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Travel Chile: Explore the Wilds of Patagonia in Comfort....

"The trip was incredible.  Absolutely breathtaking scenery and a superb boat.  But the best of all was the quality of the company.  You guys are great and are what really  made this trip as spectacular as it was."

Howard &. Karen H.,   Fairbanks, Alaska

Cruising Patagonia: Pumalin Fjords and the Wonders of Chiloé
Remote Pumalin North
2008/2009

US$ 1775 p/p (Including 19% tourist tax)
US$2015 for individual traveller

November 1-6, 14-19
December 1-6 , 14-19
January 14-19
 February 1-6, 14-19
March 1-6 , 14-19,
April 1-6

Reserve Now

You will be greeted at the airport or at your hotel in Puerto Montt (or Puerto Varas) and head off by vehicle to the island of Chiloé. Chiloé is renown for its rich folklore, centuries-old culture, fantastic wildlife, deep green pastures, misty forests and fresh seafood. There is something interesting for everyone on the magical island. First, we will visit the oceanside city of Ancud, one of the cultural and economic centers of the island and have the opportunity to appreciate the varied local arts and crafts (primarily wood and wool products). Also, an afternoon excursion to an island penguin colony on the rugged Pacific Coast- the only place in the world where Humbolt and Magallenic penguins live together. A night spent at an antique farmhouse surrounded in gardens will give you the opportunity to experience the unique local culture firsthand.

Once aboard your lovely vessel, Cahuella, you will navigate through many smaller lush islands and have the opportunity to interact with more friendly local families, taking short walks and enjoying the peaceful majesty of the Chiloé sunset. You will visit places where roads do not exist and the life of the sea is woven into the local culture.  This is off the tourist trail and offers you the unique opportunity to visit a part of the world where life follows the rhythm of the tides.

Your comfortable vessel will weave its way through the more remote islands on the way to the spectacular grandeur of mainland Patagonia and its channels and fjords. Here you will witness the untouched wilderness of the steep, glacier topped Andes, innumerable birds, old growth temperate rainforest and numerous hot springs that motivated American Conservationist Douglas Tompkins to preserve over 700,000 acres as one of South America's largest private park projects.
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This trip has the perfect mix of exotic wildlife, fascinating culture and outrageous beauty.

Includes: All transport from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas (or airport), limited personal liability insurance, all lodging, berth in a double cabin on Cahuella, all gourmet meals and snacks prepared using the freshest the region has to offer, all excursions, hot springs, expert bilingual guides, and wine (during meals).

Sample Itinerary

You will presumably arrive in Santiago and fly to Puerto Montt. Austral Adventures Ltda. will gladly arrange all domestic Chilean flights, transfers and hotels throughout Chile.

Day 1-The Big Island of Chiloé

Leaving in the morning from the Lake District (your hotel or the airport), you will take the open air ferry across the Gulf of Ancud to the big island of Chiloé, renown as a mystical island full of traditions and folklore. Sea lions and penguins are often viewed from the ferry playing in the waters of the Gulf while the snowcapped backbone of the Andes, complete with at least 5 visible volcanoes (weather permitting!) stretches southward. Once on the magical  island of Chiloé, we'll visit the bustling city of Ancud and have a tea and kuchen (a traditional German cake) overlooking the bay. After our guides explain some of the history and culture of the area we'll head west through the verdant countryside, past forests and rolling hills. Pastures and farms dot the way, where every morning and afternoon tin milk jugs await pickup by the local cheese and yogurt factory. Our destination is the rugged Pacific coast and the island penguin colony of Puñihuil. This group of small islands offer 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 make our way down the Panamerican Highway before taking a detour into the countryside for dinner with a local family at their farmhouse to experience the hospitality the island is famous for.  We'll then continue to the of Quemchi where you'll stay in attractive cabins perched on a hill overlooking the waters of the Quemchi Channel- a perfect place to relax and absorb the beauty of Chiloé.

Day 2- Chiloé by Sea

After a peaceful night's rest, we'll head to the colorful wharf of Quemchi where we will find the lovely Cahuella at anchor and breakfast waiting.  Following a brief introduction and being shown your cabin, we will set sail out of the channel and into Chiloé Archipelago. Numerous islands will fill the foreground, shimmering green amidst the blue waters, while the snowcapped peaks of the Andes complete the background (weather permitting, of course). 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. We will visit a nearby family and their small seafood farm nestled among the inlets of the channel. 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 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 at work to not only to observe their work firsthand, but also 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- Pumalin Park and Rainforest Hike

After an early breakfast of fresh homemade specialties, we will set out across the Gulf of Ancud towards the glacier topped Andes to the East. Accompanied by a wide variety of sea birds, dolphins and sea lions, we will cruise to the Comao Fjord and the virgin beauty of the Pumalin Park Project- the brainchild of American Conservationist Douglas Tompkins. The night will most likely be spent below the steep walls of the Quintupeu Fjord, whose misty green walls rise over 1500 meters (4500 ft) out of the deep ocean. . A perfect place to relax, take the zodiac exploring up the river or simply absorb the quiet majesty of life on the shore of a Patagonian fjord.

Day 5- Heart of Pumalin Park-  Hot Springs

After a wonderful night´s sleep we will continue our exploration of this remote corner of Pumalin Park.  Depending on the weather and your interests, we may go for a walk up a nearby valley visiting some of the area's original settlers. The setting is truly breathtaking: dense forest and snowcapped mountains looming overheard.  Massive old-growth forest, pristine clear rivers, endless birdlife and the raw beauty of mother nature.  By early evening we will visit one of the area's hidden volcanic treasures; a spectacular stream of hot water that runs through the rainforest with numerous pools amidst the ferns.

Day 6- Hornopirén- Despideda (Goodbye)

In the morning we will cruise 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 1/2 hour drive amidst the rugged beauty of the Carretera Austral.

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