Itinerary
HIGHTLIGHTS CHILE TOUR 12 DAYS AND 11 NIGHTS
.Ask for prices for special Seasons (Christmas, New Year and Holydays)
Day 01:Santiago
Transfer airport / hotel in Santiago
Pm: Panoramic City Tour:
Tour around Santiago visiting the city's most outstanding attractions, including the main square "Plaza de Armas", Santiago's Cathedral, the Government Palace "La Moneda" in the civic centre. Then, the trip continues by the main avenues of the old Santiago, crossing the bohemian neighbourhood of Bellavista driving up the San Cristobal Hill, for a magnificent panoramic view of the city and the Andes Mountain Range. Descend and travel on direction to the neighbourhoods of Vitacura and Las Condes, the modern commercial districts and great places for shopping. The tour ends with a visit to the artisan village of "Los Graneros del Alba", where artisans can be seen at work, having plenty of time to walk around or do some shopping. Return to the hotel
Overnight.
Day 02: F/day wine tour in Casablanca valley:
Departure towards the valley of Casablanca, affected by a maritime influence, which together with special soil conditions allows the worldwide famous wines of the area. Enjoy the best tour of the Casablanca valley at Casas del Bosque, a family boutique winery who will enchanted with all its tourism attractions, specially created to make your visit different and unforgettable wine experience. Here you will learn, enjoyed and taste the best wine of Chile in a relaxing and pleasant environment with premium service.
Then, the trip continues towards Matetic vineyard. The new Matetic winery is a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, constructed so as to complement its glorious setting. In other words, harmony has been reached between the winery's organic agricutural practices and the natural landscape of the valley. This winery, which has a 300 thousand-liter capacity, relies on a gravitational-flow design that optimizes management of the grapes brought in from the nearby vineyards. After a lunch menu, transfer to the cellar. During a tour, visitors can learn about the different phases of wine production while appreciating stunning views of the vineyards and the beautiful Rosario Valley. Return to Santiago.
Overnight. (L)
Day 03:
Transfer to the airport on time to board your next flight
Calama Reception at the airport in Calama and transfer to the hotel
San Pedro Atacama Pm: Moon valley:
Located in the salt mountain range with attractive and impressive geological formations of diverse shapes and colors, giant dunes and beautiful salt crystal on the crunching ground make you feel like in another planet or the moon itself. This stage turns more attractive during sunset.
Overnight.
Day 04: F/day Altiplanic lagoons & Atacama salt lake:
(not recommend for people with heart problems)
Full day excursion visiting Toconao village, place of volcanic stone artisans, then, Meñique and Miscanti lagoons located at 4500 mts. These lagoons are surrounded by impressive volcanoes originated by the rising of the Andes in ancient geological times, they get their underground water from thaws. Then transfer to Socaire, a town of the atacama basin, lunch menu in a local restaurant. On the way back, we will visit the Chaxa Lagoon, located in the Atacama salt lake, the pink flamingoes habitat.
Overnight. (L)
Day 05.F/day El Tatio Geysers & Machuca:
(not recommend for people with heart problems)
Departure at dawn (5 Am) towards El Tatio Geysers located at 4.500 mt a.s.l.. Breakfast box in the Geysers. Then begin a soft guided walking tour around the geothermal fields to watch how these spectacular jets of steam shoot up. Return through the Andes Mountain Range with an impressive view of Putama Volcano and Tocorpuri Mountains where native flora can be appreciated. On the way back, visit to Machuca, a small desert village with its typical terrace farming system, the mud houses with straw roof, its church and local fauna such llamas, alpacas and flamingos. Return to the hotel on lunch time.
Rest of the day at leisure. We recommend you a walking by downtown and the archaeological museum (on your own)
Overnight.
Day 06:H/day Chiu-Chiu & Lasana:
Transfer to Calama to proceed to the village of Chiu-Chiu which features an imposing 17th-century church, one of the oldest in the area. Next, walk along the edge of the Loa River to study ancient Rupestrian etching on the cliffs hanging over the river bank. Finally, travel on to the hilltop fortress of Lasana. This village, which dates back to the 12th century, is the best preserved remnant of the Atacamena people complete with solid stone architecture-all rooms, barns, and narrow alleys-typical of the period. Lunch menu included in a local restaurant in Chiu-Chiu. At the end of the tour, transfer to the airport o time to board your return flight to Santiago
Day 07:
Puerto Montt: Reception at the airport in Puerto Montt and transfer to the hotel
located in Puerto Varas, a nice city located at the shore of Llanquihue lake and in front of Osorno volcano
Puerto Varas: Pm: Alerce Andino nacional park
Departure by the Austral Highway seeing along the way, a number of small fishing villages and locals gathering algae, a regional specialty. The trip continues north along the Chamiza River, a territory heavily settled by Germans, as evident by the style of homes along the road to Alerce Andino National Park. Here, in the park, sStroll through the humid rainforest, home to a variety of native trees, including larches, the youngest of which are about 50 years old. Return
Overnight.
Day 08:
Am: H/day exc. Osorno volcano:
Drive through the southern shore of the Llanquihue Lake admiring the beauty of Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes towards Ensenada village from where will start our ascent until we reach the Osorno volcano Ski and mountain center. Once there we will make a short soft trek to enjoy the marvelous views and lake pictures. There is an unsurpassed view of Osorno's volcano glaciers, as well as Calbulco volcano, Llanquihue lake and the Pacific ocean. Return.
Pm: H/day Frutillar:
Heading north towards Frutillar a charming summer resort bedecked with old German-style homes and beautiful gardens. The tour includes a visit to upper and lower Frutillar with a wonderful view of Osorno and Puntiagudo volcanoes and Llanquihue lake, its church and the museum devoted to the German Pioneers.
Return and overnight.
Day 09: F/day International Andean Lakes Crossing (SIB):
(Puerto Varas - Bariloche, Argentine)
Drive through the southern shore of the Llanquihue Lake admiring the beauty of Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes with a stop at the Petrohue Waterfalls. The rapids formed by the abundant waters of this fast flowing river are by the virgin forest showing a wonderful view. The tour continues to Petrohue to board a catamaran sailing the Todos Los Santos lakes up to arrive in Peulla a tiny town at the foot of the Andes mountain. After a lunch menu, the trip continues by bus crossing Los Andes mountain up to arrive in Puerto Frias (Argentine), from there, by another catamaran and then by bus to Puerto Blest boarding the last catamaran sailing the Nahuel Huapi lake up to Puerto Pañuelo pier where you will take the last bus ending at the Andean crossing bus station in Bariloche . (L)
Punta Arenas Reception at the airport in Punta Arenas and transfer to the hotel located in Puerto Natales, distance 254 kms north from Punta Arenas (3 hrs driving)
(Note: For passengers by SIB, the transfer will be provided by
public Bus plus the transfers to/from bus station)
Overnight. (--)
Day 10: F/day navigation to Balmaceda-Serrano glaciers (SIB):
Transfer to the pier to embark at 7:40 Am in a local boat and start the navigation crossing the Ultima Esperanza Sound. On the way sea lions, swans and unique fauna can be seen. Arrival to Balmaceda Mountain where the glacier of this mount can be admired. Then, continue towards Serrano Glacier. Here a 15 minutes hike up to the north slope of this mount to take good shots of this fabulous glacier. Typical lunch barbecue in a local Estancia and back trip to Puerto Natales and transfer to the hotel
Overnight. (L)
Day 11: F/day Torres del Paine national park:
Departure toward the National Park with a stop en route at the Milodon Cave where a replica of this prehistoric herbivorous can be admired. The Milodon lived in this area 12,000 years ago and some remains of this prehistoric animal were found in this cave. Then, a short stop in Cerro Castillo border, where passengers can enjoy cafeteria services (on their own). Then, arrival to the park by the sector of Sarmiento lake and following the route, can observe the lakes Nordenskjold and Pehoé, accompanied by groups of guanacos and ñandúes. The road continues with a hike of 10 minutes, where it is possible to discover the beautiful Salto Grande, then Pehoé lake with a magnificent view of the Cuernos del Paine ending in the area of Grey Glacier with a beautiful walking between forests of lengas and the imposing ice floes of Grey Glacier. Lunch menu in a local restaurant or lunch box en route. In the afternoon, the back trip will be by the Amarga Lagoon sector with a real spectacle with foxes and condors in their habit with a beautiful panoramic view of the Paine towers. Arrival to your hotel at 8 pm app.
Overnight. (L)
Day 12:
Transfer to the airport in Punta Arenas.
(Note: For passengers by SIB, the transfer will be provided by public Bus to Punta Arenas (directly to the airport) including the transfer to bus station)
End of our services
Included
Include:
PRV: Transfers and excursions are in private service, except the wine tours into the wineries and the boat trip that operate in regular service (SIB)
SIB: In Santiago and in Puerto Montt and Patagonia, transfers are in private service and the
excursions by coach (SIB)
In San Pedro de Atacama transfers and excursions are by coach (SIB)
Transfer Punta Arenas / Puerto Natales / Punta Arenas by public bus, no guide included
- English-Spanish speaking guide assistance on transfers and excursions
- Lodging on standard room or as mentioned in the quotation, buffet breakfast included
Day 01 / 03: 2 nights lodging in Santiago, buffet breakfast included B)
Day 03 / 06: 3 nights lodging in San Pedro Atacama, buffet breakfast included (B)
Day 06 / 07: 1 night lodging in one of hotels located at the airport in Santiago,
buffet breakfast included B)
Day 07 / 09: 2 nights lodging in Puerto Varas, buffet breakfast included (B)
Day 09 / 12: 3 nights lodging in Puerto Natales, buffet breakfast included (B)
- Tip to porters at hotels and airport
- All entrance fees on tours
- Meals duly specified in the program:
B = Breakfast L = Lunch or Box lunch D = Dinner
Do not include:
- Early check-in or Late check-out
- Extra transfers, excursions or meals not mentioned in the program
- Air tickets and airport taxes
- 19% tax. All foreigner non resident in Chile are tax exempt.
Just in case of no-show the hotels will collect the room rates plus 19% tax.
Note:
- Museum and Graneros El Alba Craft market are closed on Monday
- The wineries to be visited are subject to confirm at the time of the reservation is made. In case one of them cannot confirm the booking, the wine tour will be provided in a similar winery
- The navigation to Balmaceda and Serrano (SIB) operates daily from September through April. From May through August, operates only on Saturdays or Sunday or any day with a minimum of 10 paying passengers
Important:
- Rates valid for individual passengers at leisure, rates do not apply for groups or passengers traveling for business purpose or attending a seminar , congress, etc.
- In Santiago, during high season (Fair and congress periods), specially on March, April, October and November, the flat rates are subject to change without previous notice, to be reconfirmed at the time of booking
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