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Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour

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Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour
From $2,600USDBook Now
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10 Days from $2,600USD
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Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour-7
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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.

Chile, South America
Happiness promise

Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour

Join an unforgettable cycling journey through the Northern Patagonia
4.50
(null reviews)
10 Days from $2,600USD
Easy quote
Duration
10 Days
Season
Feb
Mountain Bike
Type
Guided, Scheduled
Accommodation
Hostels, cabins and hostels
Difficulty
Very Hard (5/5)
From $2,600USD (see prices for this tour)
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National Geographic
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Southern Austral Highway Cycling Tour-7
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

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.

rating
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
Trip highlights

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.

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Trip map

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Day by day itinerary
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Day 1
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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).
Distance None
Overnight Location Hotel in Coyhaique
Included Meals Dinner
Day 2
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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.
Distance 93 km
Overnight Location Cabins in Villa Cerro Castillo
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3
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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.
Distance 83 km
Overnight Location Hostel in Puerto Tranquilo
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4
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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.
Distance 73 km
Overnight Location Cabins in Puerto Bertrand
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5
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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.
Distance 51 km
Overnight Location Cabins in Cochrane
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6
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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.
Distance 50 km
Overnight Location Cabins in Los Ñadis
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7
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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.
Distance 83 km
Overnight Location Hostel in Caleta Tortel
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8
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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.
Distance Return by minibus
Overnight Location Cabins in Bahia Catalina
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9
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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.
Distance Return by minibus, optional 50 km cycling
Overnight Location Cabins in Cerro Castillo
Included Meals Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10
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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.
Distance Return
Overnight Location Return to hotel in Coyhaique, not included
Included Meals Breakfast

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Dates and prices

This guided tour is run as a scheduled tour for small mixed group. The prices below are per person.

What’s included

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
    • 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
    • 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:
    • MTB Cannondale Trail 5 or Gravel Kona Rove Al: $300
    • E-bike: $500
  • Optional activities or excursions:
    • 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

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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Why travellers choose this tour
At 10Adventures, it’s easy to make memories with the following six optional inclusions on this tour:
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