Travel to Chile

Day 16 Puerto Montt - Chiloé - Puerto Montt (344 Km.)

From Puerto Montt, southern, Chile is fragmented into a set of islands, forming a charming tourist attraction: the Andes delimits the Ocean, the Central Valley and disappears Coastal leads the Chiloé Archipelago. These are islands that give character to the landscape of green hills, decorated with wooden houses and more than 150 churches - 9 of which are National Monument - witness the passage of evangelizing Jesuits and Franciscans.

Chiloé, one of the largest islands of South America, is 180 kilometers long and 50 kilometers wide. During the winter the island is shrouded in mist and rain, but when the sun breaks, is spectacularly green and beautiful, overlooking the gulf and the snowy volcanoes of the land. Its climate, mild in comparison with those of the islands and fjords further south, enabled the first settlers to grow indigenous potatoes in the rich volcanic soil. The island has about 115,000 inhabitants, most of whom live near the sea. Huge virgin forests survive in the center but most of the land is used for wheat vegetables and livestock.

(in 57 Km.) Chacao: It is the main harbor of entry to the island, linked to the mainland by more than thirty daily ferries. It was the headquarters of the military governor until he moved to Ancud, after its foundation. Like neighboring Caulín, is known for its oysters.

(in 27 Km.) Ancud: The city of Ancud was founded in 1765 as a fortress to defend the country against foreign incursions. Built on a series of hills overlooking the bay that lies to the north, is the largest city of the island and one of the best places to stroll, relax, visit cafes and talk to the locals. The museum, shaped like a small fort, with samples on the early history of the island and the southern regions of Chile, while the San Antonio fortress, built in 1770 overlooking the bay. He was the last Spanish stronghold in Chile.

(in 88 Km.) Castro: Castro, with over 15 thousand inhabitants, capital of the province of Chiloé, is a city with an interesting past. It highlights their wooden houses built on stilts in the water known as the "palafitos". These are fishermen´s houses built on poles along the river. It is known also by his manners Festival (February), where you can taste the "curanto", threads and golden liquor. Its main attraction is the Cathedral of San Francisco de Castro, built in wood in 1906 and painted with an orange color. Do not forget to visit the Regional Museum with an extraordinary collection of indigenous relics, illo Market, the best place to buy ponchos, sweaters, gloves, wool hats and baskets. It also sells dried seaweed and peat.

(in 172 Km.) Puerto Montt: After crossing back to the Chacao channel ferry, we return to Puerto Montt.