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 along the Sector 1, that is to say between Puerto Montt to Coyhaique.
North to South Maine Places of Interest & Activities
Note: Our Sector 3 South to North is the Sector 1 in reverse order. Therefore, we are not showing Sector 3 below.
Parque Pumalin (Millennial Alerce Trees)
Where? Caleta Gonzalo
The Pumalin National park was one of the first in Chilean Patagonia to be created by Douglas and Kristine Tompkins and then gifted to the Chilean nation. It contains vast areas of native forest including Alerce trees that date back thousands of years.
White Water Rafting and River Kayaking
Where? Futaleufu
The Futaleufu river is known to be one of the best in the World for white-water rafting. It has high-grade challenging rapids for those who seek the adrenalin rush, as well as less difficult for the rest.
Puyuhuapi Hot Springs
Where? Puyuhuapi Lodge
Along the Carretera Austral there are a few places where water has been heated by underground volcanic heat and then surfaces to ground level. Such locations are called “hot springs”.
However, one particular place has mastered access to this natural heated water in one of the remotest places on the Carretera Austral and built a high-quality lodge here. The ability to bathe in the hot springs and enjoy total comfort in a tranquil, beautiful location is excellent for anyone’s health.
Queulat Hanging Glacier
Where? In Queulat National Park
The glacier is high up in the Queulat National Park, just south of Puyuhuapi. It is a large glacier to see at height and in one sector there is a waterfall caused by the melting ice and this cascades down from the height of the glacier to the lagoon below.
Laguna San Rafael Glacier
Where? From Puerto Chacabuco
The San Rafael Glacier is a large glacier that comes down from the northern ice field that covers the Andes. Navigational trips depart from Puerto Chacabuco (79km west from Coyhaique) to see the high and wide glacial ice face calve off into a sea-water lagoon.
Fly Fishing
Where from? See below...
Patagonia is one of the World’s greatest places for fly fishing. This is due to the vast number of rivers, lakes and lagoons and the fact that this area is still relatively new in terms of numbers of people coming here to fish.
There are large fish to be caught, usually under catch and release. Among the varieties are Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout, as well as Atlantic salmon (these have come out from Chilean agua programs), Coho salmon and Chinook salmon.
Above are a few of the principal destination places where you can fly fish. However, there are also numerous other lodges spread around Patagonia in remote locations. If you are a serious fly-fisherman and seek such lodges, please get in touch and we will arrange whatever you need.