Chiloe Island Adventure

Arrive at Puerto Montt Airport and meet your driver for a short 20-minute transfer to Puerto Varas, a charming lakeside city with German heritage and stunning views of the snow-capped Osorno Volcano. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time to explore Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Chile’s first national park, which encompasses the volcano itself. Travel along the lakeshore for about 25 minutes, then drive partway up Osorno, where short trails lead to sweeping panoramas of the Lake District. A stop at the Petrohué Falls, where turquoise waters rush over ancient lava flows, offers another highlight of the day. 

In the evening, settle into your lakeside hotel in Puerto Varas.

After breakfast, meet your transport for a full day of sea kayaking in the northernmost fjord of Chilean Patagonia. Begin by paddling along the lake shore before entering the emerald waters of the Río Petrohué, which flow into the head of the Reloncaví Fjord. Spend 4–5 hours on the water, surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes, with plenty of time to enjoy the serenity of the fjord. At midday, stop at a local farmhouse for lunch, where you can stretch your legs and share a moment with the hosts before continuing your paddle. 

The journey concludes in the quaint fishing village of Cochamó. From here, transfer back to your accommodation in Puerto Varas, about 50 minutes away.

After breakfast, drive to Pargua and cross by ferry to Chiloé Grande, watching for sea lions, penguins, and dolphins in the strait. Meet your bilingual guide and visit Chacao, the first Spanish settlement from 1567, then continue to Caulín Bay, a bird sanctuary. Stop for a picnic and beach walk while locals harvest seaweed and dive for clams. Travel 20 minutes to Ancud, founded as a Spanish fort in 1770 and its last stronghold in Chile. Stay at Chil-hue Beach House on tranquil Lechagua Beach, where a 4 km shoreline invites walks, runs, and wildlife viewing. End the day with a home-cooked dinner.

After breakfast, meet your bilingual naturalist guide for a full-day exploration of Chiloé’s Pacific Coast, rugged headlands, wide beaches, and scattered farms. Join local fishermen by boat to the Puñihuil penguin colony, where Magellanic and Humboldt penguins nest side by side. Hike coastal trails through Polocue, Guabún, and Duatao, with chances to spot marine wildlife. Enjoy birdwatching, trekking, and sightseeing to your interests as you explore the island’s wild shoreline.

Venture into the wilds of Chiloé with forest treks and river boating in the Chepu Valley, where 20% of the island’s rivers converge. The 1960 earthquake dropped the land seven feet, leaving behind the haunting “Sunken Forest,” with trees still standing decades later. Ride with a local fisherman through the river, watching for birdlife and the native river otter. Hike through forest trails or walk dunes and coastal paths surrounded by Chiloé’s natural beauty. 

This morning is free to relax at Chil-hue Beach House. Alternatively, take the provided sea kayaks or SUPs to explore on your own. The calm waters are the perfect location to spot birds, dolphins, and sea lions. Around midday, drive 55 minutes to Dalcahue, known for its UNESCO-listed church and vibrant maritime culture. Enjoy lunch at the market, where stalls serve fresh empanadas, seafood soups, and fish dishes in a waterfront setting. Continue 20 minutes to Castro, the island capital, to visit its striking church on the main plaza. Stay overnight in a palafito stilt hotel.

Meet your local guides for a full-day ride to Chiloé National Park. Stop in Chonchi, an oceanside town with a UNESCO World Heritage church, then cycle through dense forests and along the shores of Lakes Huillinco and Cucao. A support van follows if you need a break. Enjoy lunch en route, then return to Castro for the night in your stilt hotel overlooking the estuary. Dinner on your own.

After breakfast, a taxi will take you to the local bus station for your onward journey. The scenic one-hour ride brings you back to Ancud, where your private transport awaits. From here, travel back to the mainland and continue to Puerto Montt Airport for your departing flight.