French by Choice – Our Travels

We begin the tour by going to Pargua south of Puerto Varas city, here we will board a ferry to sail the Chacao Channel, this channel separates the continent of Chiloe Island.

During the sailing, we might see sea wolves, pelicans, and sea birds natives from this area. The ferry berths at Chacao pier, where we see the typical houses that are built of Alerce wood, and the Churches that are National Heritage Sites, then continue along the seaside road to visit Caulín and Lacuy beaches, places very famous for the oyster production and rich marine fauna, until we finally get to Ancud city. In this city we can see the San Antonio Fort; this historic place is located in the highest part of the city, built in the latest part of the XVIII Century, and is part of one of the last Spanish fortifications in our country, the Local Churches Heritage Foundation, the Main Square, and the Central Market, this one has many gastronomic and crafts options of the island.
During the tour, we have the chance to stop in a typical restaurant.

Return to Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas and the respective hotels.

Our Day:

Today’s excursion took us to Chiloe, the Island of Legends.  Folk tales and myths have long been handed across generations through oral tradition. Goddesses who protect land, a lascivious forest dweller who tricks adolescent girls into surrendering their virginity, and a serpent that sucks the lifeblood from a household – these are a few of the good and evil beings that roam Chiloe. The origin of these tales lies in Mapuche legend and its evolution merging with Spanish superstition and Roman Catholic beliefs. The island’s archipelago landscape of mist-shrouded bays, silent forests, and bad weather provide an ideal backdrop for tall tales. Miguel, our guide, and Claudio, our driver, picked us up at 9 am to head for the ferry to Chiloe at Pargua to cross the Chacao Channel. Once we left the ferry, we were shocked to see a badu – one of Chile’s small deer. Unfortunately, I wasn’t quick enough with the camera to get a photo.  Our first stop was Castro, founded by the Spanish in 1567 on a hill overlooking Fiordo Castro. We saw the brightly painted wooden palafitos or stilt houses along the shore. We visited the Iglesia San Francisco, crafted entirely of native woods like cypress, alerce, and coigue, designed by Eduardo Provasoli. It is one of the Jesuit churches in the area and there is a circular route to visit all 17 of them. Just outside in the square, was an artisanal market with woolen jumpers, hats, socks, wood carvings, etc. Our next stop was Dalcahue, on the eastern coast facing the archipelago’s smaller islands. It has evolved from a stop on the Jesuit’s Circular Mission – annual trips made by Jesuits across Chiloe. We visited its UNESCO-protected Iglesia Dulcahue, a wooden church but much more straightforward than the one in Castro. The third stop was the Mercado Delcahue, a wooden dining hall on the waterfront. We were lucky to find space at one of the food stalls and enjoyed a delicious Chilote meal. Adjacent was another market with wares from craftspeople from nearby islands who arrive daily by boat to offer their wares. On returning to the van, we passed through a square with music and couples dancing on a Sunday afternoon. We loaded up, returned to the ferry, and the long drive back to the hotel.