Chile Tours and Travel Packages

Multiple Destinations / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises / Fiord Cruises
Biking / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Wine Tours

Sea Kayaking Tours in Chile

Sea kayaking in Chile can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experienceand
we offer you 3,4,6 and 9 day trip options to choose from.

3 Days from Torres del Paine Park

Chiloe Archipelago - ( 4 days / 3 nights )

Immerse yourself in the fascinating, cultural experience of Chiloe Island as we glide silently through the mysterious byways of this archipelago, where Spain once maintained it's last stronghold of colonial power in South America. Our sturdy kayaks emulate the spirit of the fragile dalcas; in which the natives traveled many centuries ago. Today there still vestiges of this original Araucanian way of life, in harmonious combination with the influences of German immigrants in the late 1800s and of modern-day Chile. On every lovely island we visit, you'll see moss-covered old wooden churches gracing the seaside, as well as palafitos (stilt houses) that are 20 feet and more in the air when the tide is out, but nearly awash when it's in. Savor a rich curanto and other typical cuisine to delight your palate. Wander through the local market of Castro. What more can we say?. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to enjoy a fantastic adventure at the other end of the Earth..

DAY 01 ANCUD - PUÑIHUIL - CASTRO
Reception at the bus terminal of Ancud, then we will drive west to visit the place of Puñihuil in the Pacific side of the main island. This is a group of islands that serve as breeding habitat for Magellanic and Humboldt Penguins as well as many other marine birds. Visit to the colony by zodiacs. After our pic-nic lunch drive to Castro in the interior sea of the archipelago and arrival to a picturesque stilt house hostel. Dinner in a nice sea front restaurant. (L,D)

DAY 02 CASTRO - SEA KAYAK DALCAHUE CHANNEL - CASTRO
Morning transfer to the sea kayaking center near the cultural port of Dalcahue. Full day of sea kayaking paddling in Dalcahue channel, on the way we see great numbers of local seabirds including black-necked swans, three kinds of seagulls, oyster catchers, grebes. Then we continue across the Channel to Quinchao Island for a visit to the lovely San Xavier church and cemetery. Pic-nic lunch. For the rest of the afternoon, we visit various picturesque locations along the channel, until we finally return to the Sea Kayak center. In the evening we drive back to Castro. Dinner. Lodging in the hostel.(B,L,D)

DAY 03 CASTR0 - SAN JUAN - TENAUN - MECHUQUE ISLAND
This morning we will drive to the picturesque fishing village of San Juan with the famous shipyards and wooden church. From here we will paddle north visiting sea side hamlets till we get to the nice town of Tenaun in order to catch a motorized vessel and cross to Mechuque in the little archipelago of Chauques. Dinner and lodging in a family house at this beautiful town. (B,L,D)

DAY 04 MECHUQUE - AÑIHUE - TAUCOLON - VOIGUE
Today we start early for a full day of sea kayaking among the waterways and 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". In the evening, we get back to Mechuque. Dinner and lodging in our guest house (B,L,D)

DAY 05 MECHUQUE - TENAUN - COLO - AUCAR - QUEMCHI - ANCUD
We cross back to Tenaun in our vessel and drive through a beautiful coastal road in the interior sea of the main island, visiting cultural highlights and villages as Colo, Aucar, and Quemchi, before we get to Ancud in order to catch the bus back to Puerto Montt or Pto. Varas. (B,L)

BOOKING
REQUEST

Departures from December to March at request

2010 PRICE PER PERSON: US$890 minimum 3 participants.- Based on dbl occup.

INCLUDES - All transportation according to the itinerary, for round trip Ancud. Vessel crossing to Mechuque Island. All meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on day 5 Two nights in the stilt house hostel in Castro. Two nights in the Mechuque guest house. Services of bilingual expert guide. Fully equipped fiberglass sea kayaks with spray skirts, paddles and accessories. Regular bus ticket from Ancud back to Puerto Montt.

NOT INCLUDED - Any type of insurance./ Gratuities and personal extras as communication cost, laundry, meals , drinks and transportation out of program and other personal items.

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

SEA KAYAKING IN THE CHILEAN FJORDS OF NORTHERN PATAGONIA

This is an unforgettable adventure in the magnificent fjords of Comau, Quintupeu and Cahuelmó, on the eastern side of the Gulf of Ancud, where wild mountains cliffs soar out of the dark waters to touch the sky. See stupendous glacial valleys, primeval temperate rain forests, and numerous kinds of marine wildlife, including dolphins, sea lions, penguins and other sea birds. Smack your lips over fresh salmon steaks, or steamed shellfish gathered from the cliffs at low tide, all prepared by our cook in the miniature galley of our picturesque support vessel. Watch the sunset on the peaks as you relax in hot pools. Spread your sleeping bag under the diamond stars of the Southern Cross. Words alone simply cannot express the unique beauty and variety of this majestic land, whose calm, protected waters do not require you to have any previous experience with sea kayaks. Then it's on to the fascinating cultural experience of Chiloé, where Spain once maintained it's last stronghold of colonial power in South America. Today there are still vestiges of the original Araucanian way of life, in harmonious combination with the influences of German immigrants in the late 1800s and of modern-day Chile. One every lovely island we visit, you'll see at least one moss-covered old wooden church gracing the seaside, as well as palafitos (stilt houses) that are 20 feet and more in the air when the tide is out, but nearly awash when it's in. Taste guindao and rompón, try a hearty dish of "beans with reins", savor a rich curanto and other typical cuisine to delight your palate. Wander through the local market of Castro, where you'll see artisans at work on handicrafts that you can buy for surprisingly low prices even lower, if you're willing to bargain a little. What more can we say?. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to enjoy a fantastic adventure at the other end of the Earth, which you'll remember forever.

Day 1: Puerto Montt-Llancahue Island
After meeting in Puerto Montt, we drive down the AUSTRAL highway, cross the Reloncavi estuary to Hornopiren. and board our 50-foot support vessel to sail around Los Ciervos Island and have lunch in a nice cove. Navigation to Llancahue Island and sea kayak instruction in the afternoon. We camp in this island (L, D)

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. As night falls, we camp at the end of the fjord (B, L, D)

Day 3: Quintupeu Fjord-Cahuelmo Fjord
We navigate down to Cahuelmo Fjord, stopping at the entrance to watch a colony of sea lions at play. We don't stop for long though, because we want to paddle the far end of Cahuelmo 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 (B, L, D)

Day 4: Cahuelmo Fjord-Porcelana Hot springs
Our goal for today's journey is Porcelana Hot Springs. On the way, we stop at the settlement of Huinay to say hello to Don Checho, well known for his hand-built fishing boats and enjoy a hike through a beautiful glacial valley. From there we cut straight across Comau Fjord to Porcelana, where we pitch camp in a lush green pasture and head for the tidal pools of hot water surrounded by magnificent scenery (B, L, D)

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 where we can see waterfalls and virgin forests. We'll also see a lagoon, teeming with wildlife, which can be accessed by our kayaks at high tide. In the afternoon we return to Porcelana and, of course, we don't fail to go for another long soak in our beautiful hot spring (B, L, D)

Day 6: Comau Fjord- Chauques Island
Early this morning we board our support vessel for the trip up Comau fjord and around the Huequi Peninsula, to Hornopiren. After a hearty lunch we drive back to Puerto Montt on time to catch the evening departure bus or flight (B, L).

2010 Prices : US$1250.- min. 6 - 10 participants. Prices per person, based on double:

Departs: January 10 to 15 & 24 to 29. February 7 to 12 & 21 to 26

Group Size & Staff: 12 maximum plus staff. Guide to passanger ratio: 1/5 or 1/6
Physical Demands: The trip is not especially rigorous and requires no prior experience with kayaks. A positive attitude towards open-air activities is very important. These are trips for the person who enjoys participative tourism in a natural setting.

Accommodation:
1n Rustic Inn in Llancahue, 4n Camping near the shore at official campsites with basic baths and showers except by 2nd night at Quintupeu where we camp in total wilderness. If we ever need to sleep inside the boat because of extremely rigurous storm outside there is space for 7 persons

What is included: All transportation according to the itinerary, for round trip Puerto Montt-Puerto Montt. / All meals from lunch in Day 1 to breakfast on Day 9 or 6 depending on the choosen itinerary./ The services of expert guides and support personnel./ Fully equipped fiberglass sea kayaks with spray skirts, paddles and accessories. / 50-foot motorized support vessel./ Full camping gear, except for personal sleeping bag and pad. / One night at hospedaje Llancahué., based on rooms for two or three people (only for the 9 days itinerary).

Standard equipment includes single and double touring kayaks, 2-person tents, kitchen/dining tent, tables & stools, cooking equipment & utensils, first aid kit, etc. We will also provide paddle, skirt, dry-bags and other specific gear for sea kayaking.

What you need to bring: - Sleeping bag (comfortable to 0 Celsius) - Full-length pad. - day bag
- ,light weights rainwear and windbreak for paddling - bathing suit, or short wet suit for paddling
- shoes and socks - sandals, sun hat, shirt, pants, short, synthetic underwear ( capilene ) top and bottom.
- sun block, sun glasses - small flash light and batteries

Climate: Each expedition dossier contains fully detailed information in this matter however consider that temperature varies from 5ºC and 30ºC in summer season (Dec-Feb).

Other trip features : The wildlife you may be able to observe are mainly: dolphins, penguins, sea lions and many sea birds such as: pelicans, ferns, herons, blackneck swans and others. The typical dish of Chiloé is the "Curanto" which consists of a wide shallow hole digged in the earth where hot stones are placed; after onion, garlic, salt and orénago; then raw mussels, clams and barnacles are placed and covered with plenty of white wine; finally the last layer is composed of smoked pork, sausages, cooked chicken and potatoes. Each different layer is separated with big fern-like leaves (nalca leave) and above all dry sand is shovelled to keep the heat. The food is served outside.

Support boat: Our wooden support vessel was built by traditional ship builders of Chiloe, famous for building ships specially adapted to these waters. The maritime heritage of this region called for sturdy ships that would transport people and goods throughout the channels and islands of the Chiloe archipelago. Our local full time crew of three (captain, first mate, cook) ensure our safety and add a cultural touch to our trip that can only be experienced with people who have lived their entire lives in these waters. The ship is directed from a bridge with all of the necessary navigational equipment and radios, to maintain constant contact with our sea kayaking guides. The interior of the ship is an ample space that can comfortably shelter up to 10 people, with a galley that prepares sumptuous meals of fish, shellfish and other local specialties. Other on board amenities include a bathroom, ample space on the deck to enjoy the outdoors, a support dinghy with an outboard motor as well as space to store all of our sea kayaks and equipment.

Phone: 800-232-5658 or 1-512-443-5393 email

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