Coyhaique Shore Excursion & Ranch Lunch from Puerto Chacabuco

Summary

Coyhaique Day Trip with Local Asado & Waterfall Stop

This is your chance to explore Coyhaique’s wild rivers and waterfalls with a local guide, taste real Chilean asado at a working ranch (with fresh berries if you’re lucky), and pause for glacier views above Puerto Chacabuco — all in one relaxed shore excursion you’ll remember long after you’ve sailed away.

What’s the experience like?

“You see that bend in the river?” our guide, Marcela, asked as we bumped along the road out of Puerto Chacabuco. The windows were cracked open — I caught a whiff of wet grass and something smoky in the air, maybe from a distant wood stove. We’d barely left port but already it felt like we’d crossed into another world; sheep dotted the hillsides and the Simpson River flashed silver between stands of lenga trees. Someone up front tried to pronounce Coyhaique (“coy-eye-kay”) and Marcela grinned, correcting us gently — she said it means “between the rivers” in the local language. I liked that.

We stopped at Cascada Virgen just as a patch of sunlight broke through — water tumbling over mossy rocks, spray cool on my face. There’s a little shrine tucked behind the falls (I almost missed it), and Marcela told us how locals come here for blessings. I’m not religious, but there was something about the hush and the way everyone fell quiet for a minute. Then back on the bus, winding toward Coyhaique itself — which is bigger than I expected, honestly, but still feels tucked away from everything else.

Lunch was at a family ranch outside town. The smell hit me first: lamb roasting over an open fire, wood smoke curling into the sky. The family waved us in — cheeks pink from the wind or maybe just from laughing so much. We ate potatoes dug up that morning (still earthy), salad with fat raspberries tossed in, and lamb so tender it fell apart when I tried to cut it. They poured us wine — or beer if you wanted — and showed us around: sheep bleating at our boots, geese waddling after one of the kids. I tried picking berries straight from their patch; ended up with more juice on my hands than anything else.

On the drive back toward Puerto Aysén, we stopped for photos at Mirador Puerto Chacabuco — fjord below us, Condor Glacier off in the distance like some pale secret only half-revealed by clouds. It was colder up there than I thought; wind tugged at my jacket and made me wish I’d brought gloves. But nobody seemed to mind much — everyone just stood quietly for a bit before heading back down to catch our ship again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Coyhaique and Surroundings Tour

• Visit Puerto Aysén
• Drive along Simpson River
• Stop at Cascada Virgen waterfall
• Travel to Coyhaique city
• Lunch at Chilean ranch with BBQ and fruit picking
• Photo stop at Presidente Ibañez suspension bridge

Top questions

How long is the Coyhaique shore excursion from Puerto Chacabuco?

The tour lasts about 5.5 hours including all stops and lunch before returning to your cruise ship.

Is lunch included on this Coyhaique day trip?

Yes, a traditional Chilean asado lunch with lamb, potatoes, salad, and one drink is included at a local ranch.

Will there be time to take photos at scenic spots?

Definitely—there are photo stops at Cascada Virgen waterfall and Mirador Puerto Chacabuco overlooking the fjord and glacier.

Are pickups included from my cruise ship?

Yes, port pickup and drop-off are included for cruise passengers docking at Puerto Chacabuco.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup right at Puerto Chacabuco port by your local guide, entry tickets where needed (like national parks), a home-cooked Chilean BBQ lunch with wine or beer at a family ranch near Coyhaique, plus plenty of time for photos before returning comfortably to your ship in the afternoon.