CARRETERA AUSTRAL
Patagonia’s Most Magnificent Bike Trip
HIRE YOUR BIKE HERE!
Online Booking:
DISCOVER CARRETERA AUSTRAL AT YOUR OWN PACE:
THE MINIMUM RENTAL FOR CARRETERA AUSTRAL IS TWO WEEKS.
Relevant information, step by step:
You can drop the bikes at a different location. You can choose either Villa O Higgins or Coyhaique and we will return them back to Puerto Varas. If you choose to leave them at Villa O’Higgins there is an extra cost of USD 170; if you drop them at Coyhaique it’s USD 120 extra cost.
We can arrange luggage transfer at your request from Puerto Varas to Coyhaique or Villa O´Higgins if you choose to do so. Costs depends on weight and size, but it’s usually USD 100 to Villa O’Higgins and USD 80 to Coyhaique.
Working hours:
Puerto Varas: All rentals need to be returned during business hours (10:00 to 19:30).
Coyhaique: works from mondays to fridays ( 9:00 to 13:00 / 14:00 to 18:30).
Villa O’Higgins: works from mondays to fridays (Drop off needs previous appointment via WhatsApp).
RENTAL COSTS:
Week (7days) | USD 195 |
Two Weeks | USD 380 |
Three Weeks | USD 450 |
Month (30-31 days) | USD 570 |
Extra Day | USD 30 |
Returning cost from | |
Coyhaique | USD 120 |
Villa O´Higgins | USD 170 |
If more information is required, please contact us at info@australbikes.cl
ABOUT CARRETERA AUSTRAL
The Carretera Austral is the peak and reason of why Patagonia holds its travelers in an indescribable awe. It runs officially from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins.
The route is 1240 kilometers long, also known as Ruta 7, this road connects its northernmost point, Puerto Montt (in the Chilean Lakes District), and its southernmost point, Villa O’Higgins (in the Aysén Region). Features glaciers, dense forests, a network of fjords, National Parks and Chile’s largest lake: Lago General Carrera.
Carretera Austral remains a work in progress, unpaved at some points and impassable due to the rain, snow and wind are qualities that have helped secure the Carretera Austral as one of South America’s most remote and beguiling road trips.
Ruta 7 can be divided into two parts:
– The Northern part from Puerto Montt to Coyhaique 660 km/410 mi is paved with a bit of gravel road here and there.
– The Southern part from Coyhaique to Villa O’Higgins 580 km/360 mi is still mostly gravel road. It’s planned to complete paving the Carretera Austral in the next years.
Despite being a wild region there are no dangerous animals to be worried about. There are pumas and foxes living in the area but they’re very shy and try to stay away from people.
Carretera Austral provides habitats for a number of different animals, like the Pudú (a small deer), the Huemul (also known as the south Andean deer), the Andean fox (Culpeo) and a variety of penguins.
EQUIPMENT
Carretera Austral – Puerto Montt to Villa O Higgins
DISTANCES AND TIME
Distances are of course personal, but we advise to take the time.
Bicycle fanatic or not, the route has a number of very steep peaks and there are still more than 500 kilometers of unpaved road.
Moreover, it is so nice that it is a shame to race past it.
A famous saying in Patagonia says “Quien se apura en la Patagonia, pierde su tiempo” (Whoever goes too fast in Patagonia, wastes his time).
Every day you will cycle an average of 50 to 60 kilometers and you should take an extra day at each highlight to visit.
In total you need between 24 – 30 days to get from the beginning in Puerto Varas to the end at Villa O Higgins.
The direction north-south is the most popular and is nice to meet other travel companions, usually the wind direction works in your favor.
The season is pretty important, the sunniest months are from November to March, you have a chance of good weather.
Most of the Carretera Austral is classified as a oceanic climate, with cool, moderate temperatures and frequent rains, be prepared for rain around Puyuhuapi, Puerto Aysén, and Caleta Tortel.