Chiloe Cruises

Amazon Adventures

Chile

Classic Chile / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Biking / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises
Fiord Cruises / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Hacienda Life

Magic of Chiloé & Majesty of Pumalín Fjords

This cruise starts on the island of the Chiloé Grande, known for its rich folklore, fantastic wildlife, and varied seafood. Arriving from Puerto Montt by vehicle, we will first visit the island's rugged Pacific coast and a unique penguin colony before spending the night in a local farmhouse. The following day, you'll board the lovely vessel, Cahuella, and sail among several outer islands, dropping anchor every afternoon so you can go ashore and experience the traditional culture of the islands in an area only accessible by boat. Each night will be spent in a calm bay to ensure the most pleasant dreams. Leaving the multitude of islands of the Chiloé Archipelago, we will cross the waters to the spectacular grandeur of mainland Patagonia and its steep-walled fjords. Here you will witness the untouched wilderness of the glacier-topped Andes, old growth temperate rainforest and numerous hot springs that motivated the protection of over 600,000 acres (243,000 hectares) as South America's newest park project- Pumalín. The area is designed to protect the last stands of the 3500 year old Alerce tree as well as serve as a research center into sustainable living in Patagonia. Your talented cook will keep your appetite sated with the freshest products from the sea and local farms while the spectacular cultural treasures of the archipelago together with the natural majesty of the fjords make your experience unforgettable. Your bilingual guide will accompany throughout the tour to ensure the most educational and memorable visit to southern Chile.

Join Cahuella, a 50 ft. wooden motor cruiser made by craftsmen from the island of Chiloé and outfitted for your safety and comfort. Her hull is made in the traditional fishing boat style of the region while her interior was specifically designed for the comfort and safety of her passengers. She features 4 twin berth cabins, 2 fully equipped heads, a spacious living area with large windows, 7-foot ceilings (2.2 m), a talented cook, bilingual guide, and large zodiac boat for shore landings.

Day 1-The Big Island of Chiloé
Leaving in the morning from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas (or airport), we will take the open air ferry across the Chacao Channel to the island of Chiloé Grande, famous for its mythology, culture, wildlife, plantlife and spectacular seafood. We'll visit the bustling seaside city of Ancud for lunch while your bilingual guide explains the history and culture of the area. Afterwards, we'll head west through the verdant countryside as we pass forests and rolling hills. Pastures and farms dot the way, where every morning and afternoon tin milk jugs await pickup by the local cheese factory. Our destination is the rugged Pacific coast and the island penguin colony of Puñihuíl. This group of small islands offers the only place in the world where Humbolt and Magallanic penguins coexist- a very important area for the Chilean conservation movement. Later in the afternoon we travel south to stop into a country farm house for dinner. The hospitality of Maria Luisa Maldonado and her husband Hardi Dimter offers a unique view into the island way of life. Afterwards, we'll continue to the village of Quemchi, where we will board Cahuella. After a brief introduction and a tour of the boat you will enjoy a peaceful evening on the water.

Day 2 Chiloé by Sea
Upon rising we will enjoy breakfast at anchor amidst the colorful boats in the bay. We will set sail out of the channel and into the Chiloé Archipelago. Numerous islands will fill the foreground, shimmering green amidst the blue waters, while the snowcapped peaks of the Andes complete the background. We will drop anchor in the protected bay of Mechuque Island, where traditional palafitos (wooden houses built on stilts with boat parking underneath) and the quaint village make for a wonderful afternoon walk. This traditional island is fantastic for photography and experiencing local life first-hand. In the evening, you will have the opportunity to taste an expertly made pisco sour (the national drink) and enjoy two new wonders: the Chiloé sunset and the wonders of the gourmet cuisine your chef creates from the freshest local produce and seafood.

Day 3- Archipelago
After a breakfast of fresh fruit, bread, jams, local yogurt and more, we will begin cruising amidst the numerous islands of the Archipelago. Our navigation will take us to the quaint village of Tenaún, whose hand-crafted 140 year old wooden church is a UNESCO World Heritage site (along with 15 others) and an impressive monument to the region's missionary past. The rest of the day will be spent immersed in the marine culture of the archipelago: visiting small islands, taking short walks and pulling up to local fishing boats not only to observe their work firsthand, but also to taste the freshness of their catch only moments out of the water! In the afternoon we will cruise to a protected anchorage at a remote outer island to prepare for our early crossing of the Gulf the following day.

Day 4- Pumalín Park
Early in the morning we will cross the Gulf of Ancud to the Comáo Fjord, below the steep forested walls of the Andes Mountains. The silence and isolation of the Cahuelmó fjord, deep in the heart of the Pumalín Park Project will be our destination. We'll adventure on a short forest walk to a virgin waterfall cascading from the glacial heights above- the only way to fully appreciate the denseness of the area's rainforest. Countless waterfalls tumble into the calm waters of the fjord and make one feel as if in a land that time forgot. Sunset on deck is a magical experience of the majesty of the area's untouched natural beauty…. Fine food, good company and excellent Chilean wine always await you later below deck.

Day 5- Pumalín Park- Hidden Hot Springs
After a quiet night´s sleep we will dedicate the day to visiting some of the remote settlements along the Comáo fjord, taking walks in a remote valley and learning more about the Pumalín Park Project. The massive peaks of the Andes covered with glaciers loom overhead the deep waters of the fjord. In the afternoon we'll drop anchor and take a short walk into the forest for an unforgettable natural mineral bath. There is little that compares to soaking in completely natural hot springs in the stunning beauty of the Patagonian fjords. Later, upon returning to Cahuella, your chef will have a fine gourmet surprise waiting for you.

Day 6 - Hornopirén- Despedida (Goodbye)
In the morning we will cruise up the Cholgo Canal towards the perfect forested cone of the Hornopirén Volcano (4800ft, 1572 meters), at the base of which lies the town of the same name. We will finish our Patagonian cruise at the ferry ramp, where the crew will join you for a farewell lunch before bidding you goodbye. Transport will take you up and over the mountains on the lovely journey back to Puerto Montt and the human hum of civilization- a 3 ½ hour drive amidst the rugged beauty of the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway). Drop off will be at your hotel or the airport around 18:00pm.

Price: US$ 1540 per person ($1750 for a single person to have their own cabin)
Departure Dates:
2006 - November 1-6, 14-19, December 1-6, 14-19
2007 - January 14-19 , February 1-6, 14-19 , March 1-6, 14-19 , April 1-6

Natural Majesty of the Patagonian Fjords & Hot Springs

Day 1- Hornopirén
This trip leaves Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas (or airport) by land and follows the Carretera Austral- the only road that makes its way south along the ocean and into the forests and mountains of Patagonia to the town of Hornopirén. Just after mid-day we will meet Cahuella and her staff for a welcome lunch of the freshest products from the land and sea. In the afternoon we'll leave this outpost of civilization and cruise south into the remote wilds of the Pumalin Park Project and the silent majesty of the Quintupeu Fjord. Waterfalls cascade from the steep walls while the white trunks of the Alerce trees that line the high ridges glow when the sun shines. If the weather cooperates, we will spend the night tied to trees on the shore- something necessary in a fjord so deep that anchors do not reach the bottom! In the evening you will enjoy two new wonders: the Patagonian sunset and the fantastic pisco sours (national drink of Chile) that our local chef prepares.

Day 2- Cahuelmó
We'll cruise south during the morning to visit a remote sea lion colony- hundreds of South American Sea Lions on a rocky outcrop below steep forested walls sunning themselves and napping. The afternoon bringing us to the isolated fjord of Cahuelmó- a stunning area of waterfalls and majestic peaks where we will drop anchor and explore a land that has not changed for thousands of years. A zodiac ride will take us to the fjord's hidden treasure: the Baños de Cahuelmó, a group of hot spring pools carved in the rock by pre-hispanic fishermen at the water´s edge. There are few things more magical than soaking in the hot soothing waters in the perfect silence and beauty of a remote Patagonian fjord while the mists swirl in the dense green of the impenetrable forests. Another night of peace, beauty, fine food and true relaxation awaits.

Day 3 Huinay & Hot Springs
Further south we'll arrive at the small settlement of Huinay, where short walks in the massive valley are possible. The settlement has played an interesting role in the political history of the Pumalín Park Project and remains out of the park's jurisdiction, effectively splitting the northern and southern sections of the park in two. In the afternoon we'll make our way to one of the region's premiere treasures- a veritable stream of thermal water cascading through the ferns of the native forest and forming multiple pools. The experience and location of these hot springs are unforgettable. As usual, the comfort of Cahuella and her chef's gourmet treats await.

Day 4 Despedida (Goodbye)
After a relaxing breakfast, Cahuella will navigate up the Cholgo Channel towards the perfect forested cone of the Hornopirén Volcano (4800ft, 1572 meters), at the base of which lies the town of the same name. We will finish our Patagonian cruise at the ferry ramp, where the crew will join you for a farewell lunch before bidding you goodbye. Transport will take you up and over the mountains on the lovely journey back to Puerto Montt and the human hum of civilization- a 3 ½ hour drive amidst the rugged beauty of the Carretera Austral.

Price: US$840 p/p (Including 19% tourist tax) (For single traveler to have own cabins: US$950)

Departure Dates:
2007 - Jan. 7, Feb. 7, March 7, April 7

Prices for both cruises include: all transport from Puerto Montt/ Puerto Varas, all accommodation, all meals, onboard cook, wine and beer with meals, bilingual guide, all activities, hot springs entrances, limited personal liability insurance while on board, taxes.

We can also create charter cruises for groups for the last week of each month..