Why Aysen?
When you think of Patagonia, you may imagine Torres del Paine, or the Argentinian pampa. Aysen, however, is the least explored stretch of Patagonia.
This vast, rugged area is filled with ancient trees, pristine ecosystems, national parks, sprawling ice-fields, and a mixed geography of snowy mountains and fjords, unique to this part of Patagonia.
Join us here, in what truly is the most isolated region in Chile, and explore the beautiful wilds within the safety and comfort of a Chile Off Track experience.
Patagonia National Park – 6 days, 5 nights
Spend 6 days and 5 nights exploring Parque Patagonia Nature Reserve, as well as the surrounding parks and villages.
🏔️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).
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 – Marble Chapels and Cochrane
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, but if you go on a sunny day, the colours will take your breath away. After a morning of sailing we’ll head back to Tranquilo for lunch
During the afternoon, we’ll drive to Cochrane, the base for the next 3 nights of our expedition. On the way, you’ll get to see fantastic views of the Baker river, the pristine, translucent Cochrane river, swathes of native forest, and “monte” landscape, comprised of turberas (moss swamps) which give place for Cipresales, where the endemic, legendary Cipres de las Guaitecas grows.
🌳Day 3 – Parque Patagonia
We’ll spend the day at Parque Patagonia, where we’ll visit the visitor’s centre and museum. We’ll have lunch at the park (not included), and afterwards, we’ll go on a moderate hike through the park, taking us us deep into the untouched native rainforest.
🦈Day 4 – Cochrane River & Calluqueo Glacier
Explore the amazing landscape around Cochrane by sailing upriver and then taking a short hike through the wilderness.
During the afternoon, we’ll drive to the Calluqueo Glacier viewpoint, where you’ll get to experience this incredible glacier sprawling from Mount San Lorenzo into the beautiful turquoise lagoon at its feet.
⛰️Day 5 – Cerro Castillo
Its time to start heading back north. Well drive through the Carretera Austral (the end of the Panamerican Highway) to Villa Cerro Castillo. Here, you’ll spend the evening at a luxurious mountain lodge, where you can relax after the long drive.
✈️Day 6 – Return to Santiago
We’ll pick you up at the lodge and drive the rest of the way back to Balmaceda, 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.
