Welcome to the heart of Patagonia. After landing in Balmaceda you will receive your rental car at the airport. Afterwards you drive to Coyhaique, the capital of the region. The rest of the day is at your free disposal.

On the way you will pass the beautiful Cerro Castillo National Park. Characteristic and eponym are its peaks which look like towers of a castle. The park offers several different hikes from a 1 hour hike up to a trekking route of several days. The multi-day trekking route Circuito Cerro Castillo is considered one of the most beautiful trekking routes in Chile. You will spend the night in Puerto Tranquilo, a small village located directly at Lago General Carrera, the second largest lake in South America

Today one of the main attractions of the Carretera Austral is waiting for you. The so called Catedrales de Marmol are rocks, which are located in the middle of the beautiful lake General Carrera. The erosion of the last thousand years has created unique cathedral-like caves. The caves can be reached by various boat tours or by kayak. If there is still time, a visit to the beautiful National Park Laguna San Rafael is recommended. Here you will find the beautiful Exploradores glacier and many beautiful hikes and viewpoints. Depending on your interests, it might be worth to plan another day to stay here.

Today you will continue along the lake until the estuary of the two rivers Neff and Baker. Here a nice little walk awaits you, which leads to a lookout point. Afterwards you drive back to Lake General Carrera and spend the night in Puerto Guadal.

Today’s stage brings you to Chile Chico, a small village right on the border with Argentina. You will drive along the border on the Chilean side to Lake Jeinimeni, which is located in the Patagonia National Park. Here a beautiful hike awaits you. You will spend the night in Chile Chico. Depending on your interests, it might be worth to plan another day to stay here.

Today you cross the lake General Carrera with a ferry to Puerto Ibáñez where you will spend the night. The rest of the day is at your free disposal.

Today is the last stage of their rental car journey. You will drive back to Balmaceda Airport, where you will drop off your rental car and continue your journey. If you want to learn more about the parks in Patagonia, we recommend the official website of the Route of the Parks in Patagonia: https://www.rutadelosparques.org/en/#