CHILE UNEXPLORED TOUR
THE ISLAND OF CHILOÉ + THE ROUTE OF THE PARKS PATAGONIA
Nature – Wildlife – Rewilding – Communities
This 10-Day Chile Unexplored Tour explores the wilds of Chiloé Island and the Route of the Parks in Patagonia.
Experience 10 powerful days in southern Chile, where travel meets purpose. This journey blends raw natural beauty with real environmental impact, taking you deep into the culture of Chiloé and the untamed northern edge of the Route of the Parks of Patagonia. You’ll hike off-the-radar trails, explore vibrant ecosystems, and take part in hands-on conservation and rewilding efforts that support local communities and protect threatened landscapes.
Chiloé is more than an island—it’s a living story of myth, marine life, and resilient traditions. From its coastal fishing villages to its endangered rainforests, you’ll engage with the people and places at the heart of Chilean conservation. Following Darwin’s path, we’ll travel south into Patagonia’s wild frontier, the Route of the Parks: a land shaped by glaciers, framed by the Andes, and home to one of the most ambitious conservation projects on Earth.
This is more than a tour—it’s a chance to give back, restore, and reconnect with what wild truly means.
Above all, visitors travel to Chile for its remote and shockingly gorgeous landscapes. Contact us for more info – info@finisterra.ca
Day 1 – WELCOME TO THE LAKE DISTRICT
Meeting of the group at the airport of Puerto Montt and transfer to the charming town of Puerto Varas.
After the check in at our hotel we will start a walking tour through this town located at the shore of the one of the largest lakes of Chile and with a breathtaking view to the Andes and the active volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco. We will finish the walk at the hotel to give time at leisure to explore the town and get a personal taste of Puerto Varas, a unique sample of German-Chilean cultural blend. In the evening we will meet at the lobby to walk with our teammates to our welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Dinner included. Overnight in Puerto Varas – Hotel Cumbres.
Day 2 – ORSORNO VOLCANO + REWILDING AT LLANQUIHUE LAKE
A vibrant day that starts in the morning visiting the National Park Vicente Perez Rosales with stunning views over the volcanoes Osorno, Puntiagudo, Calbuco and Tronador surrounded by the exuberant temperate rainforest. The landscape changes dramatically while we advance ascending to 3.000 feet to the volcano station from where we will have a hike to the red crater. Once back in the valley we will explore the river Petrohué and its magnificent basaltic formations and waterfall before we head to the Lake Todos los Santos for our lunch at the Petrohué Lodge.
The day continues through the shore of the Lake Llanquihue for a rewilding activity with our partners of the NGO Legado Chile that since 2016 lead an ambitious program of natural restoration and environmental education with the local wetlands and communities. Our team will join the scientists for a field work before we head north through the scenic lake road and reach a local brewery where we will enjoy a beer tasting and a Chilean barbecue.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Overnight in Puerto Varas – Hotel Cumbres or similar
Day 3 – WELCOME TO CHILOÉ + NATURALIST DAY
Today we will cross to the island of Chiloé, during the 35 minutes of ferry navigation we will have great views to the Andean range and the first villages of the island with the typical wooden towers of the churches that mark the entrance to the living cultural heritage of Chiloé. We will explore the north part of the island visiting small villages, having an oyster tasting and navigating close to a breeding colony of Humboldt and Magellanic Penguins, among other species of birds and sea mammals specialties of thesouthern Humboldt Current. Lodging will be at the charming wooden building of hotel Ancud, a very local-style hotel facing the Pacific Ocean. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Overnight at Hotel Ancud
Day 5 – CHILOÉ ISLAND
Morning departure to explore the fantastic Natural Sanctuary of the River Chepu, to enjoy a quiet boat navigation through the sunken forest of the river, having great opportunities for wildlife observation. Then we will do a soft hike to “Muelle de la luz”, one of the wooden docks facing the ocean that are located in different points of the archipelago, each dock has symbolic meanings for the local inhabitants. We will also have a nice walk through the sandy shore at the mouth of the river before we head to a local family home to enjoy a typical dish of the Chiloe gastronomy: the Curanto. We will participate in this collective preparation of seafood, pork and chicken cooked in a pit on the ground in a dedicated building called Fogon.
After lung we will head south to the village of Castro where we will spend the next two nights.
Breakfast, lunch included. Dinner on own.
Overnight in Castro – Palafito 1326 or similar.
Day 5 – CASTRO AND WEST COAST– NATURE, CULTURAL & CULINARY
Morning walking tour of Castro, visiting the Palafitos (houses on stilts) and the local markets. where we will buy the products that later we will use to prepare our dinner. Once we reach the west side of the island, we will have a low difficulty hike (2 hours) to Muelle Las Almas, another wooden dock facing a stunning view to the Pacific ocean. We return to Castro just in time for a dinner that will be prepared by the guests and a local chef, with ingredients that we will buy direct from the producers.
Breakfast, Box lunch, Dinner included.
Overnight in Castro – Palafito 1326 or similar.
Day 6 – VILLAGES OF THE EAST COAST – CULTURAL & LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Our last day in Chiloé exploring the villages of east canals, Dalcahue, Achao and Quinchao visiting some of the Unesco World Heritage temples of the archipelago and experience a learning and sharing time with local carpenters that are struggling to keep alive the art of boat making using native wood and ancestral skills. We will enjoy lunch at the “cocinerías” that are food markets run by women leaders of the local communty before we head back to the mainland.
Breakfast and Lunch included. Dinner on own.
Overnight in Puerto Varas – Hotel Cumbres
Day 7 – ROUTE OF THE PARKS OF PATAGONIA – CONSERVATION
We start the exploration of the Route of Parks of Patagonia flying over the fjords to reach Chaitén after a 40 minutes flight. Our local team will introduce you to this worlwide treasure of conservation and rewilding with the exploration of El Amarillo area of Park Pumalín. After a visit to the administration center we will enjoy a soft interpratative hike of 3 km through the trail named as a small and endangered amphibian of the southern forest: the Darwin frog trail.
We will enjoy our box lunch at a nice and scenic area before we drive to the lodge. On the way we will explore the Alerce forest trail, an incredible trail of trees of over 2000 years old.
Breakfast, box lunch and dinner included.
Overnight in Caleta Gonzalo, Parque Pumalín
Day 8 – ROUTE OF THE PARKS OF PATAGONIA – NATURE & REWILDING
After breakfast we will explore different sections of the park with a hike to the active Volcano Chaitén (4 hours – 5km – medium difficulty) and other shorter trails and look at points along the road that connect the park Pumalin. The landscapes are diverse and exuberant with views to glaciers, volcanoes, fjords and rivers. It will be a great chance to know more about the temperate rainforest and its wildlife, with a great variety of flora, interesting and elusive amphibians, birds and with a little luck, some mammals.
Sunset at leisure at the Caleta Gonzalo before dinner.
Breakfast, box lunch and dinner included.
Overnight in Caleta Gonzalo, Parque Pumalín
Day 9 – FJORDS TO MAINLAND
Early morning dedicated to explore the section of the park near the fjord of Caleta Gonzalo before we drive to Chaiten for our flight back to Puerto Varas. Evening dinner to review our adventure, say goodbye to our fellow travelers that fly back home.
Breakfast, box lunch and dinner included.
Overnight in Puerto Varas – Hotel Cumbres.
Day 10 – END OF THE ADVENTURE
After breakfast you will be transferred to the local airport to start their journey way back home OR option to extend to Route of the Parks, Marble Caves, Torres del Paine, or elsewhere.
Breakfast included.
Tour Exclusions
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
Please take the time to read and understand the conditions of booking set out in our Booking Terms & Conditions prior to booking a trip with Finisterra Travel LTD. We strongly recommend that you also read the Country Information relating to your trip prior to booking, and ensure that you understand the itinerary and the active style of the trip you are undertaking.
IMPORTANT NOTES
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change. Although we always do our best to stick to the itinerary, due to the ever-changing nature of Morocco, activities, hotels, and visits are subject to change due to forces beyond our control.
AIR TRAVEL: Flights are not included in the tour price. DO NOT purchase any airline tickets until the trip is confirmed to take place. Pre and post-tours can be arranged through available at an additional charge.
PASSPORTS: Must be valid for at least 6 months upon return date to your home country. Proper documentation is the responsibility of each traveller.
VISAS: (responsibility of the traveller)
PROGRAM COSTS: Program costs are based on a minimum number of participants and are subject to change without notice. Single supplement will apply to single travelers (unless a participant opts in for room share and a roommate is found. this cannot be guaranteed).
Travel Insurance
Cancellation, Travel, Flight, and Health insurance are required and are the responsibility of the participant to research and secure the appropriate coverage. Click HERE for a Travel Insurance Quote or please email nicola@finisterra.ca for a quote.
Check with your local travel agent /insurance provider/health plan for advice about traveling overseas.
Waiver Form
All participants will be required to sign a Waiver Form prior to departure.
SAMPLE HOTELS
Puerto Varas – Hotel Cumbres (or similar)
Castro – Palafito 1326 (or similar)
Parque Pumalin – Caleta Gonzalo (or similar)
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Even though we wish you a flawless trip, things can happen, especially nowadays. Make sure you are prepared with a Travel Insurance policy that is right for you. Finisterra recommends Manulife Insurance or John Hancock Please feel free to ask us about Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance, Cancel for Any Reason Policies, Travel Medical Insurance, or any other questions you may have.
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CANADIANS
Travel with confidence knowing that you’re covered with Manulife Insurance.
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR AMERICANS – JOHN HANCOCK
Explore the world, stress-free, when you book travel insurance with John Hancock International.
WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
At Finisterra Travel we help you discover, push personal boundaries, and explore the unknown.
We are super passionate about sustainable, transformational, and adventure travel. Definitely not “armchair travellers”, we have firsthand experience of where you’ll be heading. No one wants to feel like a tourist which is why when we plan a custom travel experience for you, we strive to make your adventure as authentic as possible. We offer an array of Small Group Adventures & Custom Trips, and have something for every type of traveller.
Our unique itineraries are designed to best showcase some of our favourite destinations around Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, North America, and Europe. All itineraries are fully-customizable. Not your typical online travel agency, nor are we quite a tour operator, we are international travel designers with a flair for unique experiences. We’d love to hear from you!
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