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Introduction

In line with our effort to make understanding the Carretera Austral as easy as possible, we have, below, grouped together the activities and better-known places of interest under sectors.

Here, we show a summary of the better-known places of interest and activities within the Sector 2, that is to say the part that passes through the heart of Aysen between Coyhaique to Villa O’Higgins, which is the end of the Carretera Austral.

Sector 2 North to South Places of Interest & Activities

Cerro Castillo National Park

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The first place of significant interest, driving south from Coyhaique, as well as Balmaceda airport, will be just past the sign that says “Bienvenido Comuna de Rio Ibañez”. The road is paved and either side the scenery begins to look “interesting and impressive”. This is part of the National Park Cerro Castillo. The village of Cerro Castillo will appear shortly after arrival at the foot of a meandering sector of the road that takes you down a steep sector. From the village the Park is down the valley.

Access: Villa Cerro Castillo

Cerro Castillo means “castle summit” and it is easy to see why this park is named so. The jagged and spiked peaks look, from a distance, to form a castle-like silhouette. The highest Cerro Castillo peak lies 7,605 feet above Coyhaique and Río Ibáñez, and in the area surrounding it, you’ll find a trekking circuit that has been named one of the most beautiful in all Chile.

The Lenga and Ñirre forests are home to Huemules (South Andean Deer) and it’s not uncommon to spot one near the Ibáñez park entrance, just next to the Carretera Austral.

The hanging glaciers form lagoons with bright turquoise waters, giving even more colour and life to a unique landscape that already captivates visitors from around the world.

  • Open: From October to April
  • Area: 354,601 acres
  • Climate: Cold steppe and trans-Andean continental climate
  • Rainfall: 36.5 inches annually
  • Ecosystem: Deciduous Forest, Evergreen Mountain and Steppe
  • Founded: June 19, 1970
Suggested Places of Interest and/or Activities
  • See the impressive Cerro Castillo massif, which can be photographed from one of the lookout points along the Carretera Austral.
  • Do the trekking circuit that starts in Las Horquetas and travels around the massif to Laguna Cerro Castillo, finally ending at the Neozelandés campsite.
  • Visit Laguna Cerro Castillo and take in its intense turquoise color.
  • Look for Huemules (South Andean Deer), which can be spotted from the Carretera Austral.
  • Take photos of Laguna Chiguay in fall, when the Lenga forests surrounding it turn red.

Note: The information above is supplied by the Tomkins Foundation.

Helitours

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Where? From Balmaceda airport (Coyhaique) and Tierra Luna, Puerto Guadal, General Lake Carrera.

Taking a helicopter around the Lake General Carrera and into the Andes to oversee glaciers, rivers and snowy peaks must be one of the greatest of experiences. Here is where you can do this. Of course, subject to local weather conditions.

Marble Caves (or "cathedral")

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Where? At Puerto Rio Tranquilo, Lake General Carrera

The impressive pictures of the naturally sculptured marble rock in lake General Carrera have generated considerable interest outside of Chile.

The marble, as a result of thousands of years of water lapping its exterior has been carved into various unpredictable shapes. On a sunny day, with the light enabling the blue of Lake General Carrera to reflect on the colours of the marble, the effect is stunning.

National Park Laguna San Rafael

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Although the main access to see the face of the large San Rafael Glacier is by catamaran from Puerto Chacabuco, which is 79km west from Coyhaique, it is also possible to enter the Laguna San Rafael National Park from Puerto Tranquilo.

You need to drive Route X-78, which reaches the park 51km west of Puerto Tranquilo (which is approximately 230km south from Coyhaique), and offers gorgeous views of forests, rivers, dozens of waterfalls, hanging glaciers, and snowy peaks. Walk across the Exploradores Glacier (with the right equipment and guide).

Take Route X-78 to Monte San Valentín (12,830 feet above sea level), the highest peak in Patagonia.

  • Open: Year-round
  • Area: 4,305,683 acres
  • Climate: Rainy and temperate; polar at altitude
  • Rainfall: 120 to 200 inches annually
  • Ecosystem: Evergreen forest, high-mountain forest, and periglacial shrubland
  • Founded: June 17, 1967

Note: The information above is supplied by the Tomkins Conservation Foundation.

Patagonia Jet Boat

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Where? At Tierra Luna, Puerto Guadal

If you like excitement a ride in a powerful motor launch that goes up, against the fast-flowing river and over its rapids, must be very exhilarating. Apart from the excitement of the ride, this trip also takes passengers into places not accessible any other way. This is a great way to experience and see even more of Patagonia.

Parque Patagonia (Trek in Valle Chacabuco)

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Where? Valle Chacabuco

The Chacabuco valley is located south of Puerto Guadal (Lake General Carrera) and only a few kms before the entrance to Cochrane.

This is a Patagonian valley that shows different geology to the northern sector of the Carretera Austral. The scenery is different as are the animals. There is a nice lodge here for a few days stay over as well as trekking to be done.

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