The best thing! The raw, untamed beauty of Chile's Carretera Austral

Glaciers, mountains, and freedom — welcome to the Carretera Austral, Patagonia.

For Karla and Andy, this was a trip of firsts: their first time in South America and the first time letting someone else plan it. They came for glaciers and mountain peaks, but Patagonia gave them so much more: a lamb roast shared with strangers on New Year’s Eve, mornings watching icebergs drift past their cabin window, and the feeling of absolute freedom along Chile’s legendary Carretera Austral.

“It was the best thing to have it all organised,” Karla said. “We didn’t regret it for a second.”