307 - Carretera Austral South - 3 nights

Day 1

Balmaceda, Puerto Tranquilo, Marble Cathedral, Puerto Guadal

Arrival at Balmaceda airport on a flight that lands between 09:30 and 10:30 am. Reception and immediate departure to the Carretera Austral Sur, bound for the town of Puerto Tranquilo, 182 km away (3.30hr). Puerto Tranquilo is a small town located on the west bank of Lake General Carrera, it is the largest lake in Chile and the second in South America, with an area of ​​978.12 km2 and is shared with Argentina. Its waters are turquoise in color and contain abundant salmonid fish.

During the trip, beautiful forests of lenga, ciruelillo or notro, coigüe and ñire are contemplated. You will cross iconic landmarks on the road such as Laguna Chiguay, La Piedra del Conde and Cuesta del Diablo, from where we can appreciate the magnitude of the imposing Cerro Castillo, passing through the slope of it and crossing the town that bears the same name, typical Patagonian people. Throughout this journey, we will be crossing the Cerro Castillo National Park.

Continuing the trip, we will descend through the Murta River Valley, which in spring is dressed in beautiful colors observing lupine mantles, until we meet head-on with the immensity of General Carrera Lake. Various stops will be made on the trip for photographs.

Finally we will arrive at Puerto Tranquilo, on the shores of Lake General Carrera, to sail to the Nature Sanctuary “Capillas de Mármol”, a place of singular scenic beauty, where the waves of the lake have eroded and polished the limestone, forming caves of A big attraction.

Continuation south for 59 km (70 min), until Puerto Guadal sector. Accommodation at the Terra Luna Lodge or similar. ** Set menu lunch at a local restaurant in the town of Cerro Castillo or Puerto Tranquilo.

Day 2

Patagonia National Park, sector ex Reserva National Tamango - Cochrane

Breakfast. At 9:00 am, continue south along the Carretera Austral to see the Patagonia Park sector – former Tamango National Reserve, located at a distance of approximately 125 km. There we will go up the Cochrane River enjoying the wonderful landscape, for approximately 40 minutes in a boat with simple but safe characteristics, until we reach the dock to disembark and take a very well indicated walk, and of medium demand, for all public with good physical condition and of health. If luck is good, we will be able to appreciate the Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) up close.

Then we will head to Cochrane for lunch at a local restaurant. Later, we will return by the same route, appreciating in much of the way, the Baker River, the largest in Chile. We will stop at an unmissable point to observe and photograph the confluence of the Baker and Nef rivers, a unique spectacle of nature.

Accommodation at the Terra Luna lodge or similar in the Puerto Guadal sector.

Day 3

Puerto Guadal, Valle Exploradores Viewpoint - Coyhaique

Breakfast. At 09:00 in the morning, we will return along the Austral Highway to the north, to the town of Puerto Tranquilo (59 km). After a stop to buy a snack if you wish, we will continue 50 km west, with stops for photographs, through the beautiful valley where we can appreciate nature in its natural, pristine and wild state. Once in the visitor center of Valle Exploradores, we will start a hike of medium difficulty, crossing an evergreen forest and later a short but steep moraine until we reach the viewpoint of the Exploradores glacier. From the viewpoint, weather permitting, the immensity of the Northern Ice Field, Mount San Valentín and the Exploradores Glacier will be appreciated. Box lunch.

After this unforgettable visit, we will return to the regional capital Coyhaique (218 km). Stops for photographs at the various viewpoints. Accommodation at Hotel El Reloj or similar.

Estimated time of arrival at 20:30.

Day 4

Coyhaique - Balmaceda Airport

Breakfast. At the agreed time, transfer without a guide, regularly to the airport, (55 km – 50 min). Pick up of passengers around 2.30 hr before the flight departure time.

Note:

✓ If your departure flight is during the afternoon, you can ask us for suggestions for optional half-day excursions from Coyhaique.