Sea Kayaking Patagonia & Chiloé Islands

Day by day itinerary: 9 d/ 8n

Price: US$1880 p/p (double occupancy)

Trip Date 2009
February 7-15

INCLUDES: Motorized support vessel and crew /All transportation according to the itinerary, for round trip Puerto Montt - Puerto Montt / All meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 9 / Services of expert guides, cook and crew / Fully equipped fiberglass sea kayaks with spray skirts, paddles and accessories  / Full camping gear, except for personal sleeping bag and pad / One night at Mechuque guest house and one night in Altue’s Sea Kayaking Lodge based on  double occupancy with wooden-fired hot tub facilities / Hot spring fees

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONING: The trip is not especially rigorous and requires no prior experience with kayaks. You must know how to swim and be in reasonably good physical condition. A positive attitude towards open-air activities is very important. This is a trip for the person who enjoys participative tourism in a natural setting, and who understands that during our trip we may encounter variable weather and tidal conditions that will require modifications in the itinerary .

After meeting in Puerto Montt, we drive down the Southern Highway, and cross the Reloncaví estuary  to Hornopirén. There we board our 50-foot support vessel and head for Los Ciervos Island. After stopping for lunch in a nice cove, we sail on to Llancahué Island, where we climb into our sea kayaks for instruction and practice. Afterwards, we camp for the night on this island.
 

DAY 2        LLANCAHUE ISLAND - QUINTUPEU FJORD

Now we begin the wild part of our sea kayak adventure. We put in near the entrance to Quintupeu Fjord, where the German battleship Dresden hid out during World War I. The sheer slopes, cut by countless waterfalls tumbling off the heights, are covered with lush vegetation that hangs over our heads. As we glide along under this lush canopy, we try to catch a glimpse of dolphins jumping near our kayaks. At nightfall, we camp at the end of the fjord.
 

We navigate down to Cahuelmó Fjord, stopping at the entrance to see if there are any sea lions at play. We don't stop for long though, because we want to paddle the far end of Cahuelmó in time to get up the river, or hike through the wild tidal flats. Finally, we take a relaxing dip in Cahuelmo Hot Springs before turning in for the night.
 

DAY 4        CAHUELMO FJORD - PORCELANA BAY

Our goal for today's journey is Porcelana Hot Springs. On the way, we stop at the settlement of Huinay and hike up a glacial valley surrounded by snow capped mountains. From this village we cut straight across Comau Fjord to Porcelana bay, where we pitch camp in a lush green pasture.
 

DAY 5        PORCELANA HOT SPRINGS - COMAU FJORD

We paddle down to the end of Comau Fjord to Leptepu, passing by stunning snow-capped peaks on our way to a secluded corner in a setting of plunging waterfalls and virgin forests. We also see a lagoon, teeming with wildlife, which we can reach by kayak at high tide. In the afternoon we return to Porcelana and head for the beautiful pools of hot water surrounded by magnificent scenery.
 

DAY 6        COMAU FJORD - CHAUQUES  ISLANDS

Early this morning we board our support vessel for the trip down Comau Fjord and around the Huequi Peninsula.  After a hearty lunch, we set sail across the open waters of the Gulf of Ancud, heading for the beautiful Claques Islands. We arrive in the late afternoon and set up camp on the island of Mechuque. We still have plenty of time to wander around and visit the local people,  famous for their warm hospitality.
 

We kayak the waterways among the islands of Mechuque, Voigue, Añihue and Taucolon, visiting villages and churches as we go. We pay special attention to the traditional culture of this area,  celebrated in the songs and dances of Chilean folklore. In particular, we watch for palafito stilt houses with brightly colored fishing boats tied up in their "basements". We stop for the night in a family-owned guest house in the enchanting village of  Mechuque. Our hosts prepare as a banquet whose main course is none other than the famous “curanto”,  legendary dish in the maritime cuisine of southern Chile.
 

In the morning we set sail for Altue’s sea kayaking lodge near the port of Dalcahue. After lunch at the lodge, we paddle across Dalcahue Channel to Quinchao Island to visit the lovely San Xavier church and cemetery. On our way back to the center,  stop by the picturesque port of  Dalcahue. After a relaxing bath in our woode-fired hot tub and a memorable dinner, we spend the night in our center.

Today we drive to Castro to visit the handicraft market, with its woolen goods, baskets, and many other items that catch our fancy. We also  visit  several additional attractions of the city, including the famous church of  San Francisco. In early afternoon, we depart for the return trip to Puerto Montt, where some will board a plane for home while others make go on to visit more of the countless interesting places in Chile. So we say good-bye to our companions, whose warm friendship has helped make this adventure such a wonderful, unforgettable experience.