Chile Family Tour

On arrival Santiago’s International Airport, you will be met and assisted through passport control and baggage claim to your waiting vehicle. Private transfer to Hotel Cumbres Lastarria. Dinner on your own tonight.

On day 2, after breakfast, your guide will meet you for a full day excursion to La Campana National Park and surrounding villages. This tour combines adventure, local cuisine, and local products, creating a truly off-the-beaten-path experience. Largely overlooked by international, and even Chilean travelers, the eastern side of the La Campana National Park offers a staggering array of activities. The national park forms part of the coastal mountain range, a place explored and revered by Charles Darwin. The great explorer visited the area in August 1835, chronicling the fantastic views of the coastal mountain range and the Andes Mountains.

Just an hour north of Santiago, the villages of Til Til and Caleu are merely words on a signpost for most, as they flock to the overcrowded town of Olmué. This program aims to scratch the surface and reveal their many charms through their traditions and cuisine, as well as exploring the impressive geography. The day starts with a trek in the national park, entering via Ocoa.

After breakfast, you will leave the hotel and drive to Santiago airport for the 1 ½ hour flight to the southern city of Puerto Montt. Upon arrival to Puerto Montt you will be met and transferred to the charming town of Puerto Varas, and your hotel Awa. Tucked between scenic Lago Llanquihue and the snow-capped Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes, the enchanting village of Puerto Varas blends a rich German heritage with the stunning natural beauty of southern Chile’s Patagonia region.

The tidy town center features charming wood-shingled homes, a public plaza teeming with rose gardens and unparalleled access to world-class recreation like kayaking, canyoning, rock climbing, fishing, hiking and skiing. Escape to a refined haven and experience the enchantment of Puerto Varas.

After breakfast, your guide will meet you for a half day excursion trekking in “La Quebrada Honda.” Quebrada Honda is part of the natural reserve of Patagonia Virgin Frutillar, where a variety of different ecosystems coexist. Its rich biodiversity highlights some of the native flora of the forests of southern Chile and, hopefully, the small birds that inhabit it, some of them are endemic. Families love to explore the trails and hike through this magical scenery. After a break to experience local flavors at lunch, continue on the walking trails and through open fields to finish the tour.

This afternoon, take a look at the tiny inhabitants of Patagonia – “Microcosmos.” In Patagonia, people say that “those in a hurry lose their time.” This saying was our inspiration to slow down and observe those tiny beings, sometimes invisible to the eye. Fungi, lichens and moss have been living on Earth for millions of years – through this guided tour you’ll meet these smallest residents.

After breakfast, meet your guide for a half day excursion to Ayaltue Park or for kayaking – your choice! Ayaltué is a natural cultural park that offers a unique approach to learning the cultural heritage of the region. As you explore the park on the forest trails, you will learn about daily life, customs, crafts, history, mythology, landscapes and architecture of Chiloé and the Northern Chilean Patagonia. As you walk through the forest on this family-friendly tour, you’ll encounter the region’s famous mythological creatures and the common folk stories of indigenous and religious history.

Alternatively, enjoy a day on the water paddling and discovering discover the magnitude and beauty of Lake Llanquihue! From the Bay of Frutillar, along with your local guide, hug the north of Peninsula Punta Larga in search of volcanoes and historic villages.

Late afternoon is at leisure to explore Puerto Varas, shop or relax after a busy day.

This morning your guide will meet you at the hotel for the transfer to Puerto Montt airport for your flight to Punta Arenas, gateway to Chilean Patagonia. Upon arrival to Punta Arenas, you will be met and transferred into Torres del Paine National Park, a fascinating and scenic 5-hours journey.

In 1926, with the birth of Antonio Kusanovic, the son of Croatian immigrants, an impressive history in the Torres del Paine area began. In 1976 Don Antonio purchased the beautiful Estancia Cerro Paine, located at the foot of the majestic Torres del Paine. With more than 4,000 hectares it was a thriving cattle ranch, but in the 1990s the Don Antonio and his wife built 9 rooms and a small restaurant to receive visitors from around the world who came to experience the beauty of Torres del Paine. Their goal was to keep the customs and traditions of the countryside in Patagonia alive and share them with visitors.

In 1997, after the passing of Don Antonio, the property came under the management of his four children: Liliana, Mauricio, Jose Antonio and Vesna. Today the Hotel Las Torres Patagonia (expanded from the nine original rooms) is one of the most important in the region and still keeps the principles of its founder: “share the warmth of the people and customs of Patagonia” On the way to National Park, stop at the Cerro Negro Ranch. The ranch is the midpoint between Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine National Park, and has been in the Kusanovic family since 1944. Estancia Cerro Negro possesses 6,000 hectares with 1,600 sheep and 300 cattle. After a visit to the ranch, continue to Hotel Las Torres.

You will have three full days to enjoy the myriad excursions available at Las Torres Hotel including a variety of full day treks (best for teens and up) to the French Valley, Los Cuernos, Las Torres and the Full Paine Exploration with vehicle and boat navigation. Half day excursions include horseback riding to Lago Nordenskjöld, a walk to the impressive Salto Grande waterfall, visiting Laguna Azul, hiking or horseback riding in the endemic Lenga Forest, or spend the day with the Patagonian gauchos participating in traditional cowboy activities including an asado (barbecue).

Morning transfer to Punta Arenas for the flight to Santiago. Upon arrival to Santiago you will be met and transferred to your hotel located in Lastarria barrio (neighborhood), Return to the familiar Hotel Cumbres Lastarria for overnight.

Afternoon and dinner at your leisure to explore the barrio and surroundings.

Sadly on day 11 it’s time to depart. After breakfast meet your morning transfer to Santiago International Airport for your flight home.