Days 1-4: Atacama Desert
Arrive in San Pedro de Atacama. Set in the heart of the Atacama Desert, this small oasis town is well situated for daily adventures into the surrounding desert region and to the Salar de Atacama.
Choose from a variety of guided half and full-day explorations and activities to explore Atacama – cultural and archaeological tours, easy walks and more challenging treks, mountain-biking, visits to salt flats and thermal geysers, wildlife and bird-watching.
Days 5-7: Santiago and Valparaiso
Fly back to Santiago, and the following day enjoy a guided tour visiting the city’s main landmarks. Drive to San Cristobal Hill for great views of the city and the Andes mountains. Contrast the old and new parts of the city as you continue to the residential areas of Vitacura Las Condes and Providencia.
The following morning depart from your hotel for a full day tour including Valparaiso. Travel to Curacaví which is renowned for its fruit production and especially its own regional ‘chicha’ made from the fermented juice; here you will stop at a ‘chicheria’ to taste this special alcoholic fruit drink. Continue heading west to the Casablanca Valley, well known for some of the best white wines in the country, and visit the organic Emiliana Vineyard where you will be shown around and learn about the wine production before enjoying a tasting of the finished product. Drive on through the Casablanca Valley to arrive on the Pacific coast at Valparaíso, Chile’s oldest and most important seaport, bustling with activity. With its improvised urban design and unique architecture clinging to the hillsides, Valparaiso is a labyrinth of winding narrow streets, cobblestone alleyways and colourful hillside neighbourhoods. Continue a short distance north around the bay to Viña del Mar, the most famous and visited seaside city of the area. Its many parks with huge trees and palms have led it to being known as the “Garden City”. Also visit the beaches and the 1930s-era Casino, and learn about its history. In the late afternoon, again pass through the agricultural valleys of Curacaví and Casablanca, en route back to Santiago.
Days 8-9: Chiloe
Fly to the quaint fishing island of Chiloe, home to 150 intricately-shingled wooden churches.
Enjoy a day of included activities around the Island of Chiloe.
Days 10-11: Puerto Varas
Transfer via ferry and private vehicle to Puerto Varas in the Chilean Lakes District.
Tour around the spectacular Lake Llanquihue and Osorno Volcano.
Days 12-16: Punta Arenas and Torres Del Paine National Park
Fly into Punta Arenas where you will spend the night. The following day transfer by private vehicle into the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park and stay at a lodge with impressive views of the majestic rock mountains.
Enjoy your choice of half or full-day excursions that, depending on the property, may include a range of treks, mountain-biking, guided adventures by vehicle, horse-riding, bird-watching, cultural tours, and visits to nearby estancias to see and experience the seasonal activities.
Days 17-18: Punta Arenas and Santiago
Journey back to Punta Arenas and fly on to Santiago for a final night. Depart Santiago the following day. This itinerary can easily be added to a Peru itinerary.
