Travel Chile: Culture of Chiloé Island Tour<u></u>

Country Culture of Chiloé
History & Culture

Day by day itinerary: 4 d/ 3 n

Trip Dates

Upon request year round

Price: US$418 p/p (2 people)
US$348 p/p (3 people)
US$305 p/p (4 people)

Dinner & music at local farm

Traditional Palafito Houses on Stilts

Spanish Fort & Volcanoes Seaweed Harvest

INCLUDES: Expert bilingual guide (private) at all times, 4 days all transport round trip from Ancud (there are 12 buses daily from P.Montt to get there), 3 nights lodging in country homes that are part of the "Agrotourism Network" scattered throughout the islands- offering a unique insight into local live. 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, taxes
NOT INCLUDED: Alcohol, tips, insurance

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONING: Low. Unless more activity is desired and hikes can easily be added in areas we visit.

Day 1 The Emerald Island of Chiloé- Peninsula Lacuy
Over coffee & cakes, your guide will introduce you the rich history of the islands. You'll then depart the oceanside city of Ancud for the pastoral beauty of the Peninsula Lacuy. Remote beaches & farms ringed in native forest fill the undulating countryside surrounded by ocean. We'll visit the ecclectic "Prehistoric museum" where human settlement dating back over 6000 years has been discovered. We'll continue to the Spanish Fort Ahui- built on the tip of the peninsula across from Ancud to protect the entrance into the bay from Dutch and English Pirates in the 18th century. There is time to walk along the numerous beaches of the peninsula, full of countless bird species. By late afternoon we'll arrive at the country home of Fabiana Ramirez where we'll enjoy her family's hospitality and their house's stunning ocean views. (private transport, guide, lunch, activities, and double accommodation included).

DAY 2 Chiloé By Sea-
After a peaceful night's sleep at Fabiana's house and breakfast, we'll return through the countryside to Ancud en route to the city of Dalcahue, an hour south on the Panamerican Highway. Dalcahue is a bustling port city, with a picturesque church (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and port. We'll cross the channel on a small ferry to the island of Quinchao, the second largest of the Archipelago. First stop will be the village of Curaco de Velaz, the site of the most beautiful centuries old architecture on the islands- a testament to its long history and strategic past. Lunch will be in Achao, site of the oldest church in the south of Chile, constructed by the Jesuits in the 1700's. We'll then head off into the countryside of the island, with sweeping ocean views all around. By mid afternoon, we'll arrive at the home of Don Ramon Carcamo. His lovely farm is near the tip of the island, has lovely gardens surrounding it and views from the heights to the waters below. A peaceful night will be spend in the company of the Carcamos. (private transport, activity, guide, all meals and accommodation included.)

DAY 3 Villages of the East Coast -
After breakfast we'll drive the length of the island to take the ferry across to Dalcahue, where the interior road up the coast runs. First stop will be the quaint village of San Juan, with its lovely church (another UNESCO site) and the hum & buzz of the three boat building operations filling the air. The village has been known for centuries for its fine wooden vessels. You'll have the opportunity to see them being built- taking form from raw timbers are vessels up to 25 meters long (over 80 ft)! We'll then continue to the village of Tenaun, with its expansive views over the emerald islands of the archipelago and its multitude of fishing boats at anchor. Its massive three steepled church (UNESCO site) looms over the villages two streets and was used as a navigation marker for boats for over a century. We'll spend the night along the ocean with Mirella Montana and her husband Kiko, immersed in the friendliness of local hospitality. (private transport, guide, all meals, activities and lodging included, note* doubles with shared bath due to the antiquity of the farmhouse.)

DAY 4 Goodbye Chiloé-
After a country breakfast with Mirella and Kiko, we'll depart Tenuan to visit a nearby waterfall nestled in the forest - a cascade of water over 35 meters high. Heading north, we'll drive through undulating countryside with occasional glimpses of the snowcapped Andes across the waters to the East. We'll visit the little isle of Aucar (the Island of Lost Souls), accessed by a long (500m) footbridge. Upon reaching Quemchi, we'll hit the pavement once again and make our way back to Ancud, arriving for a final lunch before heading to the bus station at approx. 15:00.