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 boardwalk village of Caleta Tortel.
This loop covers the highlights of the middle section of the Carretera Austral: the hanging glacier in Puyuhuapi, the Marble Caves, Patagonia National Park, and the roadless village of Caleta Tortel. South of Puerto Río Tranquilo, the roads are mostly gravel, making travel slower, so the itinerary includes built-in flexibility. Returning the rental car to the same location is cheaper than a one-way rental and avoids the northern ferry crossings, which is why the section north of Pumalín is omitted. Ideal for travelers with self-drive experience who are comfortable with rustic accommodations.
Accommodations along the route are limited, so book early for the summer. Note that some car rental insurance policies do not cover gravel roads.
每日安排
第 1 天 · Land in Coyhaique
科伊艾克與南方公路（科伊艾克五角形武器廣場、艾森大區博物館）
Pick up your rental car at the airport and drive about 55 km on paved roads to Coyhaique, reachable within 1 hour.
Stock up on fuel and cash here, as mobile signal is poor along the southern section.
住宿：科伊艾克市中心
第 2 天 · Head North to Puyuhuapi
Drive north along the Simpson River Valley for about 220 km. The road conditions are relatively good, taking about 4 hours.
住宿：普尤瓦皮
第 3 天 · Queulat Hanging Glacier
A 1-hour round-trip drive to the park entrance. The round-trip hike is about 6.5 km, taking 2.5 hours.
住宿：普尤瓦皮
第 4 天 · Return to Coyhaique
Drive south for about 220 km (approx. 4 hours). Spend the afternoon on a short walk in the reserve on the outskirts of the city.
住宿：科伊艾克市中心
第 5 天 · Cross the Mountains to Lake General Carrera
科伊艾克與南方公路 → 特蘭基洛河港（大理石教堂）（穆爾塔灣）
Drive south for about 225 km, with the second half on gravel roads, taking about 5 hours to reach Puerto Río Tranquilo.
住宿：特蘭基洛河港鎮上
第 6 天 · Marble Caves & Exploradores Valley
特蘭基洛河港（大理石教堂）（大理石教堂洞穴、特蘭基洛湖、水獺瀑布（探險家谷））
Take a 1.5-hour speedboat tour in the morning. In the afternoon, drive west along the gravel road of the Exploradores Valley and return.
Boat departures depend on wind conditions; morning light is best. Ice trekking on the Exploradores Glacier is no longer recommended.
住宿：特蘭基洛河港鎮上
第 7 天 · Baker River & Chacabuco Valley
特蘭基洛河港（大理石教堂）（貝爾特蘭港與貝爾特蘭湖、貝克河與內夫河交匯處） → 科伊艾克與南方公路（巴塔哥尼亞國家公園（智利）） → Cochrane
Drive south along the gravel road for about 120 km, passing the confluence of the rivers to reach Cochrane (approx. 4 hours).
住宿：Cochrane
第 8 天 · Caleta Tortel Boardwalk Village
Drive about 125 km southwest of Cochrane on gravel roads (approx. 2.5 hours one way) for a day trip, returning to Cochrane.
Fill up your fuel tank in Cochrane before departing and bring your own drinking water.
住宿：Cochrane
第 9 天 · Drive North along the Lake to Villa Cerro Castillo
特蘭基洛河港（大理石教堂）（瓜達爾港） → 科伊艾克與南方公路（卡雷拉將軍湖）
Drive north for about 300 km, mostly on gravel roads, taking about 7 hours. This is the longest driving day of the trip.
住宿：卡斯蒂略山村
第 10 天 · Cerro Castillo Trekking
A round-trip hike from the village to the mountain lagoon takes about 8 to 9 hours. A shorter trail is available if you want to save energy.
住宿：卡斯蒂略山村
第 11 天 · Return to Balmaceda
Drive north along the paved road for about 90 km (approx. 1.5 hours) to return your rental car at the airport.