About Carretera Austral
The Carretera Austral is Chile's Route 7 — a 1,240-kilometre unpaved road that threads through some of the most extraordinary landscapes on earth, connecting Puerto Montt in the north to Villa O'Higgins in the south through a world of glaciated fjords, ancient temperate rainforest, turquoise rivers, and volcanic peaks.
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Everything You Need to Plan Your Trip
Top Attractions in Carretera Austral
The Ventisquero Colgante — a hanging glacier suspended between two mountain faces that calves house-sized icebergs into a turquo…
Marble formations carved by 6,000 years of wave action into cathedrals, caves, and pillars on the shore of the second-largest lake…
The deepest canyon in Patagonia — the turquoise Río Baker flowing through a gorge of extraordinary scale south of Cochrane. The…
Natural hot springs accessible only by boat across the Puyuhuapi fjord — a pool of thermal water at the edge of the fjord with v…
Best Neighbourhoods in Carretera Austral
A small German settler village on a fjord — the best base for the Queulat hanging glacier and fjord hot springs. The Tierra Austral Lodge here is the finest accommodation on the entire route.
The only base for marble cathedral kayak tours on Lake General Carrera. Book well ahead in January-February when accommodation fills completely.
The regional capital — the only city on the route, with ATMs, supermarkets, mechanics, restaurants, and the regional airport. Best place to resupply between sections.
The last proper town before Villa O'Higgins and the end of the road. Frontier atmosphere and the trailhead for Tamango National Reserve.
Best Time to Visit Carretera Austral
The Carretera Austral is effectively a one-season destination. November to March (Southern Hemisphere summer) …
Early summer — spring wildflowers, fewer vehicles on the road, and lower prices than January–February peak…
Peak season — all facilities open, maximum daylight hours (up to 17h at southern latitudes), but the road is…
Autumn colours begin on the lenga beech trees — the oranges and reds of Patagonian autumn are extraordinary.…
Top Tours in Carretera Austral
SightseeingBest Hotels in Carretera Austral
LuxuryTierra Patagonia Lodge, Carretera Austral
The finest lodge on the Carretera Austral — a remote luxury property in Puyuhuapi fjord with floor...
BoutiqueEl Puesto Lodge, Puerto Río Tranquilo
The best mid-range base for the marble cathedrals section of the Carretera Austral — a simple, war...