Magical Chiloé Heritage Tour

Southern Chile
Trip Length: 3 Days
Group Size: 1-10
Difficulty
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Searching for that perfect mix of mythology, gatronomy, history, and nature?

Cultural-buffs, hikers, wildlife-lovers, and families will be well looked after on this 3-day adventure into the heart of Chiloé, an island adored by Chileans and something of a national secret. Come with us as we traverse the wetlands and temperate rainforests of Chiloé National Park, visit its nearby islands in search of wildlife and UNESCO sites, and taste traditional, homemade cuisine unique to this magical part of the world.

Chiloé 5

 

Highlights

Highlights

  • Chiloé National Park.
  • Penguin viewing at Puñihuil.
  • Homemade lunch with indigenous community.
  • UNESCO World Heritage sites and patrimonial churches.

Accommodation

Hotel Boutique Palafito 1326. Castro, Chiloé.

Built by restoring one of the classic palafitos on the Island of Chiloé, this hotel has been designed to provide maximum thermal insulation and a cozy and modern atmosphere. Its piles over the water are made of dense luma or Guaitecas cypress wood and the wall coverings, such as the tiles, are made of fallen larch wood.

It is in an unbeatable location, it has a coffee bar on the terrace and four types of rooms with views of Castro Bay.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Chiloé & wildlife-watching boat trip

Chiloé, Chile

We leave Puerto Varas behind and head south to Ancud, gateway to Chiloé and one of its most important towns. Here we stop by its museum to learn about the island’s unique churches and also make a stop at its famous fishing market before driving east to Puñihuil, a natural monument consisting of three small islets*. After a filling lunch, we take to the seas to give you a closeup of some of the local marine life including the Humboldt and Magellanic Penguins. Afterward, we head to Castro so you can relax in the stunning grounds of Hotel Palafito, your base for the next two nights.

*Note: Pick up time is usually at 9:30 AM but please confirm with our team the exact pick up time closer to the date. Also, this itinerary is modified in winter due to penguin migration, and instead includes a visit to Fuerte Ahui from April to August.

 

Overnight: Boutique Hotel, Castro (Chiloé).

Day 2: Chiloé national park & traditional lunch

Chiloé, Chile

Today we go for an easy hike through Chiloé National Park, a remote expanse of evergreen tepú (Tepualia stipularis) forest that sits on the border of Huillinco and Cucao, two lakes that stretch between the island’s rolling hills. We finish in the indigenous community of Quique where a lunch of homemade dishes typical to Chiloé awaits. Afterward, we head back to enjoy the rest of the afternoon in Castro, making a small stop on the way to see the patrimonial church of Chonchi that dates back to the 19th century.

Overnight: Boutique Hotel, Castro (Chiloé).

Day 3: Chiloé church exploration & quinchao island

Chiloé, Chile

Today is all about uncovering Chiloé’s unique churches, which are also UNESCO World Heritage sites. This morning we head over to the island of Quinchao and follow its breathtaking coastal route to see the archipelago's oldest church in Achao. After some more local cuisine for lunch, we make the journey to the portside town of Dalcahue to see its iconic church that dates back to 1858, as well as its small market where you can pick up locally-made souvenirs made from wool. Afterward, we head back to Puerto Varas where your island adventure comes to a close.

Included

Included

  • Excursions on a shared basis with expert English speaking guide.
  • All ground transportation on shared basis as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Pick-up and drop-off from Puerto Varas.
  • 2 nights accommodation in a boutique hotel.
  • Meals:
    Day 1: Lunch.
    Day 2: Breakfast and lunch.
    Day 3: Breakfast and lunch.

Not included

  • Domestic flight tickets.
  • Insurance. (it is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this kind of trips)
  • Voluntary tipping of guides and staff.
  • Items of personal nature.

Facts

Departures

Regular. Every day on request.

Starting / finishing point

The trip starts any day at your hotel in Puerto Varas. The trip finishes on day 3 at Puerto Montt Airport or back at your hotel in Puerto Varas.

Physical demands

This trip does not demand physical activity other than walking a maximum of two consecutive hours over fairly flat terrain, with as many stops as necessary to fit in with the rhythm of the group. If you feel that you want to be more active during excursions then our local guides will be ready to incorporate more action into the excursions.

Transport

Transport is normally in Jeep Mahindra Scorpion (up to 3 people group).
For larger group size we use a Hyundai H1 (4-6 people group).

Weather

From November to April expect generally good weather, with temperatures varying from a maximum of 30°C/86ºF to a minimum of 8°C/46ºF. However, it does tend to rain one or two days a week in summer. From May to October rain is more abundant and the temperature drops to an average of max. 15°C/59ºF to min. -2°C/28ºF.

What you need to bring

The following items are recommended:
  • Small day backpack.
  • Waterproof hiking shoes.
  • Socks.
  • Waterproof parka trousers.
  • Sun hat.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Bathing suit.
  • Towel. (if going to hot springs).

Itinerary modifications

We reserve the right to change the order of the days in any itinerary at the sole discretion of the trip guide and based on operational considerations. The trip guide can modify, change or eliminate part of the itinerary based on safety/weather considerations.

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We are a Chilean owned adventure tour operator, based in Santiago de Chile, operating adventure tours in Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. Our base prices are in Chilean Pesos (CLP), but we charge prices in USD based on the exchange rate valid on the day of payment.

Destinations | Chile

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