Excursion Tortel cultural experience tour at Tortel

Make a visit to Caleta Tortel, a coastal village located between the mouth of the Baker River and a small embayment of the Baker Channel. The village was founded in 1955 to exploit the cypress (Pilgerodendron uviferum) wood that was abundant in the area. The timber business accounts for most of the economy in Tortel to this day. For most of its history the village had only air and boat access; the road was constructed only in 2003.

Caleta Tortel consists mainly of stilt houses, typical of Chilota architecture, built along the coast for several kilometers. There are no conventional streets - instead there are wooden walkways that give the village its distinctive look. The surrounding geography is rugged, formed by a number of islands, fjords, channels and estuaries.

On the day of your visit, gather at the main Plaza of the town for a folkloric presentation performance by locals from neighboring villages, along with some refreshments and local handcrafters with an exhibition of their cypress wood carvings. Browse the products for sale and enjoy some free time to explore the village and meet some of its people before returning to the ship.

Note

Please note: Walking is mostly optional on this excursion, though there are some uneven surfaces, making parts of this tour unsuitable for guests with limited mobility. Light clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunhat and sun protection are recommended. Weather is unpredictable in the region. Some showers could be expected at any time of the year. It is recommendable to wear layered clothing, a windbreaker and good walking shoes.