Ruta Cordillera

The Ruta Cordillera is a ship course, run by Naviera Austral, connecting Puerto Chacabuco, on the Chilean mainland, to Quellón and further Castro on the island of Chiloé. Chacabuco, being the harbour of Puerto Aysén and Coyhaique at the same time, is by far the most important port of the Aysen region. On the other hand, Quellón is the southern end of the whole Panamerican highway and, if your aim is to access Chiloé, you will perhaps head to Quellón rather than to Castro.
Most adventurous was the start. The Jacaf ship was supposed to leave in the late evening, but its arrival was announced only for the next morning. Actually, sea condition can be very severe in these places and it is difficult to keep a schedule. But Naviera Austral wanted to close the waiting room and to send everybody (mostly Asian people, plus an Australian girl) outside in search for accommodation. Luckliy, there was also a little party of locals who took the initiative to show up at the nearby police post giving an account of what was happening. So, the police forces the company to allow us to remain inside.
A further delay occurred at Puerto Raul Marín Balmaceda, where we stopped several hours waiting for the waves of the Gulf of Corcovado to calm down. So, we reached Melinka in the middle of the night, and Quellón only the following morning, at dawn.