Puerto Varas & Chiloé Island
The magical Chiloé Island and the Puerto Varas city. 5 days/4 nights
Overview
Chiloé is an island in the lake district full of legends, traditional food and special ecosystems. Its "palafitos" (stilt house) or its heritage churches are part of the chilean culture. Here you will visit its flora and fauna including a navegation to the penguins colonies. At north of Chiloe, Puerto Varas stand out by it german traditions beside the beatifull view of Llanquihue lake with the Osorno volcano in the background. Here we will visit the oldest national park of Chile with its Petrohue falls. A program full of life!
Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer Santiago Hotel / Airport - Flight to Castro (Chiloé) or Puerto Montt - Transfer Airport / Hotel - PM HD City Tour Castro.
At morning our driver will transfer you to the Airport to take your flight.
Our local guide will wait you at airport of Chiloé or Puerto Montt to transfer you to your hotel in Castro. At afternoon you will have a tour around the city of Castro, Capital of Chiloe Island, visiting the main attractions: Square, San Francisco Church (UNESCO), Palafitos (stilt houses), lookouts and market.
Lodging at Castro.
Day 2: Full Day Chiloé National Park.
Located on the west coast of Chiloe´s Great Island, Chiloé National Park protects an ecosystem of high ecological value, including areas of evergreen forest and peat bogs. Among the most representative species of flora we find the ancient Alerces, the Canelo, sacred tree of the Mapuche people, the Guaitecas Cypress, prized for its valuable wood, Tepú, which stains the water a reddish color, and many more.
Among the fauna we find Chilote fox or Darwins Fox, named after the illustrious naturalist creator of the evolution theory, as well as the Darwins Frog, which is close to extinction, the Pudú, world's smallest deer, and easier to observe are hundreds of species of birds, among which are Kingfishers, Magellanic Woodpecker, beautiful Chucao and many more.
2 hour hike along “El Tepual” trail of low difficulty and great biological richness.
Visit the town of Chonchi and its UNESCO Church, Lake Huillinco, the beach of Cucao and Chiloe National Park
Lodging at Castro.
Day 3: Half Day Puñihuil Penguin Colonies (with luggage) – Transfer to Puerto Varas.
Transfer to the north side of Chiloe Island, stopping on Ancud City where we visit an old Spanish fort and the Foundation of Patrimonial Churches in Chiloe. Then continue to the Pacific up to Puñihuil Natural Monument, where 3 islets are home to an interesting variety of marine wildlife, including 2 species of penguins that come to nest every summer: Magellanic and Humboldt Penguins.
Navigation takes 30 minutes to observe penguins and other species from quite close (Navigation is subject to weather conditions)
Included: 30 minutes navigation (subject to weather conditions), qualified guide, snack.
At afternoon you will be transfer to your hotel in Puerto Varas.
Lodging at Puerto Varas.
Day 4: Full Day Osorno volcano, Petrohue waterfalls and Todos los Santos lake.
This adventure will take you to see this active volcano, renowned for its perfect formation, and the famous Petrohué Waterfalls, both important landmarks in Southern Chile.
A lake originating from a glacier and an active volcano, famous for its perfectly shaped crater, are two of the attractions you can see with this package. The tour starts on the southern shores of the Llanquihue Lake, where you will learn about the German settlers and agriculture in the zone. Once in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, you will be able to enjoy the imposing Petrohué Waterfalls, which stun visitors with their turquoise waters. From there, we will go on to the origin of the Petrohué River, Todos los Santos Lake, where we will visit some of its sleepy beaches. By then, we will be at the foot of the Osorno Volcano to enjoy a lunch in the village of Ensenada, before continuing up to the ski resort on the volcano.
On route, you will be stunned by the panoramic views of the Petrohué River valley and the beautiful Llanquihue Lake.
Lodging at Puerto Varas.
Day 5: Transfer Hotel / Puerto Montt Airport - Flight to Santiago – Transfer Airport / Santiago Hotel.
Depending on your flight, our local driver will pick you up to go to the airport in order to take your flight to Santiago de Chile. There our guide will be waiting you to transfer you to your hotel.
Highlights
- Chiloé National Park
- Penguins of Ancud
- Chiloé Churches
- Osorno Volcano
- Petrohue Falls
- Todos los Santos Lake
Included
• Accommodation in selected hotels.
• All tours in private services, except the regular services mentioned in the program.
• Local English speaking guides
• Private Transfers In / Out
• Lunch mentioned as included in the programs
• Coctels & Snack mentioned as included in the program
• Entrances to National Parks
Not included
• International or domestic flights
• Accident Insurance (you MUST have your own insurance)
• Lunch, dinner, beverages & cocktails not included on the program
• Tour Leader. You can consider include a tour leader that would take care of all your need or requests during the travel.
• Tips for drivers and guides
What to bring?
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Comfortables shoes and clothes to take easy walk in the spots.
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Warm clothes
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A 5-10 kgs backpack for activities, leaving the rest of the luggage at hotel. Depending the season, if you have a raincoat with possibility of putting the bag inside is better.
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Sunscreen and sunglasses
Best travel period?
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We recommend to take this trip between September to April.
Banks and money exchange:
You can find ATMs in Castro and in Puerto as well.
Comments & Restrictions
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A good lunch/dinner can cost from 20-30 USD per person.