Join this 10-day The Islands of Chiloe & The Route of the Parks of Patagonia tour adventure from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt which blends the culture and landscapes of the Chiloé Archipelago with the beauty of Patagonia’s Northern Route of Parks! This trip is about discovering hidden trails and connecting with local communities through rewilding and giving-back projects.
Get to explore an island filled with folklore, unique wildlife, and fishing villages. Plus, walk in the footsteps of Darwin as you head toward the entrance of Patagonia’s Route of Parks, an incredible conservation initiative. Imagine rainforests, active volcanoes, fjords, and the towering Andes all merging to create a truly awe-inspiring and pristine wilderness.
Highlights
Scenic views of the Andes and volcanoes on a a walking tour of Puerto Varas
Hike around Osorno Volcano, and join rewilding efforts at Llanquihue Lake
Explore Chiloé Island’s wildlife and culture, including scenic boat rides
Enjoy local traditions in Castro, with market visits and a cooking experience
Hike the Darwin Frog Trail in Pumalín Park, with ancient forests, fjords, and a conservation experience
Hike to Chaitén Volcano, then return to Puerto Varas via breathtaking fjord views
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
You meet your group at the Puerto Montt airport and transfer to the charming town of Puerto Varas. After checking in at your hotel, set out on a guided walking tour through this lakeside town, situated along one of Chile's largest lakes with breathtaking views of the Andes and the active Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. The tour concludes back at the hotel, allowing you time to explore the town at your own pace and experience the unique German-Chilean cultural blend. In the evening, gather in the lobby to join your teammates for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Your day begins with a morning visit to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, with views of Osorno, Puntiagudo, Calbuco, and Tronador volcanoes set against the temperate rainforest. Ascend to 3,000 feet for a hike to the red crater. Back in the valley, explore the Petrohué River, its basalt formations, and waterfalls before heading to Lake Todos los Santos for lunch at Petrohué Lodge. In the afternoon, travel along Lake Llanquihue for a rewilding activity with the NGO Legado Chile, joining scientists in fieldwork supporting local wetlands restoration. Finish the day with a drive to a local brewery for a beer tasting and Chilean barbecue.
Today, you cross to Chiloé Island on a 35-minute ferry ride with views of the Andes and glimpses of the island’s first villages, marked by wooden church towers that reflect Chiloé’s rich cultural heritage. Explore the island’s northern villages, enjoy an oyster tasting, and take a boat ride near a breeding colony of Humboldt and Magellanic penguins, as well as other bird and sea mammal species unique to the Humboldt Current.
Day 4: River Chepu Navigation | Muelle De La Luz | Naturalist Day
You depart in the morning to explore the River Chepu Natural Sanctuary, where you enjoy a boat ride through the river’s sunken forest, perfect for spotting local wildlife. Next, take a soft hike to "Muelle de la Luz," a symbolic wooden dock facing the ocean, followed by a walk along the shore at the river’s mouth. Then, visit a local family home to experience a traditional Chiloé dish, Curanto—a mix of seafood, pork, and chicken cooked in an earth pit in a building called a Fogón. After lunch, head south to Castro, where you stay for the next two nights.
Day 5: Castro Walking Tour | Muelle Las Almas Hike
Begin your morning with a walking tour of Castro, visiting the iconic palafitos (houses on stilts) and exploring the local markets, where you purchase ingredients for tonight's dinner. Head to the island’s west side for an easy, two-hour hike to Muelle Las Almas, a wooden dock with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Return to Castro just in time to prepare dinner alongside a local chef, using the fresh ingredients you gathered directly from local producers.
On your final day in Chiloé, explore the eastern canal villages of Dalcahue, Achao, and Quinchao. Visit several UNESCO World Heritage churches and spend time with local carpenters who are working to preserve the traditional art of boat-making using native wood and ancestral techniques. Enjoy lunch at the cocinerías, community-run food markets led by local women, before returning to the mainland.
Day 7: Flight to Chaiten | Route of the Parks Exploration
You begin exploring the Route of Parks of Patagonia with a 40-minute flight over the fjords to Chaitén. There, your local team introduces you to the conservation and rewilding efforts in the El Amarillo area of Pumalín Park. After a stop at the administration center, take an easy 3 km hike along the Darwin Frog Trail, named after a rare amphibian native to the region. Enjoy a boxed lunch in a scenic spot before heading to your lodge, stopping along the way to walk the Alerce Forest Trail, home to trees over 2,000 years old.
Hike: 3km - easy difficulty
Day 8: Route of the Parks Exploration | Volcano Chaiten Hike
After breakfast, you explore various sections of the park, starting with a medium-difficulty, 5 km hike to the active Chaitén Volcano (about 4 hours) and then taking shorter trails and viewpoints along the road connecting Pumalín Park. The landscapes offer diverse views of glaciers, volcanoes, fjords, and rivers, providing a great chance to learn about the temperate rainforest and its wildlife, including unique plants, amphibians, birds, and, with a bit of luck, some mammals. Spend the evening at leisure in Caleta Gonzalo before dinner.
Hike: 5km - medium difficulty
Day 9: Fly over the Fjords | Return to Puerto Varas
In the early morning, you explore the area of the park near the Caleta Gonzalo fjord before driving to Chaitén for your return flight to Puerto Varas. In the evening, enjoy a final dinner to reflect on the adventure and say farewell to fellow travelers heading home.
Day 10: Departure from the Lakes District
1 Breakfast
Transfer from your hotel to the local airport for your different departure flights
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
We were referred by a satisfied client and the booking of the trip was everything we wanted to do, and they listened to the types of hotels, sightseeing, etc. we wanted to do.
Jan S
1 week ago
Rapa Nui was on my bucket list for a long time so I worried that it would not meet my expectations. Our tour could not have been better. Our guide was knowledgeable and professional with an understanding of the island that made it come alive. I would and have recommended this trip to everyone that will listen.
elisa wright
2 weeks ago
Mary Curry is the BEST! I have worked with her for multiple family trips for over 10 years, and she is responsive, works within your preferences and budget, has great suggestions and has personal travel experience at many of the locations. We prefer active family vacations and Adventure Life and Mary Curry make sure that is what we get!
Heather Spanbauer
1 month ago
My tour operator was helpful. Unfortunately she was unable to get my single-supplement canceled. Not too many tours charge for that anymore and I almost canceled my trip because of that.
Joel
2 months ago
Excellent communication and coordination for our proposed trip. It couldn't have been smoother, and any question we did have was rapidly addressed. It has made the whole process nearly seamless.