The Best of Chile

DAY 1            YOUR COUNTRY- SANTIAGO DE CHILE                                         
International Flight (not included in pricing)
 
DAY 2            WELCOME TO SANTIAGO                                                        
Upon arrival in Santiago Airport, private transfer to your hotel. Begin Santiago City tour in the Barrio (neighborhood) of El Golf, where you can see examples of the city’s avant-garde architecture. Afterwards head towards, Barrio Cívico, (downtown), which contains the historic government buildings, such as the presidential La Moneda and cultural centers like the Pre-Columbian Museum. From here, take a walk through the main streets of downtown’s main square, Plaza de Armas, where you can admire the majestic colonial buildings that surround the square: the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Santiago’s City Hall, and various museums.  We then take you to Barrio Bellavista, famous for its bohemia nightlife. Return to your hotel. Overnight in 3-star Hotel or similar category.
 
DAY 3            SANTIAGO - PUNTA ARENAS - PUERTO NATALES
Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer from your hotel to Santiago Airport. Flight to Punta Arenas, (not included in pricing). Reception in Punta Arenas Airport by local driver (Spanish speaking only) and transferred to Punta Arenas bus terminal to board on a public bus towards Puerto Natales. Upon arrival in Puerto Natales bus terminal, reception by local driver (Spanish speaking only) and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in 3-star Hotel or similar category. (B)
 
DAY 4            PUERTO NATALES      
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your exploration of Patagonia by taking a full day excursion to the spectacular Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, accessible only by boat to see the glaciers. From Puerto Natales, you will sail up the coast pasting colonies of cormorants and sea lions, into the Ultima Esperanza Fjord (“Last Hope”) named by one of the prior expeditors looking for the Magellan Straights from the Pacific Ocean side. The Serrano & Balmaceda Glaciers can be viewed by boat and a small hike from docking point to the majestic millennia of compacted ice at Serrano Glaciers. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at a traditional Patagonian ranch (“estancia”) and back to Puerto Natales hotel. Overnight in 3-star Hotel or similar category. (B, L)

DAY 5            PUERTO NATALES      
Breakfast at the hotel. Beginning your full day excursion towards the Torres del Paine National Park, 242,242 hectares, (almost 600,000 acres), one of the world’s natural wonders. Explore the shores of turquoise and sapphire blue lakes, mountains, fjords, channels and glaciers. Make a stop to the panoramic “Towers Base” of Torres Del Paine, massive natural rock formations that extends up to 2,500 meters above sea level.  The arid woodlands of the windy Patagonian terrain that you will be passing by, will encounter the homes of Patagonians’ Guanaco, (the South American camel - related to the llama), and the Lesser Rhea, (Nandu - related to the African Ostrich), as well as foxes, hares, eagles and the exclusive condor, among others. Finalizing the tour by returning to Puerto Natales hotel. Overnight in 3-star Hotel or similar category. (B, L)
*Includes Torres de Paine National Park entrance fee.

DAY 6            PUERTO NATALES - PUNTA ARENAS - PUERTO MONTT - PUERTO VARAS                            
Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer from your hotel to Puerto Natales bus terminal and board on a public bus that heads straight to Punta Arenas Airport. Flight to Puerto Montt (not included in pricing). Upon arrival in Puerto Montt Airport, reception on a private transfer to your hotel in Puerto Varas. Puerto Varas known as "La ciudad de las rosas" (The city of roses) located on the western shore of Llanquihue Lake that includes Frutillar, Llanquihue and Puerto Octay. A unique area of Chile that has been heavily influenced by the German immigrants who settled back in 1850 to 1875. Their gingerbread-like houses overlooking the spectacular lake views and cafes with tasty pastries, (called by their German name “kuchen”). Overnight in Boutique Hotel or similar category. (B)

DAY 7                    PUERTO VARAS
Breakfast at the hotel. Start with a full-day Peulla excursion on shared basis with bilingual local guide (Spanish - English) to explore the easternmost shore of Lake Todos los Santos. You will follow the emerald waters lake along Llanquihue Lake with the stunning backdrop of Volcan Osorno, passing gently rolling pastures that tuck into the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, all the way to Ensenada. You will stop to explore the dramatic Petrohue Rapids. Continue up to Peulla, a small village of 120 inhabitants, surrounded by beautiful ecological reserve, which is part of the circuit “Cruce de los Lagos”. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Boutique Hotel or similar category. (B)
*Included Petrohue Rapids entrance fee
 
DAY 8                    PUERTO VARAS
Breakfast at the hotel. Let us make your way to the mystical Chiloe Island, via ferry for a full-day excursion on shared basis with bilingual local guide (Spanish - English). You will take the ferry of 30minutes across the Chacao Channel to Chiloé Island. These isolated archipelagos of islands have a rich history of magical tales and mystical people. Myths and ancient legends still hangs around the town, also home of a thriving local spiritual community.  Visiting the towns of Castro, Chiloé’s quaint capital famous for its palafito houses (houses on stilts); the fishing village of Dalcahue, which hosts a picturesque arts and crafts market every Sunday morning. In addition, Ancud, a town that grew around a fort built in the 18th century to protect the marines’ traffic rounding Cape Horn.  Afterwards, visit the Fort San Antonio, the nearby coarse sand beaches and Fort Ahui, located near the Crown lighthouse, from where we have a breathtaking panoramic view of the island. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Boutique Hotel or similar category. (B)
 
DAY 9            PUERTO VARAS                                                                   
Breakfast at the hotel. You have the day at leisure to explore this lovely walkable town. Overnight in Boutique Hotel or similar category. (B)
 
DAY 10            PUERTO VARAS - CALAMA - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA         
Breakfast at the hotel. A private transfer from the hotel to Puerto Montt Airport. Flight to Calama (not included in pricing). Arrival in Calama, reception and transfer on shared basis (SIB) from airport to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. Archaeological capital of Chile with sites dating back 3,000 years ago. Its surrounding landscapes are nothing less than surreal. Overnight in 3-star Hotel or similar category. (B)

DAY 11            SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure for optional tour of the surrounding landscapes that are nothing less than surreal. After a relaxing lunch (not included), you will visit the desolated Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley) home of the Three Marias, three fragile rocky formations that almost appears to have been hand carved. Continue towards, Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), arriving at dusk, just in time for a spectacular sunset view from a gigantic hill top Dune. Return to your hotel in San Pedro. Overnight in 3-star Hotel or similar category. (B)

DAY 12            SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your full day to wander off at the largest salt flat in Chile, Atacama Salt Flats. Over 3,000 square kilometers of pure salt where the dry air is so clear that it is possible to see over 70 km away. The lake under this salty flat crust is an important source of lithium, a mineral used in high tech industries. Visit the magnificent mirror like lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, and stop off at the village of Socaire. Our picnic today is set against the breath taking turquoise lakes surrounding the whitest salty sands. Before returning to San Pedro for the rest of the evening, a short stop off to walk around the quaint village of Toconao, a desert oasis that supplies enough water to allow the cultivation of fruit. Return to your hotel in San Pedro. Overnight in 3-star Hotel or similar category. (B, L)

DAY 13            SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - CALAMA - SANTIAGO         
Today is a very early morning departure from your hotel, 4:30am approx., for a half-day trip to see The Tatio Geysers, (4321m altitude). The geyser natural clocks are set to steam and bubble up around 6am to 7pm, right in time for your picnic breakfast on site. After breakfast, we then head to Machuca, a typical pueblo of the Atacama inhabitants. We arrive back to San Pedro at midday; rest of your afternoon is at leisure. At pre-scheduled time, transfer on shared basis (SIB) from hotel to Calama Airport. Flight to Santiago (not included in pricing). Reception and private transfer from Santiago Airport to the Hotel. Overnight in 3-star Hotel or similar category. (BB)
 
DAY 14            SANTIAGO                                     
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart from your hotel for a private full-day excursion northwest of Santiago, Valparaiso. On the road, stop at Casablanca Valley, coastal plains between Santiago and Valparaiso, is Chile’s fastest growing wine region. Enjoy a tour and wine tasting at one of impressive wineries. Continue your journey to Valparaiso to explore a place that centuries of sailors have called “the Pearl of the Pacific,”. Ride the famous funiculars up the colorful hills of this port town, declared by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Wander down the narrow, curvy steep streets lined by sidewalks that turn into staircases. Breathe in its bohemian atmosphere where there are new surprises around every corner.  The tour ends with a walk through the beach town of Viña del Mar, known as the “Garden City.”  Return to Santiago. Overnight in 3-star Hotel or similar category. (B)
 
DAY 15            SANTIAGO - NEXT DESTINATION
Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer from the hotel to Santiago Airport. Flight to next destination (not included in pricing). (B)
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