The program of our fair-trade tour starts with an insight in the countries recent political past occurred during and after the 17 years of General Pinochet’s Regime. It is a day which allow you to learn about the 2 extreme political points of view, which are still very evident in Chilean Society. We work together with Pinochet's grandson, who will tell you something about his grandfathers struggle to do his best for the country, and with victims, who lost family members during this period, some of whom still struggle to find out the true story about their missing family members. We try to create a balance between the two points of view, so you can form an opinion yourself. It is an emotional, but interesting and unforgettable day.
With our fair-trade tour we try to raise awareness and promote the fair trade movement. The inter cultural exchanges we have found also help those local people, by showing their lives to foreigners, and create awareness of their beautiful culture which gives these people a sense of worth. During our tour we visit organizations such as Fundacion Solidaridad, which was created originally to work with political prisoners in Pinochet time; "Los Robles", a fair trade winery that gives kids and adolescents the chance to study, to work, not only in the vineyard, but they also learn to repair the houses. From agriculture to Mapuche to education to technology, all organization with fair-trade as their main mission. We want to create awareness for the poverty in Chile, and show the people in foreign countries that they can contribute to the social and economical standards in Chile.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Departure to Santiago. Depart from various airports, catch an overnight flight with Lan Chile / Iberia, at midnight, arriving in Santiago on Sunday morning.
Day 2: Arrival Santiago. This morning we will arrive at Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez airport at around 10am where we will meet our organisers and guide and are transferred to our hotel in the City. After a welcome lunch in the central fish market, the afternoon will be free for those who prefer to recover from their jet lag or for those who prefer to do some sightseeing around the city, we will be able to join our guide on a tour of some the city’s main attractions.
Day 3: Santiago – Remembrance Tour. Today we start our program with a Remembrance Tour. An insight into the past 35 years of the city’s history which holds many testimonies of the events that occurred during the 1973 Military Coup which extended its stay in power during 17 years under General Pinochet’s Regime. The days activities will allow you to learn about the two extreme political points of view, which are still very evident in Chilean society. Start with morning visits to the Government Palace "La Moneda", and the Fundacion Pinochet where we will learn about the events preceding General Pinochets time in power. After lunch in a Fair Trade organizations restaurant, we will embark on a symbolic route that includes historical sites that evidenced many of the human atrocities that took place during this period including the Villa Grimaldi. Evening free.
Day 4: Santiago – Fundacion Solidaridad. This morning we will visit the Santiago base of the Fundacion Solidaridad, a fair trade organization of women who produce artisan products. The organization helps to train local indigenous people, and commercialize their skills. We will hear an introduction to fair trade in Chile, as well as an explanation of how the foundation is organized, the challenges they face, and its history including anecdotes about the fights Winnie, (who runs the foundation) had to face during the Pinochet regime. We will enjoy lunch with Winnie and her staff, before heading to the outskirts of Santiago to visit producers at their workshops, about an hour from the center.
Day 5: Los Robles – Panimavida. Distance of traveling: approx 310 km. After breakfast we will depart on our journey towards the south country. In Curico we will visit the small Los Robles Winery, another of Trade crafts producers where we will hear about the vineyard, the organization and meet some of the students who have been able to study thanks to Los Robles support. We will then be shown around, learn about their wine production process, and taste some their fine wines. After lunch we will head into the countryside to visit some of the workers who benefit from Los Robles fair trade initiatives, including a Lifestyle improvement program which includes reparations to local workers´ houses, and a sustainability project for the vineyards themselves. Our accommodation for the night will be in the Panimavida Thermal Baths Hotel. During the evening guests will be able to enjoy a lovely dinner in the hotels restaurant.
Day 6: Crin Artisans and Wild Fruit Collectors. Distance of traveling: approx 170 km. After having a light breakfast at the hotel we will start the day with a visit to a group of artisans that do handcraft with horse’s hair. After seeing a demonstration of how these Crin' artisans work, we continue our journey south to visit a little rural school and to visit a group of organic producers who are the Wild Fruit Collectors of Yumbel. They are part of a group of cultural workers that organized people from local communities into eight committees and in 1999 began to develop a "wild fruit" collection program. Besides making their living by selling food to workers of small and intermediate companies in the neighborhood, the women are able to do their business in an autonomous manner. Today we’ll learn how they have managed to maintain this program and overcome difficulties along the years and how they’ve been able to continue without direct government funding. We visit the "Comité de Recolectores de Frutas Silvestres" who work with dried fruits and herbs such as membrillo (quinces), wild mushrooms and rose hip. We will learn about their organization, see their products, and then for those who wish to, we will have the chance to help them at work in the fields collecting fruit. Later we drive on to our hotel located next to the impressive waterfalls of Salto Del Laja.
Day 7: Sustainable Agriculture Education Center. Distance of traveling: approx 220 km. After waking up to a beautiful view of the waterfalls, and a light breakfast, we will take a short walk to visit the waterfalls of Salto Del Laja before heading to the colonial town of Yumbel. Here we will visit a sustainable agriculture education center. This center is an institution dedicated to the investigation, diffusion and passing on of agricultural techniques with low or no impact on the environment with an emphasis on organic and sustainable agriculture. Here we will meet with a group of seed cultivators, and the head of the education center. We will hear about their projects, and explore the plantation area to learn about and see the results of their different activities. In the scanty and eroded soil in this region, it is amazing how many various plants can be cultivated with these techniques. Later we head towards , the capital city of the IX Region, where we’ll spend the night.
Day 8: Know the Mapuche Culture. Distance of traveling: approx 112 km. Today we have breakfast early to allow us time to make the most of the days activities, which are largely focussed around the Indigenous Mapuche culture. We’ll take a short trip around the city of Temuco, the capital city of the IX Region, where we see our first expressions of Mapuche art and crafts at the city’s local market. Then we will visit an Mapuche Foundation, a foundation which work to help and support local Indigenous Mapuche women, land protection, and forestation projects. We will gather around the fire inside a traditional "Ruka" (meeting house) to hear how the foundation was created, its history to date, and the tasks the Foundation has trying to become a fair trade producer. A local Mapuche lady will then explain to us some insights about the Mapuche culture and give us a demonstration of how the traditional Mapuche clothing is put on and worn, as well as showing us their very unusual silver jewelery. To a background of Mapuche music, lunch will be served inside the Ruka, giving us the opportunity to taste a variety of the traditional Mapuche foods. After lunch we will head to Padre Las Casas, a well known Mapuche area, where we will meet some of the foundation’s workers who will demonstrate their different working textile techniques, including how to dye and weave wools - the traditional way. As we continue on our journey we head to Pucon, where the first sights of the majestic Villarrica Volcano begins to shine through the clear skies. As we begin to descend towards the town of Villarrica, the massive presence of the deep blue Villarrica Lake will lead us to our next stop. Once in Pucon, we’ll check into our hotel to leave the evening free to have dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants that can be found here.
Day 9: Pucon – Day Free. Today we have a free day, giving us the chance to lye-in and recharge our batteries, before taking a wander around Pucon. Here we will have the chance to take photos of the volcano and lake, making a set for some very impressive scenery and also go for a short walk. On clear days you can see remarkable views of the scenery including the lake on which Pucon sits in the distance. The evening will be free where those interested can head to the towns Casino.
Day 10: Apicoop – Frutillar and Puerto Varas. Distance of traveling: approx 350 km. We check out of our Hotel early to head on our journey south to the district of Paillaco where we visit Apicoop, another of Trade craft suppliers. As we are shown around the facilities we’ll be able to learn about their production of Honey from the very entertaining shareholder/manager of the cooperative "Chino". During our visit we’ll hear about the organization of the cooperative, meet the workers, and then head out into the countryside to visit some of the beekeepers in their the local communities. Leaving Paillaco, we’ll continue south passing through the picturesque villages of Frutillar where we will stop for "once" (tea) overlooking the lake at the famous lakeside Theater. In the evening we’ll arrive at our base in the colorful lakeside town of Puerto Varas, known as the city of roses due to the wide variety of them in the area. The magnificent presence of the Osorno volcano and the never-ending horizon of the Llanquihue Lake make it an ideal spot for camera snap shots. The evening will be free for those who want to catch up on some rest or to discover the different attractions that can be found in town.
Day 11: Saltos de Petrohue and Lagos Todos los Santos – Puerto Montt – Ancud. Distance of traveling: approx 300 km. The morning will be dedicated to delighting the senses with what nature has to offer in the area. The first stop will be at the Petrohue waterfalls and then the picturesque All Saints Lake. We continue our journey to Puerto Montt, considered as the city with the highest economical growth in the country, also known for its traditional fish and crafts market, Angelmo. After enjoying some of the delicious dishes that are served in the traditional restaurants, we’ll head towards Pargua in order to take the ferry to the Island of Chiloe, considered as the second biggest island of South America and known for its privileged nature and the many forms and expressions of culture, art and architecture that are preserved there. Once on the Island we’ll head to Ancud, where we will check into our hotel before enjoying some of Chiloés traditional foods at dinner.
Day 12: Chiloe, Agriculture Organization and Women Handicraft Producers. Distance of traveling: approx 200 km. In the morning we will visit an organization which is producing a variety of products including "pasta de ajo" a type of garlic paste. We will visit their installations, hear about the organizations plans, learn about the product line, and have chance to meet with some of the workers. After this we will start a lovely journey across the island to reach the colourful town of Castro, where we will see "palafitos" (houses on stilts) that Chiloé is famous for. After a look around the town center, we will begin to head back to Ancud, stopping off on the way to visit some UNESCO heritage churches.
Day 13: Ancud – Puerto Montt – Santiago. Distance of traveling: approx 90 km. We leave early in the morning to take the ferry back the mainland, ready to catch our flight back to Santiago mid morning. The afternoon will be free for those who want to do some last minute shopping or see some attractions that were missed out the first day. At night we enjoy a farewell dinner in a colonial house which you will dine and enjoy a show of traditional Chilean dances.
Day 14: Departure Back Home. We check out of our hotel and head to the airport ready to take our flight back home in the early afternoon. We will arrive home in the early morning next day.
Day 15: Arrival Home. Today sees us returning to our homes where we will go our separate ways, saying goodbye to new friends.
Tourism Policy:
- We believe in generating incomes for local communities by visiting locally owned restaurants and shops. We also try to use local guides where possible
- During our trips and expeditions we encourage our clients to act responsibly and respect the local community, which in turn will help them to gain a greater understanding and insight of the local customs
- We choose to use campsites owned and managed by local communities
- We work in conjunction with our partners on the ground to implement the highest standards
- We always take economic, environmental and cultural factors into account when considering new
destinations
- We aim to ensure that our type and scale of tourism is appropriate to the local conditions and operates within the limits set by the local community with regards to its infrastructure and capacity
for receiving visitors
- We aim to take responsibility for maintaining and, if possible, improving the natural environment
- We aim to minimize our impact on the atmosphere and local water systems during our expeditions
and day treks
- We always aim to take all our litter home
- We aim to give environmental and economic considerations equal weight
- We will provide our staff with regular and ongoing training about the principles and practices of
responsible tourism
- We provide our guides with instructions on how to act in the natural environment, encourage them to teach these guidelines to our clients during our tours
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- 4 airport transfer Santiago
- 4 nights 4* hotel in Santiago
- 1 night, 4* hotel in Panimavida
- 1 night, 4* hotel in Salto del Laja
- 1 night 3* hotel Temuco
- 2 nights 4* hotel Pucón
- 1 night 3* hotel Puerto Varas
- 2 nights 4* hotel Ancud
- All hotels include breakfast
- 9 lunches
- 3 dinners
- A bottle of water (500 ml) per day
- 5 fair trade producer visits
- 2 development project visits
- Rural school
- 7 tourist visit
- 1 national park
- Bilingual specialized fair trade guide
- Transportation
- Donations to help and support the organizations and communities.
Price excludes: Insurance, meals not indicated, activities not indicated, tips.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Cultural Journey
Crafts Tours
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