Driving in Chile
Travelling by car through Chile
"Driving is the ultimate way to discover a country like Chile. Not only do you visit the so-called highlights, but you also have the chance to experience surprisingly beautiful places and interesting encounters along the way,” says Johan, founder of Sapa Pana Travel. Travelling through Chile by car is a brilliant way to discover the country, both in the north and in the south.
Discover driving in Chile
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Carretera Austral
“Of all the routes I’ve driven, the Carretera Austral tops the list,” says Johan. The route stretches over 1,200 kilometres, 60 per cent of which is unpaved. You’ll drive past small villages, pass volcanoes, lakes and fjords, and drive through dense forests. It’s just as if you’re driving through a nature documentary, crossing rivers on ferries and travelling from one nature reserve to the next. A true adventure! On our blog, Johan wrote about his experiences on the Carretera Austral.
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Cross the border into Argentina
It is well worth crossing the border into Argentina from time to time whilst on a road trip through Chile. The mountain passes in particular are often breathtakingly beautiful. Crossing the border is generally very quick, and by driving through Argentina and Chile, you’ll experience a great variety of landscapes and natural scenery in a short space of time. In the south, this allows you to discover both the Chilean Carretera Austral and the Argentine Ruta 40 – two of the most beautiful driving routes in the world – during a single road trip.
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Luxury accommodation along the way
If you’re travelling through southern Chile by car, you can stay at the Uman Lodge along the way. The lodge is situated on a mountain peak and offers views of the point where two rivers meet. The rest of the surrounding area is characterised by deep-blue glacial lakes, lush green valleys, dense forests and majestic mountain peaks covered in eternal snow. A unique location where luxury and adventure come together.
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Past lakes and volcanoes
Chile’s Lake District is ideal for a road trip, especially if you prefer to cover shorter distances each day. Drive past lakes, through dense forests and take in the views of impressive mountain peaks covered in eternal snow. Fly from Santiago to Puerto Montt, the capital of Chile’s Lake District, and stay, for example, at the beautiful Futangue Hotel & Spa.
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Staying overnight with a view of the volcano
If you’re staying in the lake district during your road trip through Chile, the AWA Hotel is highly recommended. The hotel has just 16 rooms and is situated in breathtaking surroundings, right on the shores of Lake Llanquihue with views of the Osorno volcano.
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Road trip in northern Chile
Travelling by car through northern Chile is also a brilliant option. From Arica, a Chilean city close to the Peruvian border, you can follow a beautiful route via the coastal town of Iquique to San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis in the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world. Along the way, you’ll pass ancient Inca sites, the ghost town of Humberstone, hot springs and impressive desert landscapes, including the Valley of the Moon.
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Drive through the Chilean vineyards
Chilean wines are delicious and the regions where the grapes are grown are stunning. Drive through the vineyards in your own rental car and stop here and there for a guided trip, a tasting or a delicious dinner. Please do bear in mind that you mustn’t drive after having a glass of wine!
Road trips in Chile - Take a look at some examples of road trips in Chile here. All road trips can be tailored to your wishes and ideas.
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25 days of driving over the Carretera Austral
driving – Patagonia – rainforests
Drive along one of the world’s most beautiful driving routes in southern Chile and Argentina.
From €10,200 per person -
13-day self-drive trip: wine and culinary delights
driving – culinary
Let us take you on a trip of Chile’s finest wineries and enjoy the good life.
From €3,700 per person -
22-day self-drive trip of northern Chile and Argentina
driving – active – Andes Mountains – nature – ancient civilisations
During this trip, you’ll discover the stunning landscapes of northern Chile and Argentina.
From €3,975 per person
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21-day Carretera Austral road trip
driving - active - nature
In a rental car, you’ll drive along one of the most beautiful driving routes in the world, the Carretera Austral. You’ll also drive part of the way along the famous Ruta 40 in Argentina.
From €4,075 per person
Travelling by car through the vast landscape of Chile
Chile is the ideal country if you want to travel by car. The infrastructure is good and the roads in Chile are in good (albeit sometimes unpaved) to very good condition. There is plenty of petrol available and, above all, it is a safe country. Drive through the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, follow a route through the Chilean Lake District or explore Torres del Paine by (hire) car – it’s all perfectly possible! As we’ve done a great deal of driving ourselves in South America, including Chile, we can advise you from our own experience on both the most beautiful and the less well-trodden routes. In our opinion, the best-kept secret for a trip by (hire) car in Chile is, without a doubt, the Chilean Carretera Austral!
Fancy travelling through Chile by car yourself?
Would you like to go on a self-drive trip of Chile and are you curious about the options? Then do have a look at the itineraries we’ve put together for inspiration. You can book these tours directly, but we’d also be happy to put together a personalised itinerary based on your wishes and ideas.
Do you have a question? Please feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We’ll be happy to help.