This basin includes Palena Valley and Queulat National Park and from Los Andes to Pacific Ocean, where it appears to fall between forests and fjords of Patagonia.

Town of La Junta is the cruxial point of Palena-Queulat Basin and it is a main place of business of north segment of Austral Highway. Here you can find different prices accommodations, restaurants, internet, gas, groceries and mobile phone signal.

Leaving Austral Highway following a new road along Palena river until to its mouth. Here is Puerto Raul Marin Balmaceda, which actually is an island surrounded by channels, fjords and Palena river. This place and its surroundings are best for fly fishing, both freshwater and saltwater. It has a wide beaches and islands can navigate to Las Hermanas, islets full of sea lions and birds. There is also a considerable amount of dolphins following ships, making great leaps and pirouettes.

In Queulat valley  can be visite the National Park, where are the impressive Queulat hanging glacier between her lush. There are plenty of trails to explore and trekking surrounded by rivers and forests.

Finally, in Puerto Puyuhuapi hotsprings baths can be found for different types of wallets to take a break with its relaxing and healing waters. In Puerto Puyuhuapi can be seen a significant German influence, reflected in its architecture and cuisine: many houses straight out of a tale written by Grimm brothers, plentiful kuchen, the apple strudel and all kinds of jams.

How to get there

By Plane. There are daily flights from Santiago to Balmaceda airport (3 hours), located 55 km south of Coyhaique. Also arrive flights from Concepcion, Temuco, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas.

By Car. From tnorth via Austral Highway, which includes some sections with patagonian fjords and must be crossed by ferries. Another option is accessed from Argentina along Route 40, crossing any border crosses: Futaleufu, Coyhaique Alto, Huemules Pass (Balmaceda) and Chile Chico.

By Ship. From Puerto Montt to Puerto Chacabuco, main harbour of Aysen region, located 82 km from Coyhaique. The trip lasts 24 hours on ferries suitable for passengers and vehicles. Some shipping companies provide a route Puerto Montt, Laguna San Rafael, Puerto Chacabuco. From La Junta area in Austral Highway​​. Then you must take a raft to cross Palena River, which works from 8 to 20 hours. Some route sectors deserve a 4x4  because the gravel is so loose and has many curves.

Attractions and activities

Since 2009 Palena celebrates the Kayak Feast and the idea is to do it every year. An exciting massive rafting and  kayaking on Palena river from La Junta to Puerto Raul Marin Balmaceda.

On Figueroa river banks reaches Lago Verde, ideal for sailing, fly fishing and enjoy its long beaches. One of its biggest attractions to discover is their cultural heritage through the route of the drovers. Formed by old paths where settlers moved their cattle to the high valleys located in Los Andes, and that reveal the culture and traditions of this area of ​​Patagonia.

There is a hiking route from Lago Verde to Alto Palena. They are little more than 80 km where  are manío, lenga, coigüe and tepa forests. Pumas, huemules, black-necked swans and wild boar live here.

Everybody can sail on motor boats or rent a kayak, combining coastal walks opposed to Austral Highway to find hotsprings, glaciers, waterfalls and spectacular marine life such as dolphins, sea lions and a variety of birds.