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Carretera Austral — a 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 5-day version for January: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 5-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go.
5
days
1306 km
distance
26.1 h
driving
20
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Patagonian summer: 17 h of light and every ferry running — still pack for four seasons a day.
- Heavy transit: day 1 (13h24), day 5 (9h57) run over 6 hours on the road. Around 6 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Puerto Montt → Chaitén
🌡 1.1–28.8°C · 🌧 ~14 rain days · ☀ 14.8h light
09:00
Alerce Andino National Park
Enjoy ancient trees in a preserved forest landscape.
90 min · Puerto Montt · 4,000 pesos for foreigners
open: 09:00-15:00
Overnight: Chaitén
e.g. Tierra Viva
Day 2 Around Chaitén
🌡 1.1–28.8°C · 🌧 ~14 rain days · ☀ 14.8h light
09:00
Volcán Michinmahuida glacierhikingglaciers & ice
Hike to glimpse the beginning of a remote volcanic glacier.
90 min · Chaitén
10:30
Volcán Chaiténhiking
View steaming craters and colorful lakes from the caldera edge.
90 min · Chaitén
12:00
Parque Pumalín
Explore lush rainforests and ancient Alerce trees on varied trails.
90 min · Chaitén
13:30
Museo de Sitio
See preserved houses that survived the 2008 eruption.
50 min · Chaitén · free
14:20
Chaitur
Discover tailored tours for fishing, biking, and trekking adventures.
90 min · Chaitén
15:50
Cocinerías Costumbristas
Delight in fresh local seafood and traditional soups.
60 min · Chaitén
Overnight: Chaitén
e.g. Tierra Viva
Day 3 Puyuhuapi
🌡 -0.1–27.2°C · 🌧 ~14 rain days · ☀ 15.0h light
11:46
Ventisquero Colgantehikingglaciers & ice
See an ice mass dramatically hanging from the mountain.
50 min · Puyuhuapi
12:36
Bosque Encantadohikingglaciers & ice
Wander through an enchanting rustic forest to a serene glacier lagoon.
50 min · Puyuhuapi · , in addition to the park fee; bag drop
13:26
Padre García Waterfallhiking
Stand beneath a towering 30-meter jungle waterfall.
50 min · Puyuhuapi
14:16
Salto del Cóndorhiking
Feel the mist of a towering 40-metre waterfall in Cuesta del Queulat.
50 min · Puyuhuapi
15:06
Laguna Témpanosmuseums & heritage
Admire the intense green waters and short walks around the lagoon.
50 min · Puyuhuapi
15:56
Queulat Portezuelohiking
Wander through an area encircled by untouched wildflowers.
50 min · Puyuhuapi
Overnight: Puyuhuapi
e.g. Camping PN Quelat
Day 4 Around Puyuhuapi
🌡 -0.1–27.2°C · 🌧 ~14 rain days · ☀ 15.0h light
09:00
Lago Risopatrón
Marvel at the long, narrow lake with a striking midpoint.
50 min · Puyuhuapi
09:50
Piedra del Gato
Marvel at a dramatic rocky crag cascading over the Cisnes River.
50 min · Puyuhuapi
10:40
Park office
50 min · Puyuhuapi
Overnight: Puyuhuapi
e.g. Camping PN Quelat
Day 5 Coyhaique
🌡 -1.6–30.1°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 15.1h light
12:31
Salvaje Corazonhiking
Discover unique, uncrowded Patagonian locations with tailored experiences.
90 min · Coyhaique
14:01
Coyhaique National Reserve
Explore well-maintained trails with diverse flora and panoramic city views.
90 min · Coyhaique · 3,000 pesos
15:31
Transportation from the airport to Coyhaique
Ride in a convenient minivan through the scenic route to Coyhaique.
50 min · Coyhaique
16:21
Casino de Bomberos
Savor affordable, hearty Chilean dishes in a charming fire station.
60 min · Coyhaique
Overnight: Coyhaique
e.g. Hotelera San Rafael · Patagonia House Bed and Breakfast