Patagonia - Bikepacking the Carretera Austral

Length 14 Days
Accommodation Hotels, Hosterias, Camping
Trip Style Luggage Transferred
Start/End Puerto Montt→Coyhaique
Distance 700km
Terrain Gravel/Tarmac
Challenge
to
Price & Dates £3450
Dec 6-19, 2026
Dec 27, 2026 - Jan 9, 2027
Jan 17-30, 2027
March 14-27, 2027
£3650 | Dec 6-19, 2027
Dec 27, 2027-Jan 9, 2028
Jan 17-30, 2028
March 14-27, 2028

Patagonia Bikepacking: 14 Days On The Carretera Austral

Embark on an unforgettable bike adventure through the wild, rugged, and remote Chilean Patagonia along the iconic Carretera Austral. Your journey begins in Puerto Varas, known as 'La Ciudad de las Rosas' and the gateway to deep Patagonia. This guided cycling holiday is designed for those seeking a real wilderness adventure, with approximately 50-70 kms cycled per day on a mix of dirt roads and tarmac.

Our route takes you through dense forests, high mountain passes, massive glaciers, and turquoise lakes that'll have you stopping constantly for photos. You'll tackle challenging climbs including Cuesta Moraga and the legendary Queulat Pass with its 21 hairpin bends, plus ride past the impressive Chaitén and Corcovado volcanoes and the stunning Lago Yelcho.

Beyond the cycling, this trip is packed with incredible experiences. Scenic ferry rides across fjords give you front-row seats to colorful fishing villages, while a rest day lets you explore Pumalín Park or hike to waterfalls and glacier viewpoints at Ventisquero Queulat.

You'll definitely want to hit the natural hot springs at Ventisquero—imagine soaking in steaming pools right at the edge of a fjord. The boat trip to the Marble Cathedral caves is unforgettable too, where you'll paddle through these insane limestone formations rising from Lago General Carrera, Chile's biggest lake.

Take a breather in Coyhaique to check out local breweries, hit up the arts and crafts markets, or just explore this cool mountain town. Your final days deliver some of the most scenic riding yet—the Paso de las Llaves is a wild roller-coaster route with incredible lake views and wide-open pampas where condors cruise overhead.

This isn't your average bike tour. It's a full-on immersion into Patagonia's raw wilderness, where every day brings something completely new.

Highlights

Ferry rides on stunning fjords

Relax in Ventisquero hot springs

Iconic Queulat Pass and its 21 hairpin bends!

Hiking in Pumalin Park

The great vibe of Coyhaique

Fully supported, hop in the support truck if you need

Luggage transfer included

Bike hire available - no need to travel with your bike!

View Dates & Book

Date Days Price
6 Dec to 19 Dec '26 Sold Out 14 Sold Out
27 Dec '26 to 9 Jan '27 Sold Out 14 Sold Out
17 Jan to 30 Jan '27 Sold Out 14 Sold Out
14 March to 27 March '27 Guaranteed 14 £3450 Book
6 Dec to 19 Dec '27 14 £3650 Pre-Reg
27 Dec '27' to 09 Jan '28 14 £3650 Pre-Reg
17 Jan to 30 Jan '28 14 £3650 Pre-Reg
14 March to 27 March '28 14 £3650 Pre-Reg

Start Date End Date Days Price Availability
6 Dec 2026 Sold Out 19 Dec 2026 14 Sold Out
27 Dec 2026 Sold Out 09 Jan 2027 14 Sold Out
17 January 2027 Sold Out 30 January 2027 14 Sold Out
14 March 2027 Guaranteed 27 March 2027 14 £3450 Book Now
6 December 2027 19 December 2027 14 £3650 Pre-Reg
27 December 2027 09 January 2028 14 £3650 Pre-Reg
17 January 2028 30 January 2028 14 £3650 Pre-Reg
14 March 2028 27 March 2028 14 £3650 Pre-Reg

Questions about the trip or want to be kept in the loop on future dates?

Booking Info

Itinerary

Meeting Point: Puerto Varas
End Point: Coyhaique

What to expect on this Patagonia bikepacking adventure? Each morning we’ll share breakfast, pack up, and hand over our luggage to our support crew to meet us at our destination. Most days, we’ll be riding point to point, with a couple of days that will either start or end with a transfer (to ensure our rides are all-killer, no-filler!).

We can expect to spend around 4 - 6 hours riding each day, with jam packed days filled with off-bike activities. We’ve made sure to build time in to relax and savour some of the amazing camp-spots we have. Dinners will be shared together in the evenings, and we’ll talk about the following days plan, before hitting the pillow tired and happy and ready for another day!

What’s Included?

Included ✓

Not Included ✗

Accommodation & Food

Camping Lago Yelcho

Accommodation

Your Patagonia adventure features an authentic mix of accommodation that perfectly matches the wild, varied landscape you'll be cycling through. The journey balances rugged outdoor experiences with comfortable refuges—three nights under the stars at basic yet scenic camping sites including the gateway to Pumalín Park and lakeside spots with incredible mountain views, plus ten nights in carefully selected local lodgings.

Expect charming family-run hosterías with regional character, cozy mountain cabins with stunning vistas, and unique stays like the incredible dome accommodations at Pared Sur with panoramic lake views. From the welcoming Hotel Casa Kalfu in Puerto Varas to the atmospheric Hostería Alemana in Puyuhuapi (perfect after soaking in those hot springs), each place has been chosen for its authentic local flavour and prime location. The camping nights add to the authentic and wild experience—they're about falling asleep to the sounds of Patagonian wilderness and waking up with your tent door opening directly onto some of Chile's most spectacular scenery. It's the perfect blend of adventure and comfort that lets you fully immerse in this incredible landscape while still getting a good night's rest before the next day's ride.

Food

Get ready for hearty, authentic cuisine that perfectly matches the rugged landscape you'll be cycling through. Chilean Patagonia's food scene centers around exceptional lamb and seafood, with fresh river fish like trout and salmon taking center stage alongside traditional asado (barbecue) cooking methods. The region's unique ingredients shine through every meal—from succulent Patagonian lamb slow-cooked over open fires to incredibly fresh salmon and trout pulled straight from pristine mountain rivers. You'll discover local twists on South American classics like empanadas filled with regional lamb and cheese, plus foraged specialties featuring Patagonian mushrooms and native calafate berries.

After long days in the saddle, expect welcoming family-run restaurants and hosterías serving generous portions designed to satisfy serious appetites. The food culture here is all about gathering around the table—whether that's sharing stories over a traditional asado barbecue or warming up with hearty stews after a chilly morning ride. Wood-fired ovens and traditional cooking techniques give every meal that distinctive smoky, rustic flavor that defines Patagonian cuisine. Don't miss trying the region's excellent craft beers and local wines that pair perfectly with the bold flavors, and save room for dulce de leche desserts that provide the perfect sweet ending to adventure-filled days.

Vegetarian, vegan and most other dietary requirements can be catered for, but unfortunately we may not be able to cater for severe allergies or restrictions.  Feel free to drop us an email if you have any concerns.

About The Riding

Challenge Level

Our rating for this trip is 3-4.

This is a demanding but doable ride for adventurous cyclists with a decent base level of fitness. Riding every mile, we rate this as a 4/5 challenge level due to the mileage and climbing. If riders are happy to take shuttles on bigger days to skip some miles, this could be viewed as 3/5 challenge level.

You don’t need to be fast or super experienced—but you do need to be comfortable spending several hours in the saddle, riding on mixed terrain (gravel and tarmac), and tackling daily climbs of 600–1,400 meters.

Most days are between 50–90 km of riding, with one longer day (109 km) and some shorter, recovery-style days. The route includes gravel roadslong climbsvariable weather, and remote conditions, but you’ll have full vehicle support, a local guide, and a Sisters in the Wild crew to cheer you on every step of the way.

If you’ve done multi-day tours before or you’re comfortable riding gravel and climbing at your own pace, you’ll thrive here. It’s not a race—it’s about showing up, riding wild, and supporting each other along the way.

Terrain

During our journey along the Carretera Austral we’ll be passing fjords, rivers, waterfalls, volcanoes, mountain ranges and of course lakes. The northern part of the route is predominantly tarmac, and as we move south things get wilder as the road turns to gravel and towns and villages become further apart. Overall the route is approx 50% tarmac and 50% on compacted wide gravel tracks, with light traffic on most days. There is no technical riding, however riders should be comfortable riding some downhills on off-road terrain. However we can expect occasional sections where we encounter busier traffic, such as the first couple of days and as we get closer to Coyhaique.

Climbing

Along the way are some challenging climbs both on paved and gravel terrain followed by fast descents. These include Cuesta Moraga hill and the Queulat Pass.

This is a mountainous route, and while the climbs aren't always steep, the cumulative elevation adds up over two weeks. You’ll climb everything from short, punchy hills to longer mountain passes, often rewarded with stunning views—and fast descents. Here's a rough summary:

  • Daily elevation gain ranges from 250 m to 1,460 m, with most days sitting around 600–1,200 m.

  • The biggest climbing day is Day 12 (Puerto Guadal to Chile Chico) with 1,460 m of ascent.

  • Other hilly days include Day 8 (1,200 m), Day 10 (1,210 m), and Day 4 (1,130 m).

  • There are a few gentler days (e.g. Day 2: 250 m, Day 5: 710 m).

The route features mixed surfaces—gravel and tarmac—so the climbing can feel tougher on rougher sections. But don’t worry: it’s a fully supported trip, so you can take breaks, ride your pace, and hop in the van when needed.

Daily Distances

The average daily cycling distance on this trip is approximately 70 km (43 miles).

Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Longest day: ~109 km (Day 4)

  • Shortest riding day: ~30 km (Day 13)

  • Most days are between 50–90 km

  • Rest day: Day 9 in Coyhaique

Remoteness & Weather

Patagonian weather is famously unpredictable—you can experience sunshine, wind, rain, and even snow all in one day. Expect cool mornings, mild daytime temps (10–20°C / 50–68°F), and occasional strong winds, especially near the lakes. Pack layers and be ready for anything—it’s all part of the adventure.

Support Style

Bike hire is not included as standard in this trip and riders are welcome to bring their own bike or hire through our local partners. There’ll be space to rebuild the bikes at our starting hotel and we arrange storage of bike boxes whilst on the trip and delivery to the end of our trip. This is a fully-supported trip, which means a vehicle to hop in if you need, mechanical support, and luggage transfer!

SITW + Local Support Team

This trip has the perfect combination of our wonderful SITW team and a local partner, who’ll help bring local knowledge, logistics and support vehicles for the trip. They’ll also be making sure we have a great lunch ready for us (included) on all of our riding days.

We’ll have one SITW host plus one local guide riding with the group, plus a minivan and a jeep moving our luggage and providing support as we need it. They’ll also be moving our luggage between accommodation, which means we can focus on enjoying the ride!

Guiding & Riding Style

Navigation along the Carretera Austral couldn’t be much simpler! We’ll be following one road for much of the journey as it heads south and gets wilder along the way. Our two bike guides who will move between the group, with one generally towards the front and one towards the back. Our lead and sweep vehicles will be there to offer support as we need. Riders are free to ride at their own pace and meet us at set regroup points, or to ride with the group.

Bike Hire

Bike hire is a great option for this trip, as high quality gravel bikes (Cannondale Topstone) and hardtail mountain bikes are available. The cost works out similar to the cost of flying with a bike once the internal flights are factored in, and can save a lot of logistical and packing stress! Bringing your own saddle and pedals for comfort is a great shout.

FAQs