Classic Chile - from the North to Patagonia

A Voyage from the Atacama to the South

Chile is a long country, long and narrow, famous for its tremendous range of different geography. Our Chile Voyage sets out to discover just that. Years ago, a renowned travel guide referred to Chile as a long narrow string bean of a country. At almost 4,000 kilometers long and not 190 kms wide, indeed it is. Imagine taking 11 days to experience the diversity of such a country that is longer than the US (or all of Western Europe) is wide!

A country full of friendly souls on a seldom visited exotic continent filled with its own flora and fauna, unique history and booming modern day success. Add: snowcapped volcanoes, endless salt flats, emerald blue lakes, glacial Fiords, dense rain forests, the Atacama Desert, Patagonia, the Andes, unique native foods from both land and sea, terrific new world wines, and a conducive setting for pretty much every sport known to man - and you have the country of Chile. Perhaps the most difficult part is to trim it down to eleven days.

ITINERARY:

(subject to change without prior notice)

Valle de la muerte

Day 1: Santiago

Meet your (English speaking) guide at the airport in Santiago. Be transferred downtown to the Hotel Providencia (or similar). Take an historic tour of Santiago including: the Presidential Palace, once the National Mint and thus called La Moneda, the historic main square or Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Palacio de la Real Audiencia, today housing the National History Museum, and Casa Colorado, the historic residence of the Governor. Perhaps the best view of Santiago is from the summit of the Cerro San Cristobal, where the statue of the Virgin stands looking out over the city. San Cristobal is just a small part of our walk through a large city park called Parque Metropolitano. Continue uptown to see some of the barrio alto.

Day 2: Santiago - Calama - San Pedro de Atacama

Early flight north to Calama in the Atacama Desert. Travel overland to the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. Visit to the archaeological museum of Padre Le Paige with large collection of artifacts demonstrating the development of the Atacameñian society. Visit to historic church of San Pedro dating from the 17th century - with a roof made of cactus. Afternoon visit to the Salar de Atacama (the world’s largest salt lake) with visit on route to the town of Toconao, a picturesque village built of bricks of white volcanic stone, which lends the town a classic yet unique Altiplano appearance. Famous church and bell tower built of this bleached white volcanic stone. Laguna Chaxa, Reserva Nacional de los Flamingos: Terrific opportunity to get closer to the many rare birds in their natural habitat. Overnight: Hotel La Casa de Don Tomas (or similar).

Day 3: Geysers El Tatio

Early departure for the Geysers of El Tatio, situated 4,500 m above sea level on the Altiplano. About 40 geysers, thermal wells, and fumaroles in the early morning light make for a striking and unforgettable experience. Prepare yourself for a sunset in the Valley of the Moon. Sundown in this bizarre, almost lunar landscape is a particularly rare experience, which lends itself to photography and awe. Return to San Pedro after sunset. Overnight: Hotel La Casa de Don Tomas (or similar).

Day 4: Calama - Santiago - Puerto Varas

Flight via Santiago south to Puerto Montt, capital of the Lake District. Short drive to Puerto Varas and the Hotel Colonos del Sur on the shore of Lago Llanquihue (pronounced Yan - key - way). Overnight: Hotel Bellavista (Superior) (or similar).

Day 5: Cruise on the All Saints Lake

Beautiful drive along the southern shore of the lake toward Ensenada approaching Volcán Osorno. First stop Saltos de Petrohue (pronounced: petro - way). Interesting rapids and waterfalls formed by cooling lava from Volcano Osorno. See the impressive sculpting of extruded volcanic rock over thousands of years of river flow. Board a catamaran in Petrohue for crossing of the All Saints Lake. Lago Todos Los Santos (All Saints Lake) is surrounded by high mountains whose lower slopes are thickly forested. As we pull away from the landing and the source of the river Petrohue, the view is quickly stolen by the tremendous size and proximity of the ice-capped Volcán Osorno right behind us. The morning is spent cruising on the lake. To the south, high above the forested shore, you will see the peculiar shape of Volcán Puntiagudo and a series of waterfalls high in the southern Andes. Arrive in Peulla (pronounced pooh-way-a), at the eastern end of the lake for lunch (optional). This is the heart of National Park Vicente Perez Rosales. Short hike to the Cascada de la Novia or the Bride's Waterfall amidst rare native growth Valdivian Rainforest. Return by catamaran to Petrohue and coach to Puerto Varas. Overnight: Hotel Bellavista (Superior) (or similar).

Volcan Llaima Conguillo

Day 6: Puerto Varas - Puerto Montt - Puerto Natales

Enjoy the morning to explore Puerto Montt, capital of the Lake Region, founded in 1853 by German colonists on the site of an indigenous Mapuche community. Walk downtown through main squares and historical monuments. Visit the busiest southern port in Chile including the fish market of Angelmo. This is a large handicraft market full of artisans' wares and heaps of fresh southern shellfish. Afternoon flight to Punta Arenas - the southernmost city in Chile amidst the elements of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. From Punta Arenas we head north through the vast patagonian Pampa to Puerto Natales. Terrific views en route of the Straits of Magellan and across the chilly antarctic waters to Tierra del Fuego. Arrival in Puerto Natales in the early evening. Overnight: Hotel Weskar Lodge (or similar).

Day 7: Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine National Park - Grey Glacier

An early start for a full day in the Torres del Paine National Park with its unique flora and fauna you will not forget. Unforgettable views of the Towers of Paine as well as Lago Grey with the tremendous blue ice of the Grey Glacier. In the afternoon return to Puerto Natales. Overnight: Hotel Weskar Lodge (or similar).

Cuernos del Paine

Day 8: Puerto Natales

Optional: Boat excursion to Balmaceda & Serrano glaciers:

In the morning we shall start the full day boat excursion to the glaciers Balmaceda and Serrano on the Fiord Ultima Esperanza. During this excursion we shall approach the spectacular Balmaceda Glacier flowing out from the eastern side of Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. At the end of the fiord we shall walk about 1 km through native forests to the foot of the Serrano Glacier. During the afternoon we shall return leisurely to Puerto Natales through spectacular southern channels and isles. Overnight: Hotel Weskar Lodge (or similar).

Optional: Full day Perito Moreno Glacier:

We set out very early in the morning on a regular tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier, part of the Continental Ice Field. At more than four kilometers long, this enormous ice field is the largest glacier in the world that crashes into an inland water mass. Gigantic pieces of the ice-walls constantly break off and plunge with a tremendous din into the Lago Argentino. On safe, well-marked trails you will enjoy various vantage points all around the glacier. Return to Chile in the late afternoon. Arrival in Puerto Natales in the late evening. Late afternoon return to Puerto Natales for overnight at Hotel Weskar Lodge (or similar).

Day 9: Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas - Santiago

Travel back south to Punta Arenas. Flight back to Santiago, transfer to the hotel. Overnight: Hotel Providencia (or similar).

Day 10: Santiago

Optional: Full Day Viña del Mar and Valparaíso:

Full day excursion to Valparaíso, the oldest port in Chile. Truly a picturesque city in every respect of the word. It retains tremendous historical significance as well as being home to the Chilean House of Assembly. During your city tour you shall visit the new government houses, the Plaza Sotomayor, the Plaza Victoria, the cathedral, the harbor area and "La Sebastiana", the former house of the Chilean writer and Nobel Prize Winner Pablo Neruda. High above the city there is a fantastic agglomeration of brightly painted homes. The upper and lower parts of the city are connected with 16 funicular railways constructed around the turn of the century (1900) when the city experienced tremendous growth.

Or day at your leisure. Overnight: Hotel Providencia (or similar)

Day 11: Santiago

The morning is at your leisure to make further excursions. Transfer to Santiago's airport for your outbound flight.