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 have the first taste of local food enjoying lunch at one of the locally owned food trucks in front of the lake. Afternoon will be at leisure to explore the town and get a personal taste of Puerto Varas, a unique sample of German-Chilean cultural blend.

Dinner on own. Overnight in Puerto Varas – Hotel Bellavista or similar.

DAY 2. HIKE TO THE RED CRATER AND THE PETROHUÉ FALLS – Hiking, exploring and rewilding

Morning of exploration of the foothills of the Osorno Volcano enjoying a soft walk to the Petrohué Falls and a 2 miles hike to the red crater of the Osorno volcano with great views of the main crater of this perfect conic shape mountain and the Andes Mountain range. In the afternoon we will meet our partners of the NGO Legado Chile for our giving back and rewilding experience doing field work of regeneration and natural restoration of the wetlands located in the small village of Llanquihue.

Dinner on own, overnight in Puerto Varas – Hotel Bellavista 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 a taste of oysters, and navigating close to a breeding colony of Humboldt and Magellanic Penguins, among other species of birdlife related to the Humboldt Current. Lunch and Oyster tasting included.

Dinner on own. Overnight in Castro – Hotel Palafito 1326 or similar

DAY 4. THE CHEPU RIVER AND DUHATAO HIKE – Hiking and Local Community Day

A day off the beaten path with a medium difficulty hike through the forests and the cliffs of the Pacific Coast of Chiloé (10 km., 6 hours). At the end of the hike, we will board a boat to navigate the mouth of the river Chepu crossing the sunken forest and disembarking in the village. After a short transfer we

will get to a local family house to participate in the preparation of the typical Curanto.

Breakfast and Lunch included. Dinner on own. Overnight in Castro – Palafito 1326 or similar.

DAY 5. CASTRO AND WEST COAST – Naturalist, cultural & culinary day

Morning walking tour of Castro, visiting the Palafitos (houses on stilts) and the local market 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, a wooden deck 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 the ingredients that we bought at the market in the morning.

Breakfast, Box lunch, Dinner included. Overnight in Castro – Palafito 1326 or similar.

DAY 6. THE 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 community before we head back to the mainland.

Breakfast and Lunch included. Dinner on own. Overnight in Puerto Varas – Hotel Bellavista or similar.

DAY 7. THE ROUTE OF THE PARKS OF PATAGONIA – Conservation Legacy and naturalist day

We start the exploration of the Parks of Patagonia flying over the fjords to reach Chaitén after only a 40-minute flight. Our local team will introduce us to this worldwide treasure of conservation and rewilding with the exploration of El Amarillo area of Park Pumalín with a hike of 6 hours to the Glacier El Amarillo (18 km– low difficulty) or the Darwin’s Frog Trail (6 km, low difficulty). In the evening we drive to Caleta Gonzalo for dinner and to enjoy the sunset at our charming cabins with views to the fjord. Lunch and dinner included. Overnight in Caleta Gonzalo, Parque Pumalín

DAY 8. THE ROUTE OF THE PARKS OF PATAGONIA – Naturalist and rewilding

After breakfast we will explore different sections of the park with a hike to the active Volcan Chaitén (4 hours – 5km – medium difficulty) and an interpretative hike to Cascadas Escondidas (Hidden Waterfalls, 3 hours, 2 km – low difficulty). The Volcán Chaitén is still active and a really amazing sample of the power of nature in these lands. The interpretative hike 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 and with a little luck some mammals and birds as the Pudú, the smallest deer on earth, the Magellanic Woodpecker and the Chucao tapaculo, among others.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Overnight in Caleta Gonzalo, Parque Pumalín

DAY 9. THE FJORDS OF NORTH PATAGONIA – Scenic and sea exploration

Departure from Caleta Gonzalo to Puerto Varas toward the north driving through the Carretera Austral. The first ferry will take us from Caleta Gonzalo through the Fiordo Largo (45 minutes) and then after a short drive we will board the ferry for a 4-hour navigation of the Fiordo Comau and then a last ferry from Caleta Puelche to Caleta La Arena. The ferry navigation is one of the highlights of this itinerary with spectacular views of the mountains, volcanoes, and the picturesque fishermen villages along the shore.

Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight in Puerto Varas – Hotel Bellavista or similar.

DAY 10. END OF THE ADVENTURE

After breakfast we will meet our local team for a briefing about our adventure, sharing pictures and videos and say goodbye to our teammates. Transfer to the airport of Puerto Montt Breakfast included.

EXTENSION AYSÉN REGION AND THE MARBLE CAVES

DAY 1. GATE TO THE STEPPE OF PATAGONIA – COYAHIQUE – Experience locals

Morning flight to the airport of Balmaceda and transfer to the town of Coyahique. Light lunch while we explore the town walking, and we visit Research and Investigation Center of Patagonia where professionals will share with us details of their project of effects of Climate Change at the basin of the River Baker. Coyahique is located at a stunning area of mountains and Patagonian steppe, and it is one of the most populated Patagonian towns. The region is famous for as a gate for adventure experiences and for its microbreweries, we will meet local entrepreneurs that produce a high-quality beer and enjoy a dinner with them with an exclusive beer tasting at the open terrace looking at the mountains of Coyahique

Breakfast, Dinner included. Overnight in Coyahique – The Patagonian Lodge or similar

DAY 2.   THE SUSPENDED GLACIER OF QUEULAT PARK AND VENTISQUERO HOTSPRINGS – Hike and Naturalist Day

After a delicious breakfast we head north along Carretera Austral to reach the national Park Queulat. The driving is spectacular with fantastic sceneries along the Rio Simpson as we approach the temperate Patagonian evergreen forests of Queulat National Park. Once arrived, we’ll enjoy a low difficult hike to an overlook of the famous suspended glacier and its spectacular waterfall, before we head down to the lakeside for a picnic lunch. On the way back to Coyahique we will stop at the Ventisquero Hot Springs for a regenerating dip at the shore of the fjord before we arrive in the late afternoon to Coyahique. Evening at leisure to explore the area at your own pace.

Breakfast and Lunch included. Dinner on own. Overnight in Coyahique – The Patagonian Lodge or similar

DAY 3.  THE LAKE GENERAL CARRERA – Villages and remoteness

Begin drive south and navigate the second largest lake of South America via ferry from Puerto Ibanez to Chile Chico and then reaching the beautiful lakeside village of Puerto Guadal. It will be a day of stunning landscapes and views to glaciers, lakes, rivers, mountains, and the vastness of the steppe of Patagonia.

Breakfast, box lunch and dinner included. Overnight in Puerto Guadal at Terra Luna Lodge or similar

DAY 4. THE MARBLE CAVES – Hike and Naturalist Day

Drive north to Puerto Tranquilo and exploration of the marble caves in Lake General Carrera, the largest lake of Patagonia. The marble caves can be enjoyed as a private tour on a small boat, or sea kayak to the caves, as well. You decide! And weather decides too!! In the afternoon we will explore the trial to the Maqui waterfall with spectacular views to the immense Lake General Carrera and the mountains around.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included in Puerto Guadal at Terra Luna Lodge or similar

DAY 5. ROAD TO CERRO CASTILLO NATURAL RESERVE – Giving back and Active Adventure

Early departure to Cerro Castillo driving an alternative road to enjoy different views and landscapes. Arrive near to lunch time. For the afternoon you will have the chance to explore hiking the natural Reserve Cerro Castillo, a perfect spot for wildlife observation with chances to find the endangered Chilean Andean Deer. In the evening we will meet locals and prepare our farewell dinner: a lamb barbecue that gauchos of the local community of Cerro Castillo will share with us! The best and a unique way to say goodbye to this wonderful land.

Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner included. Overnight in Cerro Castillo at La Casona Bed and Breakfast or similar

DAY 6. END OF THE EXTENSION

After breakfast we will drive to the airport of Balmaceda for your flight.