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Patagonia road trip itinerary

The world's best road trip

The ‘Carretera Austral’ is wild and remote… just how we like to travel! Located in the Aysen region of Chilean Patagonia, it is largely untouched by tourism and offers evergreen forests, emerald coloured lakes and rivers, blue glaciers, hidden valleys and the ever-present Andean Mountain range. It is also – in our opinion – the world’s best road trip!

We recommend hiring a car to self drive and following this Patagonia road trip itinerary for the best experience of The Carretera Austral.

Chacabuco Valley

DAY 1. SANTIAGO

Start the journey with a night in Santiago.

Be guided through the city’s sights on a private tour this afternoon then explore its culinary treats in the evening.

Day 2 Balmaceda

DAY 2. BALMACEDA - RIO TRANQUILO

Pick up your car upon arrival in Balmaceda. Driving south, the pampas gives way to green forests and incredible peaks. Stop to admire the views at Cerro Castillo, with its unique shape and beauty making it one of the most iconic and eye-catching mountains in the area. After a little time to enjoy the scenery, continue to Rio Tranquillo.

Day 3 Glacier Trekking

DAY 3. GLACIER TREKKING

Trek on thousand-year-old ice at the Exploradores Glacier, part of the Northern Icefield. Walk on top and inside it, visiting different caves, cracks, lagoons and formations of millenary ice. It is perfect for travellers looking for a unique and unforgettable experience.

Day 4 Marbles Cave

DAY 4. MARBLE CAVES – PARQUE PATAGONIA (B)

Take a morning boat trip through the marble caves, an incredible formation built by water and wind. Then drive the short distance to the hidden jewel of the Chacabuco Valley: Parque Patagonia, the world’s newest National Park. This extraordinary conservation project has reclaimed vast areas of farmland and returned it to its natural state. Here you will see guanacos everywhere, and if you are lucky you may even glimpse a puma.

The fabulous Lodge at Valle Chacabuco is your home for three nights while you explore this pristine and uncrowded area.

You should have time for a short walk this afternoon.

Day 5-6. Chacabuco Valley

DAYS 5 - 6. CHACABUCO VALLEY (B)

It’s a case of choose your own adventure over these two days. From 3km return hikes to 23km day long treks, you can hire a guide or simply explore on your own. The comfort of the beautiful lodge will offer a warm welcome at the end of the day.

DAY 7. Cerro Castillo

DAY 7. CERRO CASTILLO (B)

Take your time driving back to Cerro Castillo (5hrs) where you could go for a horse ride or visit the cave of hand prints, left by the early inhabitants of the area.

The hike at Cerro Castillo is considered amongst the best hikes in all of Patagonia. You can do a full day hike to the lagoon or if you have more time, there are multi-day options as well.

DAY 9. Onward Travel

DAY 8. ONWARD TRAVEL (B)

Drive back to Balmaceda then you can fly north back to Santiago, or if you have time, fly south to Punta Arenas and visit Torres del Paine National Park.

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Testimonials

From the moment I contacted Forward Travel, I knew I was in good hands.

The attention and warm welcome I received made me feel that deciding to travel with Forward Travel was without doubt the right choice.

Rose and David got to know what I was looking for in my travel experience and nailed the itinerary first go.

Nepal turned out to be everything that I imagined.

I know where I’ll be booking my travel arrangements moving forward.

Jocelyn Matthews

Testimonials

Standing on the bow as we glided through the serenely beautiful, and calm Lemaire Channel on a perfect, sun filled day, was the realisation of my travel dreams.

To be there, amongst the ice, surrounded by soaring peaks and passing wildlife, was the experience I had been hoping for, but even I didn’t dare to dream it would be that amazing.

The ‘Kodak Gap’ lived up to its name and gave me wonderful memories and photos to treasure forever.

I dreamed, we planned, you excelled.

Thank you so much! K Blundy Antarctica, Arctic, South Georgia.

Kristen Blundy

Testimonials

Hi Rose, Would just like to thank you for the help you gave us with our trip to South America.

We had a great time and all the local operators that assisted us were very helpful and professional. It’s hard to pick standouts but the train from Cusco to Puno was amazing as were the treks out of El Chalten (probably as the weather was perfect).

The hotels were just what we after, even the slightly eccentric Las Piedras in El Chalten.

Had all sorts of weather on the W walk but a couple of reasonable days. Have some great photos and even better memories, so all our mates are keen to go now.

Stacey & Chris

Testimonials

I wanted to visit Antarctica but I had no idea about how I would do that!

When I talked to Forward Travel I was so blown away with the information I was getting.

It was first hand, not like going through a brochure…

I could live through the experiences they had already lived through.

They helped me to live my dreams…

It was much more than I had ever anticipated.

It was a surreal experience and I am so grateful.

Rakhee

Testimonials

We had been looking for a reputable travel company for a while to arrange our family trip to Norway, and we were struggling to find somebody that could talk to us about Norway with confidence.

Finally a friend recommended that we give Forward Travel a call, and after speaking with David there, there was an immediate sense of relief to finally be speaking to somebody that knew what they were talking about.

Norway was our first trip through Forward Travel, and I know who our future trips will be arranged through.

Well done you guys at Forward, exceptional work.

A & W Rooney

Testimonials

I just wanted to say once again Thank Goodness!

THANK GOODNESS, YOU talked us into South Georgia over the Weddell Sea!!!

For this l/we will be TRULY THANKFUL and to use Tracey’s words, FOREVER BLESSED!!!!

Rose can’t thank you enough, everything was ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, and it was such an amazing experience.

One to be cherished forever, actually that’s two for us to be treasured forever….. blessed.

Blessed that YOU (Forward Travel) organised both!! THANK YOU!

Tracey & Kristen

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