Exploring Chile’s Aysén Region

Exploring Chile’s Aysén Region

Exploring Chile’s Aysén Region

Dive Into Chile’s Lesser-Visited Aysén Region

Days: 11 | From: $7,680/per person

  • Includes accommodations at first class hotels that reflect the best of local culture
  • Includes excursions and tours with superb private guides

This off-the-beaten-track itinerary foregoes the crowds and takes you to some of Chilean Patagonia's most spectacular hidden gems. Drive down the famous Carretera Austral (Austral Highway), largely considered one of the most scenic roads in South America. Along the way kayak in one of Patagonia's largest lakes, trek on a brilliantly blue glacier, and choose your own adventure in the windswept steppe of Patagonia National Park, all while keeping your eye out for puma which are abundant in this area.

Liz Gaugert Destination Specialist at Vaya Adventures

Talk to a Vaya Travel Specialist

We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

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We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.

At a Glance

  • Santiago
    1 night: Overnight in Chile's capital city before journeying south
  • Villa Cerro Castillo
    3 nights: Kayak to marble caves, horseback ride through alpine forests, and hike in Cerro Castillo National Park
  • Puerto Rio Tranquilo
    2 nights: Strap on your crampons and trek on an impressive cave-studded glacier
  • Patagonia National Park
    4 nights: Take advantage of three full days to enjoy a wide range of activities in this diverse national park

All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

5-Star Reviews

Find out why our discerning travelers consistently rate us with 5-stars.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Overnight in Santiago

Plenty of business buildings in Santiago del Chile with trees in the foreground and the Andes mountains in the background

Welcome to Chile! Upon arrival in Santiago, you’ll be transferred from the airport to your boutique hotel, Le Reve. Enjoy the rest of the day and evening to unwind and settle in at your leisure.

Accommodations: Le Reve Boutique Hotel

Le Rêve is a charming boutique hotel in the bustling Providencia district. This four-story town house boasts a Parisian facade, complete with shutters and wrought-iron railings. Gilt-framed botanical prints and velvet bed covers ornament its 31 rooms. Enjoy afternoon tea in the courtyard under the shade of a centennial avocado tree, or enjoy a cocktail or drink from the honesty bar.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 2: Arrival in Villa Cerro Castillo in Chile’s Aysén Region

a sunny landscape, in the foreground green trees and lots of nature, in the background snowy mountains and a blue sky with white clouds

Hop on a flight and journey south to the small town of Villa Cerro Castillo, where your Aysén adventure begins. Surrounded by glacial lakes, snow-capped mountains, alpine forests, and wildflower-packed meadows, Villa Cerro Castillo is one of Chile’s best kept secrets. Upon arrival, settle into your mountain lodge, surrounded by breathtaking panoramic views.

Accommodations: Alto Castillo, 3 nights

Alto Castillo is a cozy mountain lodge in Villa Cerro Castillo, Chile. Its rustic style blends in naturally with the surrounding landscape, with stand-alone cabins and suites offering ultimate privacy. Alto Castillo features an onsite dining area and a communal lounge space with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic mountain views. The lodge has Wi-Fi.

*Includes: Dinner

Day 3: Day Hike to Laguna Cerro Castillo

Enjoy your first full day to immerse yourself in the rugged, untouched beauty of Cerro Castillo National Park. Today, you’ll set out on a day hike to Laguna Cerro Castillo. Though challenging, this hike rewards you with wildflowers and sweeping valley views. Surrounded by glaciers and snow-capped mountains, the sparkling bright blue lagoon is considered one of Chile’s most picturesque and rewarding hikes – and will serve as your picnic lunch spot for the day.

Accommodations: Alto Castillo, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Horseback Riding in Cerro Castillo

Cerro Castillo, an iconic peak in the heart of Aysén, Southern Chile, rises dramatically with its jagged spires and glacial slopes, offering a breathtaking display of Patagonia’s raw beauty. Surrounded by lush valleys, turquoise rivers, and untouched wilderness, this majestic mountain is a must-visit destination for adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Go for a loping two-hour horseback ride through the area’s meadows and pine forests. Enjoy views of waterfalls and the iconic mountain spires of Cerro Castillo National Park. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional Patagonian barbecue as you listen to stories from local gauchos about their way of life.

Accommodations: Alto Castillo, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Marble Caves Kayaking

Carretera Austral or Route 7 in Patagonia, Chile, February 2024.
The Aysen Regio, General Carrera Lake. Nordic Patagonia, Southern Fjords and Channels

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up in a private transfer and brought to nearby General Carrera Lake. Here, you’ll have a quick briefing before setting out in kayaks to explore the lake’s “Marble Caves.” Kayak through turquoise waters as you take in these impressive rock caves and tunnels. After, enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant before driving to your lodge for the next two nights.

Accommodations: Hostal El Puesto, 2 nights

Located in the small town of Rio Tranquilo, this lodge offers nine rooms decorated and furnished in a cozy, rustic style traditional to the region. The lodge features a breakfast room and a cozy common area with a wood-burning fireplace.

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Trekking on the Exploradores Glacier

Get up close and personal with one of Aysén’s magnificent glaciers, the Exploradores Glacier. Strap on some crampons and set out with an experienced guide to walk on the glacier, exploring its crevasses, waterfalls, and caves, all against a backdrop of mountains.

In the afternoon, return to your hotel to unwind, or speak to us about opting for another activity.

Accommodations: Hostal El Puesto, 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Chile’s Untouched Patagonia National Park

Continue your exploration of Aysén with a two-hour drive south to your 5-star lodge for the next four nights. Established in 2018, Patagonia National Park is home to the highest levels of biodiversity found in Aysén. All the region’s native species––from Andean condors, to guanacos, to pumas––can be found in the park. Your lodge is located on the Patagonian steppe in the Chacabuco Valley and is often surrounded by herds of guanacos. Although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed there is a saying in Patagonia: where there are guanacos there are puma!

Accommodations: Explora Patagonia National Park, 4 nights

As the name suggests, this Explora hotel is located right in Patagonia National Park, just a few miles from the northern ice fields. Surrounded by spectacular rivers and lakes, the property offers an intimate atmosphere and access to a magnificent yet virtually unexplored area. The lodge is part of a self-sustainable project, built with stones from local quarries, recycled wood, and copper for the roofs. The hotel is reached via a 45-minute private flight between the Balmaceda Airport and the Patagonia National Park. Enjoy the onsite restaurant, focused on local cuisine and ingredients, as well as three outdoor hot tubs, a spa, and a number of included excursions in the park.

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 8-10: Explore Patagonia National Park

Enjoy three full days to explore Aysén’s Patagonia National Park. Explora Lodge will be your jumping-off point for a number of activity options, such as hiking, biking, sightseeing and wildlife viewing from a 4×4 vehicle. Relax at the end of the day with a soak in one of the outdoor hot tubs overlooking the mountains, or opt for a spa treatment at your lodge’s spa.

Accommodations: Explora Patagonia National Park, 4 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Departure

Say goodbye to Aysén and transfer to the Balmaceda airport for your departure.

Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary

  • Explore the glaciers and fjords at the bottom of South America with the possibility of stepping foot on Cape Horn by taking a small ship Patagonia cruise on the Stella Australis or Ventus Australis.

  • Extend your visit with some time in the lovely Lake District, Easter Island, or the Atacama desert.

  • Include some downtime for rest and relaxation! Some free time to unwind or have a massage will allow you to feel refreshed and ready for the remainder of your trip. Many of our properties include excellent spas or wellness centers. We can help arrange these services or include properties that offer health & wellness amenities.

Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
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