Austral Road Chilean Patagonia with Glaciars

Eco and Wildlife tour in Puerto Montt

Tour Price : From $1600 Duration : 6 days Languages: Spanish, English, Hebrew, Portuguese Discount: over 5 passengers special discount

The Austral Road (began construction in 1979) starts South of Puerto Montt and makes it way through mighty fjords for over one thousand kilometers. Glaciers born in the Andes come to die here in the Pacific Ocean. The famous ice-field spreading from Coyhaique to Tortel fades away in Mount St Valentin (4,058m) near the well known San Rafael Lagoon. Further South this land is virtually unexplored. The aim of this journey is to thoroughly explore this region recently opened to tourism, discovering real stunning landscapes of temperate rainforests, snowcapped mountains, hanging glaciers, deep fjords, thermal waters and beautiful lakes. We overnight in lovely lodges or in remote fishermen villages, travelling by plane, car or boat.

Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .

Minimum of 2 passengers is required per tour. We recommend contacting us in advance to make sure there are sufficient passengers for your preferred departure date. If there are more than 4 passengers departure can be arranged for any day of the week.

FULL PROGRAM DAY BY DAY

 Day 1: Full Day Puerto Montt to Caleta Gonzalo. Early morning we will drive from Puerto Montt where we will travel during all the days in to the Fiords boarding ferry’s with the vehicle. During the way we can enjoy of the most beauty scenery of the Chilean fiords and the wild life. At the evening we will arrive to Caleta Gonzalo Cabins where we will spend the night at the Pumalin Park. (Overnight Caleta Gonzalo Cabins / B)

Day 2: Full Day Caleta Gonzalo to El Pangue. We will continue our journey and we will visit the Pumalin Park and the Chaiten city with the effects after the last eruption of one of the Volcano 2 years ago. Also we will start to enjoy nice views of the first Glaciers on the road. (Overnight El Pangue Cabins / B)

Day 3: Full Day El Pangue to Coyhaique. After breakfast we set will off for Queulat National Park where we will go for a gentle walk to reach the absolutely fabulous Ventisquero Colgante ("hanging glacier ") and its waterfall. We will also visit the Témpanos Lagoon where the milky melt-water of the glacier accumulates before flowing into the Ventisquero River.. We will continue our journey along the Carretera Austral through exuberant vegetation including gigantic nalca plants and ferns growing on the side of the road. We will stop at breathtaking lookout points to shoot photos and enjoy the impressive flora before reaching Coyhaique, the capital of the 11th region of Chile, by slowly meandering up a mountain pass. (Overnight in Coyhaique /B)

Day 4: Coyhaique - Lago General Carrera First we will drive through an area of deep canyons, followed by passing a swampy landscape scattered with spikey dead trees emerging from the standing water - last reminders of a huge volcanic eruption. In the early afternoon we arrive at the gigantic Lake General Carrera, which is located on the border and goes by the name of Lake Buenos Aires on the Argentinean side. Close to Puerto Rio Tranquilo we will board a small motor boat to visit the impressive "Catedral de Mármol" - an extra-ordinarily shaped cave formed by constant erosion from water as well as Patagonia's strong winds. (Overnight in Rio Tranquilo /B)

Day 5: Lago General Carrera and San Rafael Glaciar

Itinerary:

09.00 – Reception at La Teresa (km75, Valle Exploradores). After a general orientation we begin the day by crossing the Exploradores river and then transferring to Puerto Grosse in a van. The guide and boat Captain will equip everyone with life jackets and for passengers in Explora I a floatation suit, before explaining safety considerations and outlining the route and some of the points of interest to watch out for. The first part of the journey is the descent of the Exploradores river, passing through the delta and out into the bay. Once past the Caldera point the boat heads south crossing the Gulf of Elefantes, and navigates the Sisquelan Point. From the Leopardo Point and entering the Tempanos (iceberg) river it is common to see an increasing number of ice blocks and eventually large bergs stranded in the shallow water of the river. It is common to see Chilean and Peeles dolphins along with seals and a wide variety of sea birds along the route. The views to the Gualas glacier and up towards Mount San Valentin are unique from the sea..

13.00 – Arrival in Laguna San Rafael. Once in the lagoon the order of activities is adapted to each group and the conditions. • Ice bergs – the most curios, colorful and biggest bergs will be visited and circled for the best views, light and photography. The variety and uniqueness of the bergs is always surprising and a beautiful spectacle for all visitors. • The glacier face – the boat will get as close as safely possible to the huge wall of ice where there will be time to see some of the impressive calving activity – an unforgettable experience celebrated with a wee dram of scotch on the rocks. • History, nature and science – At different moments your guide will explain the different phenomena and processes that can be seen and will respond to your questions and curiosity. • Short walk – The dock or the beach are options for getting off the boat and walking a Little. The views and contrasts between the bright, white glacier, the rich green forest and the sandy beach are even more marked and impressive from land and open up opportunities to experience the flora and fauna that cannot be appreciated from a boat. • Box lunch picnic – either served on the boat in front of the glacier wall or on the beach, in sight of the glacier and icebergs.

16.00 – Beginning of return journey. After enjoying the last opportunities to see the icebergs and glacier the return journey to Bahia Exploradores has equally impressive views while travelling north. Once in Puerto Grosse the van and river boat complete the transfer to La Teresa and your vehicles or transport services to Puerto Tranquilo.

A typical arrival time in Puerto Tranquilo is between 21.00 and 22.00. (Overnight in Rio Tranquilo /B)

Day 6: Lago General Carrera to Coyhaique In the morning we will drive to Balmaceda airport where you board your flight returning to Punta Arenas or Santiago

Additional information