BEST OF CHILE
Chile Highlights!
Go on an adventure through Chile during an tailor-made travel journey; from dry canyons, volcanoes and salt lakes in the Atacama desert to green steppes and snowy granite mountain peaks in the Torres del Pain National Park. This journey takes you through different climate zones, a true natural amazement. Want to experience some culture? You visit the vineyards in the valleys around Santiago, where the famous Chilean wines come from and visit the colourful artist’s city of Valparaiso!
Day 1- Santiago
Welcome in Santiago! Transfer to hotel from the airport.
Santiago de Chile, founded in 1541 by the Spanish conquerors, has been the capital of Chile since colonial times. The city is surrounded by the Andes mountain range and has a centre of 19th century neoclassical architecture with winding side streets, littered with art deco, neo-Gothic and other styles. You can enjoy the many street musicians and handmade copper jewellery at the markets in the streets. The city consists of several hills, the Mapocho River, many parks and the Andes mountain range can always be seen. The city is surrounded by vineyards and is a few hours away from both the mountains and the Pacific. During a city tour of half a day, the guide takes you on a walk through the city.
Day 2 - Santiago wineries
Chile has world-famous wines. The fertile hills around Santiago have produced many award-winning wines. You can visit these peaceful vineyards. During this tour, you see the stately homes, gardens and wine cellars of the first owners of the largest wine export in South America. You have probably enjoyed a glass or more, of Concho y Toro wine; one of the world’s most famous wines which is available in more than 130 countries. Don’t miss out on the chance to visit the vineyards and cellars of these wines. The wine cellars are in the picturesque Pirque region. During the tour, you visit the summer home and garden of the Concho y Toro family. You’ll also see the Casillero del Diablo wine cellars, and visit the vineyards with 26 different types of grapes. Enjoy the delicious flavours during the wine tasting!
Day 3/4 - Valporaiso
Climb the hills and saunter through the colourfully painted streets with artistic boutiques, atmospheric restaurants and street artists live at work! There are so many words to describe ‘Valpo’, but the fact remains that the place is indescribable. Let’s start with some facts: Valparaiso is the largest and oldest port city in Chile and dates from 1536. The charming city has around 42 hills, on which colourful houses are situated, linked with each other through a labyrinth of streets and lookouts. This Bohemian city inspired many poets including the famous Pablo Neruda. Between the hill and sea is the centre, with the cable car, splendid architecture and narrow streets. In the 19th century, Valpo was already known as the ‘Jewel of the Pacific’. A guide will tell you more about this special place and you will have plenty of time to yourself to get lost amongst the streets.
Day 5 - San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama is a small oasis village at the Altiplano. In this geographical region are some of the tallest volcanoes of the Andes. Nowadays, this small town is of great importance because it’s considered the archaeological capital of Chile due to the epic beauty of the landscape. Thanks to the high altitude, dry, cloud-free air and lack of ‘light pollution’ from big cities, this is one of the best places in the world to observe stars and a fixed base for NASA. Why not incorporate a stargazing tour into your program. We fully recommend this tour.
During your visit to the driest desert in the world, you must absolutely visit the spectacular Moon Valley and Death Valley. Enjoy the exceptional shapes of the landscape, as if you’re walking on the moon. The views of the Andes and volcanoes are spectacular. When dusk falls, you’ll be overwhelmed by the red and golden colours of the desert sky.
Day 6 - Atacama Pedras Rojas Lagoons
Discover the magical colours of the Atacama Desert, with the imposing Piedras Rojas, the beautiful lagoons of Chaxa, Miscanti and Miñiques Andes and the expansive Atacama salt flats. You start in Piedras Rojas, an impressive geological rock formation with a fascinating red-coloured landscape, caused by oxidised iron. You’ll also visit the Altiplano lagoons (4200m), which are surrounded by impressive volcanoes from formations of the Andes mountain range. The lagoons are inhabited by a great variety of wild birds, including brightly coloured flamingo colonies. A spectacularly beautiful environment! On the way you back, you’ll enjoy the views of the famous volcanoes of Licanabur and Lascar and we visit the traditional colonial village of Toconao.
Day 7 - Tatio geysers
Those who are interested, can rise extra early to visit the Tatio geysers (4000m). You can see the sunrise in one of the most significant geothermal fields in the world. There are more than 70 geysers with steaming pools of boiling water, bubbling mud and gushing water.
On the way back, you will travel through epic landscapes with impressive valleys, full of flora and fauna and will be able to spot vicuñas and vizcachas! You stop by the village of Machuca, a real atacameño village with only 20 homes, built from clay, straw and cactus wood. The inhabitants of Machuca offer handmade wares from the Andes and typical dishes from the region, like llama meat and empanadas. While we’re there, we’ll visit the wetlands where we can spot flamingos, ducks and other birds!
Day 8 - Punta Arenas
Today, you’ll fly to Punta Arenas. Before the Panama Canal was built, this was a very busy shipping route for ships from the east to the west coast. Punta Arenas is the most southern city in Chile. The town is lively and the centre of Chilean Patagonia where culture and industry are centred. This is also the access gate to the southern regions, also called the ‘World’s End’.
Day 9 - Puerto Natales
You travel by bus to Puerta Natales which is located on the coast of the ‘Úlitma Esperanze (Last Hope’) fjord. The location is truly wonderful, close to the imposing Riesco mountain ranges with beautiful panoramic views. Puerto Natales is the perfect base for the Torres del Paine National Park.
Day 10 -Torres del Paine
You’ve arrived in the Torres Del Paine National Park, the absolute highlight of Patagonia! During your trip to the NP, you’ll see various landscapes, from forests to steppes. Once arriving at the park, you see the landscape drastically change, azure blue lakes, spectacular glaciers, waterfalls and fantastic fauna. You’ll make various stops so you can walk around on your own and completely submerge yourself in the various natural wonders, like the Salto Grande waterfalls, Lake Nordenskjold and the famous granite peaks of Torres Del Paine, from which the park derives its name.
Day 11 - Torres del Paine
Enjoy a second day in Torres Del Paine.
The Torres del Paine is excellent for treks to explore the exceptional natural beauty. Proclaimed as a biosphere reservation by UNESCO, Torres del Paine is internationally viewed as one of the most beautiful, unique and purest places on the planet. A place of lakes, rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, forest and amazing wildlife. The park’s vegetation changes in every area you visit. The animals that live in the park include, guanacos, greater rheas, condors, cougars and a large variety of birds the most important of which can be found around the lakes and lagoons.
Day 12 - Puerto Natales
Today, you’ll travel back to Puerto Natales through the splendid Torres del Paine landscapes. Enjoy the natural beauty during the trip!
Day 13 - Puerto Natales
* All accommodations with breakfast
* Mentioned meals
* Domestic flights
* Transport like mentioned in the program, except from domestic flights
* Excursions like mentioned in the program, unless stated otherwise
Not included:
* International and domestic flights
* Not mentioned meals
* Entry fees national parks, unless mentioned differently
* Optional and not mentioned services and excursions
