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Discover the traditions of Chiloe island

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Pay a visit to an unspoilt isle rich in folklore and rural charm.

Steeped in rural traditions and unique island folklore,the island of Chiloé is one of the richest examples of Patagonian culture and a fascinating complement to the region’s more famous natural attractions. No fewer than 16 Unesco World Heritage wooden churches add vibrant splashes of brightly painted magic to the island’s deep green landscapes. Although you can visit Chiloé on a long day trip from Puerto Varas or
Puerto Montt, we recommend at least couple of nights’ stay to enable this
damp, misty island work its charms.

Most visitors reach the island by road and local ferry (although a new airport has also opened as modernity takes root). An unmissable stop is Chiloé’s capital,
Castro, which has a long history and a photogenic waterfront lined with
brightly painted palafito homes hovering over the lake on
wooden stilts. Visit the town’s market and distinctive shale churches
with their surprisingly Nordic aspect. Head through rugged mountainous terrain to the port of Dalcahue where there’s a handicraft fair selling souvenirs and the thick woollen clothing you’ll see all over the island. Another village you may visit is Qemchi, where you cross by a rickety 500m footbridge to tiny Isla Aucar. Its small botanical garden is a sanctuary of native flora planted by the priest who managed the island’s 19th century chapel.

Holidays Discover the traditions of Chiloe island

From expertly designed Private Journeys to trail-blazing Group Tours, browse our range of carefully crafted holidays.

River meandering towards mountains in Torres Del Paine

Group - Discovery

Chile / Patagonia / Argentina

Charito: Pure Patagonia

12 days from £3,535pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Blue skies over mountains in Torres Del Paine.

Private Journeys

Chile

Luxury Chile: Patagonia, Chiloe and Maipo valley vineyards

13 days from £10,700pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Mount Fitz Roy in Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia

Group - Discovery

Chile / Patagonia / Argentina

Nandu: Peaks and plains of Patagonia

20 days from £5,346pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Winding road of Carretera Austral in Chile

Private Journeys

Chile

Self-drive Chile: Off the beaten track

14 days from £4,600pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Glacier in Argentina

Private Journeys

Chile / Argentina / Patagonia

Signature Patagonia: Highlights of Patagonia

13 days from £7,300pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Papagaio

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Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Lina
    Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

    Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.

  • Mary
    Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert

    Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.

  • Hannah
    Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

    Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.

  • Carrie
    Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert

    A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.

  • Ben
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • Juliet
    Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

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