CENTRAL
CARRETERA
AUSTRAL
Central Carretera Austral is a scenic route with incredible landscapes, lush vegetation of evergreen forests and different species of native flora and fauna. It has positioned itself as an ecotourism and heritage destination, where there are thermal centers, rivers and trails to explore the most remote places of Chilean Patagonia.
From La Junta to Coyhaique, the Carretera Austral Norte runs 266 kilometers. Queulat National Park is one of the outstanding destinations, being the Hanging Snowdrift and the northern sector hot springs (Puyuhuapi Hot Springs, Ventisquero Hot Springs and Sauce Hot Springs) the most visited places by national and international tourists.
For lovers of fly fishing, there is the Palena River that stands out for the large size of the salmon that live here. The landscape is made up of lenga forests, abundant waterfalls and high mountains. It includes a scenic route of 70 kilometers in length, which begins at the Rosselot river and ends at the picturesque port of Raúl Balmaceda. You can navigate by boat, kayak, raft or boat.
Another of the secrets of the Central Carretera Austral, is that it has various hot springs in the towns of La Junta, Puerto Cisnes, La Junta, Puerto Raúl Marín Balmaceda and Puyuhuapi, the latter being the best known. Come rest and disconnect in the middle of the green nature of Chilean Patagonia!
And what about gastronomy? In Puerto Cisnes you can taste exquisite dishes of hake and puyes. Discover the history of the settlers and their coastal landscapes in this small bay of the Puyuhuapi channel.
The Carretera Austral with its national parks, its rivers, forests and mountains, has positioned itself as one of the must-see places in the southern zone of Chile. A route that has been making way for various adventure activities that invite tourists to dive into its forests and admire its impressive landscapes.
Queulat National Park
Queulat National Park is one of the most visited tourist destinations on the Carretera Austral Norte! Travelers are attracted by its famous Hanging Snowdrift, for its evergreen forests and Patagonian Andes. We recommend visiting the Los Pumas and Los Témpanos lagoons, photographing the Padre García waterfall, a waterfall of more than 30 meters. Visit the Risopatrón lake and the 33 Queulat curves.
211 kilometers from Coyhaique, on the Austral Highway, Route 7 to the north.
Location:
Palena River
From the mountain range to the sea, the Palena River is one of the most beautiful landscapes of the Northern Austral Highway. It is a perfect place for fly fishing.You will find huge chinook salmon! You can navigate this river by boat or kayak and explore the 70 kilometers to appreciate the evergreen and Patagonian forests, and the native flora and fauna of Aysén.
266 kilometers north of Coyhaique, on the Austral Highway, Route 7 towards, in the town of La Junta.
Location:
Puerto Cisnes
Immersed in lush vegetation with diverse landscapes of beaches, bays, canals and fjords, Puerto Cisnes is a small town on the Carretera Austral Norte. From here, you can do all kinds of excursions such as kayaking to see the marine fauna, routes for trekking and local experiences. In January, the “fried fish festival” is celebrated, a traditional activity attended by hundreds of tourists every year.
197 kilometers north of Coyhaique on the Carretera Austral, Route 7 and 89 kilometers south of Puyuhuapi.
Location:
Puyuhuapi Hot Springs
One of the privileged places to rest! On the Carretera Austral Norte are the Puyuhuapi Hot Springs, enriched by the natural waters that naturally emerge from the land. Located in Bahía Dorita, a place for trekking lovers, with panoramic views of the Patagonian fjords surrounded by native forests.
10 kilometers south from Puyuhuapi / 212 km north from Coyhaique, on the Carretera Austral, Route 7.
Location:
Raúl Marín Balmaceda
Puerto Raúl Marín Balmaceda is a small town on the Carretera Austral Norte that mixes fjords, beaches, forests and rivers. You can kayak or boat through the channels of Patagonia and visit the Las Hermanas islands to observe sea lions, southern dolphins and, if you are lucky, whales. We are waiting for you in this corner of Aysén Patagonia!
341 kilometers north of Coyhaique on the Carretera Austral, Ruta 7 and 75 kilometers west of La Junta.
Location:
Ventisquero Hot Springs
After a horseback ride or trekking, what do you think of a break at the Ventisquero Hot Springs? These natural pools are located on the banks of the Puyuhuapi Canal and their waters reach 44 ° temperature.
10 kilometers south from Puyuhuapi / 212 km north from Coyhaique, on the Carretera Austral, Route 7.
Location: