Join a 13-day guided tour through the Aysen region of Chilean Patagonia. Start at Balmaceda Airport and travel along the scenic Carretera Austral. Stay in handpicked lodges including Puyuhuapi Lodge, Mallin Colorado, and Explora Patagonia.
Explore Coyhaique, then head north to Puyuhuapi Fjord, stopping at Queulat National Park to hike to the hanging glacier. Continue south to Cerro Castillo and Lake General Carrera for a boat trip to the Marble Caves. Enjoy your stay at Mallin Colorado, then visit the Baker River confluence in Puerto Bertrand and go rafting on Chile’s most powerful river.
Spend two days hiking in Patagonia National Park from Explora Lodge, with chances to see guanacos, condors, and huemul. Finish with a night in Coyhaique before your transfer to Balmaceda Airport.
Highlights
Travel the scenic Carretera Austral with private guides and drivers
Stay in top lodges like Puyuhuapi, Mallin Colorado, and Explora Patagonia
Join a hike through forest to a lookout over Queulat’s hanging glacier
Take a guided boat tour to explore the Marble Caves on Lake General Carrera
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
Arrive at Balmaceda Airport, where your private guide meets you for your transfer to Coyhaique, the capital of the Aysen region. The drive takes about one hour through mountain and forest landscapes along the Carretera Austral. In Coyhaique, check in at Nomades Hotel Boutique, a small hotel known for its cozy atmosphere, wood-accented interiors, and convenient location near the town center and riverside trails. After settling in, enjoy a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant, included in your itinerary. In the evening, explore Coyhaique on foot—visit the town square, browse local shops, or take a walk along the Simpson River.
Day 2: Travel to Queulat National Park | Queulat Short Hike | Boat Ride to Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa
Begin your travel north from Coyhaique as your private driver takes you along the Carretera Austral, passing through rural towns and scenic valleys. En route, visit Queulat National Park, where you take a short guided hike through temperate rainforest to a lookout over the Hanging Glacier and Tempanos Lagoon—a top highlight in Chilean Patagonia.
After the park visit, continue to the pier at Puyuhuapi Fjord and take a short boat transfer to Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa, your base for two nights. Located on the fjord's edge, this eco-lodge offers a peaceful escape with access to indoor and outdoor thermal pools, included with your stay.
Spend the next two days enjoying the full-board experience with daily meals included. Optional activities include hiking, kayaking, and spa treatments (extra cost). Use your free time to unwind, explore the surrounding nature, or simply relax at the lodge before your next adventure.
After breakfast at Puyuhuapi Lodge, your driver picks you up to continue your trip. You travel south on the Carretera Austral, passing valleys, rivers, and small villages. You stop for lunch in a quiet fishing town and enjoy a simple local meal.
After lunch, you keep driving toward Cerro Castillo village, found at the base of the tall peaks in Cerro Castillo National Park. This area is known for its strong natural views and hiking paths, showing the wild side of Patagonia.
You check in at Alto Castillo Lodge or a similar local accommodation, where you can relax and prepare for the outdoor adventures that await.
Day 6: Travel to Mallin Colorado Lodge | Boat to Marble Caves – Mallin Colorado Ecolodge
After breakfast, your driver picks you up for a 4-hour ride to Mallin Colorado Ecolodge. On the way, you pass through beautiful places like the Ibanez River Valley, Cofre Lagoon, and the Murta River. You’ll see wide open spaces, mountains, and lakes along the drive.
Once you reach Lake General Carrera, you join a small group boat tour to see the Marble Caves. These caves are made of smooth stone shaped by water over thousands of years. The water is a bright blue-green color, and the caves are full of natural tunnels and shapes.
After the boat tour, you arrive at Mallin Colorado Ecolodge. You check in to your room and enjoy dinner at the main lodge with views of the lake and forest around you.
Day 7: Explore Mallin Colorado Trails and Fossils in Puerto Guadal
Start your day with breakfast at the main house of Mallin Colorado Ecolodge. Afterward, you can choose between hiking on the lodge’s private trails or going horseback riding. The Mallin Colorado trail takes you from 300 to 670 meters in elevation, through native forests of coigue, lenga, and nire. Along the way, you’ll see sweeping views of the calypso-blue waters of General Carrera, Bertrand, and Plomo lakes, as well as the snowy peaks of the Contreras Mountain Range. This is a great opportunity to spot local birds, plants, and seasonal mushrooms.
In the afternoon, head to Puerto Guadal for a 3-hour guided hike to a fossil site in the hills above Lake General Carrera. Here, you’ll discover marine fossils and enjoy stunning views of the Northern Icefields. After the hike, visit key spots in the small village of Puerto Guadal, including its cemetery, beach, and artisan shops, where you can see the work of local craftspeople.
Return to Mallin Colorado for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Visit the Confluence and Raft the Baker River
After breakfast at Mallin Colorado, you head south with your driver to visit Puerto Bertrand and the Baker River. Your first stop is the birthplace of the Baker River, just outside the village. It’s a quiet spot surrounded by old native trees, where the water begins its journey from the lake.
Next, you continue to the confluence, where the Baker River meets the Neff River. This is a powerful and beautiful place where two rivers with different colors come together, creating a third color in the water. It’s a great spot to take photos and see the strength of nature.
After a picnic lunch near the river, your adventure continues in Puerto Bertrand with a rafting trip on the Baker River. This is a calm and easy ride, perfect even if it's your first time. You wear the right gear for cold water, and the views around you are stunning.
You return to Mallin Colorado for dinner and rest. This day combines sightseeing, nature, and a bit of adventure.
Day 9: Travel from Mallin Colorado to Explora Patagonia National Park
Start your day with breakfast at Mallin Colorado. You have a free morning to relax or enjoy short hikes on the nearby trails. You can walk to the beach or follow a one-hour trail near your cabin to take in views of Lake General Carrera and the surrounding nature.
Lunch is served at the main house. Afterward, a driver from Explora picks you up for your transfer to Patagonia National Park. The drive takes about one hour and passes through scenic areas of Aysen.
You check in at Explora Parque Patagonia, your next hotel. Located inside the national park, it’s a great base for exploring this protected area. Dinner is included, and you spend the night surrounded by the quiet beauty of Patagonia.
After breakfast, you join a guided hike chosen the night before with your group. The hotel team helps you pick a trail based on your interests and fitness level.
You explore the open landscapes of Patagonia National Park, known for its wide valleys, dry steppe, and low mountains. Along the way, you may see wild guanacos, condors, and other native animals.
Lunch is served outdoors in a scenic spot with beautiful views of the park. After the hike, return to the hotel to relax.
Day 11: Hike to Lake Cochrane and Search for Huemul Deer
After breakfast, you join a guided hike on a longer trail deeper into Patagonia National Park. Today’s hike gives you a chance to see Lake Cochrane and possibly spot a huemul — a rare Patagonian deer found in this region.
Enjoy an outdoor lunch surrounded by the park’s wide-open landscapes, mountains, and wildlife. After the hike, return to the lodge to relax and have dinner.
After breakfast, you begin a 7-hour drive to the city of Coyhaique, the main hub of the Aysen Region. This transfer takes you through remote Patagonian landscapes, passing rivers, forests, and small villages along the famous Carretera Austral.
A packed lunch is provided during the journey. In the evening, you check in at your hotel in Coyhaique and enjoy a farewell dinner at a selected local restaurant—an ideal way to wrap up your adventure in Chilean Patagonia.
Day 13: Transfer to Balmaceda Airport | Return Home
1 Breakfast
After breakfast and check-out at your hotel in Coyhaique, your private driver picks you up and takes you to Balmaceda Airport. The drive takes about one hour, depending on road conditions. Arrive in time for your scheduled flight, marking the end of your adventure through Patagonia, Chile.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
This was our first trip to South America and we were a little nervous. But Adventure Life made things so easy! All our questions were answered before we left, and our guide, Vidal, was amazing! He gave us enough space to explore without rushing us along. He also knew where the best picture taking opportunities were, which was great.
We worked with Franny initially and then once we booked we worked with Phen. Franny was very patient and not pushy as we considered our choices. They both got back to us immediately when we had questions.
Expedition cruises are very weather dependent, we knew we were going to see Glaciers, Marine Life, Landscapes but just didn't know when and where. We had some rain, sleet and snow then followed by absolutely beautiful weather. The captain and expedition team were very conscientious for our safety as well as providing us with a fulfilling and educational experience.
Misti
1 month ago
Adventure Life made the whole trip process smooth and worry free from planning and throughout the entire trip. Communication was excellent and the trip to Chile and Easter Island was amazing. We were able to customize the entire trip and use the experience of other travelers to ensure each day was amazing.
Quinn Johnson
2 months ago
Erin and Juliane have been very helpful. The planning has been smooth and stress-free. My concerns and questions have been answered on a timely manner. I was referred to a booking agent for flights that made it easier to plan international and local flights. There's also a Trip Planner website that provides good information as well as a single location for documents related to this trip.
Noel Mozo
3 months ago
Very prompt replies and very knowledgeable
Christine Guthrie
3 months ago
Adventure Life planned a stunner of a trip for our family ONCE AGAIN! This is our 7th trip with Adventure Life. We chose the Chile North to South adventure with add-ons of Magdalena Island to see the penguins; Las Torres hotel in Patagonia; Calafate, Argentina to see the Perito Moreno glacier and finally, Buenos Aires. We were active every day! Biking in vineyards, trekking at 14,000 ft above sea level and seeing vicuña and vizcacha everywhere after having almost the entire El Tatio geyser park to ourselves, an evening tour viewing the stars and galaxies in the Atacama Desert, River Rafting and hiking between volcanoes and glacial lakes in the mountain lake region of Peurto Varas, hiking the French Valley, Las Torres and riding horses in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, walking on the glacier and drinking glacial water and hearing those thunderous booms of ice calving at Perito Moreno in Calafate, Argentina and biking 30 miles through Buenos Aires to the suburbs where we kayaked the Tigre River Delta. So much fun!! I even wore my adult children out!!
