Villa O'Higgins

Villa O'Higgins is completely surrounded by classic Patagonian landscapes, from snow-capped mountains to turquoise-blue lakes, and hiking up to one of the many viewpoints is the best way to get a sense of the vastness of the landscape, and quite how remote the town is.

Many day hikes can be done self-guided – you can step right out of your hotel door and onto paths that will take you up into the mountains. A classic short hike is to Mirador Cerro Santiago, climbing high for tremendous panoramic views. Longer trails include a long day hike to the Mosco Glacier on the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and the Rio Mosco trail. Guides are recommended for both of these trails.

Villa O'Higgins is the southern terminus of the Carretera Austral highway: going any further overland requires crossing in Argentina.

The road in this region of Aysen is mostly rough gravel, and is not for inexperienced self-drivers. However, the remoteness is truly glorious, the local hospitality generous and you’ll see more wildlife along the road than further north. It’s a great route for adventurous cyclists.

From Villa O’Higgins, grab a mountain bike to explore - heading north leads into the wilderness, whereas south follows the road for its final few miles until it comes to a halt at the lake. 

Villa O’Higgins sits in shadow of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and as the condor flies it's just a short hop it is very close to some of South America's most celebrated mountains. 

Scenic flights of the Ice Field are offered from Villa O'Higgins, lasting around an hour.  You'll fly right above the seemingly endless stretch of glistening white ice, circle the peaks of Fitzroy and Cerro Torres of Los Glaciares National Park and see an almost countless number of glaciers. It's an amazing experience that's certain to leave you speechless as you contemplate the largest ice field in the world outside the polar regions.

For such a remote destination, Villa O’Higgins has a surprisingly good selection of accommodation options.

Our favourite by far is the luxurious Robinson Crusoe Lodge, which offers trekking, ice hiking and sailing excursions as well as comfy, warm, cabin style rooms that make use of local materials.

Entre Patagones has simple cabins, and a rustic restaurant where you can have a delicious meal after your day out exploring. El Mosco is a longtime favourite of cyclists and campers alike, it has some simple ensuite double rooms and a great atmosphere.

Adventurous travellers will relish the chance to cross the remote (and sometimes unpredictable) border into Argentina towards El Chaltén in Los Glaciares National Park. 

From Villa O’Higgins, you must take a ferry from Puerto Bahamóndez to Candelario Mancilla (two hours), from where it’s a 10 mile (16 km) hike to the Chilean border. At the border, it’s a further three mile (5 km hike) to Argentinian passport control at Lago del Desierto, from where you can catch a ferry across the lake. On the other side, transfers are available to El Chaltén, 25 miles (40 km) away, which take around 90 minutes.

This is a great route for hikers and cyclists, but expect delays on the ferries and carry plenty of local currency.