Kreuzfahrt nach
Castro

Explore some of the many iconic landmarks of Chiloé Island during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Nercon Church, Castro and San Francisco Church

Depart the pier for the short drive to the Nercon Church. Upon arrival, take a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to the Nercon Church, Chiloé Island is renowned for its many other iconic wooden churches dating from the late-Colonial period. Leaving the Nercon Church, re-board your coach for a short sightseeing drive here, then return to Castro for a visit to the San Francisco Church, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the Plaza de Armas, the yellow, early-20th-century San Francisco Church has two steeples and a distinctive wooden interior.

Llaullao, and Dalcahue Church and Market

Next, continue on to Dalcahue, a picturesque village located approximately 12.5 miles (about 20 kilometres) north of Castro. En route, pass by the colourful hamlet of Llaullao, home to 'tejuelas'-roofed houses and a beautiful chapel in a lovely setting. Upon arrival in Dalcahue, a visit is made to the late-18th-century Dalcahue Church, one of the oldest and largest in the area. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board the coach and commence the approximately 30-minute drive back to the pier.

Chiloe National Park is located by the Pacific Ocean, 58 km South from Castro town. The road is paved, however with many curves, so driving is quite slow.

Leave the pier to head South passing next to Chonchi town. Only 9 km before reaching the Park, we will drive along Huillinco and Cucao Lakes. Throughout this trip, we will learn about the local flora, fauna and the history of the primitive settlements visited by Charles Darwin in the 1800s. We will also drive by Cucao village and heard about the tsunami that this town suffered in 1960.

Upon arrival to the Park, which has 43.000 hectares, we will visit its Visitor's Center, where we will receive the first instructions and get ready to start the trek. Then we will proceed to the “El Tepual” trail on mostly flat dirt terrain, parts of the path are also covered by a boardwalk. Along the walk, we will see many different species of trees, such as coihües, mañios and cipreses. After you walk, enjoy a small snack before returning to re-join the ship.

Discover why Chiloé Island is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage Site churches during this scenic, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Gamboa Bridge, Wooden Houses and Vilipulli Church

Depart the pier for the short drive to the Gamboa Bridge and admire the typical 'palafitos', or wooden houses, which are built on stilts above the water. After crossing the Gamboa Bridge, continue on to the village of Vilipulli for a visit to the Vilipulli Church, a National Monument built in the 18th century and visited by Charles Darwin in 1853.

Chonchi Town, Church and Museum of Traditions

Next, re-board your coach and head to Chonchi, the 'three-storey town', with its houses arranged on steps on the hillside. The town was founded as a Jesuit missionary residence in 1754, and the construction of the Chonchi Church began at the same time. Following a visit to the Chonchi Church, take a guided stroll past the colourful wooden houses en route to a visit to the small, but interesting, Museum of Traditions.

Castro, San Francisco Church, Plaza de Armas and Handicraft Market

Leaving Chonchi, re-board your coach and drive back to Castro for a visit to the San Francisco Church, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the Plaza de Armas, the yellow, early-20th-century San Francisco Church has two steeples and a distinctive wooden interior.

The tour concludes back at the ship.

Leave the pier to drive to the Nercon church that was closed for years due to renovation and admire its amazing wood structure. Afterwards, continue towards Chonchi, the "three-story town" with its houses arranged on steps on the hillside. The town was founded as a Jesuit missionary residence in 1754 and the construction of the church was started at the same time.

Visit the church and walk downwards along the colorful wooden houses to visit the small but interesting House/Museum of Traditions and take a short walk to the bay area. Continue to Gamboa Bridge located over the Gamboa River to appreciate the "palafitos", wooden houses built on stilts above the water, something very typical from the island before driving back to Castro. Back in the main town, visit San Francisco church, built in 1906. Enjoy some time at leisure at the main Plaza before returning to the pier.

Your journey begins in Port of Castro and heads north along a rural road. Keep an eye out for some of the typical houses of the island on your way to the Rilan Peninsula, which is characterized by its rolling hills, forests, and picturesque coastlines. Up on arrival at the local farm, listen to a safety briefing, then pick a horse and begin your 120 minutes ride along the paths on the countryside and along the beach. Refreshments will be served before returning to the pier.

Leave the pier and head south to Queilen, one of the small towns that composes the Chiloe island.

From Queilen the tour continues with a navigation on a private boat to Isla Conejos, where a colony of Magellan penguins live, on the way it is possible to observe dolphins, sea lions; and different types of birds. After observing the penguins from the island (no landing) navigation back to Queilen.

On the way back to Castro, a brief stop to admire the palafitos will be made.

Embrace the Old World charm of Quinchao Island during this panoramic, half-day excursion via coach and boat.

Dalcahue, Llaullao, Chapel and Ferry-Ride

Depart the pier for the short drive to Dalcahue, a picturesque village located approximately 12.5 miles (about 20 kilometres) north of Castro. En route, pass by the colourful hamlet of Llaullao, home to 'tejuelas'-roofed houses and a beautiful chapel in a lovely setting. Upon arrival in Dalcahue, proceed to the ferry-boat terminal and embark a ferry for the short ride to Quinchao Island.

Quinchao Island, Curaco de Velez, Historic Houses and Swans

After disembarking on Quinchao Island, board a coach and drive towards Achao. Along the way, pass through Curaco de Velez, a very small village of approximately 500 inhabitants. Its heyday was back in the 1850s, when cattle ranchers and whalers lived here, and the beautiful houses seen today remain as a testimony of the past times. Also highlighting the village are the black-necked swans, which may be seen along the coastal avenue.

Achao Town and Church, Ferry-Ride, and Dalcahue Town and Church

Next, continue on to the town of Achao, founded as a Jesuit Residency in 1743. With almost 2,500 inhabitants, Achao is alive with boats from all the surrounding islands, making it one of the busiest ports in the area. Highlighting the town is its church, built in 1730, which contains beautiful Baroque imagery. Following a guided visit to the church, proceed for a refreshment stop at a local restaurant in the main square and watch a folkloric presentation. Afterward, some free time is made available to explore Achao at your leisure. Leaving Achao, re-board your coach and head back to the ferry-boat terminal for the short ride back to the village of Dalcahue. After a visit to the late-18th-century Dalcahue Church and some free time at your leisure, re-board your coach and commence the short drive back to the pier.

Leaving Castro, you'll head into the verdant countryside for a 20-minute drive through rolling farms and bird filled wetlands towards to the picturesque fishing village of Dalcahue. The port is filled with colorful boats at anchor that work in fishing, crabbing, diving, and transport throughout the islands of the archipelago off the coast. A block away is the wooden church that was built in the end of the 19th century upon the site of a Jesuit Chapel which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The history of the missionaries (Jesuits, Franciscans) is deeply entwined with these old coastal communities.

Continue to Dalcahue for a visit of the village. Take an 8-minute ferry crossing to the Island of Quinchao, where you disembark and make your way to Curaco de Velez. This very small village of approximately 500 inhabitants saw its best times back in the 1850s when cattle ranchers and whalers lived here, and the beautiful centuries-old homes you see today remain as a testimony of better times, built with diverse different shapes of shingles or “tejuelas” made from Alerce (Fitzroya cupresoides) wood - the oldest living tree in the Southern Hemisphere.

Arrive in the town of Achao, founded as a Jesuit Residency in 1743. With almost 2,500 inhabitants today, Achao is alive with boats from all the surrounding islands, making it one of the busiest ports in the area. Highlighting the town is its Church of Santa Maria de Loreto, the oldest in Southern Chile, whose stunning woodwork contains beautiful baroque imagery.

Continue to a local restaurant for a Chiloé traditional lunch. After lunch continue to take the ferry back to Dalcahue to return to Castro, the capital of Chiloé, with about 29,000 inhabitants. Visitors to the island often choose Castro as a base for its central proximity to many attractions. Not the most architecturally charming of all towns, Castro's shores are nonetheless interesting for their rickety homes on stilts, known as palafitos, and the colorfully- painted church. Although a tsunami washed away the stilt houses in 1960, one of the oldest (1750-1790) and largest churches in the area still survives and is an example of the regional architecture. Visit Castro's cathedral, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to the pier, with optional drop off at the Castro's main square.