On this specially-crafted wildlife adventure, we will explore the pristine and secluded woodlands of the western regions of Chiloé Island, specifically at one of its largest and most important parks, Tepuhueico. Our base during the whole length of the program, will be the award-winning, shingle-sided, homonymous wooden lodge. Here, we will thoroughly enjoy the island’s local flavors and hospitality; also we will have the opportunity to discover the unique array of wildlife that few visitors to Chiloé have the privilege to watch.
The Tepuhueico Woodlands
Stronghold of Chile’s Most Endangered Mammals
Next Departures: April 23-28, 2025 | September 17-22, 2025
5-day all-inclusive wildlife adventure from Castro, Chiloé
Mammals such as Pudu Deer, Kodkod Cat and Darwin’s Fox are the main cast of poorly-known and endangered mammals which frequent the surroundings of the lodge – they all are very rare and challenging to spot, but we will do our very best in finding them. The birdlife is also unique and varied, and we expect to see most of Chile’s tapaculos plus intriguing species such as the endemic Slender-billed Parakeet, Rufous-legged Owl, Magellanic Woodpecker and Chilean Pigeon.
Trip Highlights
• Explore the secluded and pristine woodlands of Tepuhueico Park, home of fascinating and poorly known mammals and birds.
• Quest for some of most threatened mammals of Chile and Patagonia: Pudu Deer, Kodkod Cat and Darwin’s Fox.
• Great birdwatching opportunities for forests specialists such as Rufous-legged Owl, Slender-billed Parakeet, Chilean Pigeon and Magellanic Woodpecker.
• 4-night stay at Tepuhueico Lodge, a great conservation initiative of these pristine woodlands.
Itinerary in Brief
Day 1 • Flight to Castro – Drive to Tepuhueico (2 hours) – Overnight Tepuhueico lodge (4 nights)
Days 2-4 • Exploring the Tepuhueico woodlands
Day 5 • Drive back to Castro – Flight to Santiago – End of the trip
From 2025 on, this tour will count with an additional day in Tepuhueico, hence being a 6-day trip in total.
Trip Map
Detailed Itinerary and Activities
After your arrival to Castro airport, Chiloé’s main town, you will be met by your naturalist guide and transferred to one of the most remote and well-preserved corners of Chiloé Island. The magnificent Tepuhueico Park is a private conservation initiative of nearly 50,000 acres, protecting the lush and pristine Valdivian rainforests plus an intriguing array of unique wildlife.
To reach this splendid park, we will drive south of Castro and head westwards to the interior of the island; eventually we will reach the shores of the homonymous lake and board a boat towards the lodge. The wooden building is a highlight itself, due to the subtle and yet sophisticated curved design, all covered with scale-like shingles. We will spend three nights at this unique and cozy building and enjoy its great food and hospitality provided by owner, Patricio Aguirre and his local staff.
We will have ample time to watch the wildlife from the lodge veranda. Flocks of Slender-billed Parakeet, Chilean Pigeon and Austral Blackbird usually patrol the wooden surroundings back and forth.
After dinner we will have the first of our guided night walks. With the help of spotlights and thermal viewers, your guide will attempt to find you some of the rare mammals occurring here.
Tepuhueico Lodge, Tepuhueico (Dinner) (Guide)
We will have two full days to explore the forested trails of Tepuhueico. These pristine woodlands are part of a unique ecosystem known as Valdivian Temperate Rainforests, considered as a world’s biodiversity hotspot. Tepuhueico has the reputation of being a reliable location to spot the critically endangered Chilean endemic Darwin’s Fox. A few hundred individuals of this canid survive in the ecotone between the dense temperate forests and the coast. We will have interesting day and night walks in search of Darwin’s Fox, Pudu Deer(the second smallest deer in the world) and the Kodkod Cat (or Guigna) – a very rare woodland cat. While searching for this array of enigmatic and poorly known mammals, we will try to find several endemic birds of the Patagonian woodlands such as Black-throated Huet-huet, Chucao, Ochre-flanked and Magellanic tapaculos, Patagonian Tyrant, Des Murs Wiretail, Chilean Pigeon, Magellanic Woodpecker, Rufous-legged Owl, Chilean Hawk and Green-backed Firecrown. We will enjoy the many opportunities the place offers for hiking, including the stunning waterfall of Bravo River. Several frogs and lizards that live among moss and fern-covered tree trunks of these dense, lush woods, provide excellent chances for both wildlife and macro photography, as the miniature forests of lichens, fungi and mosses are home to a whole world of insects, amphibians and other tiny creatures living on the damp soil and old, fallen trees.
Tepuhueico Lodge, Tepuhueico (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)(Guide)
We will spend most of the morning exploring Tepuhueico. Later we will drive back to Castro to continue exploring the natural and cultural riches of Chiloé Island on your own or by joining other of our programs. You can fly from Castro back to Santiago or Puerto Montt to continue your journey towards southern Patagonia.
(Breakfast, Lunch)(Guide)
Dates & Rates
Scheduled Departures
5-day all-inclusive wildlife adventure from Castro, Chiloé. From 2025 on, this trip will count with an additional day in Tepuhueico, hence being a 6-day tour.
Trip Code | CHL19 |
|
Trip Length | 5 days, 4 nights | |
Dates | 2025 | April 23 - 28 |
| September 17 - 22 | ||
| 2026 | April 23 - 28 | |
| September 16 - 21 | ||
Price per person | $2,498 | |
Single Supplement | $360 | |
Group Size | 3-7 guests | |
Private Tours
This trip is also operated as a customized, private trip, with a minimum of 2 participants. You Choose the Date! (Available year-round). Ask for rates!
What the trip includes/excludes
The above price is per person in USD, based on double occupancy. All payments are in US Dollars.
The trip price includes: All accommodations, meals and guide services as stated in the itinerary, private ground transportation during the tour, and park entrance fees. Tipping for restaurant service is included.
The trip price excludes: Domestic flights, tipping for drivers and local guides, travel insurance, entrance tax to Chile, excess baggage charges, private excursions, à la carte dishes, snacks, drinks, laundry, telephone calls and anything else of a purely personal nature.
Tour Registration
To book this tour, please complete our online registration form. We will process your booking form and will send you (within 24 hours) a note with space confirmation and a deposit invoice with payment instructions. The deposit amount is US$ 500 per person. Full payment of the tour fee is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
Note: Inquires received on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays will be replied during the following working day.
Cancellation Policy
Notice of cancellation can only be accepted in writing from the person who signed the booking form and takes effect on the day such noticed is received by us.
Refunds are made according to the following schedule:
• If cancellation is made 120 days or more before departure date, the deposit less US$ 200 is refundable.
• If cancellation is made between 120 and 60 days before departure, the deposit is not refundable, but any payments covering the balance of the fee will be refunded.
• If cancellation is made fewer than 60 days before departure date, no refund is available.
This policy and fee schedule also applies to pre-trip and post trip extensions, as well as any transfers from one tour to another. We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance to protect yourself.