Highlights of Chile

On arrival Santiago’s International Airport (Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport) you will be met and assisted through passport control and baggage claim to your waiting vehicle. Private transfer to your Santiago hotel, the Ritz Carlton.

This afternoon explore Santiago with your guide on a private city tour, contrasting the older, centrally located neighborhoods and the modern uptown neighborhoods of this megapolis. The tour will be conducted in chronological order, from the origins of the city, and the urban sprawl over the past 200 years that Santiago turned from town to megapolis, with over 7 million inhabitants. Highlights will include Cerro Santa Lucía, where the city was founded in 1542, the Plaza de Armas, the Central Market, Estación Mapocho (a former railway station), and La Moneda, the Presidential Palace. The second half of the tour will visit the residential areas of Providencia and Ñuñoa, and the cosmopolitan financial districts of Las Condes, before reaching La Dehesa, where the city reaches the foothills of the Andes, and offers a superb vantage point for a panoramic view of the city. Return to the hotel. Dinner at leisure this evening, we can make restaurant suggestions and reservations for you tonight, which are highly recommended.

After breakfast, transfer to the Santiago Airport, for your domestic flight to Calama in the Atacama Desert. At an altitude of 7,900 feet in the very heart of the Atacama, Calama is your gateway to the geological and archaeological wonders of the central desert. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your luxury lodge & spa, Alto Atacama, in San Pedro de Atacama, approximately 90 minutes away. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the hotel and its facilities including the geothermal spa.

You will have two full day to enjoy the excursions available at Alto Atacama.

Half day to Toconao & Atacama Salt flats by vehicle: On the way to the famous salt flats of San Pedro de Atacama, we visit the lovely town of Toconao and the Valle Escondido de Kunza (the hidden valley) where we visit the church and artisan market stalls in the central plaza. From here, we continue our journey to the salt flats. On arrival, there is a gentle 20 minute walk to the Laguna de Chaxa where we can see wild flamingos and other birds native to the area. Later, when the setting sun catches on the mountains and the lagoons, you will see one of the most incredible sunsets the world has to offer.

Half day cycling tour to Ayllu de Quitor and San Pedro Village: This gentle bike ride takes us across the beautiful Quitor valley and into the town of San Pedro itself. Along the way, you can enjoy the stunning landscapes, flora and fauna which has made the area so popular with travelers in the world.

Half day to Tatio Geysers by vehicle: We leave the hotel before dawn to arrive at the famous geysers at daybreak: the steam and vapors are all the more impressive with the cold and the light of the early morning. At the geyser field, we will also see geysers thermal pools, mud fountains, colorful rock formations, hot streams and flora and fauna. The return journey is quite stunning with an abundance of wildlife and beautifully contrasting landscapes.

You will have two full day to enjoy the excursions available at Alto Atacama.

Half day trekking to Moon Valley: A 30 minute drive takes us to Moon Valley. Once inside the national park we will begin a 9 km trek through the dunes, gorges and flats that have helped make San Pedro famous throughout the world.

Full day to Tara Salt Flats by vehicle: From the hotel, we drive towards the Andean cordillera. The journey takes us through the wonderful meadows of Quepiaco where you can also see the Pakana Monks, incredible rock formations created by years or erosion. We will have a buffet lunch at the salt flats while enjoying the local flora and fauna, before returning to the hotel.

Half day cycling tour to Cejar Lagoon: We cycle from the hotel through San Pedro and then along a flat and sandy route to the Lagoon. The lagoons are of a striking white color which contrast with the surrounding mountains and vegetation. And, because they are located inside the Salar de Atacama, the lagoons are extremely salty which makes swimming quite a buoyant experience.

After breakfast, you will leave the lodge and drive to Calama airport for the flight to Santiago. Upon arrival to Santiago, you will check in at for your connection flight to Puerto Montt. Upon arrival to Puerto Montt you will be met and transferred to your vehicle for drive to Chiloé.

Tierra Chiloé will be your home for the next two nights as you explore the island of Chiloé. While at the lodge, you can embark on a series of tailor made adventures, which include cultural excursions, horseback riding, biking and hiking, in the company of bilingual guides. Each adventure is limited to a maximum of eight guests per guide ensuring you get the most out of your experience. Tierra Chiloé also have a private luxury boat, the Williche, which offers its guests a wonderful opportunity to explore the inland waters. After a successful day of sightseeing, guests can unwind in the soul-soothing spa or tuck into distinctively Chiloé-inspired menus. Dinner and overnight in Tierra Chiloé.

You will have one full day or two half day to enjoy the myriad of excursions available in Tierra Chiloé, guided hikes, bike rides, high mountain ascents and horseback rides in groups of a maximum of 8 travelers. All the explorations have different difficulty levels ranging from easy to expert, and half day or full day.

Tierra Chiloé also has a variety of horseback riding, bicycle and kayak trips available for the areas of Pullao, San Jose and Quilquico. Depending on the experience and interest of the participants, the trip can last 2 to 5 hours along routes that offer expansive views of Chiloe’s countryside and a peek into residents’ daily lives. Overnight and meals at Hotel Tierra Chiloé.

After breakfast, enjoy a half day tour of your choice before transferring to Puerto Varas, and Hotel Awa, around noon. 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.

On day 8 venture out on an activity of your choice to explore this beautiful area of Chile.

Trekking:

from South to North across the Peninsula of Punta Larga and after a break sharing local food, we will ride for an hour until reaching Llanquihue Lake border in Frutillar.

Magellan’s Horse Ride:
Whether starting the day deep into our Valdivian Rainforest Reserve or enjoying the sunset while herding more than 300 sheep. Our guides who are gentle and knowledgeable will interpret the local flora and fauna that surrounds you.

Birding:
A tour designed for those who wish to have a first contact with birds and also for experienced observers. In open fields, clearings and trails within the native forest, we have sighted over 30 species of birds, that includes the Colilarga (Des Mur’s Wiretrail), Chucao (Chucao Tapaculo), Hued-Hued del Sur (Black-throated Huet-huet), Rayadito (Thorn-tailed Rayadito) and the elusive Churrin del Sur (Magellanic Tapaculo), among many others. 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. You’ll meet all these amazing tiny beings through this guided tour!

After a leisurely breakfast transfer to Puerto Montt Airport for your flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival to Punta Arenas, you will be met and transferred 4 hours through the beautiful Patagonian pampas to the Awasi Patagonia Lodge just next to Torres del Paine National Park.

Awasi Patagonia is situated inside a private reserve neighboring the Torres del Paine National Park, from where you can enjoy impressive views of the Torres del Paine peaks (Las Torres) and turquoise and ever-changing Lake Sarmiento. The reserve’s location is protected from the strong Patagonian winds by a dense forest of native species of beech trees called lengas and ñirres. The indigenous fauna remains intact in these forests and plains, where there are sightings of guanacos, ñandús (rheas), foxes, condors and, occasionally, pumas. This evening will be at leisure to enjoy the facilities at the lodge.

You will have two full days to enjoy the myriad excursions available at Awasi, all tailor-made. At Awasi excursions are private (with a guide and a vehicle assigned to each villa) and are planned according to the pace and preferences of each guest. The times, duration and routes of each excursion are defined in line with the special interests and wishes of each guest. You can also explore the private reserve on your own, hiking the variety of footpaths, observing the native flora and fauna.

The Torres del Paine National Park is an adventure paradise, and the wide range of excursions available cover as much ground as possible. From hiking and mountain bike riding, to horseback riding and kayaking at Grey Glacier, you can pick and choose your activities according to your own specific interests and level of physical activity desired. The Awasi guides know the park intimately and have exclusive access to areas of the park.

Sadly on day 12 it’s time to depart. After breakfast, meet your morning transfer to Punta Arenas for the flight to Santiago. Upon arrival you will be met and assisted with your connecting outbound flight.