Why Aysen?
When most travelers picture Patagonia, their minds drift to the jagged peaks of Torres del Paine or the windswept Argentinian pampa. But tucked far from the well-trodden routes lies Patagonia’s most guarded treasure—Aysén.
This is the Patagonia few have ever seen. A land where ancient forests breathe in silence, glaciers spill into glassy fjords, and untamed rivers carve through valleys that seem untouched by time. Here, the geography is a secret blend of mountains, ice fields, and remote coastline found nowhere else on Earth.
Come lose yourself in Chile’s most isolated region, where nature still reigns and the crowds have yet to arrive. With Chile Off Track, you’ll journey into the wild with comfort, safety, and the kind of wonder you thought only existed in stories.
The end of the road – 8 days, 7 nights
Carretera Austral is the last bit of the Panamerican Highway, the world’s longest road, stretching from Alaska to Caleta Tortel (or Villa O’higgins, Quellón, or Ushuaia depending on which southern alternative you pick). Travel the length of Southern Aysen, from Coyhaique (Aysen’s capital) to Caleta Tortel, a small village sitting at the edge of a fjord between the North and South Ice Fields. Tortel has also been declared a National Monument village, due to its particular architecture, of wooden platforms, and no roads.
On this full week itinerary you’ll drive through one of the most isolated regions in Chile, witnessing endemic wildlife, beautiful snowcapped mountains, sailing on lakes and fjords, and maybe even walking on a glacier!
*If you want to continue on the road south, all the way to Torres del Paine, you can board a 4-day ferry from Caleta Tortel to Puerto Natales. Feel free to email us for a quote
Day 1 – Balmaceda to Puerto Río Tranquilo
We’ll pick you up at Balmaceda airport, and drive south to Puerto Río Tranquilo, your first stop on this adventure.
On the way, we will stop by Parque Cerro Castillo, for a picnic lunch. Here, you can stretch your legs and spot some Huemules (a native species of deer, and also one of our national animals).
Once we arrive in Tranquilo, you’ll have the afternoon free to relax, explore the village, and dip your toes -or more, in Chelenko lake, also known as General Carrera, which we share with Argentina, and is the largest lake in Chile.
Day 2 – Explore Laguna San Rafael
We’ll pick you up early in the morning, and drive through native forests, rivers, and hanging glaciers as we make our way to Bahía Exploradores, where our boat awaits to begin the navigation toward Laguna San Rafael.
After 2 hours of sailing we arrive to Laguna San Rafael National Park, where we’ll take a short 30-minute round-trip walk to visit the historic ruins of Hotel Ofqui, a remote outpost that once welcomed explorers to this wild corner of Patagonia
We’ll then return to the boat and continue navigating toward the towering wall of the San Rafael Glacier, where we’ll witness its dramatic icefall and the breathtaking natural amphitheater that surrounds it. The area is dotted with countless blue icebergs, and with a bit of luck, we may spot leopard seals resting atop the floating ice—an unforgettable sight in this pristine environment.
A homemade lunch will be served facing the glacier wall, accompanied by a traditional toast: whisky or artisanal liqueur over millennia-old glacial ice.
Day 3 – Puerto Río Tranquilo, to Caleta Tortel
We start the day by sailing 30 minutes through Chelenko lake to The Marble Caves, Marble Chapels, and Marble Cathedral, incredible geological formations created over thousands of years. The shapes are incredible, and the colours will take your breath away.
During the afternoon, we’ll get back on the road to arrive at Caleta Tortel. Once you check into the lodge, your evening is free. We recommend going for a walk around the village, stopping in Tortel’s version of public squares (which are quayside gazebos), getting lost on the networks of stairs and walkways cutting through the wilderness, and enjoy sunset at the beach.
Day 4 – Caleta Tortel
We’ll spend the day visiting the “Isla de los Muertos.” This historic and emblematic site bears witness to the early settlers who arrived in the Baker River basin to extract cypress wood from the Guaitecas forests.
It is the scene of a major labor tragedy, shrouded in mystery—no one knows for certain what happened at the beginning of the 20th century. We’ll spend time walking along the island’s wooden walkways, crossing native forest, sharing historical accounts, and exploring theories. The route unfolds at the foot of the mountain along the banks of the Baker River, offering sweeping views of the surrounding archipelago.
Day 5 – Caleta Tortel to Puerto Guadal
During the morning we’ll drive from Tortel to Puerto Guadal, on the Southern Bank of Chelenko Lake. On the way, we’ll get to stop at Cochrane, a river sitting by the beautiful, pristine Cochrane river. You’ll also get to visit Puerto Bertrand, and the 3 Lakes lookout.
Guadal, because of its fabulous landscape, vistas and microclimate, is known as the “Pearl” of Chelenko. You’ll spend the evening at a relaxing lodge in the village.
Day 6 – Puerto Guadal to Chile Chico
Today we’ll spend the day slowly driving to Chile Chico with several scenic stops along the way. We will get to explore El Maqui waterfall, and spend some time at several beaches and lookout points along the way.
**If you want to add an extra night in Chile Chico to explore the border with Argentina, and Patagonia’s Valley of the Moon, send us an email requesting a quote.
Day 7 – Chile Chico to Coyhaique
During the morning we’ll board the ferry and cross Chelenko towards Rio Ibañez. After the 2 hour south-north journey, we start driving west to rejoin Carretera Austral all the way to Coyhaique, the capital of Aysén.
You’ll have the afternoon free to explore this beautiful town. We recommend stretching your legs through the main square and surrounding streets, and end the day with a meal and a pint at one of the city’s craft breweries.
Day 8 – Return to Santiago
We’ll pick you up at your hotel and drive you to Balmaceda airport, from were you’ll fly back to Santiago.
Availability
This tour runs from November through March, which is the best time to enjoy Patagonia’s landscapes and wildlife.
Conditions
Please note that this itinerary may change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
During summer season conditions are usually very stable, but this is wild Patagonia and the unexpected is part of the charm. Remember, we’ve got you and we’ll sort things out. As the saying goes, “El que se apura en la Patagonia pierde el tiempo” (they who rush in Patagonia end up wasting their time)
Cancellation
- Cancellations made 40 days or more before the trip start date will result in a 75% refund of the deposit per person, minus any non-recoverable third-party costs (e.g., hotel deposits, permits).
- Cancellations made within 39 days of the trip start date are non-refundable. No refunds will be given for last-minute cancellations, early departures, or failure to attend the tour, regardless of the reason.
- Non-recoverable Costs: Chile Off Track reserves the right to deduct any non-recoverable costs from the refunded amount (e.g., third-party deposits, vendor penalties).
👉 For full details, please visit our Booking & Cancellation Policy page.
♻️ Sustainability Commitment
At Chile Off Track, we’re passionate about preserving the environment. As part of our commitment to sustainable tourism, we’ve eliminated single-use plastic water bottles on all tours.
We encourage all guests to bring a refillable water bottle. If you forget yours, don’t worry—we’ll gladly provide one for you to use during the tour. Together, we can reduce waste and protect the natural beauty of Chile, one step (and one sip) at a time.
Planning to spend a night in Santiago before or after?
Take a look at our recommendations for restaurants and hotels. And if you’d like to add more to your trip, check out our tours from Santiago.
