Highlights of Chile

Highlights of Chile

Highlights: Santiago, Wine Country, Atacama Desert & Torres del Paine
You will visit Santiago and enjoy the capital city’s restaurants and museums, taste some of Chile’s finest wines in the wine country, stargaze in the astonishing Atacama Desert and hike the trails of Torres del Paine National Park.

Day 1: Arrival in Chile
You will be met upon arrival at the Santiago airport and transferred to your luxury boutique hotel located in the trendy Lastarria neighborhood. In the early afternoon, you will be picked up at the hotel for a private half-day city tour of Santiago. The tour includes the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the city’s premier fine arts museum, and the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, whose remarkable collection includes the Mayan, Aztec, Incan, Mapuche, and other major indigenous cultures. The tour also visits the Plaza de Armas and the neighborhoods of Providencia, Bellavista, and Las Condes. Santiago offers an extensive range of sophisticated dining options. We will provide a wide variety of restaurant recommendations for you to decide between local, fusion, modern, or traditional cuisine.

Tatio Geysers, Atacama, Chile

Day 2: Into the Wine Country
You will head west into Colchagua Valley for a private tour of the finest wineries. This is the home of Chile’s most acclaimed varietal, the Carmenere, and some really nice reds as the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Syrah. The day-tour includes a wine-pairing lunch at one of the wineries.

Day 3: To the North, to the Desert
You will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Calama. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your all-inclusive luxury hotel, where you will be able to choose your daily activities between hiking, climbing, bird-watching, biking, stargazing, etc. All your meals, soft drinks, house wines and spirits are included, as well as the activities of your choice. The Atacama area is both fascinating for its hiking and riding options as it is for its stargazing opportunities in one of the most pristine skies in the world. San Pedro de Atacama, the main town in the region has an interesting international atmosphere that is also worth experiencing.

Day 4: Highland Lagoons
During your stay you will be able to explore the highland lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, which are located at an altitude of 13,860 feet. The scenery is ideal to contemplate the beauty of the Altiplanic landscape, with its mountains, many contrasts and extraordinary colors. Lunch is served at a local restaurant in the village of Socaire, a simple way to give much needed support to the local community.

Day 5: Tatio Geysers
We also suggest visiting the Tatio Geysers, located at an altitude of 14,190ft. The geothermal field has a close link to the volcanic activity in the zone and consists of huge steam columns which reach heights of almost 40ft. Breakfast is served as dawn breaks; on the way back to the village, you will have the opportunity of spotting vicuñas and, if lucky, foxes, vizcachas and Ñandú (Andean ostrich). You will stop at the hamlet of Machuca before returning to the hotel by vehicle.

Atacama Desert, Chile

Day 6: Death & Moon Valleys
The surreal beauty of the landscape from many viewpoints in the Salt Mountain Range, such as the scenery of Death Valley, Moon Valley and the Andes mountain range is also unique. The activity includes short walks in several areas with rocky outcrops, a landscape formed by the wind the rain and the temperature changes of the desert.
The half day excursion to the Salt Flats starts with a brief visit to Toconao village where the square and the historic church are the main attractions along with a visit to a local family who lives off the sales of their handcrafts. Later on you will reach the National Flamingo Reserve in the Atacama salt flat. There are three types of flamingo to be found here, living off the microscopic lagoon life. The views of the Andes as the sun sets are truly amazing.

Day 7: Head South into the Patagonian Wilderness
You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred back to the Calama Airport for your flight to Torres del Paine. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your all-inclusive luxury camp, where you will spend the next 4 nights immersed in the breathtaking Patagonian landscape, opting between hiking, biking, horse-back riding, etc. All meals are included in the camp as well as the activities. Torres del Paine National Park is arguably one of the top adventure travel destinations in the world and offers countless options for the adventure enthusiast.

Day 8: World-class Hiking
During your time in the park, we suggest you sign up for some of the full day hikes, such as the Lakal Sarmiento, where you will follow a winding trail that runs through lenga forests and provides views of the pristine Laguna Lakal. The excursion ends on the Sarmiento Peninsula providing a stunning view of the Paine massif. Another option would be to take a challenging yet rewarding trek that provides an up close experience to Base Las Torres. The trail winds through lenga forests, the breathtaking Ascencio Valley and finishes right beneath Las Torres. This hike is part of the famous W circuit of Torres del Paine National Park.

Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile

Day 9: French Valley
A more strenuous choice would be the French Valley, a challenging hike through one of the most well-known sectors of Torres del Paine National Park. The hike begins near Hostería Las Torres. The trail moves along Almirante Nieto into the French Valley where you will see the Hanging Glacier, Lake Nordenskjold and the French Glacier. This hike has 2 extensions, up to the Plateau (ranked as very difficult) and the British Camp (difficult) that will lead you to the heart of the granite massif.

Day 10: Riding in Patagonia
If you would like to try one of the rides, for those who have some previous experience with horses, Puesto Segunda Barranca is a great opportunity to explore the Patagonian Pampa. In general the path is over straight, flat land with views of Torres del Paine. The excursion is a perfect medium length ride with many opportunities to gallop for those who want to.

Day 11: Heading Home
Today you will be picked up for your return flight back home.