Planning Your Time

On your first day head straight to Futaleufú, home to one of the world’s fastest and most spectacular rivers and situated among breathtaking Patagonian mountain valleys. After a few nights there, spend a day going down the Carretera Austral, or Southern Highway, to Puerto Puyuhuapi, preferably in a rented, four-wheel-drive truck or jeep to give you more flexibility. A stay at Puyuhuapi Lodge & Spa, a resort accessible only by boat, is a great way to relax and recharge for the next phase of your journey. While in Puyuhuapi, consider spending an extra day there to visit the "hanging glacier" at Parque Nacional Queulat. Afterward, go to Coyhaique, located about five hours south. The largest city in the region, Coyhaique will be a good place for shopping and eating a nice meal before heading south to Lake General Carrera and Patagonia National Park, or to nearby Puerto Chacabuco, where you can board a boat bound for the unforgettable glaciers at Laguna San Rafael National Park. Consider returning to Puerto Montt via a ferry boat that departs from Puerto Chacabuco.