Capitán Prat Province

Deep in the Carretera Austral of Chilean Patagonia, featuring the wooden boardwalk village of Tortel, Patagonia National Park, and the turquoise Baker River.

Capitán Prat Province is located in the southern part of Chile's Aysén Region, sandwiched between the Northern and Southern Patagonian Ice Fields, with Cochrane as its capital. The Carretera Austral (Southern Highway) runs through the province, making it a classic route for wilderness travel. Puerto Tortel has no conventional streets; the village is connected by cypress boardwalks, situated close to fjords and glaciers. Patagonia National Park is known for its vast grasslands, mountains, and wildlife like guanacos. The Baker River is one of Chile's largest rivers by volume, and its confluence with the Nef River creates a striking contrast of turquoise and gray waters. December to March is the best time to visit. The gateway is Balmaceda Airport near Coyhaique to the north, followed by a drive south along the Carretera Austral.

Destinations

• Cochrane & Patagonia National Park
• Coyhaique & Carretera Austral
• Puerto Río Tranquilo (Marble Caves)

Itineraries

• Carretera Austral & Caleta Tortel Loop – A self-drive loop starting and ending in Balmaceda, heading north to the hanging glacier and south to the wooden boardw…