Join an unforgettable cycling journey through the Northern Patagonia
From Puerto Varas to Coyhaique (500 km) – The journey begins in Puerto Montt, crossing estuaries and fjords, connecting you with various locations along the Carretera Austral. This bicycle trip invites you to explore the most spectacular landscapes of the Carretera Austral Norte. Start by navigating the Reloncavi Estuary and the bimodal route, pedaling through national parks, mountains, lakes, rivers, fjords, glaciers, and native forests of the Lakes Region and Aysen.
Visit over 10 locations, including Hornopirén, Chaitén, Villa Santa Lucía, La Junta, Puyuhuapi, Mañihuales, Puerto Aysén, and Coyhaique. In these destinations, stops will be made in hospitality services, combined with adventure activities to learn about the history, traditions, and local culture. This route includes both paved and gravel roads, with significant challenges such as the Moraga and Queulat slopes.
Experience spectacular attractions like Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, with its history of the largest land donation for conservation in the world, ancient larch trees, Yelcho Glacier, Palena River, Risopatrón Lake, and the majestic hanging glacier in Queulat National Park. Enjoy an incredible experience of friendship, multicultural encounters between participants and host communities, and the opportunity to travel sustainably, contributing to local development and fostering personal growth and transformation.
Highlights of the Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour
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Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Puerto Varas
Participants and staff meet at the hostel in Puerto Varas at 3 pm to introduce each other, brief on the bike journey, and check bikes and equipment. This is the opportunity to send luggage to Coyhaique to pick up on the last day of the trip (extra service).
Overnight Location: Hostel in Puerto Varas
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Puerto Varas to Hornopirén
Depart from Puerto Varas in a minibus, traveling along the coast of Puerto Montt to Carretera Austral. Cross the Reloncavi Estuary by ferry to reach Caleta Puelche, then enjoy a lunch in Contao village. Begin the ride through Hualaihué, admiring nature, forests, and coastal views until reaching Hornopirén.
Overnight Location: Cabins in Hornopirén
Distance: 45 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Hornopirén to Chaitén
Embark on a fantastic 5-hour ferry journey along the Bimodal route through majestic fjords of Chilean Patagonia. After a brief ride, take a second ferry to Douglas Tompkins Pumalin National Park in Caleta Gonzalo. Cycle through the evergreen forest, hike the trail of ancient Alerces trees, and continue to Chaitén.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Chaitén
Distance: 30 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Chaitén to Lago Yelcho
Ride along a paved road through the El Amarillo sector of Pumalin Park, reaching Puerto Cárdenas and the Yelcho suspension bridge. Admire the mouth of the lake and Yelcho Glacier before arriving at the accommodation.
Overnight Location: Cabins by Lago Yelcho
Distance: 64 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Lago Yelcho to La Junta
Cycle through beautiful scenery surrounded by native forest and views of the Yelcho Glacier. Challenge the Moraga slope, admire the landscape changed by the Villa Santa Lucia alluvium (2017), and continue through the Aysén Region, ending the day in La Junta town.
Overnight Location: Cabins in La Junta
Distance: 89 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 La Junta to Puyuhuapi
Ride towards Puyuhuapi, bordering the Risopatron river and lake. Enjoy the beauty shaped by Queulat National Park and experience a unique cultural encounter in the town known for its German-influenced architecture.
Overnight Location: Cabins in Puyuhuapi
Distance: 49 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Puyuhuapi to Queulat National Park and Back
Recover energies for the Queulat slope challenge with a multi-adventure day. Explore Queulat National Park's hanging glacier, hike to the main viewpoint, and navigate the Tempano Lagoon. Option to relax in the hot springs in front of the Puyuhuapi fjord (extra service).
Overnight Location: Cabins in Puyuhuapi
Distance: 21 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Puyuhuapi to Villa Amengual
Face the Queulat slope, a legendary challenge of the Carretera Austral. Ride through the evergreen forest, appreciate the unique landscape of remote Patagonia at the Queulat pass, and descend towards Cisnes river, reaching the rural village of Amengual.
Overnight Location: Cabins in Villa Amengual
Distance: 67 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 Villa Amengual to Puerto Aysén
Begin with an uphill ride through Las Torres National Reserve. Enjoy geological sites, rivers, forests, and the Patagonian steppe, observing agricultural fields, Lagoon Esponja, and Colmillo Mount. After lunch, a minibus takes you to Puerto Aysén.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Puerto Aysén
Distance: 60 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10 Puerto Aysén to Coyhaique
Experience the most challenging day, starting with a river raft and a ride on the best back road of the journey. Pass through lakes hidden in the mountains, ending in Coyhaique City. Celebrate with a farewell dinner, sharing reflections and learnings from the journey.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Coyhaique
Distance: 80 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11 Departure from Coyhaique
Tour ends with breakfast included at the accommodation. Accommodation for this day is not included; recommend scheduling your flight after 2 pm.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour Price and Dates
This guided tour is run as a scheduled tour for small mixed group. The prices below are per person.
Accommodation on Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour
Spend 4 nights in 3-star hotels or cabins and 6 nights in Bed & Breakfasts. Standard rooms are of double-capacity.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Accommodation along the Austral Highway
The accommodations on this tour will range from tents to comfortable hostels and cabins, offering a mix of camping and traditional lodging options as you travel.
What’s Included in the Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour?
Meals
10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 10 dinners are included.
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. Estuary reloncaví ferry, Bimodal route ferry and local transfers to adventure and side multi-activities are included.
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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- Alerces 1 km trail, Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National
- Hanging glacier 2.5 kms trail & viewpoint in Queulat national park
Not included
- Early arrival accommodation in Puerto Varas
- 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
- Optional activities or excursions
- Bike rental:
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- MTB Cannondale Trail 5 or Gravel Kona Rove Al: $300 USD
- E-bike: $500 USD
Frequently Asked Questions about Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour
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