Chile Holidays: Robinson Crusoe Island Trek

The Robinson Crusoe Islands are a fantastic place to visit. They offer incredible vistas, beautiful landscapes with strange plant forms, a quiet haven and an unbelievable richness of plant diversity. In fact, they harbour one of the most unusual and interesting floras found anywhere in the world, offering a true botanical paradise to the perceptive visitor. The Robinson Crusoe Islands are also known as the Juan Fernandez Islands, so named for the Spanish discoverer who first sighted them in 1574. Their association with Robinson Crusoe of the novel by that name by Daniel Defoe (1719) derives from the personal experiences of the Scottish sailor, Alexander Selkirk, who survived in the Islands more or less in isolation from 1704-1709. Due to a disagreement with Captain Straddling of the ship Cinque Ports, Selkirk insisted that he be set off on the next available land, which happened to be the Robinson Crusoe Islands. After five years, he returned to London where he received attention from journalists of the day, which stimulated Defoe to craft his famous novel. The Robinson Crusoe Islands are still remote and relatively inconvenient to reach. One can travel there most rapidly by air in a small 5-6 seater airplane on a journey that traverses 600 km and takes 2 1/2 hours. There is no concrete runway, only a smooth dirt surface levelled for landing purposes. Or, one travels two days by boat from Valparaiso under difficult circumstances, even with the best of weather. If it is stormy, it becomes an unforgettable experience!

DAY 1:
At 9 am, we meet at Los Cerrilos airport in Santiago, for our flight to Robinson Crusoe Island. Upon arrival, we meet our mules and do a 30min trek to Punta Isla where we camp in an extraordinary ambience, out of the world.(L D).

DAY 2:
Trekking (5h) along the "desert part of the Island". We follow the ridges, paths and cliffs to get to Tierras Blancas where we can watch sea wolves. Then we reach Villagra sector where we set our camp. (B L D).

DAY 3:
Trekking (4h) around the highest peak of the Island. Nice view and an optional swim into natural rock pool are part of the highlights of this day. If we are lucky, we can see the famous Coati, a small bear. After Cerro Negro we walk on an impressive slope to reach Luma Agacha, our camping place. Overnight in Camp. (B L D).

DAY 4:
The biggest challenge of this trek (5h). Our goal is to pass over the Cordon de la Falda Larga. This day is a mixture between trekking, rock climbing and jungle exploration. We need our harness, ropes and jumars to secure our progression and make it pleasant. This climb is not difficult, but very impressive and quite "exposed", as the topography of this volcanic island is incredible. But this is also a very nice shot on the mountains, the ridges, the waterfalls and for sure, the ocean... Once we have reached the pass (ridge), we get down to Pangal Bay where we stay in a nice hotel on the ocean shore. We have done what nobody does. Overnight in hotel (B L D).

DAY 5:
Trekking (4h) to the East part of the island. We cross 5 valleys up and down on a different landscape and beautiful earth colours. We finally reach Puerto Frances where we set our camp in a very nice valley. (B L D).

DAY 6:
Small trekking around Puerto Frances. Then, we take a boat (1h) to Puerto Vaqueria. We navigate across Cumberland Bay where the German boat "Dresden" lies at the bottom of the sea since the First World War. Once in Vaqueria, we do another trekking over Puerta de Trancas pass and finally reach Puerto Ingles, where we camp. We visit Robinson Crusoe (Alexander Selkirk) cave, the exact place where he used to live. Camp. (B L D).

DAY 7:
Last trekking day. We leave Puerto Ingles and get to Mirador de Selkirk, from where Robinson used to watch the ocean, waiting for a boat that could save him from his loneliness. We visit the village of San Juan Bautista and get back to Pangal Hotel.(B L D).

DAY 8:
A 2h30 boat cross brings us back to Punta Isla airport. Flight Robinson Crusoe-Santiago.(B).

Rated: Moderate.

For those who do not want to do the "climb" of Cordon de Faldas Largas (day 4), it is possible to return with the mules to Villagra and take the normal paths to San Juan Bautista and Pangal (much longer)

Luggage is carried by mules and boats. You only carry a daypack during the trek.

Departure dates
Private departures only

Tour Tariff
N° of Participants	2	3	4	5	6	SGL Supp.
USD	$ 2934	$ 2206	$ 1831	$ 1831	$ 1574	$ 139
EUR	€ 2435	€ 1831	€ 1520	€ 1520	€ 1306	€ 115
GBP	£ 1643	£ 1235	£ 1025	£ 1025	£ 881	£ 77
Domestic Flights: USD 407 / GBP 228 / EUR 338

(*) Price last updated on 12 March 2006. Current price may vary due to elements out of our control, so please always check by sending us a quotation request .
(**) Flight prices are susceptible to change at any time without prior notice

Flights to Robinson Crusoe Island are always uncertain for climatic reasons. It is necessary to have 1 or 2 security days before the international flight or another program in Chile. All the expenses related with these securities days must be paid by passengers.

Included: Accommodation, meals and transport as specified, park entrance fees, experienced guides, camping equipment

Not included: Meals not mentioned, excursion not specified (such as scuba-diving), flight from/to Robinson Crusoe Island.

Robinson Crusoe Island Trek

"Chile"