Cycling General Carrera Lake hanging bridge & northern Ice fields in the back

Challeging slope of the road towards Cochrane, cycling in remote Patagonia is not easy but definitely rewarding

Lake General Carrera is home to the marvellous Marble Caves

Cycling in some of the most remote areas of Patagonia means the highways can be a little bssic

Patagonia Cycle - Southern Austral

Cycle Patagonia's remote Southern Austral Highway

Chile



2 reviews

11 Days from

$3650 USD

Trip Code: NAS

View dates to Book

Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

e-Bike Upgrade

$710 USD

Single Supplement

$1250 USD

Duration

11 Days

Activities

8 days cycling

Style

In Comfort Adventures

Accommodation

4 nights hotel
4 nights cabin
2 nights camping

Meals

10 Dinners
9 Lunches
10 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

6 / 10

Moderate to Challenging

Carbon Footprint

44kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(397kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Cycle remote sections of the Carretera Austral through southern Patagonia
Ride beside General Carrera Lake and the Baker River
Explore Cerro Castillo National Park and Patagonia National Park
Marvel at one of the last remnants of the Patagonian Ice Sheet, the Northern Ice Field
Visit the remote boardwalk village of Caleta Tortel
Enjoy the culinary experience of a unique Patagonian BBQ

Overview

This cycling journey follows the southern section of Chile’s Carretera Austral from Coyhaique to Villa O’Higgins through some of Patagonia’s most remote landscapes. Ride a combination of paved and gravel roads past glacial lakes, hanging valleys, rivers and Patagonian steppe, with support vehicle assistance on selected sections. The route passes through Cerro Castillo National Park, General Carrera Lake, Patagonia National Park and the isolated settlements of Caleta Tortel and Villa O’Higgins. Combining challenging riding with wilderness scenery and small frontier towns, the trip offers an immersive exploration of southern Chilean Patagonia.

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Today the adventure begins. On arrival to Coyhaique we will meet at the hotel at 3pm for a meet and greet. This is where the team of guides will introduce themselves and provide general information about the route and services included in the tour, instructions, safety recommendations, equipment review, bicycle mechanics and final details of preparation for the tour will be adjusted. If you want to store some luggage in Coyhaique or send it to a southern town to continue your travel along Patagonia to El Chaltén or Torres del Paine National Park this is the opportunity. (Charges apply). Accommodation: Raices Bed & Breakfast or similar

Meals: D

Our first stretch will be a paved road of the Southern Way; riding along what is called the Chinese wall where the countryside of Coyhaique emerges passing through El Blanco town accompanied by a spectacular landscape of Patagonian steppe and rock formations. After the conjunction between Route 7 and Balmaceda, the road slightly starts to go up until Laguna Chiguay, perfect place for picnic lunch. We continue the ride along the dramatic Cerro Castillo National Park to reach its pass as the highest point of the Carretera Austral. The "devil's slope" downhill starts passing from the viewpoints of Ibañez River and we end our day when we arrive at Cerro Castillo Village. Accommodation: Ruta 7 Cabins or Senderos Patagonia or similar

Meals: B,L,D

15 km from Villa Cerro Castilo the asphalt ends, and we start on a road of high difficulty with loose gravel and corrugated surface. We can observe various attractions on the route, such as the Green Lagoon and the Dead Forest in the Ibañez River, a landscape moulded by the ashes coming from the Hudson Volcano eruption in 1991. The ride is supported with the minibus to approach Murta valley and ride next to the turquoise water of the second biggest lake in South America, the General Carrera Lake. The day finishes at the cozy Puerto Tranquilo town. Road type: Loose gravel Overnight: Turismo Don Hugo Cabins or similiar

Meals: B,L,D

We start the ride bordering General Carrera Lake, also known as Chelenko Lake in Indigenous dialect. From a distance we can admire valleys and glaciers that descend from Campos de Hielo Norte ("the Northern Ice Field"), and we will arrive at the General Carrera hanging bridge, where the Bertrand Lake and then the famous Baker River is formed. The road gets to the junction between Puerto Guadal and Chile Chico then follows the Carretera Austral in a section of climbs and slopes to reach the beautiful townscape of Puerto Bertrand. Road type: Loose Gravel Accommodation: Rapidos del Baker or similar

Meals: B,L,D

We continue along the Southern Way, following the Baker River in the middle of a Patagonian steppe landscape where the trees begin to disappear, and the grasslands take over the landscape amidst winding mountains. We will stop for a hike at the “confluence between the Baker and Nef rivers”. Admiring the impressive flow which descends from the depths of the Northern Ice Field. The journey continues passing next to the Patagonia National Park founded by The North Face owner’s Mr. Douglas Tomkins that made the largest donation of conservation lands in the world to the Chilean Government. In this spot, wildlife observation of Guanacos (Camelidae family) and other native species may be possible until we reach Cochrane. Road type: Loose gravel Accommodation: Rivera Cabins or similar

Meals: B,L,D

The initial ride starts with a paved road and then continues to a gravel surface while enjoying the view from the Emerald, Juncal and Chacabuco lakes in the middle of Patagonian steppe fields. It will be also possible to admire the view of Mount San Lorenzo. We then continue in the middle of native forests landscape until descending the Los Ñadis hill, going into one of the best kept secrets of Patagonia. In the middle of a unique scenery of this valley, handworker's pioneers who will hosting and preparing a unique Patagonian BBQ with a lamb on the spit and vegetables. Road type: Paved & gravel Accommodation: Camping La Araucaria (tent, camping mat and sleeping bag provided) or similar

Meals: B,L,D

We will continue through native forest, wetlands and peatlands. From this area, the transition of the Patagonian steppe to the evergreen forest emerges until we reach the picturesque townscape of Caleta Tortel, certified as one of the Best Tourism Village by the UNWTO. Famous for its footbridges of Guaitecas's cypress trees, which connect the houses with the civic center and the public services of the town. Admire this unique village as we will explore the village on foot before beginning the the return towards Coyhaique. Road type: Gravel Accommodation: Natureza Hostel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast, take a final walk through Caleta Tortel, exploring the village’s network of elevated wooden boardwalks built from locally sourced Guaitecas cypress. We then transfer by minibus to the junction of Route 7 and Puerto Alegre, where today’s ride begins immediately with a sustained climb toward the pass. The route follows one of the more remote sections of the southern Carretera Austral, with sweeping views across dense Patagonian forest, rivers and rugged mountain terrain. A long descent leads to Puerto Yungay, where we board the ferry for the 45-minute crossing to Río Bravo. From here, continue cycling along an isolated gravel road through wilderness landscapes to our remote campsite, one of the most secluded overnight locations on the journey. Road type: Gravel Accommodation: Rio Bravo Maria’s Camping (tent, camping mat and sleeping bag provided) or similar

Meals: B,L,D

This final stage of the journey is both demanding and rewarding, featuring three major climbs and some of the most remote landscapes along the Carretera Austral. The gravel road winds through narrow valleys, dense native forest and open Patagonian steppe, with waterfalls cascading beside the route and glacial rivers cutting through the terrain. Along the way, changing views of lakes, mountains and wide wilderness landscapes highlight the isolation and scale of southern Patagonia. As the ride progresses south, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic before reaching Villa O’Higgins, a remote frontier settlement at the end of the road. The cycling journey officially concludes at Bahía Bahamondes at kilometre 1247, the southern terminus of the Carretera Austral, where there is time to celebrate completing one of Patagonia’s most iconic cycling routes. Road type: Gravel Accommodation: El Mosco Hostel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

After loading the bikes and luggage onto the support vehicle, begin the return journey north along the Carretera Austral. The first stop is Puerto Yungay for travellers continuing independently by ferry toward Puerto Natales. From here, continue through the remote landscapes of southern Patagonia toward Cochrane and Bahía Catalina, travelling approximately 295km / 183mi by vehicle. Along the route there are opportunities to stop at scenic viewpoints overlooking rivers, mountains, forests and the vast expanse of General Carrera Lake, South America’s second-largest lake. The drive retraces sections of the Carretera Austral through landscapes that highlight the scale and isolation of the region. Concluding the day on the shores of General Carrera Lake, where the evening diiner is spent in a lakeside setting with expansive views across the surrounding mountains and water. Accommodation: Pared Sur Camp or similar

Meals: B,L,D

The tour concludes with the return to Coyhaique, where participants will be dropped off at Balmaceda Airport. We recommend scheduling your flight for after 2pm. It is also possible to return to Coyhaique. Please discuss at time of booking.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners
A mix of hotels, cabins and camping on a twin share basis
Mountain bike & front pannier and a cycle helmet
Tents, camping mats and sleeping bags provided
English speaking local guides
Ferry crossing to Río Bravo
Boat trip Marble Chapels
Support vehicle while cycling and mechanic
Group first aid kit
Transfer to Balmaceda airport or Coyhaique at the finish

Not included

International or domestic airfares
Travel insurance (compulsory)
Visa
Transfer on arrival
e-Bike upgrade
Personal expenses such as laundry and alcoholic beverages
Tips and gratuities
Items not listed as included