Coyhaique

Day Trips

Wake up to the crisp Patagonian air and enjoy a coffee at a local café near the square. Stroll through Plaza de Armas while admiring the rustic architecture. Feel the friendly buzz of locals starting their day as vendors set up their stalls.

Sample traditional empanadas at a family-run restaurant and chat with the owners about Coyhaique’s history. Wander through artisan shops to browse handwoven textiles and leather goods. Pause by the Rio Simpson viewpoint to capture photos of the gentle river flow against the mountain backdrop.

Head to a cozy parrilla for succulent grilled meats and seasonal vegetables. Savor a glass of regional wine while listening to live folk music. Return to your accommodation feeling the warmth of Patagonian hospitality.

Drive out to a working estancia nestled in the foothills of the Andes. Meet the gauchos and learn horseback riding basics as you saddle up. Ride through rolling fields while absorbing the vast Patagonian landscape.

Join a traditional asado preparation alongside the ranch hands, learning how to skin a lamb and control the open fire. Enjoy the freshly cooked barbecued meats with homemade salads and crusty bread. Trade stories with the gauchos about frontier life and their family traditions.

Gather around a communal fire under the starry sky for a folklore storytelling session. Sip on mate tea and hum along to improvised guitar tunes. Fall asleep in a rustic cabin lulled by the distant sounds of livestock.

Set out early to Simpson River National Reserve to spot native flora and migrating bird species. Hike along winding trails that lead through lenga forests and glacial valleys. Breathe in the fragrance of damp moss and pine needles under the towering canopy.

Stop by a scenic overlook for a riverside picnic featuring local cheeses and cured meats. Listen to the rushing waters as you digest your lunch. Continue downstream on a guided nature walk to learn about the region’s unique ecosystems.

Return to town and warm up with a bowl of creamy cazuela at a neighborhood fonda. Reflect on the day’s discoveries while swapping photos with fellow travelers. Tuck into bed early to recharge for tomorrow’s adventure.

Meet your rafting guide on the banks of the Rio Simpson at dawn. Gear up with helmet and life jacket before launching onto the rapids. Feel the adrenaline surge as you navigate class II and III rapids against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks.

Pull ashore for a riverside barbecue featuring freshly grilled trout and seasonal vegetables. Cool off with a refreshing dip in calm river eddies. Return to the rafts for a final stretch of gentle floats, soaking in the valley sun.

Dry off at a riverside lodge and indulge in a hot shower. Join your guide for frothy craft beers brewed on-site. Wind down by a fire pit as you swap rafting highlights with new friends.

Depart before sunrise for the base of Cerro Castillo. Hike through lenga forests until you reach the glacier-fed lagoon shimmering with icy blues. Pause at the stone cairn to take in panoramic views of jagged peaks.

Continue ascending the well-marked trail, crossing wooden bridges over bubbling streams. Set up a light lunch on a flat plateau and gaze at the reflection of the mountains in the still waters. Begin your descent in time for golden hour light illuminating the valley.

Back in Coyhaique, reward your muscles with a hearty bowl of lentil stew at a local bistro. Reflect on the day’s altitude gains over a robust craft beer. Slip under a soft blanket and drift off while watching the sunset hues fade behind the Andes.

Catch an early boat from Puerto Río Tranquilo across the turquoise expanse of Lake General Carrera. Glide into the swirling blue-and-white grottos of the Marble Caves. Marvel at the carved marble walls shimmering with reflections from the lake.

Have a picnic on a secluded beach, sampling freshly baked bread and local cold cuts. Swim in the pristine glacial water if you dare against the chill. Explore hidden caverns by kayak, tracing smooth marble arches with your paddle.

Return to shore and head back to Coyhaique as the sun dips low. Warm up with a Chilean shepherd’s pie at a countryside inn. Share photos of the dazzling marble patterns by a crackling hearth.

Drive through winding roads flanked by dense forests to reach the thermal pools of Puyuhuapi. Step into naturally heated waters surrounded by towering trees. Feel your muscles unwind as steam rises in the cool mountain air.

Enjoy an alpine-style lunch of wild mushroom risotto at the springs’ café. Stroll along forest paths nearby to spot coihue trees and local wildlife. Reward yourself with an extra soak before heading back.

Stop at a lakeside lodge for a dinner of seafood paella infused with Patagonian herbs. Watch the twilight reflections dance on the water’s surface. Retire early to dream of tomorrow’s cross-border excursion.

Cross the Andes to Chile Chico, a quaint lakeside town on Lake General Carrera’s southern shore. Savor a pastel de choclo over breakfast with views of the shimmering water. Stroll along the wooden pier and watch plycos fishing on the lake.

Take a scenic drive to Paso Roballos on the Argentina border. Share empanadas and maté with Argentine locals while hearing stories of cross-border traditions. Hike a short trail to a viewpoint overlooking both countries’ landscapes.

Return to Coyhaique under a blanket of Patagonian stars. Feast on grilled lamb skewers and roasted potatoes at a riverside restaurant. Relish the sense of wanderlust that comes from traversing two nations in a day.

Browse the Mercado Municipal for fresh produce and artisan cheeses. Chat with stallholders about seasonal berries, heirloom potatoes and smoked fish. Sample small bites while inhaling the rich aromas of regional spices.

Join a cooking class in a local home to learn how to make merkén-spiced chicken and sautéed wild mushrooms. Eat your creation paired with a crisp Torrontés wine. Visit nearby workshops to watch weavers craft traditional ponchos and bags.

Head to a microbrewery in downtown Coyhaique for a flight of tawny porters and IPAs. Pair your tasting board with housemade sausages and pickles. Enjoy live jazz by local musicians in an intimate taproom atmosphere.

Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast on your balcony overlooking the valley. Read a book or journal reflections on your Patagonian journey while sipping coffee. Watch the morning mist lift from the surrounding peaks.

Treat yourself to a rejuvenating massage at a wellness spa in town. Soak in a panoramic hot tub with views of the forested hills. Indulge in a light lunch of artisanal bread, goat cheese and sweet local honey.

Dine at a farm-to-table restaurant highlighting seasonal produce and local game. Toast to your ten days of adventure over a bold Carmenère. Finish the night with a contemplative walk along the river under moonlight.