After your hotel pick up, we venture to the countryside where we will visit the largest privately-owned alpaca farm in Chile, Quintessence Alpacas, the “Soft Secret of Chile!” With more than 25 years of experience, Quintessence is to date the only vertically-integrated alpaca company in the world.
This family business is dedicated to the fine breeding, exporting, and manufacturing of the best alpaca and alpaca fiber, as well as to rescue and preserve all of the beautiful natural colors that alpacas have to offer.
Alpacas are members of the South American camelid family along with the vicuña, guanaco and llama. Their trajectory from Asia has been traced to crossing the Bering Strait, Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru and arriving to Chilean Patagonia more than 10,000 years ago.
Alpacas are 100% ecological and gentle to the environment. They are small, intelligent, and friendly. They consume small quantities of water and food. Their hooves are soft with cushions which allow them to walk on any terrain without causing damage to the grounds. Alpacas never over graze. They are adaptable to different environments and terrains.
Alpaca is a natural fiber, free of oils like lanoline. Immediately after being shorn it can be washed with natural soaps and processed without the use of any chemicals. With its more than 32 natural tones, the alpaca fiber offers the best alternative against chemical dyes.
The visit will include a video presentation providing an overview of the farm and the alpaca. You will have an opportunity to feed the alpacas and touch their fine fibers. You will also visit the facility’s garment factory and fibers mill. The visit will end in the boutique where you can browse the many fabulous creations made with the finest alpaca fibers in the world!
We then continue to the Pacific coastline to the town of Cachagua. We will be a stone’s throw from Cachagua Island, known by locals as “Penguin Island” where on most days we will be able to catch glimpses of penguins by the naked eye or using binoculars.
Cachagua Island was declared a Nature Sanctuary in 1979. It is a perfect spot for landscape and nature gazing! It is an island of 4.5 hectares, 300 feet (100 meters) from the coast. It is one of the five most important nesting sites of the Humboldt penguin in Chile. The island also has an important diversity of bird species, including chungungos, pelicans, seagulls and yecos.
After viewing Penguin Island, we will walk on a beautifully-carved pathway to a small cove with gorgeous views of the ocean.
Afterwards, there will be time for lunch at Chiringuito Restaurant in the quiet seaside resort town of Zapallar. Click here for the restaurant’s menu.
This tour is a “must do” for anyone wanting to experience the essence of Chile!
Please note:
(1) The order of sites visited may vary.
(2) In order to see the penguins it is necessary to walk around 1,500 feet (450 meters) on the beach, so we recommend wearing appropriate footwear. Binoculars will be provided.
(3) We only operate this tour from December to February due to the migration of the penguins from March to November.
(4) Although this is a private tour with your own vehicle and guide, there may be other visitors at the alpaca farm, which is beyond our control.