Explore the Islands of Chiloe & The Route of the Parks of Patagonia on this 10-day tour from Puerto Varas that 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 community-based projects. Explore an island filled with folklore, unique wildlife, and fishing villages. Walk in the footsteps of Darwin as you head toward the entrance of Patagonia’s Route of Parks, an incredible conservation initiative. Imagine temperate 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 on foot and by boat
Enjoy local traditions in Castro, with market visits and a cooking experience
Hike the Darwin Frog Trail in Pumalín Park and participate in a conservation project
Hike to Chaitén Volcano, then return to Puerto Varas via breathtaking fjord views
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
Meet your guide 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 time to explore the town at your own pace and experience the unique German-Chilean cultural blend. In the evening, gather 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, 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 unique 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
Depart in the morning to explore the River Chepu Natural Sanctuary, where you will enjoy a boat ride through the river’s sunken forest, perfect for spotting local wildlife. Next, take an easy hike to "Muelle de la Luz," one of the many wooden docks that are located at various points around the archipelago, each with a different symbolic meaning for the local inhabitants. 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 & West Coast | Hiking, Cultural & Culinary Adventure
Begin your morning with a walking tour of Castro, visiting the iconic palafitos (houses on stilts) and exploring the local markets, where, with your guide, you purchase ingredients for tonight's dinner. Head to the island’s west side for an easy, two-hour hike to Muelle Las Almas, another symbolic 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 at the market earlier today.
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, back to Puerto Varas.
Day 7: Flight to Chaiten | Route of the Parks Exploration
Today, begin exploring the Route of Parks of Patagonia with a 40-minute flight over the fjords to Chaitén. There, your local guides will introduce 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. Spend the evening in the cozy Caleta Gonzalo lodge, within Pumalin Park.
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 of it's elusive mammals. Spend the evening at leisure in Caleta Gonzalo before dinner.
Hike Distance: 5 kilometers / 3 miles (4 hours)
Difficulty: Medium
Day 9: Fly over the Fjords | Return to Puerto Varas
In the early morning, explore the area of the park near the Caleta Gonzalo fjord before driving to Chaitén for your return flight to Puerto Varas.
Day 10: Departure from the Lakes District
1 Breakfast
Transfer from your hotel to the local airport for your different departure flights.
EXTENSION OPTION: If traveling further south along the Route of the Parks is of interest, ask your trip planner about a 5-day extension to this tour in the Aysen Region, including the Marble Caves, National Park Queulat, and Cerro Castillo National Park.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for Mar 11, 2025 not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for Mar 11, 2025 are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$8,350
Notes
$894 Single Supplement Additional Cost for Private Room when traveling with others. Traveling Solo? Contact us for a custom quote.
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
5 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 7 Dinners, 5 Box Lunches
9 Nights Accommodations
9 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Bilingual guide
Entrance fees to sites visited (mandatory fee, check with your trip planner for costs. Fees are subject to change without notice)
Private ground transportation, window seat guaranteed for each traveler, professional drivers, ferries, boat navigations, and a charter flight to Park Pumalín
Walking poles upon request, binoculars, scopes and literature
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Typically not offered during this period because of weather conditions.
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
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