Kit for rainforest, gravel and long stretches with no signal, cash machine or fuel.

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What makes the Carretera Austral different

The northern half of the road runs through temperate rainforest — it rains a lot, in every season. Further south it's drier but windier. And most of the road is gravel, far from the nearest garage.

Rain and weather

• A proper waterproof jacket, not a light shell
• Waterproof boots for the side trails
• Dry bags for anything that must stay dry
• An insect head net for the tábanos (horseflies) in January

For the car

• A 12V tyre inflator, and a spare you've checked yourself before leaving the rental office
• Offline maps downloaded before you leave Puerto Montt or Coyhaique
• A power bank for the long gaps in signal

Cash

There are ATMs in only six towns along the road: Chaitén, Futaleufú, Coyhaique, Chile Chico, Cochrane and Villa Cerro Castillo. Many campsites, guesthouses and boat operators take cash only. Withdraw enough for several days whenever you pass one.

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Chilean ATMs typically charge foreign cards CLP 5,000–9,200 (≈ €4.5–8.3) per withdrawal and cap each one around CLP 200,000 (≈ €180), so plan withdrawals around the six machines.

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Gear links

→ Waterproof rain jacket — men's: UK · ES · DE / women's: UK · ES · DE

→ Waterproof hiking boots — men's: UK · ES · DE / women's: UK · ES · DE

→ 12V portable tyre inflator on Amazon: UK · ES · DE