Fjords of Chilean Patagonia Self-Drive Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Puerto Montt – Las Cascadas

Your journey begins in Puerto Montt, the capital of Chile´s Lake District in the south of Chile. Pick up your rental car at the airport of Puerto Montt and drive north past the colonial towns of Puerto Varas, Frutillar and Puerto Octay, founded on the shores of Lake Llanquihue in the middle of the 19th century by German settlers. On the way it is worth visiting the small park Lahuen Ñadi near the airport, harboring millennial Alerce trees. Your destination for today, the small village of Las Cascadas, is named after the impressive nearby waterfalls that rush down the slopes of Osorno Volcano.
Overnight Location: 2-3*-Hotel in Cascadas
Distance: 75km, 1.5h of driving
Meals: None

Day 2 Las Cascadas – Petrohué

Continue to Vicente Peréz Rosales National Park today. Through dense native forest, a road leads up the slopes to the ski station of Osorno Volcano. Enjoy unforgettable panoramas of Llanquihue Lake and the impressive mountain range of the Andes.

Afterwards follow the road towards the Andes Mountains, passing by Ensenada and the rapids of Petrohué River. You stay in the small village of Petrohué today, located on the shores of the picturesque, emerald-colored Todos Los Santos Lake.
Overnight Location: 4*-Hotel in Petrohué
Distance: 35km, 45min of driving
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Petrohué – Puelo

Continue your trip on lonely country roads with stunning panoramas along the Pacific Fjord Reloncaví, which reaches deep into the foothills of the Andes Cordillera. A gravel road leads along its shore to the village of Puelo, where the river of the same name has cut a valley into the mountains. In the afternoon, there is enough time to explore the beautiful pristine surroundings.
Overnight Location: Andes Lodge in Puelo
Distance: 90km, 2h of driving
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Explore Puelo

For today we recommend a trip to Lago Tagua Tagua. This beautiful lake is only 10 km from Puelo. You can take a car ferry across and then dive deeper into this spectacular Andean landscape from Puerto Maldonado.

If you prefer to spend the day in peace, the relaxing warm pools of the nearby thermal baths Termas del Sol are available.
Overnight Location: Andes Lodge in Puelo
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Puelo – Lenca – Alerce Andino

Follow the road along the shores of Reloncaví fjord until you reach the small ferry terminal of Caleta Puelche. Cross the fjord on a 30-minute ferry ride to Caleta Arena. Don’t miss the delicious fresh seafood empanadas on offer here! Continue on the Carretera Austral north until the village of Lenca, where you stay in a cabin today. We recommend visiting the nearby Alerce Andino National Park that protects the native Alerce tree. It grows exclusively in this area of Chile and Argentina. Some specimens were dated to be more than 3,500 years old – arguably some of the oldest beings in the world!
Overnight Location: Cabin in Lenca
Distance: 65km, 2-3h of driving
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Final Drive Along the Pacific Coast

From Lenca, continue north along the Pacific Coast until reaching Puerto Montt, where your trip ends today. Drop off your rental car at the airport. From here, you can continue your trip to another region of Chile or take a flight back home via Santiago.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 60km, 1-2h of driving
Meals: Breakfast