You will start your trip in Santiago from where you first head to the driest desert in the world, Atacama. You will visit little Oasis towns, geysers, lakes and volcanoes. From the driest place in the world, you will head to the coldest place of Chile, Patagonia. The glaciers are waiting for you in Torres del Paine, Chile´s National Park that often is called one of the most beautiful National Parks in the World.
From there you will head up a little bit more and visit the lake district and Chiloé Island, the second biggest Island of South America, famous for it’s handicrafts and "Palafitos", houses on stilts. We will drive a little bit more south to Pucon, and explore the National Park Huerquehue and you have the opportunity to climb the Villarica Volcano. Finally you go to the mystic and exotic Eastern Island, where you really start wondering how this amazing sculptures appeared on the Island.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival Santiago. You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel in Santiago. You will stay in a lovely hotel, in the center of Providencia. Your trip will start here in Santiago where you can spend some time to explore the friendly and lively capital of Chile, surrounded by the Andes. Optional: half day city tour.
Day 2: San Pedro de Atacama - Valle de la Luna. In the early morning our flight will depart. You will be taken to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. In the evening we will head to the "Cordillera de la Sal" (salt flat) and Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon). This is a wonderful location, with vast sand dunes from which to watch the sunset. The valleys are the product of mineralogical folds that occurred hundred of millions years ago, creating little mountains with strange shapes which the sunset turns into a lunar landscape.
Day 3: Salar de Atacama and Altiplanic Lakes. Our first stop of the day will be Toconao, a traditional Andean village 38 km south of San Pedro where the original architecture in Liparita stone can still be seen and the old church is particularly lovely. Here in Toconao, you can discover what it is like to live in this region by both exploring the village and meeting its people who spend their time making handicrafts from fine wool. From here we will continue to the Quebrada de Jerez (Sherry Gorge) where we can paddle in the cool stream before continuing on our journey to the great Salar de Atacama (salt flats) where we will visit the Chaxa Lagoon, part of the Flamingo National Reserve. Geological studies have suggested that this great salt flat is the most important lithium reserve in the world, holding about 40% of the world’s lithium. Our journey continues to the high plateau Miscanti-Meñique lakes. These lakes are located at 4.500m above sea level and are home to a variety of flora and fauna which exist only in these protected areas. The variety of colors in the landscape makes the area stunningly beautiful. The height of the lagoons means that we are that much closer to the mountains and volcanoes and so will have some spectacular views of them. Some of them are sacred for the indigenous people and have inspired the many mysterious legends of the Atacama Desert. On the way back to San Pedro we will visit the town of Socaire, a village where the ancient traditions of the people are still in use today and shepherds and farmers cultivate the "pachamama" (earth) using the old system of Andean terraces.
Day 4: Tatio Geysers and Andean Villages. Today we start early, as we travel to the highest geothermic area in the Andean Range, the Tatio Geysers. Located 4,300m above sea level, these columns of steam rise to a height of 50m and are surrounded by amazing colorful scenery. The area is home to many animal species including the Vicuña, a type of South American came lid, which is very well adapted to living in these harsh conditions. The geysers have been formed by Andes melt water filtering through the Earth’s crust to the hot core where on coming into contact with the magma, it boils and becomes steam which rises back to the surface and forms steam columns and hot springs. Later in the day we will visit the village of Caspana where traditional agricultural and irrigation techniques inherited from the Incas are still used. Here we will see the terraces where many different types of fruit are grown and then sold in nearby towns. Our next stop will be the village of Chiu-Chiu, located 33km from Calama, where we will visit the lake of the same name and the beautiful church before driving a further 10km to Pukara de Lasana, a pre-Hispanic fortress located 1,560m above sea level, where it is possible to see the old settlement’s narrow streets and buildings. After the tour you will be taken to the airport where you will board your flight back to Santiago.
Day 5: Santiago – Puerto Natales. Today you are going to have a full day of traveling. The plane takes off at 10:00 in the morning and 3,5 hours later you are in Punta Arenas. From there you´ll take a bus transfer seeing Punta Arenas and empty plains, en route to your hotel in Puerto Natales.
Day 6: Torres del Paine. Early in the morning you make your way to the famous national park, Torres del Paine. The National Park Torres del Paine is, without doubt, one of the most spectacular national parks in the country. A world biosphere reserve, it has a huge variety of plant and animal species which, with its incredibly beautiful setting has made it an almost unequaled destination for hikers and backpackers, ecology-lovers and adventure sportsmen alike. We will trek for around 4-5 hrs today, stopping to visit the Milodon Cave where an herbivore giant sloth lived about 12.000 years ago. Further you are going to take a boat trip to see the impressive scenery of the Grey Lake before arriving in a rustic mountain Refugio where we will spend the night.
Day 7: Trekking Torres del Paine. After breakfast you can enjoy a full day trekking in the Park. Today we will see snow-capped mountain peaks, cascading rivers and waterfalls, glaciers and mirrored lakes while you explore within this unique setting.
Day 8: Torres del Paine - Punta Arenas. Today is a travel day. You leave the park and make your way back to Punta Arenas, where you will stay the night in the Hostal Oro Fuegino, ready to catch your flight to Puerto Montt the next morning.
Day 9: Puerto Montt – Puerto Varas. Today in the morning we will get transferred to the airport of Punta Arenas to catch or flight to Puerto Montt, X region, lake district. In Puerto Montt we will visit Angelmo, where you have the chance to taste the delicious fish cuisine of the south of Chile. After lunch we will head to Puerto Varas where you will have the afternoon and evening free.
Day 10: Saltos de Petrohue and Lagos Todos los Santos. We will leave early in the morning to make our way to Petrohué Waterfalls (Saltos de Petrohué). It is a chute-type waterfall in the upper reach of Petrohué River. The waterfall is supported by basaltic lava stemming from the Osorno (volcano) that sits in between Lake Todos los Santos and Lake Llanquihue and provides an outstanding background for pictures. The water, decanted in the lake, is usually clear with a green tint. Afterwards we will continue our trip to Lagos Todos Los Santos. We are going to do a little trekking (Paso Desolación) next to the beautiful lake and enjoy the wonderful scenery while having lunch. With good weather we can enjoy a stunning view of the mountains in Argentina and several volcanoes close by.
Day 11: Free Day Puerto Varas. Today you have a free day to relax or to choose one of the optional activities. The area offers you a lot of possibilities to fill this free day. Visit the neighboring city Puerto Montt (20 minutes) where you can enjoy seafood in the famous craft and fish market "Angelmo", or head to National Park Alerce Andino, a beautiful park located 46 km of the east of Puerto Montt. The arboreal formation is mainly composed by alerces. Most of the millennial larches are about 40 meters high. If you looking for something a little more adventurous you choose from a variety of adventure activities such as rafting, horse riding, trekking, or canopy.
Day 12: Chiloe Island - Abcud and Islands of Punihuil. Leaving your hotel early, you will head towards Pargua, from where the ferry to the second biggest island of South America will depart. During the ferry crossing you can often spot dolphins. As soon as you enter Chiloé you will feel that you are in a different country. Chiloé Island is famous for its handicrafts, "palafitas" (houses on stilts), and its huge variety of colorful potatoes. We will stop in Ancud from where we take the boat to the Islands of Punihuil. In summer this is the home base of hundreds of penguins. In the afternoon you will have some time to shop in the handicraft market before heading back to Puerto Varas.
Day 13: Puertp Varas Pucon. Today is a day of traveling. In the early morning your bus to Pucon will depart. You will arrive in the early afternoon and you will have the rest of the day free.
Day 14: Trekking National Park Huerquehue. Some of Chile’s most beautiful National Parks are located in this region so during the day we’ll dedicate some time to visit the Huerquehue National Park. Huerquehue, famous for its more than 20 lagoons, is considered as one of the most beautiful national parks of Chile. We will enjoy a short trek passing through millennial trees (araucarias), along hidden trails with astonishing views. We will enjoy our lunch while watching the views, before heading back to Pucón.
Day 15: Free Day Pucon. This day is free for you to choose your own activity for a full day or just a half day. There are opportunities for renting a mountain bike and explore the countryside, horse-riding for half a day through the native forest or visiting a cattle farm or whitewater rafting. Or for the more adventurous, (weather permitting) you can trek up to the top of the Villarica volcano. On the top of the volcano you can smell the sulphuric fumes of the volcano, and see the smoke and bubbling lava inside the crater, a constant reminder of the fact that Villarrica is still active. In the evening you will take a overnight bus back to Santiago.
Day 16: Santiago Free Day. Day Free in Santiago to relax and explore the lovely capital of Chile. Optional: Half/ full day city tour: Rafting, Horse riding; Trekking.
Day 17: Valparaiso and Vineyard. On our way to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, we will stop at a vineyard in the Casablanca Valley, Viña Mar. This vineyard is separated from the coast by just 18km, a location that has played a crucial role in developing the Viña Mar wines. The tour involves visiting the wine making facilities, the vineyards and then having the chance to sample some of the wines
for which Viña Mar is famous. We will then drive to the coastal city of Valparaíso, known as "the Jewel of the Pacific" and famous for its funiculars system which will transport you up into the hills from where there are always spectacular views. We will visit the port, the financial district, the squares and the monuments. By taking a walk on Concepción Hill you will have the chance to discover the small alleys and appreciate the city’s views which make Valparaíso so special. From Valparaiso we head slightly up the coast to the neighbouring beach resort of Vina del Mar, before returning to Santiago.
Day 18: Easter Island. In the morning you will head to the airport where you will catch your flight to Easter Island. At the airport you will be greeted by the traditional welcome ceremony and presented with a garland of flowers before being taken to your hotel. The rest of the day you have free to look around.
Day 19: Isla de Pascua - Anakena. After breakfast in the hotel we will set off on a full day excursion during which we will visit the archaeological centre of Akahanga, Rano Raraku volcano and its quarry where nearly all the moai were carved and where there are still more than 300 incomplete statues, all in different stages of construction, as well as one that is around 21m tall – the same height as a seven store building. Our next stop will be Ahu Tongariki whose colossal statues were swept inland by a tsunami in 1960. We will also visit Ahu Te Pito Kura and Ahu Ngau Ngau, and have a delicious picnic on Anakena beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Day 20: Isla de Pascua – Orongo and Ahu Akivi. During the morning we will visit the Rano Kau volcano, the city and the sacred ceremonial village of Orongo with its collection of petroglyphs, the district of Vinapu with its two Ahu, and the Anaka Tai Tangata cave, famous for its ancient paintings. After lunch we will visit Ahu Akivi with its seven moai which face out to sea before heading to the caves of Ana Tepahu and Puna Pau where tred-stone topknots, worn by some of the moai, were carved.
Day 21: Isla de Pascua (free day). Today you have a day free and you can explore the Island in your own way. You can visit archaeological sites, or just relax on one of the tropical beaches of the Island.
Day 22: Isla de Pascua – Santiago. After breakfast you will be picked up and transferred to the airport, with a farewell ceremony again with flower garlands you will leave the mystical Easter Island behind you and head back to Santiago. In the evening you have the chance to take advantage of one of the many excellent restaurants in Santiago.
Day 23: Return back home. Today it is time to say goodbye to Chile as you head home.
Tourism Policy:
- We believe in generating incomes for local communities by visiting locally owned restaurants and shops. We also try to use local guides where possible
- During our trips and expeditions we encourage our clients to act responsibly and respect the local community, which in turn will help them to gain a greater understanding and insight of the local customs
- We choose to use campsites owned and managed by local communities
- We work in conjunction with our partners on the ground to implement the highest standards
- We always take economic, environmental and cultural factors into account when considering new
destinations
- We aim to ensure that our type and scale of tourism is appropriate to the local conditions and operates within the limits set by the local community with regards to its infrastructure and capacity
for receiving visitors
- We aim to take responsibility for maintaining and, if possible, improving the natural environment
- We aim to minimize our impact on the atmosphere and local water systems during our expeditions
and day treks
- We always aim to take all our litter home
- We aim to give environmental and economic considerations equal weight
- We will provide our staff with regular and ongoing training about the principles and practices of
responsible tourism
- We provide our guides with instructions on how to act in the natural environment, encourage them to teach these guidelines to our clients during our tours
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices:
Price based on 1 person - 3279$ per person (Based on single room)
Price based on 2 people - 2665$ per person (Based on double room)
Price based on 3 people - 2445$ per person (Based on triple room)
Price based on 4 people - 2495$ per person (Based on 2 double rooms).
Price excludes: International flights, National flights, Travel insurance, Meals not indicated in Itinerary, Optional excursions.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Chile
Sightseeing
Cultural Journey
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