On the road in Patagonia – the Carretera Austral

Ever wondered what it’s like to embark on one of the world’s most iconic road trips? Managing Director Adrian Phillips shares his highlights from his trip through Patagonia along the Carretera Austral.

 

Morning all! @adrianjamesphillips here, taking over Instagram for one day only to share my experiences from the #CarreteraAustral. Snaking through the wilderness of Chilean #Patagonia, this magnificent road has a fair claim to being the world’s most beautiful road trip. This view – on the stretch between the #ChacabucoValley and Puerto Rìo Tranquillo – is typical (but no less breathtaking!), with the Andes looming in the background. #bradt #chile #taketheroadlesstravelled

A photo posted by Bradt Guides (@bradtguides) onJan 25, 2017 at 12:39am PST

 

For all its beauty, the #CarreteraAustral can be deadly. There’s no tarmac for hundreds of miles, the road a bumpy, skiddy bed of loose stones, and if you lose your concentration for a moment you can be off. Here’s a rusting car I passed on the way. #bradt #patagonia #takeover #taketheroadlesstravelled @adrianjamesphillips

A photo posted by Bradt Guides (@bradtguides) onJan 25, 2017 at 2:11am PST

 

#Patagonia has larger swathes of ice than anywhere outside Antarctica and Greenland. This is the #SanRafael Glacier in the Northern Ice Field, which you can visit by small boat from Bahìa Exploradores. It is truly nature at its mightiest – 2km wide, nearly 100m high, and stretching back 50km. Up close, you hear it creaking and cracking, and vast chunks fall into the lagoon, creating waves that can capsize a boat if it gets too close. #bradt #CarreteraAustral #taketheroadlesstravelled @adrianjamesphillips

A photo posted by Bradt Guides (@bradtguides) onJan 25, 2017 at 3:56am PST

 

An afternoon of river snorkelling – yes, river snorkelling – in River #Cochrane. The water is clear and cool, and full of trout. #bradt #CarreteraAustral #taketheroadlesstravelled @adrianjamesphillips

A photo posted by Bradt Guides (@bradtguides) onJan 25, 2017 at 4:43am PST

 

Hold on tight… I’ve not been on a horse since I was six years old. But a local operator @senderospatagonia lead some fabulous horse treks along narrow cattle trails near Villa Cerro Castillo, and they can cater for all levels of experience (or lack of it). #bradt #CarreteraAustral #taketheroadlesstravelled @adrianjamesphillips

A photo posted by Bradt Guides (@bradtguides) onJan 25, 2017 at 5:48am PST

 

Stopping to enjoy views of the Cerro Castillo mountain range. Rolando (on the right) has lived here all this life, and his father was one of the original five pioneers who settled this region in the 1950s. #bradt #CarreteraAustral #taketheroadlesstravelled @adrianjamesphillips

A photo posted by Bradt Guides (@bradtguides) onJan 25, 2017 at 6:31am PST

 

Rodrigo, whose family owns much of the land here, takes a drink from the maté gourd. This hot, herbal drink is a way of life here and a way of cementing friendship. The gourd is passed around repeatedly until you say ‘thank you’ and duck out of the circle. #bradt #taketheroadlesstravelled #CarreteraAustral

A photo posted by Bradt Guides (@bradtguides) onJan 25, 2017 at 7:20am PST

 

Cristian runs @senderospatagonia with his wife, Mary. He was once a bucking bronco rider but became disenchanted with forcing an animal to do his will and now trains horses using a more humane and natural way – a genuine ‘horse whisperer’ who is fired by estancias for miles around to tame their wild mountain horses. #bradt #CarreteraAustral #taketheroadlesstravelled @adrianjamesphillips

A photo posted by Bradt Guides (@bradtguides) onJan 25, 2017 at 7:55am PST

 

How’s this for a long and winding road? I’ll leave you with this photo of the magnificent approach to the village of Villa Cerro Castillo. Thanks for following my Instagram takeover today – hopefully I’ve inspired some of you to visit the #CarreteraAustral! Thank you to @swoopadventures @recorre_aysen @senderospatagonia @chiletravel @natgeotravel #bradt #taketheroadlesstravelled @adrianjamesphillips

A photo posted by Bradt Guides (@bradtguides) onJan 25, 2017 at 11:25am PST

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