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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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Real Latin american experts

  • Sallly
    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

  • 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.

  • Sophie
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

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    Finn Clennett - Travel Expert

  • Chris
    Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

  • Alex
    Alex Walker - Travel Expert

    A globetrotter since her childhood, Alex spent a year studying abroad in Guadalajara and has returned to Latin America countless times since then.

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