CARRETERA AUSTRAL

Patagonia’s Most Magnificent Bike Trip

hire your bike here!

Online Booking

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

Get your International Accident Insurance Here

ABOUT CARRETERA AUSTRAL

The Carretera Austral is the peak and reason of why Patagonia holds its travellers in an indescribable awe. It runs officially from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins.

The route is 1240 kilometres 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

MERIDA MTB BIG NINE BIKE

2 ORTLIEB PANNIERS 20LTS EACH SIDE

MINI TRIANGULAR FRAME BAG

FRONT HANDLEBAR BAG 15 LTS

TOPEAK REAR RACK

HELMET

MINI PUMP

LOCK

ALLEN TOOL

PATCH KIT

INNER TUBES

BOTTLE HOLDER

REFLECTIVE VEST

FRONT- REAR LIGHTS

GEL SEAT COVER

ELASTIC BANDS

CHAIN CUTTER TOOL

QUICK LINKS

CHAIN LUBE

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 kilometres 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 kilometres 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 favour.
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.

WE ADVICE YOU TO CARRY:

A tent, a sleeping bag and complete camping equipment are a must.

When arriving to a village and if you prefer a bit of comfort, you will find hostales. Prices may vary, but they are between $ 12.000 and $ 30.000 Chilean pesos per person per night.

The food slowly becomes more expensive (from north to south) and more limited.

The shops are very small and the supply is less, water is pure and safe from natural water sources.

ATMs and Banks on the route can be found in Puerto Varas, Puerto Montt, Puerto Cisnes, Chile Chico, Futaleufú, Chaiten, Villa Cerro Castillo, Puerto Aysen, Balmaceda, Coyhaique, La Junta, Cochrane, Balmaceda Airport, but not in Villa O’Higgins, so you must be prepared.

SEASON 2022/2023

Admirable, amazing, happy, tenacious, firm, strong, constant, determined, friendly, spontaneous, enthusiastic, inspiring and joyful.

These are some of the adjectives that each one of you deserve for reaching Villa O Higgins, after having started your adventures in Puerto Varas.

Congrats to you all and thank you for choosing us, as the company that helped you make your dreams come true on this season 2022/2023.

PLACES WITH DROP OFF FOR THE BIKES AND IMPORTANT SIGHTS TO VISIT:

Every corner is a sight to behold, but there are some highlights along Carretera Austral.

Sometimes you have to get off the road, those distances are worth it.

The most important sights are:

The densely forested of Pumalin Park

The hanging glacier Ventisquero

A hike to the peaks of mountain Cerro Castillo, a visit to the most southern ice cab of the world

A canoe trip through the Marble caves of Puerto Tranquilo – The water village of Tortel

The border crossing from Villa O’Higgins to Argentina