6 days Route covering the lush temperate rainforests of Pumalín Douglas Tompkins Park and the hanging glacier of Queulat
Northern Fjords & Hanging Glaciers in Aysén Region & Carretera Austral
A 6-day driving journey through the temperate rainforests and dramatic fjords of Northern Patagonia. Starting from Puerto Varas through Chaitén and south to Puyuhuapi, this route pairs moderate day hikes in Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park and Queulat National Park with scenic coastal seafood stops, natural hot springs, and unhurried Patagonian craft beer evenings.
Who this is for
Route covering the lush temperate rainforests of Pumalín Douglas Tompkins Park and the hanging glacier of Queulat
Why this itinerary works
Route covering the lush temperate rainforests of Pumalín Douglas Tompkins Park and the hanging glacier of Queulat
This itinerary hits the sweet spot for a 6-day northern Carretera Austral run, capturing prime fjord views and ancient alerce trees without attempting the long haul down to General Carrera Lake.
At a Glance
The shape of this trip, at a glance.
6
Balanced
$1,940
$323
13
6
Walk & transit
Interactive map
The itinerary
Day 1
CHAITÉN & CALETA GONZALO
Fjord Crossing & Rainforest Arrival
Arrive in Chaitén & Pick Up 4WD SUV
Aeródromo Chaitén, Chaitén Airport (WCH)
A high-clearance SUV is essential for safely navigating washboard gravel and water crossings south along Route 7.
Cocinería El Copihue
Centro Chaitén, Chaitén Town
Unpretentious homestyle kitchen serving fresh hake (merluza austral) and hot cazuela right in town before heading north into the park.
Sendero Cascadas Escondidas (Pumalín)
Pumalín Sur, Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park
An ideal introductory forest hike crossing stepped suspension bridges beneath temperate valdivian rainforest waterfalls.
Restaurante Hotel Brisas del Mar
Costanera Chaitén, Chaitén Costanera
Panoramic views of the gulf paired with local salmon, pisco sours, and warm fireplace seating.
Day 2
PUMALÍN SECTOR EL AMARILLO
Ancient Alerces & Thermal Springs
Sendero Los Alerces Boardwalk
Pumalín Central, Pumalín National Park (Sector Caleta Gonzalo / Centro)
A flat wooden boardwalk winding among protected Fitzroya cupressoides (alerces) that have survived for over 2,000 years.
Café Caleta Gonzalo
Caleta Gonzalo, Caleta Gonzalo Fjord Terminal
Timber-framed café built by the Tompkins Conservation featuring organic vegetable quiches, local berry pies, and fresh espresso overlooking the fjord.
Termas El Amarillo
El Amarillo, El Amarillo, South of Chaitén
Naturally fed outdoor mineral pools bordered by fern-carpeted cliffs, heated by Michinmahuida Volcano.
Cervecería & Bar Chaitén
Centro Chaitén, Chaitén Town
Casual local brewpub serving local amber ales, artisan thin-crust pizza, and warm charcuterie platters.
Day 3
CHAITÉN TO PUYUHUAPI
Southbound Route 7 & Yelcho Lake
Scenic Drive Past Lago Yelcho & Puente Colgante
Lago Yelcho, Lago Yelcho, Carretera Austral
Cross the iconic orange suspension bridge spanning the emerald Yelcho River, known globally for world-class fly fishing and dramatic fjord-like mountain walls.
El Mesón de La Junta
La Junta, La Junta Town Square
La Junta is the strategic midpoint junction town; this family spot offers fresh pastel de choclo and grilled beef milanesas.
Puyuhuapi Village Waterfront Walk & German Architecture
Puyuhuapi Costanera, Puyuhuapi Fjord
Puyuhuapi was founded by German settlers in the 1930s; its unique clapboard houses and fjord boat harbor offer a tranquil cultural stroll.
Café Rossbach
Puyuhuapi Village, Puyuhuapi
A warm Bavarian-Patagonian tavern famed for wild boar stew, house-smoked trout, and artisan southern German draft beer.
Day 4
QUEULAT NATIONAL PARK
The Hanging Glacier & Fjord Baths
Sendero Ventisquero Colgante (Hanging Glacier Trail)
Sector Ventisquero, Queulat National Park
The definitive northern Patagonian sight: a massive tongue of ancient glacial ice suspended high on a granite cliff face, feeding thunderous twin waterfalls.
Laguna Témpanos Boat Excursion & Picnic
Queulat National Park, Glacier Lagoon, Queulat
Board an open zodiac for a 30-minute glide across milky glacial waters directly below the hanging ice snout, followed by a picnic lunch by the lakeshore.
Termas del Ventisquero (Fjord Hot Springs)
Puyuhuapi Sur, Puyuhuapi Fjord Shore
Open-air stone thermal baths sitting directly on the shoreline of Puyuhuapi Fjord, allowing you to alternate between 40°C mineral water and crisp fjord breezes.
Cervecería Artesanal Hopperdietzel
Centro Puyuhuapi, Puyuhuapi Village
Family microbrewery brewing German-style lagers, dunkel, and weissbier using pristine Andean spring water, paired with local smoked charcuterie.
Day 5
PUYUHUAPI TO COYHAIQUE
The Queulat Switchbacks & Simpson River Valley
Traverse the Cuesta del Queulat Pass
Cuesta Queulat, Ruta 7 Mountain Pass
A dramatic 33-switchback unpaved climb over the Patagonian Andes through lush cloud forests with canyon views of waterfalls.
Fogón Criollo
Villa Mañihuales, Villa Mañihuales
Authentic gaucho-style roadhouse serving Patagonian cordero (roast lamb) and warm homemade empanadas de pino.
Reserva Nacional Río Simpson & Salto de la Virgen
Valle Simpson, Simpson Valley
A tranquil nature reserve guarding the Simpson River canyon, featuring botanical trails and the crashing Virgin Waterfall.
Mamma Gaucha & Tropera Cervecería
Centro Coyhaique, Plaza de Armas, Coyhaique
The premier gastronomic hub of Aysén, serving wood-fired artisanal sourdough pizzas, guanaco carpaccio, and award-winning Cervecería Tropera craft beers.
Day 6
COYHAIQUE & BALMACEDA
Regional Culture & Departure
Museo Regional de Aysén & Slow Breakfast
Sector El Claro, Coyhaique Outskirts
Set in the restored 1930s industrial sheep-shearing sheds of the Sociedad Industrial de Aysén, this modern architectural museum explains regional pioneer ecology and indigenous history.
Café Confluencia
Centro Coyhaique, Plaza de Coyhaique
Specialty Patagonian coffee shop roasting fair-trade beans on-site, serving house-cured salmon sandwiches and calafate berry scones.
Feria Artesanal & Drive to Balmaceda Airport
Balmaceda, Plaza de Armas & Ruta 7 to BBA
Browse handmade raw-wool textiles, turned woodwork, and leather goods on the plaza, followed by a smooth 45-minute paved drive across the Patagonian steppe to drop the rental car.
Departure Flight to Santiago
Balmaceda Terminal, Balmaceda Airport Terminal
Board the late afternoon flight out of the Aysén region back to Santiago or Puerto Montt.
Budget
ON TARGETTarget
$2,000
Estimated
$1,940
Difference
$60
Trip Balance Score
How well this trip will actually work
Heavily weighted toward traveler fit and pace to ensure road distances on gravel roads do not encroach on dining and relaxed mornings.
What works well
- Linear progression from Chaitén down to Coyhaique cuts out massive backtracking on Route 7.
- Balanced combination of prime temperate rainforest hiking with post-trail thermal soaks and craft beer.
- Realistic timing allocations for washboard ripio driving between Puyuhuapi and Coyhaique.
What we would improve
- Requires paying a one-way car rental drop fee (factored into the budget summary).
- Queulat Hanging Glacier trail can get muddy after coastal rain, requiring sturdy waterproof footwear.
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