Carretera Austral Bikepacking List
ESSENTIALS AND INDISPENSABLE:
That should be your main concern.
Bicycle touring Carretera Austral is a rewarding and challenging trip, it offers incredible scenery and a thrilling feeling of being in the middle of nowhere. If you want to discover new places, go hiking, kayaking, fishing and meeting wonderful people, this is your bucket list dream.
OUR MAIN ADVISE:
Pack light, the road is rarely either flat or straight, as the topography only allows for up or down while weaving left or right.
Weight can be a great disadvantage on hilly terrains, and gravel floors. Learn about climate, as is very important, Patagonian weather is very unpredictable:
In spring and fall, temperatures can drop to between – 5°C and 15°C, with lots of rainfall and wind. In summer, you can expect temperatures that hover between 10°C and 24°C
Here are 8 must-haves for your self-supported adventure.
✅ Waterproof Layers: A high-quality rain jacket and waterproof pants — you’ll need them often in Patagonia’s unpredictable weather.
✅ Warm Clothing: Thermal base layers, fleece or down jacket, gloves, and a warm hat for chilly mornings.
✅ Camping Gear: Lightweight tent, sleeping bag (-5°C comfort), and sleeping pad — even if you mix cabins and campsites.
✅ Bug spray to kill the “annoying tábanos” a chilean fly if January.
✅ Personal Essentials: Quick-dry towel, biodegradable soap, toothbrush, toilet paper, sunscreen.
✅ Food & Cooking Kit: Portable stove, lighter, pot, spork, and compact meals — especially for remote stretches.
✅ Hydration & Filtration: 2–3 water bottles, plus a filter or purification tablets for rivers and lakes.
✅ Austral Bikes includes tools, spare tubes, pump, and patches — but it’s smart to know how to fix a flat.
1. Food & Snacks
• Energy bars / protein bars
• Mixed nuts & trail mix
• Instant oatmeal or granola
• Dehydrated meals or pasta
• Tuna or canned beans
• Dark chocolate or dried fruit
• Coffee or tea
• Salt, sugar, and condiments
• Lightweight stove fuel
• Electrolyte tablets or powder
2.Clothing
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Thermal base layers (top & bottom)
• Lightweight fleece or down jacket
• 2–3 pairs of padded cycling shorts
• Quick-dry shirts
• Leggings or trekking pants
• Flip flops or sandals
• Warm hat and gloves
• Buff or neck gaiter
• Sturdy shoes or boots
3. Tools & Electronics
• Multi-tool for bikes
• Tire levers
• Spare tubes
• Patch kit
• Mini pump
• USB headlamp or flashlight
• Power bank
• Phone and charging cable
• Plug adapter (Chile: Type C/L, 220V)
• GPS device or offline map app
4. First Aid Kit
• Adhesive bandages (various sizes)
• Gauze and medical tape
• Antiseptic wipes
• Ibuprofen or painkillers
• Anti-inflammatory cream
• Antidiarrheal tablets
• Allergy medication (antihistamines)
• Tweezers and scissors
• Blister pads (Compeed or similar)
• Any personal medication
5. Camping & Cooking Gear
• Lightweight tent
• Sleeping bag (rated -5°C or lower)
• Sleeping pad
• Camping stove + fuel
• Pot, spork, and mug
• Lighter and waterproof matches
• Water filter or purification tablets
• Dry bags or compression sacks
• Clothesline or cord
• Collapsible bowl or sink
6. Essentials & Personal Documents
• Passport or ID
• Printed ferry ticket (Hornopirén–Caleta Gonzalo)
• Debit/credit cards
• Chilean pesos (cash for remote areas)
• Sunglasses
• Sunblock (SPF 50+)
• Lip balm
• Notebook & pen
• Knife or multitool
7. Toiletries & Hygiene
• Quick-dry towel
• Biodegradable soap
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Toilet paper (travel roll)
• Hand sanitizer
• Menstrual products
• Razor (optional)
• Small mirror (optional)
• Comb or brush
• Small toiletry bag
8. Bicycle & Accessories (Included with Austral Bikes)
• Merida mountain bike (29”)
• Rear Ortlieb panniers (waterproof)
• 15L handlebar bag
• Helmet
• Front and rear lights
• Gel saddle cover
• AirTag or GPS tracker
• Reflective safety vest
• Lock
Pedals – Flat, but you can bring your own Shimano’s SPD pedals.
- Tire lever
- Multitool
- 2 Spare tubes/ Patch Kits
- Lube
- Water cage and bottle.
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