Rental Chile

4x4 Camper and Campervan Rental in Chile: From the Atacama Desert to Patagonia

Discover Chile in total freedom with a 4x4 camper or campervan rental equipped with a roof-top tent or cabin. This way of travelling lets you explore the country’s epic landscapes – from the vast Atacama Desert to the glaciers of Patagonia – while giving you the flexibility to stop and bivouac almost wherever you want.

Hiring a 4x4 in Chile is the best way to leave the beaten track and reach isolated places where wild nature still rules. Whether you’re chasing adventure or looking for quiet, empty spaces, a 4WD camper is the perfect companion for an immersive experience in Chile’s most impressive natural wonders.

Book your Chile 4x4 camper now and set off to conquer the Atacama, Patagonia and the legendary Carretera Austral.

Which Vehicle to Choose for an Off-the-Beaten-Path Road Trip in Chile?

Although Chile’s main roads are increasingly well maintained, if you want a unique trip far from tourist areas, a 4x4 vehicle is strongly recommended. Many of the regions that make Chile truly unforgettable – high plateaus, remote volcanoes, wild coastal tracks and deep Patagonia – are only accessible with a proper 4WD.

With Pampa Cruz, you can rent the ideal 4x4 camper or motorhome for an immersive road trip in nature:

• 4x4 pick-ups with cabin (cell)
• 4x4 campers with roof-top tent
• Vehicles adapted to dirt roads, mountain passes and remote camp spots

Chile 4x4 Campervan Rental: Available Vehicles

Here are the 4x4 campervans and pick-ups you can rent in Chile with Pampa Cruz:

Toyota Hilux 4x4 Pick-Up with Cabin – Puerto Varas

Toyota Hilux 4x4 Camper – Puerto Montt

Toyota Hilux Patagonia Camper – Santiago

Toyota Hilux Patagonia Camper – Punta Arenas (Patagonia)

The Toyota Hilux is the symbol of off-road adventure in Chile. By choosing a Toyota Hilux 4x4 camper (pick-up with cabin), you get a robust and versatile vehicle, perfectly suited to explore the country’s wildest regions. Whether you’re drawn to the Pacific coast, high plateaus, volcanoes or mountains, the Hilux gives you access to Chile’s most remote corners.

Whether you opt for a cabin or a roof-top tent, the Hilux offers exceptional flexibility and comfort to fully immerse yourself in nature. Its tough 4WD set-up allows you to cross rivers, muddy tracks and steep mountain roads while enjoying spectacular landscapes – perfect for photography, stargazing or simply recharging in the middle of nowhere.

With Pampa Cruz, your Chile trip becomes a unique overland experience, focused on discovery, local encounters and the incredible biodiversity and cultures found from north to south.

Is Wild Camping Allowed in Chile?

Whether you call it wild camping or bivouac, this practice is generally allowed and widely tolerated in Chile, especially in remote areas.

A few basic rules apply:

• Avoid parking on private land without permission
• Keep a low profile and respect nature and local communities
• Follow Leave No Trace principles: no litter, no fires where prohibited

With a 4x4 camper or campervan, you’ll find endless opportunities to park by rivers, lakes or viewpoints and spend the night surrounded by silence and stars.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Chile?

Chile is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are reversed compared to Europe and North America.

While it’s possible to travel in Chile all year round, if you’re not going for skiing we usually recommend visiting between September and December, which correspond to Chilean spring and early summer. During this period you benefit from:

• Longer days and mild temperatures
• Good conditions for road trips and hiking
• Ideal weather for exploring both the lakes region and Patagonia North

You should also note that May is one of the coldest months in both Chile and neighbouring Argentina, especially in Patagonia and the Andes.

The Best 4x4 Road Trip in Chile: Driving the Carretera Austral

Explore Chile to Patagonia with a 4x4 Campervan

The most beautiful 4x4 road trip in Chile is without a doubt the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway), often described as one of the most spectacular roads in the world. With a 4x4 campervan rental, you can travel at your own pace, stopping wherever you like.

For official information and inspiration, you can also check the Chile Tourism Board website:

https://www.chile.travel/en/where-to-go/destination/carretera-austral/

Carretera Austral Itinerary

• Recommended duration: 2 to 3 weeks minimum
• Route: From Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins, about 1,240 km
• Best time: November to March

Key stops:

• Puerto Montt (starting point)
• Puerto Varas
• Hornopirén National Park
• Chaitén
• Puyuhuapi
• Coyhaique
• Puerto Río Tranquilo
• Puerto Guadal
• Villa O’Higgins (end of the road)

Highlights of the trip:

• Varied landscapes: ancient forests, glaciers, turquoise rivers, fjords
• Natural attractions:
• Marble Caves on Lake General Carrera
• Hanging Glacier in Queulat National Park
• Numerous waterfalls and viewpoints
• Unique experiences:
• Hiking in remote national parks
• Boat trips to glaciers and islands
• Wildlife watching (condors, guanacos, dolphins, etc.)

Practical tips:

• Rent a reliable 4x4 camper, as much of the road is unpaved
• Allow enough time to enjoy the landscapes and activities
• Be prepared for changing weather and isolated areas (fuel, food, cash)

A 4x4 road trip on the Carretera Austral is the best way to discover the wild, untouched beauty of Chilean Patagonia – a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

Best Places to Visit in Chile with a 4x4 Campervan

Chile offers incredible diversity from desert to glaciers. With a 4x4 camper or campervan, you can link several regions in one trip or focus on a specific area.

Northern Chile: Atacama Desert & Altiplano

• Atacama Desert
• Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) – surreal lunar landscapes
• Geysers del Tatio – impressive geysers at sunrise
• Altiplanic lagoons (Miscanti & Miñiques) – turquoise waters surrounded by volcanoes
• Lauca National Park
• Located in the Altiplano, it offers incredible views of Parinacota Volcano and Lake Chungará, with herds of vicuñas and flamingos.

Central Chile: Coast, Wine & Mountains

• Valparaíso
• Colourful coastal city famous for its hills, street art, historic funiculars and bohemian atmosphere.
• Santiago & surroundings
• Cajón del Maipo – a mountain valley ideal for hiking, hot springs and alpine scenery
• Viña del Mar – popular beaches just a short drive from Santiago
• Colchagua Valley
• Renowned for its vineyards and wine tasting, perfect for a break between two off-road segments.

Southern Chile: Lakes & Patagonia

• Chilean Patagonia
• Torres del Paine National Park – iconic granite towers, glaciers, lakes and abundant wildlife
• Grey Glacier – impressive glacier accessible by boat or hiking
• Chiloé Island
• Colourful houses on stilts (palafitos)
• Wooden churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage
• Carretera Austral
• A mythical road crossing wild landscapes, with must-see stops such as the Marble Caves on Lake General Carrera and countless viewpoints and small villages.

Remote Islands and Extreme South

• Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
• Mysterious moai statues and unique volcanic landscapes in the middle of the Pacific.
• Juan Fernández Archipelago
• An isolated natural paradise, famous for Robinson Crusoe Island.
• Strait of Magellan & Tierra del Fuego
• Dramatic subpolar landscapes and penguin colonies, especially on Isla Magdalena.

For a truly complete Chile trip, we recommend slow travel: fewer regions, more time in each place, and a flexible itinerary with your 4x4 camper.

Ski Road Trip in Chile with a 4x4 Camper

Why Chile Is a World-Class Ski Destination

Chile, with its majestic Andes Mountains, is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders. Its unique position in the Southern Hemisphere means the ski season runs when the Northern Hemisphere is in summer – perfect if you want to chase winter.

The Andes offer:

• Dry snow and varied terrain
• Resorts with groomed pistes and modern lifts
• Remote zones with untouched powder for off-piste and ski touring

Resorts like Portillo and Valle Nevado are known for their excellent infrastructure and services, attracting skiers from all over the world.

The Advantages of a 4x4 Camper for a Ski Trip

Weather in Chile can be unpredictable, especially in the mountains. Travelling in a 4x4 camper or motorhome gives you the freedom to:

• Follow the best snow and blue skies day by day
• Move easily between ski areas in the Central Andes, Central-South and Northern Patagonia
• Stay close to the slopes without depending on hotels

Pampa Cruz 4x4 campers are equipped with:

• Warm, insulated cabins
• Heating and a comfortable bed
• Kitchen and storage for ski gear

Driving a Toyota Hilux 4x4 camper means you can handle snow-covered roads, mountain passes and mixed conditions, while always having a cosy base camp waiting for you at the end of the day.

After skiing, you can relax Chilean-style: hot springs, local wine, asados (barbecues) and friendly mountain villages make the après-ski atmosphere truly unique.

Plan Your Chile 4x4 Road Trip with Pampa Cruz

With Pampa Cruz, you can rent a 4x4 with roof-top tent or cabin from Santiago, Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas or Punta Arenas, and design the Chile itinerary that fits you: Atacama, lakes region, Carretera Austral, Torres del Paine or a ski road trip in the Andes.