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

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

Lake General Carrera is home to the marvellous Marble Caves

Heading towards the pass along the Carretera Austral

Patagonia Cycle - Southern Austral

Cycle Patagonia's Austral Highway



1 review

9 Days from

$2960 USD

Trip Code: NAS

View dates to Book Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

E-bike upgrade

$230 USD

Single Supplement

$600 USD

Duration

9 Days

Activities

6 days cycling

Accommodation

8 nights hotel/cabin depending on availability

Meals

8 Dinners
7 Lunches
8 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 the magnificent southern Carretera Austral
Explore some of the most remote areas of Patagonia
Visit the picturesque townscape of Caleta Tortel, certificated as one of the Best Tourism Villages by the UNWTO
Marvel at one of the last remnants of the Patagonian Ice Sheet, the Northern Ice Field
Enjoy the culinary experience of a unique Patagonian BBQ

Overview

Explore some of the most remote areas of Patagonia on this unique cycling adventure. Start from the city of Coyhaique to cycle through the southernmost section of Route 7, the spectacular Carretera Austral. The route takes you through a landscape of mountains, Patagonian steppes, northern ice fields and stunning lakes. Cycle through the Cerro Castillo National Park before pedalling around the borders of the second largest lake in South America, Lake General Carrera, the turquoise colours leading us into the town of Puerto Tranquilo. We cycle through the Patagonia National Park in Cochrane which was created by the founder of North Face and is the largest donation of land for conservation in the world, now managed by the government of Chile. This part of these forests within Patagonia can absorb 3 times more carbon per hectare than the Amazon. Finally, learn the secret of the Ñadis and discover the mythical village of the footbridges in Caleta Tortel.

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Today the adventure begins. Upon 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). Cycle: 50kms (Asphalt) Overnight: Rumbp Sur Apart Hotel 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. Overnight: Ruta 7 Cabins or similar Cycle: 93 kms (Asphalt)

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. Overnight: Turismo Don Hugo Cabins or similiar Cycle: 83 kms (Gravel/Asphalt)

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 conjunction between Puerto Guadal and Chile Chico to continue the Carretera Austral in a section of permanent climbs and slopes to reach the beautiful townscape of Puerto Bertrand. Overnight: Cabanas Konaiken Cycle: 73 kms (Asphalt)

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. Overnight: Cabañas Choike Huapi or similar Cycle: 51 kms

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 sword with vegetables. Cycle: 50kms (Asphalt) Overnight: Cabañas Choike Huapi

Meals: B,L,D

By minibus, this first section will be shortened to get our bikes at Los Ñadis. We will continue through native forest, wetlands and peatlands. Did you know that a recent study from the National Geographics and Rewilding Chile showed that Patagonian Forest can store three times more CO2 per hectare than those in the Amazon? 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 be hiking around to finalizing the cycle portion of our experience to start the return towards Coyhaique. *You can connect this route with the ferry to Puerto Natales to hike Torres del Paine W or continue to Argentina El Chaltén via Laguna del Desierto Crossing Overight: Natureza or similar Cycle: 83km (Gravel/Asphalt)

Meals: B,L,D

On this day, setting the bike and luggage on the minibus, we will start our way back towards Bahia Catalina (295 kms) to stay in wonderful accommodation on the Lake. By the General Carretera Lake, we will be able to appreciate the nature of the Patagonia through sightseeing and entertainment and educational interpretations moments with the group to finalize the day with a nice dinner with a unique view. Overnight: Pared Sur or similar

Meals: B,L,D

The tour finalizes going back towards Coyhaique and leaving participants at the Balmaceda Airport. We recommend scheduling your flight after 2 pm. It is also possible to come back to Coyhaique (This accommodation is not included).

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

8 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 8 dinners
Good quality hotels and cabins throughout (The hotel/cabin accommodation on the trip does involve staying in basic dormitory or multi-person rooms due to the remoteness of the trip)
Mountain bike & front pannier and a cycle helmet
English speaking local guides
Road transportation during itinerary
Support vehicle while cycling and mechanic

Not included

International airfares and departure taxes
Meals not indicated in the itinerary
Items of a personal nature such as laundry and all beverages
Tips
Travel insurance
Visa costs