Penguins in Puñihuil Islets and Ancud — Chiloe Island

Region: North Patagonia
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 1 (Easy)
SUMMARY: From Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas, cross the Chacao Channel by ferry and drive to Puñihuil on Chiloé. Take a open boat to visit the colony of Magellanic and Humboldt penguins (and other marine life). Visit a few sights in the city of Ancud before returning.
DURATION: Full day for Independent Travelers (10 – 12 hours). Cruise Passenger 8-9 hours.
MIN. / MAX. PEOPLE: 2-15 people or more with previous arrangement.
SEASON: From September to March, weather permitting.
ITINERARY: Depart from your hotel, pier or airport (Puerto Montt / Puerto Varas) at 07:30 a.m. After an hour’s drive, we take a 30 minute ferry ride across the Chacao Channel, watching for a variety of birds and sea lions, before arriving at Chiloé.
Chiloé’s Isla Grande (Main Island) is the second largest island in Latin America, after Tierra del Fuego. Like a great ship moored off the Chilean coast, it seems to float, surrounded by several smaller constellations of islands. Some of these islands are so close to each other they are joined at low tide. The low mountains along the west coast of the main island are nevertheless high enough to stop the damp winds blowing off the Pacific, creating a slightly drier microclimate along the interior sea.
We travel to the coast of Chiloé to reach Islotes de Puñihuil on the Pacific Ocean. These islands are a national monument, and the only place in the Pacific, where Magellanic and Humboldt penguins nest together as they migrate in the summer season. The secluded fishing village of Puñihuil has helped to maintain these three islets that make up this unique ecosystem.
We embark on a boat excursion to observe and admire the penguins and other marine species such as otters, Carancas, cormorants and sea lions. (Life jackets are provided.)
Lunch (at your own expense) is optional here, where you will find a delicious fish and seafood menu. Then we depart for the city of Ancud and walk around their seaside promenade, visit the San Antonio Fortress, local market and museum if time permits (optional visit). Back to your hotel or pier.
Note: Program can be changed according to weather conditions.
Note: It is essential that you wear layered clothing in order to fully enjoy and participate in this excursion, windbreaker, rain jacket, sunglasses, hat, and sun protector. Can be cold during the motor boat and ferry crossing.
Note to Cruise Ship Passengers: We return half or one hour before the last tender. If necessary, we shorten the excursion.
INCLUDED: Professional local guide (with Wilderness First Response guide accreditation), ticket for motorboat excursion to Piñihuil Penguins National Reserve, ferry crossing ticket round trip, VHF Communication radio/mobile phone, mineral water and private transportation.
NOT INCLUDED: Travel insurance, entrance fee to museum, personal equipment, lunch, tips or anything not listed in the program.
GUEST PROVIDES: Comfortable clothes appropriate to the activity (overland and motorboat excursion), rain jacket or windbreaker jacket, trekking boots or tennis shoes, 1 day backpack, camera, water, cap or hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
TOUR OPERATED BY: Patagonia SouthernLand Expeditions staff and Piñihuil excursion staff
TOUR COST: Request a quote!
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