8-Day Carretera Austral Highlights

Arrive in Chaitén either by ferry from Puerto Montt or Chiloé, or by flying into the small Chaitén airstrip. Pick up your rental car and explore this small town that was devastated by the 2008 volcanic eruption and has been slowly rebuilt with remarkable resilience. Visit the ghost town area where buildings remain buried under volcanic ash, a haunting reminder of nature's power. Walk to the edge of the Chaitén Volcano crater trail for views of the steaming dome. In the evening, explore Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park's southern entrance, one of Chile's greatest conservation success stories.

Drive southeast from Chaitén on a spectacular road that winds through dense valdivian rainforest and past turquoise rivers. The 155 km drive to Futaleufú takes about 3.5 hours on a mix of paved and gravel road, crossing into increasingly dramatic Andean scenery. Futaleufú sits on the banks of its namesake river, considered one of the top whitewater rivers on the planet. Even if you do not raft, the town is charming and the river valley is stunning. Spend the afternoon exploring the town, walking along the river, or taking a gentle float trip to admire the impossibly blue water.

Dedicate a full day to adventure in Futaleufú. For thrill-seekers, a half-day or full-day whitewater rafting trip on the Futaleufú River is a must — the Class IV-V rapids set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains make it an adrenaline-pumping experience. For those preferring something calmer, excellent hiking trails lead to viewpoints overlooking the valley, or you can try fly fishing in the river's calmer sections. Mountain biking, horseback riding, and kayaking are also available through local outfitters. This is an active day in one of Patagonia's most beautiful valleys.

Return to the Carretera Austral mainline and drive south toward the charming village of Puyuhuapi. This is one of the most scenic sections of the entire Carretera Austral, winding through dense rainforest, past waterfalls cascading down moss-covered cliffs, and alongside the deep blue Puyuhuapi Fjord. Stop at Queulat National Park to hike to the viewpoint of the famous Ventisquero Colgante (Hanging Glacier), a surreal glacier suspended between two peaks with twin waterfalls plunging from its face. Continue to Puyuhuapi, a tiny village founded by German settlers, and end your day soaking in the Termas de Puyuhuapi hot springs.

Continue south on the Carretera Austral toward Coyhaique, the regional capital and largest town on the route. The drive passes through increasingly varied landscapes as temperate rainforest gradually gives way to drier Patagonian steppe. Stop at the Piedra del Gato viewpoint and the Portezuelo Queulat pass for dramatic mountain panoramas. Arrive in Coyhaique and enjoy the amenities of a proper Patagonian town — good restaurants, well-stocked supermarkets, and a vibrant local culture. Visit the pentagonal Plaza de Armas and the Museo Regional for insights into the history of Aysén.

Drive south from Coyhaique along the Carretera Austral and then branch off toward Lago General Carrera, the largest lake in Chile and second-largest in South America. The drive is stunning, descending from mountains into a broad valley with the massive azure lake dominating the view. Continue to the village of Puerto Río Tranquilo on the lake's western shore, your base for visiting the Marble Caves (Catedrales de Mármol). In the afternoon, take a boat or kayak excursion into the caves, where centuries of wave erosion have carved swirling patterns of blue, white, and grey marble into cathedral-like caverns. The turquoise water reflects off the polished stone, creating an otherworldly spectacle.

Spend a second day in the Marble Caves area for deeper exploration. If you took a boat yesterday, try the kayak option today for a completely different perspective inside the caverns. Alternatively, drive south to the Exploradores Glacier, a massive river of ice accessible via a gravel road from Puerto Río Tranquilo. Guided ice hikes on the glacier are available and offer a thrilling close-up experience with crevasses and blue ice formations. In the afternoon, simply relax by the spectacular lake, enjoy a picnic on the shore, or drive to the nearby village of Puerto Sánchez for quieter viewpoints of Lago General Carrera.

Begin the drive back north to Coyhaique for your departure. The return drive follows the same spectacular route, but you will notice entirely different light and details on the second pass. Stop at any viewpoints you missed on the way down. Arrive in Coyhaique with time for a final lunch and souvenir shopping before heading to Balmaceda Airport (BBA), located 55 km south of town. Return your rental car and depart, carrying memories of one of the most extraordinary road trips in the world.