Self-drive on the Austral Road
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.
Slicing through the wilderness, the Carretera Austral winds past craggy mountains and temperate forests, fording streams and skirting lakes. Dwindling down at times to just a bumpy gravel track, it is nevertheless the main artery for the area’s tiny population. Their way of life is still largely unchanged from the days when this region was completely cut off from the rest of the country by its seemingly unfathomable fjords, tumultuous rivers and jagged, glacier-cloaked mountains.
With a hired 4WD car and the most scenic section of the Austral Road stretching out in front of you, you can recapture a sense of life lived away from modern pressures. Over 6 adventurous days, you’ll explore pristine and little-visited landscapes, passing huaso cowboys and their remote homesteads as you drive from lodge to lodge. The mesmerising scenery seems to change with every turn, and the flexibility of being able to stop whenever you please is part of the beauty of this experience.
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.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
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.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
