Average rating Chile Lake District Cruise

Spend a relaxing four days aboard the Ona boat cruising around Chile’s Lake District area – Chiloe. Catch fresh seafood and watch as your chef rustles it up Chilean style. Explore islands, museums, and enjoy dinner around a bonfire. And then sleep the night away in your own private cabin.

Chiloe is an archipelago known as Chile’s lake district. And with weather that’s often not dissimilar to the UK’s lake district - often misty and rainy – it’s not surprising why it got this moniker. The skyline here is pierced with over 150 wooden churches – a staggering 16 of which have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You’ll also see stilt houses or ‘palafitos’ – rickety wooden houses that teeter above the water’s edge. Although part of Chile, Chiloe has a very distinctive identity of its own.

On this four-day Lake District cruise you’ll be immersed in a life on the ocean wave. Try your hand at traditional Chilean fishing techniques taught by your captain, gather fresh oysters and, if you’re lucky, watch shoals of sawfish dart past you in the water below. But there’s a fair bit of exploring on dry land, too. You’ll spend time discovering some of the many wooden churches that dot the islands, and get a glimpse into the culture, people and history of this country as you visit museums and see traditional handicrafts being made.

This cruise is designed to be a relaxing four days, and while there is some walking, you’ll never do more than two hours in one go. It’s rated as ‘easy’ in terms of physical activity, so you don’t need to be Linford Christie to enjoy it. You’ll be sleeping onboard the boat and spending a fair amount of time sailing, so it’s probably best if you’re not prone to seasickness. The last thing to consider is that because you’ll be based on a boat for four days you won’t have lots of space to yourself.

Getting there

Puerto Montt’s airport is served by regular flights from elsewhere in Chile. Places with flights here include Punta Arenas, Balmaceda and Concepción

Price includes

One English-speaking guide, all ground private transportation as indicated in the itinerary, double or single cabin in the Ona Boat for three nights with private bathroom, all entrance fees, all meals except breakfast on day one and dinner on day four. All meals include drinks, reserve and grand reserve wines, and rack liquors.

Price details

Price quoted above is based on two people sharing. Price for one person is $2250

Available

Sep—Mar

Typical Duration

4 days

Comfort level

Reasonably comfortable (Inns, B&Bs, luxury camping etc.)

Experience required

A reasonable level of fitness and interest is all that is needed

Travellers should bring

It is mandatory you purchase appropriate insurance for this kind of trip