Northern Patagonia
In The Chilean Patagonia lies the wild and still little visited area of Aysen; the famous Carretera Austral traverses this unspoilt area with breathtakingly beautiful scenery. Green hills and impenetrable forest dominated by jagged snowy Andean peaks. A large ice field, el Campo de Hielo Norte, is the source of the many glaciers, rivers and lakes that this area is rich, including the Lago General Carrera. Due to erosion of water and wind, a unique network of caves was created here in the marble massif adjacent to the lake, the Capilla de Marmol, the marble caves.
'Off the beaten track'
A tour by hire car on mainly unpaved roads through this landscape of glaciers, azure lakes and beautiful mountains is a beautiful experience. To the north lies Puyuhaupi and the nearby Qeuelat National Park known for its subtropical vegetation and hanging glacier. On Lake General Carrera is Puerto Rio Tranquilo where you can visit the Capilla de Marmol (marble cave in the lake) by boat. Spectacular is also the trek through a paradisiacal valley along a raging river towards Bahía Exploradores and then to the impressive San Rafael glacier. Puerto Guadal is then a wonderful place to stay for a few days. You can continue along Lago Buenos Aires towards Argentina or possibly further south to Caleta Tortel in Chile. Glaciers, lakes, rivers and fjords - wherever you look, it's all wonderfully beautiful!
