What to Do Before You Hit the Road

Pack enough food and water:

 double-check that you´ve got everything you may need!

Be sure to carry enough cash money:

 remember that  you´ll need to find the next ATM machine. Althouh there are now plenty of ATM´s along the Carretera Austral, the rule of thumb is to check you have enough to pay for food and lodging as in most places it will be impossible to pay with debit or credit cards.

Pick up a copy of the COPEC Map

Chiletur Copec Area 7- Carretera Austral:

This map is indispensable for anyone cycling in Carretera Austral. You can buy it at our store, or in any COPEC gas station for around $4,900 CLP. 

Download Maps.me before you set off:

 This free app allows you to download maps of the Carretera Austral to your phone (do this while you still have a wifi connection) that can then be used offline. 

Download the ioverlander app:

This free app is a guide to road conditions and campsites as compiled by people who travel. It is an indispensable resource for helping you to find good wild camping spots, as well as up-to-date information about the state of the Carretera Austral. You do need internet to be able to access the maps in the app. 

A local sim card:

  Entel provides the best coverage along the Carretera Austral. If you plan on booking acccommodations and doing other logistical stuff en-route, don’t expect to be able to rely on the internet along the Carretera Austral. The internet reception might be very poor, not all hostels or cabins have WIFI, so sort this. Entel, Movistar, Claro and Wom may not have coverage everywhere.

Carretera Austral remains a work in progress

Unpaved at some points and impassable due to the rain, snow and wind: 

Qualities that have helped secure the Carretera Austral as one of South America’s most remote and beguiling road trips. The road works can cause sections of the road to be closed, this information is best found by consulting the tourism office of the town you’re in and then planning accordingly.

Pack the right clothing for hot and cold weather:

 Clothes that can be layered up in cold weather and stripped down in warm weather are versatile for any temperature.

Food, snacks, a water bottle and water filter: 

Water is potable in Carretera Austral, however, if you have a sensitive stomach, it’s best to err on the side of caution.

Take enough food and snacks for your journey, distances are far and journeys can take a long time, places where you can pick up food are few and far between along the Carretera Austral.

Toilet paper:

 Public toilets are few and far between! Be sure to come prepared instead.

Camping:

There are many campsites along the route and is generally permissible to set your tent where ever you want along the Carretera Austral, your common sense will give you  a right idea where you can’t and where it’s recommendable to stay, anyway, remember you will be staying on wild and pristine areas, so practice leaving no trace principles and make sure that you won´t leave any rubbish. If the land is clearly privately owned and there’s a dwelling nearby, be sure to pop in and ask for permission before settling down for the night.