Self drive in Chiloé
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Chiloe Island is known for its churches, which are true architectural gems built with native wood such as larch, cypress and Podocarpus (called mañio)*, in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Today they are a World Heritage Site. Chiloe has many customs, legends, hospitable people, and exceptional landscapes with many types of flora and fauna.

*Podocarpus (Podocarpus nubigenus was described by John Lindley and published in the Journal of Botany, British and Foreign 66: 141. 1928. Locally called Mañio).

 

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport - Puerto Montt – Hornopirén

We will arrive to El Tepual airport and then we will pick up your vehicle (previously selected). We suggest doing some shopping for the next day’s picnic, and then starting the trip to Caleta La Arena (45 km to board the ferry crossing in 45 minutes Reloncaví Estuary to Caleta Puelche where the route continues to Hornopirén (1-hour drive approx.). Along the way there are the Baths of Pichicolo, which you can visit if you wish. We will spend the night at the Hornopirén Hotel.

Day 2: Puerto Montt - Hornopirén - Chaitén - Lake Yelcho

We will depart to go to the port to board the ferry which will take us to Leptepu at 11: 00 am. We will sail for three and a half hours. Afterward we will travel by land for 10 kilometers (6.21 MILES), and board a ferry that will drop us off in the Caleta Gonzalo in 45 minutes.
We suggest visiting the Sendero de los Alerces at 3:30 pm, and then continuing on to Chaiten. Take a little tour of the village and continue the trip to Lake Yelcho. We will stay at the Yelcho Lodge. For this day we recommend a trip to the town of Futaleufu.

Day 3: Yelcho Lake – Futaleufu

We will take a journey into the mountains with a variety of landscapes where we will find the Futaleufu River, which today has become a paradise for the world of rafting. We will stay at the Yelcho Lodge.

Day 4: Yelcho Lake - Chaitén – Quellón

We will depart early for Chaiten and board the motor boat Jak a fat 10:00 am to go to the Port of Quellon on Chiloe Island, arriving at approximately 3:00 pm, to then continue on to the city of Castro. We will stay at the Blue Unicorn Hotel.

Day 5: Castro

We will have breakfast at the hotel. We recommend a tour of Castro for this day, to get to know the attractions such as the country outdoor market, craft market, houses on stilts (palafitos), the churches as Heritage Sites in Castro and Nercón, and finally the lookout point of Ten. We will stay at the Blue Unicorn Hotel.

Day 6: Castro - Dalcahue – Achao

We will have breakfast at the hotel.

Our suggestion is to visit Dalcahue and the island of Quinchao. This route will take us to the cultural, agricultural, and religious heritage sites of Chiloe to tour the towns of Dalcahue, Curaco de Velez, and Achao, where you will find the heritage churches. There are also small but interesting museums, craft market, and an attractive cuisine. We will stay at the Blue Unicorn Hotel.

Day 7: Castro - Ancud – Aeropuerto

We will have breakfast at the hotel.

Depending on the time of your flight, our suggestion is to visit the city of Ancud and then continue to El Tepual Airport and to return the vehicle.

Program includes Not included
  • 7-day car rental with unlimited mileage, tax (VAT CDW mandatory coverage and airport fee)
  • 1 night of accommodations in Hornopirén.
  • Ferry routes Hornopiren – Leptepu / Long Fjord – Caleta Gonzalo / Chaiten – Quellon
  • 2 nights in Yelcho Lodge, with breakfast.
  • 3 nights in the Blue Unicorn hotel with breakfast.
  • Airfare.
  • Tips.
  • Laundry.
  • Excursions and visits.
  • Entrances to National Parks and Museums.
  • Meals, drinks and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Insurance.