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Highlights
Join an unforgettable cycling journey through the Northern Patagonia
Embark on a scenic ferry ride with the Reloncavi Estuary Ferry Crossing, offering stunning views of Chilean Patagonia's fjords.
Discover the wonders of Pumalín Douglas Tompkins and Queulat National Parks, home to ancient forests, awe-inspiring glaciers, and the renowned hanging glacier.
Tackle the demanding Challenging Cycling Routes, including the Moraga and Queulat slopes, for both rewarding views and physical challenges.
Immerse in local communities through Cultural Encounters, experiencing authentic Patagonian culture and delectable cuisine.
Imagine cycling the incredible Carretera Austral in Chile. On this guided trip your 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.
Imagine cycling the incredible Carretera Austral in Chile. On this guided trip your 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.
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Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Puerto Varas
Participants and staff meet at the hotel in Puerto Varas at 3 p.m. to introduce themselves, attend a briefing about the cycling journey, and check the bikes and equipment. This is your final opportunity to obtain any necessary items in a major city before the tour begins. Finish the day with dinner as a group.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Puerto Varas
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Cycle from Contao to Hornopirén
Leave Puerto Varas by minibus and travel along the coast of Puerto Montt toward Route 7. Cross the Reloncaví Estuary by ferry to Caleta Puelche and stop for lunch in Contao. Your first ride follows a quieter coastal road through the rural landscape of Hualaihué, where handcrafted boatbuilding, natural scenery, and coastal views introduce you to local traditions. Pass the El Manzano slope before reaching Hornopirén.
Overnight Location: Cabins in Hornopirén
Distance: 81 km, 727 m ascent and 723 m descent; paved road
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Follow the Bimodal Route to Chaitén
Board a ferry with your bike for a five-hour journey along the bimodal route through the fjords of Chilean Patagonia. After a 10 km transfer from the Leptepu Fjord to the Grande Fjord, take a second ferry to Caleta Gonzalo in Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park. Walk the ancient alerce tree trail, then cycle through evergreen forest on gravel and paved roads beside lakes and mountains before reaching Chaitén.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Chaitén
Distance: 40 km, 755 m ascent and 898 m descent; gravel and paved roads
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Ride from Chaitén to Lago Yelcho
Continue on a paved road through the El Amarillo sector of Pumalín National Park. Ride to Puerto Cárdenas and the Yelcho suspension bridge, where you can see the mouth of the lake and the glacier that shares its name. Follow the shore of Lago Yelcho to your accommodation.
Overnight Location: Cabins by Lago Yelcho
Distance: 57 km, 493 m ascent and 481 m descent; paved road
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Cross the Moraga Pass to La Junta
Begin among native forest and views of the Yelcho Glacier before taking on the Moraga climb. From the pass, descend through the landscape reshaped by the 2017 Villa Santa Lucía landslide. Continue on paved roads beside the Frío and Palena rivers, enter the Aysén Region, and enjoy a picnic in Villa Vanguardia before completing the long ride to La Junta.
Overnight Location: Hotel in La Junta
Distance: 92 km, 1442 m ascent and 1438 m descent; paved road
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Cycle to Puyuhuapi
Ride toward Puyuhuapi beside the Risopatrón River and Lake, surrounded by scenery shaped by Queulat National Park. Arrive in a town known for its carpet factory and architecture influenced by German settlers. A special cultural encounter is planned for today.
Overnight Location: Cabins in Puyuhuapi
Distance: 74 km, 1002 m ascent and 1052 m descent; paved road
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Explore Queulat National Park
This will be a multi-adventure day, giving you time to recover before the next day’s challenging climb over the Queulat Pass. Enjoy a scenic ride and explore Queulat National Park and its famous hanging glacier. You will have the opportunity to hike for approximately 2.5 hours along 5.9 km of trails to the viewpoint or navigate Témpano Lagoon for closer views and unique photo opportunities. Finish the day with an optional visit to the hot springs overlooking the Puyuhuapi Fjord, available at an additional cost.
Overnight Location: Cabins in Puyuhuapi
Distance: 5.5 km hiking, 274 m ascent; paved road
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Climb the Queulat Pass
Face one of the defining challenges of the Carretera Austral as you climb the Queulat Pass. The loose-gravel road winds progressively through 33 curves in evergreen forest, with views of glaciers and fjords along the way. From the pass, descend on paved road beside the Cisnes River to the rural village of Villa Amengual.
Overnight Location: B&B in Villa Amengual
Distance: 51 km, 1077 m ascent and 872 m descent; loose gravel and paved roads
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 Ride through Las Torres National Reserve
Ride through Las Torres National Reserve among geological formations, mountains, rivers, and forests. The landscape gradually transitions toward the Patagonian steppe, with agricultural fields, Laguna Esponja, and Mount Colmillo near Villa Mañihuales. After lunch, transfer by minibus to Puerto Aysén.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Puerto Aysén
Distance: 66 km, 956 m ascent and 1012 m descent; paved road
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10 Complete the Journey in Coyhaique
Begin the most challenging and rewarding day with a river raft transfer to a quiet back road surrounded by nature. Follow the loose-gravel rural road past mountain lakes to Coyhaique. In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner and share reflections on the journey and the experiences of the group.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Coyhaique
Distance: 77 km, 1490 m ascent and 1018 m descent; loose-gravel road
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
The Guided Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour runs as a scheduled group trip between November 2026 and March 2027. Bike rentals are available, either mountain bike, gravel bike, or e-bike. The prices below are per person.Start
Finish
Duration
Spaces Left
Price
Fri, Nov 6
From Puerto Varas
Mon, Nov 16
to Coyhaique
11 Days
5+
Spaces left
USD$3500
Fri, Dec 4
From Puerto Varas
Mon, Dec 14
to Coyhaique
11 Days
5+
Spaces left
USD$3500
Accommodation on Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour
Spend 8 nights in 3-star hotels or cabins and 2 nights in bed and breakfasts. Standard rooms are based on double occupancy.
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.
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)
- National Park entrance fee
- 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
-
- 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
- Ventisquero hotspring
- Hanging glacier boat journey Queulat National Park
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- Bike rental:
-
- MTB Giant Talon 0 or Gravel Revolt 1: USD300
- E-bike: USD500
- How hard is the Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Chile?
- Are meals included on the Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Puerto Montt to start this tour?
- Is the Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour in English?
- Where does the Northern Austral Highway Cycling Tour end?
- Can I rent a bike?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Chile?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Chile?
We rate this tour as a 4 / 5. This tour ideal for experienced cyclists with good physical condition and training in slopes and long-distance endurance. Covering 538 km with 134 km on gravel and 404 km on pavement, the tour features daily rides of varying lengths, including challenging ascents like the Moraga and Queulat slopes. Cyclists should be prepared for both smooth and uneven terrains, ensuring a rewarding yet demanding adventure through Patagonia's spectacular landscapes.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 10 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your travel insurance.
The most common way to get to Puerto Montt is by flying to El Tepual Airport (PMC) in Puerto Montt from major Chilean cities such as Santiago (SCL), which has frequent daily flights.
Yes, the tour guide is English-speaking.
This tour ends in ends in Coyhaique.
Yes, you can rent a bike during the booking process. Rental bikes are MTB Giant Talon 0 or Gravel Revolt 1. You can also rent an ebike (MTB Giant Talon E+1 or similar).
Yes. If you bring your own bike, it should be a MTB or gravel bike suitable for the demands of the tour.
Check with your family doctor.
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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