How to Get Here
Patagonia is considered the end of the world, and the journey south requires desire, time, and patience.
Things you should know:
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To get to Alma Verde, your destination is Puerto Guadal.
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The nearest commercial airport is Balmaceda (BBA), 253 kilometers from Alma Verde (4-6 hours).
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The closest city to the airport is the capital city of Coyhaique, 56 kilometers away (45 minutes).
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There are shuttle services at the airport .
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You will travel south on the Carretera Austral (Route 7) , which is paved until shortly after Villa Cerro Castillo.
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The gravel road can be winding and bumpy. (Bring motion sickness medication if you are prone to it.)
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It's considered one of the most beautiful drives in the world!
Attractions Along the Way
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Aysén Regional Museum (Coyhaique)
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Marble Chapels (Puerto Río Tranquilo)
Travel Options
A) Coyhaique
Make a stop in the capital city to enjoy shopping, cafes, restaurants and breweries, as well as access to banks.
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Municipal bus terminal : Regional service with rural and intercity buses. There are two options to Puerto Guadal:
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Sao Paulo Transport : Buses run frequently and reliably. You can buy a bus ticket online from Coyhaique to the " Cruce Guadal " junction, which is 9 km from Puerto Guadal. From the junction, it's fairly easy to hitchhike to the town.
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ECA Guadal Buses : Small, direct buses to Puerto Guadal, but with limited schedules and availability. You must call to reserve a seat.
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All buses stop for 30 minutes in both Villa Cerro Castillo and Puerto Río Tranquilo. You can choose to stay and visit, or continue on.
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Take a leg of your journey across the stunning General Carrera Lake (Chelenko) on a ferry.
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Seasonal transport between Balmaceda and Puerto Ibáñez (1 hour): You must call/send a message to Freddy Morales via WhatsApp at +56 9 8944 8847.
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Ferry: 2-hour journey between Puerto Ibáñez and Chile Chico, weather and service permitting. Advance booking required.
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Buses Aldea ( Chile Chico ): Buses run daily with a stop in Puerto Guadal (2-3 hours); you must call +56 6 7263 8291. Hitchhiking is also possible.
You can skip Coyhaique and go directly from BBA to Puerto Tranquilo (3 hours); You must call or send a message to Gonzalo Santibañez at +56 9 8738 8886 to check availability.
From here you can take a bus to Puerto Guadal or Cruce Guadal (1 hour) or hitchhike.
D. Hitchhiking 👍
Hitchhiking is typical and historically safe in this region. You'll have better luck traveling alone and during peak seasons (November to March).
E. Driving
If you bring your own vehicle or rent one, we recommend a 4x4 (four-wheel drive) with high ground clearance, as most of the route is gravel.
Location
Alma Verde is located 500 meters outside of Puerto Guadal on Route 265 (the road to Chile Chico) at the X-781 Km 0.0 intersection. It is a 10-minute walk from the town square (center).