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Day 1 The Big Island of Chiloe (L,D)

Leaving in the morning from the Lake District, begin your Chile travels with an open air ferry across the Gulf of Ancud to the big island of Chiloe, known as a mystical island full of traditions and folklore. Sea lions and penguins are often viewed from the ferry, playing in the waters of the Gulf, while the snowcapped backbone of the Andes, complete with at least 5 visible volcanoes, stretches southward. Once on the magical island of Chiloe, you'll visit the bustling city of Ancud and have a tea and kuchen (a traditional German cake) overlooking the bay.

After your guides explain some of the history and culture of the area you'll head west through the verdant countryside, past forests and rolling hills. Pastures and farms dot the way, where every morning and afternoon tin milk jugs await pickup by the local cheese and yogurt factory. Your destination is the rugged Pacific coast and the island penguin colony of Punihuil. This group of small islands offers the only place in the world where Humbolt and Magellanic penguins coexist - a very important area for the Chilean conservation movement.

Later in the afternoon you'll make your way down the Panamerican Highway before taking a detour into the countryside for dinner with a local family at their farmhouse to experience the hospitality for which the island is famous. You'll then continue to the village of Quemchi where you will board the Cahuella. After a brief introduction and a tour of the boat, you will enjoy a peaceful evening on the water.