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Chile Tours and Travel

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CHILOÉ ISLAND TOURS
(also see Kayaking tours)

The Chiloé region, is formed by a continental and an insular part, formed by the islands of Chiloé, las Guaitecas and part of Los Chonos. On the continent, The Andes Mountains appears cut by rivers on the different isolated massifs. The central flat is occupied by the sea and many small islands are rests of it. Is also highlighted, its rich colonial architecture, especially the ones that give expression to their numerous churches and particular pile dwelling buildings. Traditions unique from the zone, can be recreated in location, if you are lucky enough to be present on popular parties as a “Minga”, as it is known the literal transfer of a house from one point of the island to another. Regarding gastronomy, the exquisite variety of fishes and seafood of the zone, are confused on endless culinary delights that have the “Curanto” (a subterranean cooking of shellfish, pork meat and potatoes, among other ingredients) as its maximum local expression.

Main Attractions

Castro: Province capital of Chiloé, the attraction has a beautiful typical architecture besides a remarkable natural beauty. From Castro is possible to visit the San Francisco Church –World Heritage- and also the pile dwellings and the craft market.
Location: Tenth region. Located 5 kilometers to the north of Llaullau and 167 kms. to the south of Puerto Montt.
Access routes: After entering Chacao by maritime ferry, continue through “Ruta 5 Sur” to Isla Grande.

Ancud: Entrance city to Chiloé island, is one of the most visited attractions by tourist from all over the world, for being the best located city of Chiloé. It has a beautiful urban infrastructure planning that combines the typical zone architecture with the modernity of recent constructions.
Location: Located 90 kilometers to the south of Puerto Montt.
Access routes: Access from Chacao by maritime ferry.

Dalcahue: This attraction is the most important location regarding hand crafts, industrial and nautical development, important also for its “huilliche” influence. Possess an active market located less than 20 kilometers away from Castro and a beautiful architecture that highlights its church declared world’s heritage, built in part by Jesuit missionaries on the XVIII century.

TRADITIONS AND MYTHOLOGY OF CHILOE
3 Days/2 nights All year round

DAY 01 PUERTO MONTT OR PUERTO VARAS / ANCUD / CASTRO
Transfer from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas to Pargua in time to board ferry to Chiloe Island. The Isla Grande of Chiloé is South America's largest island and among its most striking cultural anomalies. The Jesuit order made this corner of the earth their special responsibility, erecting schools and over two hundred elegant wooden churches, nine of which are protected as national monuments and were declared World Heritage by UNESCO. A rich mythology - populated by strange trolls, sea monsters, and eerie ghost ships - is yet another mark of Chiloé's singular history. We will first visit the city of Ancud and the interesting San Antonio Fortress. We will then continue to Castro, the capital city of the island. Its picturesque church (National Monument and World Heritage) is a must. Free time to walk around the city. Please consider a visit to the market. Accommodation at the hotel. Overnight.

DAY 02 CHURCHES ROUTE
Breakfast at the hotel. During the seventeenth century the Catholic order of Jesuits arrived in Chiloé to evangelize the 3 Indian colonies that existed on the island, the Chono, Caucahué and Huilliche, those living on agriculture and fishing. Most died out by strong pests such as smallpox and typhoid among others. These catholic religious perform the so called "massive-circular evangelism groups", and where over more than 80 chapels were built around Chiloé. Spiritually, this is reflected in the modus operandi of the circular task, held by the Jesuits to evangelize this sparsely populated, semi-sedentary, community and that were connected together by the sea so they built a religious community participation, making the local natives have a spiritual and community work, which they called "fiscales". Later on, the San Franciscans arrived and also had their religious communities established by the Jesuits earlier. On December 2000, all the built and remaining fourteen churches were recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage. Subsequently, in 2001, added to its World Heritage list two other churches having a total of 16 churches scattered throughout the archipelago. The recognition of the exceptional universal value that these churches represent and the main characteristic was that they were built of wood and the data of foundation goes back to the XVIII century. The churches that remained and were nominated are: Achao Aldachildo, Caguach, Castro, Shilling, Chonchi, Colo., Dalcahue, Detif, Ichuac, Nercón, Quinchao Rilán, San Juan, Tenaún and Vilupulli. We will visit the most important churches. Return to the hotel in Castro. Overnight.

DAY 03 CASTRO / CAULIN / PUERTO MONTT
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning departure to visit Caulin Bay. Continue to Chacao to take the ferry to Puerto Montt and/or Puerto Varas. The journey ends at the hotel.

Note: In Caulin you can take an optional sailing tour to Puñihuil penguin islets (not included in the rate).

Includes:
" 02 nights in Chiloe Island with breakfast
" Transfers and excursions in bilingual regular service
" Optional Penguin sailing tour US$ 32.- per pax (commissionable)

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Price per person in US$:

* Optional: Excursion to Puñihuil penguinary.
Leaving Ancud, after a brief trip to the Pacific, we will reach Puñihuil, an isolated bay and fishermen cove that arrived to these beaches few years ago, maintaining a very good relation with the three small islands that form the only ecosystem in the world where Magalllanic and Humbolt penguins nest together. Here we will travel on boat to perform an observation navigation of these beautiful specimens, also being able to watch otters, carancas, cormorants, sea wolves and other sea species.
Duration Time: 4 hours
Recommendations: Penguin season from September to March.
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