Search Vantage
See all Adventure Expeditions in:
- Africa
- Arctic / Antarctic
- Asia
- Australia & Pacific
- Central America
- Europe
- Middle East
- North America
- South America
Subscribe to our newsletter
Chiloé And Its Churches – 3D/2N
The islands of the Chiloe archipelago, with the volcanoes of northern Patagonia visible on the eastern horizon, are home to one of Chile’s most traditional subsistence fishing and farming cultures. A rich mythology, populated by strange trolls, sea monsters, and eerie ghost ships, is also part of Chiloé’s fascination. Chiloé’s oldest and largest town, Castro is famous for its colorful palafito houses, built on stilts over the tide, as well as for its excellent seafood and traditional handicrafts. Castro also provides nearby access to the islands of the Chiloé archipelago and the beaches, dunes, and temperate rainforests of Parque Nacional Chiloé. The Island’s name comes from the word “Chilhué”, which means “seagulls place”. Inhabited at the beginning by “cuncos”, “huilliches” and “chonos” (all, indigenous tribes), the Island was discovered by the Spaniards on November 8th, 1553. It got its independence in 1926. That same year the Province of Chiloé was created, incorporated to the Chile Republic and given the city of Castro the status of capital.
The Churches of Chiloé represent a unique example in Latin America of an outstanding form of ecclesiastical wooden architecture. They represent a tradition initiated by the Jesuit Peripatetic Mission in the 17th and 18th centuries, continued and enriched by the Franciscans during the 19th century and still prevailing today. These churches embody the intangible richness of the Chiloé Archipelago, and bear witness to a successful fusion of indigenous and European culture, the full integration of its architecture in the landscape and environment, as well as to the spiritual values of the communities. The Churches are made out of a big hermetic volume of horizontal proportions, usually sustained on foundation stones. A vertical body, the tower, assembles the front that faces the visitor, and is the characteristical element of all these constructions. The tower, always symmetrical, has an entrance-portico and a pediment. It constitutes the construction’s essential trace, not only because of its symbolic importance -it is the base for the cross and the bells- but also because sailors can see it from afar, like a guiding light. In the interior, the space is distributed on a basilica floor and three naves, from which only the central reaches the back wall. The two side-naves end on a partition that becomes the sacristy and the room where the liturgical objects are kept. Wooden columns, erected over stone, separate the naves. With the passing of time, the larch, coihue and cypress with which these Churches were built absorbed humidity, acquiring a dark and grayish color. In its interior they received people’s steps and uncountable candles. Outside, the community organized pilgrimages, with men and women on specific jobs: the dressing and transportation of religious images, the cooking and the singing. All, part of a rich cultural tradition, without which these temples would just be old wood. This is the immeasurable value of the Chiloé churches. They are part of our cultural heritage on a tangible and intangible dimension. A capital which is unique and unrepeatable and that explains the naming of sixteen of these Churches as part of Mankind’s Heritage by the United Nations Organization for the Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO).
Meeting Point: Puerto Montt Hotel.
Included: Hotel accommodation - Meals as listed in the program (B= Local breakfast) - Visits with entrance fees as per program - Transfers and tours as indicated.
Not Included: Any airfares, airport taxes, beverages, Passport and visa expenses, and any other personal expenses.
Notes:
Season: All year round. During high season, the tour on Day 2 visits Ancud – Rilán – Chonchi – and Vilipulli churches.
Services: S.I.B. Min 1 passenger.
Languages: Spanish – English.
Hotels: Ancud Hotel.
Departure Day: Monday or Wednesday.
Day by day Itinerary:
- Day 1 Puerto Montt - Ancud - Departure in the morning from Puerto Montt to visit the Pacific port of Ancud on Chiloé Island. Once we have crossed the Chacao Channel and set foot on the island our first port of call will be the village of Chacao. We will then continue on to Ancud. Visit the fort of San Antonio, Fort Ahui on the extreme west of Ancud Bay near the Corona lighthouse. Here you will have a spectacular panoramic view of the area. Arrival to the Hotel in Ancud. Overnight at the hotel in Ancud.
- Day 2 Ancud – Dalcahue – Castro – Chonchi – Villipulli - Ancud - Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we depart on a full day excursion visiting the most famous churches of Chiloé. The Church of Dalcahue, the church of Achao in isla de Quinchao, the Church of Quinchao , the Church of Castro, the Church of Nercón, the Church of Chonchi, and the Church of Villipulli. We then return to the hotel in Ancud. Overnight at the hotel in Ancud. (B)
- Day 3 Ancud – Chiloé - Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas - Breakfast at the Hotel. Transfer at the agreed time to Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas. (B)
We provide, through “Insure My Trip” comparison site, travel insurance policies from Access America, AIG Travel Guard, CSA Travel Protection, Global Underwriters, HTH Worldwide, International Medical Group, MEDEX, MedjetAssist, MultiNational Underwriters, On Call International, RBC Travel Protection, Seven Corners, Travel Insured, Travelex and TravelSafe. Click to compare the policies available.
Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs
We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.
