching the picturesque townscape of Caleta Tortel, certified as one of the Best Tourism Villages by the UNWTO. Caleta Tortel is famous for its footbridges made from Guaitecas cypress trees, which connect the houses with the civic center and public services of the town. 

   Road type: Gravel
   
   

   • 51.6 miles
   • Natureza Hostel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
8. Day 8Rio Bravo

   After breakfast and a final morning walk along the wooden walkways of Caleta Tortel, you'll continue the journey by minibus to the junction of Route 7 and Puerto Alegre. From here, the cycling challenge begins immediately with a long, demanding climb up to the pass, followed by an exhilarating descent to Puerto Yungay. You'll then line up for the 45-minute ferry crossing to Río Bravo, where one of the most beautiful and remote roads of the Carretera Austral begins, leading you to the only campsite accommodation in this isolated area.

   Road type: Gravel
   
   

   
   

   • 27.3 miles
   • Rio Bravo Maria's Camping
   • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snacks
9. Day 9Villa O'Higgins

   This final stretch is a challenge in its own right, featuring three major climbs and some of the most remote and extraordinary landscapes along the route. Waterfalls cascade beside the road, wide valleys open into Patagonian steppe, and a succession of rivers and lakes reveal the ever-changing colors of nature as you ride toward the ultimate destination: Villa O’Higgins. The journey technically concludes at Bahía Bahamondes, where you reach kilometer 1,247—the southernmost point of the Carretera Austral—and celebrate the achievement.
   
   The next day, you can either decide to take the ferry crossing to El Chaltén in Argentina and admire the Mount Fitzroy, come back with the vehicle support to Puerto Yungay to take the ferry to Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine or just come back towards Balmaceda airport and Coyhaique. 

   Road type: Gravel

   • 53.4 miles
   • El Mosco hostel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
10. Day 10Catalina Bay

    Today, after loading the bikes and luggage onto the minibus, you'll begin the return journey with a first stop in Puerto Yungay for those continuing by ferry to Puerto Natales. You'll then travel north toward Cochrane and onward to Bahía Catalina (295 km), where you will stay in a beautiful lakeside accommodation on the shores of General Carrera Lake. Along the way, you will take time to appreciate the Patagonian landscape through scenic stops, sightseeing. The day concludes with a delicious dinner and unforgettable views over General Carrera Lake.

    
    Distance: 295 km by minibus
    Road type: Gravel
    
    
    

    • Pared Sur Camp
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
11. Day 11Balmaceda Airport/Coyhaique

    Last day logistics: The tour concludes with the return to Coyhaique, where participants will be dropped off at Balmaceda Airport. It is recommended to schedule your flight for after 2 PM. It is also possible to return to Coyhaique.

    Distance: 228 km by minibus
    Road type: Paved
    
    
    
    

    • Breakfast and Lunch