Carretera Austral South

Carretera Austral South Trips & Tours

Carretera Austral South

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Carretera Austral South Trips & Tours

A show-stopping passage where nature rules, wild and beautiful, and humans are rare.

The bottom half of the famous Carretera Austral highway meanders across one of Patagonia’s most varied landscapes and, at every turn, there’s another vista vying for your attention be it a classic mountain and glacier-studded snowscape, deep blue lakes, rainforest or brooding steppe. Add to that the sparkle of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field – and the ever-encroaching tip of its northern counterpart – and all the elements for a sublime, end-of-the-world escape are in attendance. It’s this variety that allows for world-class outdoor activities, including ice hiking and horseback riding, kayaking through the Marble Caves, and boating and fly-fishing amid the fjords and lagoons. Up the ante with a day of white water rafting or venture out to sea to catch a glimpse of dolphins, marine otters and sea lions.

Places to Visit

What to do in Carretera Austral South

The final stretch of this supremely-scenic, 1,247 km-long route reveals the enthralling topography Patagonia is known for. There are multiple parks and reserves to explore, where lakes lay like mirrors before you, iconic peaks rise towards the sky and the ice fields shimmer in the distance. Make as many pitstops as you like; kayaking, trekking, biking and scenic flights are all on the cards. Look out for Patagonia's unique wildlife including pumas, huemules and soaring condors, and end your journey at one of the most remote towns in Chile, Villa O'Higgins, where mountains rule the skyline.

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Why you'll love your Carretera Austral South safari package

Why you'll love your Carretera Austral South safari package

It’s incredibly rewarding to spend time in an area where nature is just as it should be: undisturbed, untamed and free.

Off the beaten track

Off the beaten track

Lose your guide (for a little while, anyway) and self-drive through Patagonia Park. The 74-kilometre road is beautiful and you’ll pass guanacos, flamingos, pumas, birdlife and huemul deer. Yes, really!

Something to think about

Something to think about

The weather in this region is somewhat patience-testing and unpredictable storms and icy blasts are par for the course. Grit your teeth, take it in your stride and it will all become part of the adventure.

Best time to visit

When to go on a Carretera Austral South Trip

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