Northern Patagonia is home to some of Chile’s most remote and extraordinary wilderness, connected by the legendary “Carretera Austral”, a scenic route winding through forests, fjords, glaciers, turquoise rivers and vast mountain landscapes.

In the north, Futaleufú and Palena are surrounded by pristine rivers and secluded valleys, while Pumalín and Puyuhuapi introduce dense temperate rainforest, thermal waters and the dramatic fjords of the Pacific. Nearby, Queulat National Park reveals one of the region’s most iconic sights, its Hanging Glacier suspended above lush forest.

Continuing south through Coyhaique and Cerro Castillo, the scenery opens into rugged peaks, glacial valleys and remote Patagonian steppe before reaching the immense General Carrera Lake. From Puerto Río Tranquilo and Puerto Guadal, travelers can explore the Marble Caves, venture into Exploradores Valley and access the glaciers of the Northern Patagonian Ice Field.

Further south, the turquoise waters of the Baker River lead toward Valle Chacabuco and Patagonia National Park, where conservation, wildlife and wide-open landscapes create a remarkable sense of isolation. Beyond Cochrane, Caleta Tortel and Villa O’Higgins mark the final frontier, surrounded by fjords, ice fields and some of the least explored territory in Patagonia.
More than a road trip, the Carretera Austral is a journey into the wild heart of Chile, combining adventure, pioneering heritage, remote lodges and extraordinary landscapes that change dramatically from north to south.