"Driving the Carretera Austral is the ultimate adventure, but you can also base yourself in one of the many remote and comfortable wilderness lodges where you will see few other tourists."
The Carretera Austral, also known as route 7, is every true travellers dream! An almost 800 mile impossible road through Chile’s most isolated wilderness. The mostly dirt and gravel road was constructed in the 1970’s during Pinochet’s dictatorship as a way to connect isolated communities. A hugely ambitious project, the construction took more than 20 years and claimed the lives of 11 people. The Aisen region that the carretera austral runs through is Chile’s least populated region and characterised by impenetrable forests, deep valleys, icy fjords, marble caves, lakes and mountains.
When is the Best Time to Visit The Carretera Austral?
This region of Chile is wild and sparsely populated. Driving the Carretera Austral, or at least some of it, is a fantastic Chile tour experience. It is best to visit between November and April for the best weather and the highest temperatures.
What are the Highlights of The Carretera Austral?
An isolated and sparsely populated area of Chile, the Aisen region on attracts the most intrepid of travellers. Below we have picked out some of our favourite highlights that the area has to offer.
Wild Scenery
Epic Roads
Marble Caves
Self Drive
★ Take a tour of the marble caves at Puerto Rio Tranquilo
★ Go to the town of Caleta Tortel for wooden streets and stilt houses
★ Drive along the shore of Lake General Carrera, the biggest in Chile
★ Drive through the Chacabuco Valley for incredible views
★ Go further into Argentina to extend the road trip
Explore These Destinations in Chile
Browse our selection of spectacular destinations in Chile. We can take you from the otherworldly landscapes of the Atacama desert in the north to the remote Southern Fjords in the South. Call us on 0208 191 7772 or send an enquiry to begin planning your vacation in Chile!
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