Explore Chilean Patagonia by 4x4, discovering national parks, wildlife and pioneering conservation projects.
Discover the wild side of Chilean Patagonia on a journey through protected landscapes, remote wilderness and important conservation projects. From the forests and fjords of northern Patagonia to the mountains and open valleys of Aysén, travel by 4×4 along the Carretera Austral, exploring some of the region’s most remote areas.
Stay in distinctive lodges and estancias close to nature, from the forests of Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park to the dramatic landscapes of Cerro Castillo and Patagonia National Park. Along the way, enjoy hiking, wildlife watching and guided activities, while learning more about the natural environment and the work being done to protect it.
The journey also explores Patagonia’s growing focus on rewilding. Visit areas where former ranching land has been returned to nature and stay at properties supporting the restoration of native habitats and wildlife. Combining self-drive adventure, wilderness stays and conservation experiences, this is a chance to explore some of Chile’s most remote landscapes while seeing how they are being protected for the future.
Trip Highlights
Explore Pumalín National Park, hiking through ancient temperate rainforest and discovering one of Chile’s great conservation success stories.
Drive the famous Carretera Austral, travelling through remote landscapes of forests, fjords, rivers and mountains in a 4x4.
Discover Cerro Castillo National Park, with dramatic peaks, glaciers, turquoise lakes and pristine wilderness.
Stay at Explora Patagonia National Park, exploring its protected landscapes and rewilded habitats with expert local guides.
Experience Estancia La Naviera, learning about its conservation and rewilding work while exploring the remote wilderness of southern Aysén.
When to go
The best time to travel this route is December to March, when conditions are generally most favourable for hiking, self-driving and exploring Patagonia’s national parks. February and March are particularly good, offering warmer weather, long daylight hours and fewer visitors than the peak summer months. Early April can also work well, although temperatures become cooler and weather more changeable.
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"Driving ourselves through Chilean Patagonia gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace, with incredible scenery around every corner. It was an unforgettable adventure and one of the most rewarding journeys we’ve taken."
– Humboldt Client
Day by Day Itinerary
Arrive into Santiago and meet your private driver for a transfer to Hotel Magnolia. Spend the afternoon exploring the Chilean capital at leisure, with time to discover its historic centre, galleries and lively neighbourhoods.
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Fly to Puerto Montt, where you'll collect your 4x4 and begin your self-drive journey into Chilean Patagonia. Continue towards the remote Puelo Valley, surrounded by temperate forests, rivers and mountains. Settle into Tawa Lodge and enjoy dinner overlooking the wilderness.
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Spend the day discovering the landscapes around the Puelo Valley, an area of native forest, glacial rivers and mountains close to the Chilean-Argentine border. Enjoy time outdoors and learn more about the region's wild landscapes and conservation efforts before returning to Tawa Lodge for the evening.
Drive south towards Hornopirén before boarding the ferry to Caleta Gonzalo, taking your 4x4 with you across the fjord. Enter Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, one of Chile's most important protected areas, established to safeguard vast areas of temperate rainforest.
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Spend the day exploring Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, following trails through ancient temperate rainforest and along rivers and waterfalls. The park forms part of a remarkable conservation story, with large areas of land protected and returned to Chile as part of the creation of the country's national park system.
Leave Pumalín behind and drive south towards Futaleufú, passing through some of northern Patagonia's most dramatic scenery. Arrive at Pata Farm Lodge, a remote property surrounded by mountains, forests and rivers.
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Drive south towards Puyuhuapi and leave your car at Muelle Austral before crossing the fjord by boat to your next hotel. Surrounded by native forest, fjords and hot springs, the lodge provides a peaceful base from which to experience this wild section of northern Patagonia.
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Continue south by road towards Cerro Castillo, travelling through the landscapes of the Aysén region, where vast forests, glaciers, rivers and mountains remain relatively untouched. Arrive at Alto Castillo Lodge, with the afternoon free to explore the area surrounding Cerro Castillo National Park.
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Spend the day exploring Cerro Castillo National Park, home to jagged peaks, ancient forests, glaciers and turquoise mountain lakes. Hike through this protected wilderness and look out for the wildlife that inhabits the region before returning to Alto Castillo Lodge.
Your drive then takes you to Patagonia National Park, one of Chile's newest national parks. Continue to your next hotel, a conservation-led property surrounded by vast areas of protected wilderness. Settle in and enjoy your first evening with the lodge's all-inclusive programme.
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Spend the day exploring Patagonia National Park with Explora's expert guides. Choose from hiking, horseback riding and other excursions through mountains, grasslands, forests and wetlands, with opportunities to discover the park's wildlife and ongoing conservation work.
Continue your journey towards Mallín Grande, a private estancia set within a vast wilderness landscape. The property is involved in conservation and rewilding initiatives, helping to restore native habitats and protect the region's wildlife.
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Your next stop is Coyhaique. Travel through the spectacular landscapes of the Aysén region. Arrive in the afternoon and settle into your hotel, with time to explore Coyhaique or simply relax after your journey through Patagonia's protected wilderness.
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Return your rental car before flying back to Santiago. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy a final evening in the capital.
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Where to stay
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