Your tailor-made holiday will be as unique as you are. These itineraries are just a starting point, a bit of inspiration to show what’s possible. Your own trip all starts with a conversation with one of our Chile experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect holiday to match.
An exhilarating self-drive itinerary, taking you far from the crowds into remote Patagonia. The Carretera Austral is a largely unpaved, 1000km stretch of road that carves through some of the world’s most picturesque and unspoilt scenery. The route was constructed in the 80s to connect isolated areas of the country, which means the road bypasses the usual tourist sites and attractions, allowing those with a little patience the chance to see a rare form of untouched beauty.
This adventure is guaranteed to impress even the most seasoned of travellers. The trip begins with time in a bohemian Santiago neighbourhood to soak in the history and culture, before heading to Patagonia. The tiny airport of Balmaceda is the next stop; here you collect your 4×4 hire car to begin your self-drive adventure on what is likely to be one of the most epic road trips of your life.
Here’s a summary of what you might get up to day-to-day on this Chile holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your trip will be tailored to suit you.
Fly to Santiago overnight.
You will be greeted by our friendly representatives and transferred into the city for a three-night stay. Your guide will give you an overview to help you make the most of your time.
You have two days to explore the capital. For the first, you will have a private guide to tour you around the city. You may wish to Dclimb or ride the gonola to the summit of Cerro San Cristobal for sensational views. Another idea is to arrange a day trip into the surrounding valleys to get a glimpse of rural life, or to visit the vibrant coastal town of Valparaiso.
Fly to tiny Balmaceda Airport, in the heart of the Patagonian wilderness. Collect your 4 X 4 and drive north to Coihaique, where you will stay for a night.
An early start is recommended today for your full day journey to Puerto Tranquillo. Fill up on fuel as this is your only opportunity for the day. The driving time will be roughly five hours, but you will want to make plenty of stops along the way. Puerto Tranquillo will be your home for two nights.
Visit a Carretera Austral highlight, the azure Marble Caves. Boat trips depart from the tiny dock at Puerto Tranquillo, or even kayak to get a different perspective of the swirling patterns inside the caves. In the afternoon take the beautiful drive to the Glacier Exploradores.
Another spectacular full day drive to Tortel, a tiny village clinging to a mountainside fjord near the ice fields. Wooden walkways connect the town that was only accessible by boat until 2003. The drive is just under six hours.
Today you have a full day at leisure to explore picturesque Tortel.
Another spectacular drive to Puerto Bertrand, a full day journey with roughly 4.5 hours of driving.
A day to relax and visit the mighty river confluence. The recently opened Patagonia National Park is another beautiful area in striking distance.
Travel back to tiny Balmaceda Airport and fly to Santiago.
Fly home, arriving the following day.
We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our expert Louise is dedicated to all things Chile and is here to help you plan your perfect trip.
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