Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour
Overview
Join a cycling journey via the Southern part of the famous Carretera Austral in Chile. This 10-day trip with a guided group will take you from Coyhaique to Caleta Tortel. Covering 450 km, riders will traverse loose gravel and pavement, exploring Cerro Castillo National Park, General Carrera Lake, and Patagonia National Park. Options to rent bikes or e-bikes are available. This high-difficulty tour demands good physical condition and endurance training. Enjoy breathtaking landscapes, local culture, and unique adventures, concluding with a return to Coyhaique.
Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour Overview
Join a cycling journey via the Southern part of the famous Carretera Austral in Chile. This 10-day trip with a guided group will take you from Coyhaique to Caleta Tortel. Covering 450 km, riders will traverse loose gravel and pavement, exploring Cerro Castillo National Park, General Carrera Lake, and Patagonia National Park. Options to rent bikes or e-bikes are available. This high-difficulty tour demands good physical condition and endurance training. Enjoy breathtaking landscapes, local culture, and unique adventures, concluding with a return to Coyhaique.
Explore the spectacular landscapes of Cerro Castillo National Park, including the highest pass of the Carretera Austral, as well as numerous other stunning viewpoints.
Border the turquoise waters of Lake General Carrera, South America's second-largest lake.
Discover Patagonia National Park, a conservation area rich in wildlife and stunning scenery, founded by The North Face's Douglas Tompkins.
Visit Caleta Tortel, a unique village known for its wooden walkways and picturesque setting, certified as one of the Best Tourism Villages by the UNWTO.
Trip map for Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour
Barbara C.
Amalfi Coast Bicycle Tour
We went through 10Adventures not familiar with them at all, and it was the best decision we ever made!
Allyson K.
Everest Base Camp
Just an amazing experience. Absolutely lifechanging!
Amy D.
XC Skiing in the Dolomites
It was a fantastic trip and Nadine was extremely responsive to all of our questions.
Itinerary for Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour
Arrival in Coyhaique
At 3 pm, participants and staff meet at the accommodation in Coyhaique to introduce each other, brief on the bike journey, and check bikes and equipment. There is an option to store luggage in Coyhaique or send it to a southern town (extra service).
Coyhaique to Villa Cerro Castillo
The first stretch is a paved road of the Southern Way, passing through El Blanco town and the scenic Patagonian steppe. After a picnic lunch at Laguna Chiguay, continue to Cerro Castillo Village, the highest point of the Carretera Austral.
Villa Cerro Castillo to Puerto Tranquilo
Begin on a road of high difficulty with loose gravel and corrugated surface. Observe attractions like the Green Lagoon and the Dead Forest. Supported by the minibus, ride next to the turquoise water of General Carrera Lake to Puerto Tranquilo.
Puerto Tranquilo to Puerto Bertrand
Early morning, optional kayaking or motor boat trip to Marvel Chapels. Start the ride bordering Chelenko Lake, admire valleys and glaciers, and arrive at the General Carrera hanging bridge. Continue through climbs and slopes to Puerto Bertrand.
Puerto Bertrand to Cochrane
Follow the Baker River through Patagonian steppe, stopping for a hike at the Baker and Nef rivers confluence. Pass Patagonia National Park and observe wildlife until reaching Cochrane.
Cochrane to Los Ñadis
From Cochrane, the ride traverses asphalt and gravel roads, showcasing views of the Emerald, Juncal, and Chacabuco lakes, and ends in Los Ñadis, where a unique Patagonian BBQ awaits.
Los Ñadis to Caleta Tortel
The day's journey starts with a minibus ride to Los Ñadis, continuing through native forests to Caleta Tortel, a village known for its extensive wooden walkways and unique cultural heritage.
Return to Bahia Catalina
A minibus transports participants and bikes back towards Bahia Catalina, with stops for sightseeing and a final dinner overlooking Lake General Carrera.
Return to Cerro Castillo
The return continues by minibus to Villa Cerro Castillo, with optional hiking or cycling activities in the surrounding national park landscapes.
Return to Coyhaique
The tour concludes with a return to Coyhaique and transport to Balmaceda Airport. Participants are advised to schedule flights after 2 pm.
Reviews
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
Dates and prices for Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour
This guided tour is run as a scheduled tour for small mixed group. The prices below are per person.
| Start | Finish | Duration | Places Left | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025-11-18 Coyhaique 10 days / 5+ Spaces Left | 2025-11-26 Coyhaique | 10 | 5+ | $2,700USD | ||
2025-12-15 Coyhaique 10 days / 5+ Spaces Left | 2025-12-23 Coyhaique | 10 | 5+ | $2,700USD | ||
2026-01-18 Coyhaique 10 days / 5+ Spaces Left | 2026-01-26 Coyhaique | 10 | 5+ | $2,700USD | ||
2026-02-15 Coyhaique 10 days / 5+ Spaces Left | 2026-02-23 Coyhaique | 10 | 5+ | $2,700USD | ||
2026-03-15 Coyhaique 10 days / 5+ Spaces Left | 2026-03-23 Coyhaique | 10 | 5+ | $2,700USD |
What’s included for Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour
Meals
This tour includes a total of 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 9 dinners.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 10 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
The group will travel with a minibus as a vehicle support. Local transfers to visit activities listed are included too.
Also included
- Staff of guides (Tour leader, driver)
- Equipment & implements
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- Outdoor and camping kitchen implements for picnics and snacks.
- Security and communications: Spine board, orthopedic neck brace, first aid kits, radio transceivers.
- Mechanics: Repo-bike service (spare bike on route in case of serious mechanical issue), tool box, accessories and spare parts
- Adventure-Multi Activities
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- Boat trip Marble chapels
- Sightseeing along national parks & towns
Not Included
- Early arrival accommodation in Coyhaique
- International flights
- Transfer from and to the airport
- Alcohol drinks & meals "A la carte"
- Tips for guides
- Bike rental
- Services not specified above
- Some optional activities
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Bike rental:
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- MTB Cannondale Trail 5 or Gravel Kona Rove Al: $300
- E-bike: $500
- Optional activities or excursions:
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- Kayak Marble chapels
- Rafting baker river
- Hiking Cerro Castillo National Park
Accommodation for Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour
During this trip, you will spend 5 nights in hotel or 3-star cabins and 4 nights Bed & breakfast.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible.
Frequently asked questions for Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour
How hard is the Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour?
We rate the difficulty of this tour as a 5 / 5. This tour is rated as highly challenging, necessitating strong physical conditioning and experience in recreational or sport cycling. The route spans 450 kilometers over 10 days, with 330 kilometers on loose gravel and 120 kilometers on pavement, demanding adept handling and stamina. Participants face varying terrains and unpredictable Patagonian weather, enhancing the difficulty. Suitable preparation, including proficiency on both paved and gravel surfaces, is crucial for tackling the demanding slopes and long-distance rides featured in this tour.
Do I need a visa to travel to Chile?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour?
This tour includes a total of 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 9 dinners.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your travel insurance.
How do I get to Coyhaique to start this tour?
The most convenient way to get to Coyhaique is by flying into Balmaceda Airport (BBA), which is the closest airport to Coyhaique, about 55 kilometers away. It receives regular flights from Santiago, the capital of Chile, with a flight time of approximately 2.5 hours.
Is the Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour in English?
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
Where does the Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour end?
This tour ends where it starts, in Coyhaique.
Can I rent a bike?
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes are MTB Cannondale Trail 5, Gravel Kona Rove Al. You can also rent an ebike (MTB Giant Talon E+1 or similar).
Can I bring my own bike?
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a mountain bike suitable for the demands of the tour.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Chile?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Chile?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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