Aysen and the Carretera Austral holidays
Aysen and the Carretera Austral holidays at a glance
Aysén is a remote and pristine region south of the Chilean Lake District. The area is traversed by the famous Carretera Austral, a remarkable engineering project that opened access to one of Patagonia’s wildest landscapes during the 1980s.
Stretching for more than 1,200km, the road threads through temperate rainforests, mountain passes, glaciers and countless rivers, lakes and fjords. The scenery constantly changes, making for one of South America’s greatest Patagonia road trip experiences.
While Patagonia’s more famous attractions often draw the headlines, Aysén holds onto a genuine feeling of exploration and isolation. The region remains lightly visited, letting you experience the raw essence of wild Patagonia.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Aysen and the Carretera Austral
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Home to lush, forests, rivers and jagged mountain passes, Aysén is a pristine wilderness made accessible by the Carretera Austral.
When to visit Aysen and the Carretera Austral
Best time to visit Aysén? Summer, generally, though the region’s climate varies a lot depending on where you are.
The summer months in Aysén are the warmest, with temperatures peaking in January. Clearer skies and little rainfall make this a good time for hiking, fishing or horseback riding through the lush ancient forests. You may encounter more traffic on the roads as this is peak season for visitors.
The landscapes are spectacular with autumnal foliage. The weather grows cooler in the day and nights can be chilly, but with fewer visitors you’ll often have the road to yourself and wildlife will be easier to spot.
The harsh winters in Aysén see more rainfall and temperatures dipping towards freezing. The scenery is at its most wild, with snow-covered mountain passes and resplendent lakes. There are very few visitors and many lodges and hotels will close.
Wildflowers bloom in the meadows and the ancient forests burst into life as temperatures begin to climb and rainfall eases off. This is a good time to venture out on a hike or to soak in the naturally warm waters of Aysén’s thermal springs. Wildlife is abundant in the pristine natural landscapes.
Top Things to do in Aysen and the Carretera Austral
Aysén offers unforgettable wilderness travel through some of Chile’s most remote and scenic landscapes – there’s a real range of things to do in Aysén, mostly built around the road itself and what lies just off it.
Sail the crystalline waters of the Chilean lake district and visit glaciers and rural communities on this 6-day cruise from Puerto Montt.
Glide by boat through the depths of Chile’s silvery limestone marble caves, a natural phenomenon of haunting beauty.
Explore some of Chile’s most remote reaches with the freedom of a hire car and the Carretera Austral stretching out in front of you.
Accommodation in Aysen and the Carretera Austral
Our accommodation along the route ranges from remote wilderness lodges to comfortable bases in Coyhaique, so you’re never far from a proper rest between legs of the drive.
Dreams Patagonia is a modern hotel with contemporary guest rooms, restaurant, Sky Bar and casino in the centre of Coyhaique, Patagonia.
Delightfully cosy and inviting lodge with the feel of a remote ski chalet or log cabin, offering a warm, personal welcome in the wilderness.
Small, cosy and well-kept riverside guesthouse, providing a simple but convivial base with some unexpectedly thoughtful touches.
Idyllic Patagonian hideaway on a remote and unspoilt lakeshore, with cosy alpine-style cabins built from local wood and featuring picture windows that offer spectacular views.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Tailor-Made Aysen and the Carretera Austral Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Self-drive Chile: Off the beaten track
Places visited: Santiago and the vineyards · Chilean Lake District (south) · Aysen and the Carretera Austral
14 days from £4,600
FAQs about visiting Aysen and the Carretera Austral
Aysen and the Carretera Austral is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When's the best time to visit Aysén and Carretera Austral?
The Aysén region has a cool temperate climate, in places close to the coast it rains up to 300 days a year but in others, such as the area around Coyhaique, a rain shadow effect reduces precipitation. It can be very cold in winter, when roads may be blocked, so a summer visit – when some warm sunshine is likely – is advisable.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What language is spoken in Aysén and Carretera Austral?
The main language spoken in Aysén is Spanish.
- What currency do I need in Aysén and Carretera Austral?
The Chilean Peso is the main currency used in Aysén and Carretera Austral. Notes can be withdrawn from ATMs in Coyhaique using a UK credit or debit card. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows. There are also some banks and money exchanges (casas de cambio) where you can exchange US dollars cash; rates for euros and sterling are harder to find and frequently poor.
- What's the time difference between Carretera Austral and UK?
The time difference between Carretera Austral and UK is GMT -4 hours. Sometimes daylight saving is observed in the summer, from Sep/Oct to early Mar.
- What places combine well with Aysén and Carretera Austral?
The lake district, eg Puerto Varas or Pucón (3-6 hours by car); or fly between Coyhaique and Puerto Montt (1 hour 45 mins); Torres del Paine in Patagonia (fly from Coyhaique to Punta Arenas, 1.5 hours).
- How do I get to Aysén and Carretera Austral?
There are flights from Santiago to Balmaceda (for Coyhaique) (2.5 hours); from Puerto Montt (1 hour 7mins); from Punta Arenas take 1.5 hours). Drive south from Puerto Montt on the Carretera Austral (1,200 km on ripio unpaved roads).
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.