There is something interesting for everyone on the magical island of Chiloé, renown for its rich folklore, centuries-old culture, fantastic wildlife, deep green pastures, misty forests and fresh seafood. First, we will visit the ocean side city of Ancud, one of the cultural and economic centers of the island. Once aboard your lovely vessel, Cahuella, you will navigate through many smaller lush islands and take short walks and enjoying the peaceful majesty of the Chiloé sunset. You will visit places where roads do not exist and the life of the sea is woven into the local culture. Your comfortable vessel will weave its way through the more remote islands on the way to the spectacular grandeur of mainland Patagonia and its channels and fjords. Here you will witness the untouched wilderness of the steep, glacier topped Andes, innumerable birds, old growth temperate rainforest and numerous hot springs that motivated American Conservationist Douglas Tompkins to preserve over 700,000 acres as one of South America's largest private park projects: “Pumalín”.

Day 1-The Big Island of Chiloé
Leaving in the morning from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas (or the Airport), you will take the open air ferry across the Chacao Channel to the Island of Chiloé Grande. We'll visit Ancud and then, the Island of Puñihuíl. Then, we'll continue to the village of Quemchi. Accommodations.

Day 2 Chiloé by Sea
Upon rising we will make our way to the colorful wharf of Quemchi where Cahuella will be at anchor for breakfast. After a brief introduction and being shown your cabin, we will set sail out of the channel and into Chiloé Archipelago. In the evening, you will have the opportunity to taste an expertly made pisco sour (the national drink) and enjoy two new wonders: the Chiloé sunset and the wonders of the gourmet cuisine your chef creates from the freshest local produce and seafood.

Day 3- Archipelago
After a breakfast of fresh fruit, bread, jams, local yogurt and more, we will begin cruising amidst the numerous islands of the Archipelago. Our navigation will take us to the quaint village of Tenaún, whose hand-crafted crafted 140 year old wooden church is a UNESCO World Heritage site (along with 15 others) and an impressive monument to the region's missionary past.

Day 4- Pumalín Park
Early in the morning we will cross the Gulf of Ancud to the Reñihue Fjord, below the glacial peak of the Michimahuida Volcano. After lunch, Cahuella will drop passengers at Caleta Gonzalo, the administration center for Pumalín Park, we we'll spend our first night. The fjord-side setting is spectacular and the evening full of relaxation. An optional afternoon hike along a well-built trail into the rainforest above Caleta Gonzalo offers a truly rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the temperate forest of the area.

Day 5- Pumalín Park
After a wonderful night´s sleep we will continue our exploration of this remote corner of Pumalin Park. Depending on the weather and your interests, we may go for a walk up a nearby valley visiting some of the area's original settlers. The setting is truly breathtaking: dense forest and snowcapped mountains looming overheard. Massive old-growth forest, pristine clear rivers, endless birdlife and the raw beauty of mother nature. By early evening we will visit one of the area's hidden volcanic treasures; a spectacular stream of hot water that runs through the rainforest with numerous pools amidst the ferns.

Day 6- Despedida (Farewell)
In the morning we will cruise up the Cholgo Channel towards the perfect forested cone of the Hornopirén Volcano (4800ft, 1572 meters), at the base of which lies the town of the same name. We will finish our Patagonian cruise at the ferry ramp, where the crew will join you for a farewell lunch before bidding you goodbye. Transport will take you up and over the mountains on the lovely journey back to Puerto Montt and the human hum of civilization- a 3 1/2 hour drive amidst the rugged beauty of the Carretera Austral.

Included Excursions

The Big Island of Chiloé
The Island is famous for its mythology, wildlife, culture and spectacular seafood. We'll visit the bustling seaside city of Ancud Ancud and have a tea and kuchen (a traditional German cake) overlooking the bay while your bilingual guide explains the history and culture of the area. Afterwards, we'll head west through the verdant countryside, past forests and rolling hills. Pastures and farms dot the way, where every morning and afternoon tin milk jugs await pickup by the local cheese factory. Our destination is the rugged Pacific coast and the island penguin colony of Puñihuíl. This group of small islands offer the only place in the world where Humboldt and Magellanic penguins coexist- a very important area for the Chilean conservation movement Later in the afternoon we make south to stop into a country farm house for dinner. Afterwards, we'll continue to Quemchi, where we will check into comfortable cabins perched on a hill overlooking the waters of the Quemchi Canal- a perfect place to relax and absorb the beauty of Chiloé

Chiloé Archipelago
Numerous islands will fill the foreground, shimmering green amidst the blue waters, while the snowcapped peaks of the Andes complete the background. We will drop anchor in the protected bay of Mechuque Island, where traditional palafitos (wooden houses built on stilts with boat parking underneath) and the quaint village make for a wonderful afternoon walk. This traditional island is fantastic for photography and experiencing local life first-hand. The following day, will be spent immersed in the marine culture of the archipelago: visiting small islands, taking short walks and pulling up to local fishing boats at work to not only to observe their work firsthand, but also taste the freshness of their catch only moments out of the water! In the afternoon we will cruise to a protected anchorage at a remote outer island to prepare for our early crossing of the Gulf the following day.

Pumalin Park
The next day, we'll visit the honey production plant of the Pumalín Park Project. The setting is truly breathtaking: dense forest and snowcapped mountains ringing the calm waters of the estuary where the Project grounds are neatly laid out with bee hives, carpentry shops and organic gardens. After our visit we will head north on an easy 3 hour walk along a little-used gravel road through the forest linking two fjords. Upon our arrival on the Comao Fjord, Cahuella will be waiting with refreshments and to head north to some hidden hot springs pools.

The Cahuella, is a 50 ft. (15 m) wooden motor cruiser made by craftsmen from the island of Chiloé and outfitted with the most modern navigation equipment. Her hull is made in the traditional fishing boat style of the region while her interior was specifically designed for the comfort and safety of her passengers. She features 4 twin berth cabins, 2 fully equipped heads, a spacious living area with large windows, 7-foot ceilings (2.2 m), a talented cook, bilingual guide, and large zodiac boat for shore landings.

Characteristics

The Program Includes:

• Round Trip Transport from Puerto Montt.
• Accommodation in double cabin.
• All gourmet meals, pastries, snacks prepared by talented chef.
• Fine Chilean wines and special pisco sours.
• Educational day tours by zodiac inflatable boat (40 HP)
• Professional bilingual guides at all times on board.
• Entrances to Hot Springs.

Important

• There is 7 Day/6 nights Program:
  Takes an in-depth look at Tompkin's Pumalín Park Project. For a change of scene we spend a night ashore at Caleta Gonzalo, the park entrance, in quaint and cozy cabins on the water's edge. Nestled in the spectacular scenery of the fjord is a modern honey factory and various apiaries which are part of the sustainable agriculture aspect of the project. A lovely 2 ½ hour walk on an old section of the Carretera Austral that connects two fjords will bring us to a waiting Cahuella and the hot springs wonders of Comao Fjord.
• Request Programs of 4 days/ 3 nights.

Departures

Ask about departure dates.

Rates

Rates per passenger.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be written, specifying the cause and assuming responsibility of the corresponding penalty. Once the reservation has been confirmed by Gotolatin, the following charges will apply for cancellations made by the passenger, according to the program departure date:

• Between 45 and 30 working days before the beginning of the cruise
  40% of total program value per passenger
• Between 30 and 15 working days before the beginning of the cruise
  70% of total program value per passenger.
• Between 15 and 0 working days before the beginning of the program
  No refund.
• There are no refunds for portions of the Program not used, hotel accommodations, etc.
• We recommend considering Travel Insurance for any reason.