Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour

Participants and staff meet at the hotel in Puerto Varas at 3 p.m. to introduce themselves, attend a briefing about the cycling journey, and check the bikes and equipment. This is your final opportunity to obtain any necessary items in a major city before the tour begins. Finish the day with dinner as a group.

Leave Puerto Varas by minibus and travel along the coast of Puerto Montt toward Route 7. Cross the Reloncaví Estuary by ferry to Caleta Puelche and stop for lunch in Contao. Your first ride follows a quieter coastal road through the rural landscape of Hualaihué, where handcrafted boatbuilding, natural scenery, and coastal views introduce you to local traditions. Pass the El Manzano slope before reaching Hornopirén.

Board a ferry with your bike for a five-hour journey along the bimodal route through the fjords of Chilean Patagonia. After a 10 km transfer from the Leptepu Fjord to the Grande Fjord, take a second ferry to Caleta Gonzalo in Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park. Walk the ancient alerce tree trail, then cycle through evergreen forest on gravel and paved roads beside lakes and mountains before reaching Chaitén.

Continue on a paved road through the El Amarillo sector of Pumalín National Park. Ride to Puerto Cárdenas and the Yelcho suspension bridge, where you can see the mouth of the lake and the glacier that shares its name. Follow the shore of Lago Yelcho to your accommodation.

Begin among native forest and views of the Yelcho Glacier before taking on the Moraga climb. From the pass, descend through the landscape reshaped by the 2017 Villa Santa Lucía landslide. Continue on paved roads beside the Frío and Palena rivers, enter the Aysén Region, and enjoy a picnic in Villa Vanguardia before completing the long ride to La Junta.

Ride toward Puyuhuapi beside the Risopatrón River and Lake, surrounded by scenery shaped by Queulat National Park. Arrive in a town known for its carpet factory and architecture influenced by German settlers. A special cultural encounter is planned for today.

This will be a multi-adventure day, giving you time to recover before the next day’s challenging climb over the Queulat Pass. Enjoy a scenic ride and explore Queulat National Park and its famous hanging glacier. You will have the opportunity to hike for approximately 2.5 hours along 5.9 km of trails to the viewpoint or navigate Témpano Lagoon for closer views and unique photo opportunities. Finish the day with an optional visit to the hot springs overlooking the Puyuhuapi Fjord, available at an additional cost.

Face one of the defining challenges of the Carretera Austral as you climb the Queulat Pass. The loose-gravel road winds progressively through 33 curves in evergreen forest, with views of glaciers and fjords along the way. From the pass, descend on paved road beside the Cisnes River to the rural village of Villa Amengual.

Ride through Las Torres National Reserve among geological formations, mountains, rivers, and forests. The landscape gradually transitions toward the Patagonian steppe, with agricultural fields, Laguna Esponja, and Mount Colmillo near Villa Mañihuales. After lunch, transfer by minibus to Puerto Aysén.

Begin the most challenging and rewarding day with a river raft transfer to a quiet back road surrounded by nature. Follow the loose-gravel rural road past mountain lakes to Coyhaique. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner and share reflections on the journey and the experiences of the group.

Tour ends with breakfast included at the accommodation. Accommodation for this day is not included; recommend scheduling your flight after 2 pm.