Chiloé & the Fjords of Northern PatagoniaChiloé & the Fjords of Northern Patagonia

We begin the day with a visit to the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park and take in the stunning views over Osorno volcano. The landscape changes dramatically as we drive up to the volcano station where we begin our morning hike to the Red Crater.  Once back in the valley we explore Petrohué Falls and its magnificent basaltic formations and waterfall before heading to Lake Todos los Santos for lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll have a unique opportunity to give back to the land as we meet up with local NGO Legado Chile to partake in regenerative field work, working on the natural restoration of the wetlands in the small village of Llanquihue. After a full and active day, we end the day in Puerto Varas with a beer tasting and Chilean barbecue dinner at a local brewery.  

Following breakfast, we’ll set out for the scenic crossing to the island of Chiloé. During our 35-minute ferry ride, you’ll encounter breathtaking views of the Andean range from the water, as well as the first villages of the island, made noticeable by the typical wooden towers of the churches that make this place a unique architectural wonder. Throughout the day, we’ll explore the north part of the island and experience the wonderful living cultural heritage of Chiloé. We’ll visit small villages, taste fresh oysters, and witness the breeding colony of both Humboldt and Magellanic Penguins. Keep your eyes open for more wildlife encounters on the way, as you're sure to see many other species of birdlife who call this place home. This evening we enjoy dinner as a group at our charming wooden lodge facing the Pacific ocean. 

We’ll kick off the day by boat as we navigate the mouth of the Chepú River, crossing through the unique sunken forest observing the local wildlife along the way. We disembark and begin a soft hike to Muelle la Luz, one of the several wooden docks found at different points of the archipelago. Each dock is known to have a different symbolic meaning for local inhabitants, which we will get to discuss with our guide. From here, we’ll head to a local family’s house to participate in the preparation of the locally loved curanto, a dish which originated in Chiloé. We transfer to the town of Castro, and check in to our one-of-a-kind hotel, elevated on stilts and situated right on the water. The evening is yours to explore and enjoy dinner at your leisure. 

After breakfast, we’ll set out on a walking tour of Castro, a city known for its colorful palafitos (stilt houses) and beautiful churches. We’ll take in the smells and sights of the local market, where we’ll purchase ingredients that we’ll later use to prepare our dinner. Once we reach the western side of the island, we’ll enjoy a two-hour hike to the Muelle Las Almas (Dock of Souls), a stunning wooden deck with remarkable views of the grand Pacific Ocean. Once returning to Castro, we’ll prepare dinner together with a local chef using our market-fresh ingredients.

After a delicious breakfast, we’ll spend our last day in Chiloé exploring the villages of the east canals, including Dalcahue, Archao, and Quinchao. We’ll have the opportunity to take in the beauty of some of the temples, designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites, located in the archipelago. You’ll then have a truly unique, hands-on experience spending time with the local carpenters, who use native wood and ancestral skills to craft their art—one at risk of disappearing. We’ll enjoy lunch at the “cocinerías,” food markets run by female leaders of the local villages, before we embark on our return trip to the mainland. Relax this evening back at our lovely boutique hotel.

This morning, we’ll take a stunning flight over the fjords of the Parks of Patagonia to reach Chaitén (40-minute flight). Our local team will meet and introduce us to the El Amarillo area of Park Pumalín, a treasure for conservation and rewilding. We begin exploring the beauty of the park by hiking the Darwin frog trail, named after the endangered amphibian of the southern forest. The 3km trail takes us through the Alerce forest where we come face to face with 2000 year old trees along the way.  In the evening, we’ll drive to Caleta Gonzalo, the main entrance of the park, where we’ll enjoy dinner and the breathtaking scenery from our cabins with a view.

This morning, we’ll head out to explore different sections of the park. Today’s hike takes us to the active Volcán Chaitén (3miles/5 km, 4 hours), an incredible example of the raw power of nature residing within these lands. As you hike, you’ll have the chance to learn more from your guides about the temperate rainforest and its abundance of flora and wildlife. From elusive amphibians to unique mammals and birds—including the Magellanic woodpecker and the Pudú, the smallest deer on earth—you’ll want to keep your eyes open and ears perked in order to take it all in.

This morning is dedicated to exploring the section of the park near the Caleta Gonzalo fjord before driving to Chaiten for our flight back to Puerto Varas. Make sure to look out the window for dramatic views of the fjords below. This evening, we share one last dinner together as we recount our adventures.