Tour Dates:
November 27 - December 10, 2023
Chile is a beautiful country from the Lake District all the way down to Las Torres del Paine in Patagonia. Travel with bilingual guides as you hike, raft, and ride horseback through some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet! Easter Island extension available.
Welcome to Santiago, take in the beautiful Andes glimmering in the background as you settle in to Chile’s fifth-largest city. Our small group tour will be met by our local guide and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the afternoon we will spend at leisure. You can take a stroll through downtown Santiago or find a nice café to enjoy a coffee or glass of Chilean wine. (B,L)
Overnight at luxury hotel in Santiago
After breakfast we will leave for the colorful town of Valparaiso, Chile’s main port, a coastal town with lovely vistas. The houses are all brightly painted, and there is beautiful street graffiti created by well renowned local artists. It is incredible and unique. We tour of one of Pablo Neruda’s houses and ride the cable cars to get an impressive view of the harbor. We will have lunch at a local café and a coffee before we leave. This young, active, artistic town will impress even the most seasoned traveler.
On our way back to Santiago we will stop at the world famous Emiliana Organic Vineyards. The vineyard is located in the heart of the Chilean county-side, surrounded by hills of grapevines. Their mission is to make outstanding wine using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Emiliana’s charm will capture you as soon as you arrive. Chickens run along the driveway with a line of chicks following close behind. Alpaca, Horses and cows live on the property along with bees that produce the local honey. The staff is warm and welcoming and excited to tell us about the process of making their delicious organic wine. (B,L)
Overnight at luxury hotel in Santiago
After breakfast, private transportation will take us to the airport in Santiago to catch our flight south to the city of Temuco. Once we arrive in Temuco we will travel by road through the lovely northern Lake District to Pucón. Reminiscent of Jackson Hole Wyoming, this charming small town is full of youthful vitality and rusticity.
Half Day Pucón and Villarrica Excursion – The many cultural, natural and historical sites in these two cities provide a magnificent opportunity to observe a wide variety of architecture, scenery and history unique to Chile. Make your way down to the old hanging bridge ‘Quelhue’. From there, on a sunny day, you can observe the Trancura River, and the Villarrica, Quetrupillan and Lanín Volcanoes. In Villarrica you may want to visit the Mapuche museum, which contains artifacts of the Mapuche culture, history, traditions, and instruments, and other Spanish artifacts. The Mapuche are one of the largest indigenous groups in Chile. (B)
Overnight in Pucon
Following breakfast we will enjoy a full day tour including the Salto de la China (240 feet high) and El León Waterfalls, the Ruka Mapuche Cultural Center and the Huife or Pucón Hot Springs. This entertaining tour will take us by road toward Argentina. After the waterfalls we will head to Currarehue, an indigenous Mapuche village. Curarrehue, in the native language means stone altar. It is the last village before entering the Villarrica National Park. A Mapuche guide will take us though Mapuche Cultural Center where we will learn about their history and culture. We are also able to taste the Mapuche cuisine, which has recently achieved international recognition. Our day will end with a visit to soothing Hot Springs. (B,L)
Overnight in Pucon
Breakfast at the hotel before a day at leisure. Be as active or inactive as you choose. Optional activities include trekking, rafting, horseback riding, soaking in hot springs or a visit to volcanic caves. The caves, located in the slopes of the Villarrica Volcano, 12 km from Pucón, are one of the only two volcanic caves open to visitors in the world. They were formed naturally throughout a long history of volcanic activity. During the visit descend 300 meters to observe the remarkable geological formation. The caves are completely illuminated and the tour takes about one hour with an expert guide. (B)
Overnight in Pucon
Breakfast followed by a morning transfer from Pucón by van to Puerto Varas, stopping along the way at Valdivia, where we will have lunch and visit a bustling fish market. Check in at the hotel. Dinner in town at any of the outstanding restaurants. (B,L)
Overnight at boutique hotel in Puerto Varas
Breakfast at the hotel followed by an optional half day excursion to the Petrohué Falls, a waterfall on the river of the same name. One of the country’s most spectacular natural wonders, the water flows over dark basaltic lava rock. The Osorno Volcano stands behind it, providing excellent photo opportunities. Hike through the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park to reach the falls. Upon arrival, listen to the loud rush of water racing over the rocky edge. The water is usually clear with a blue hue. In the afternoon, you may enjoy an optional visit to the town of Frutillar, founded in 1856 as a shipping port for the settlers living next to the Llanquihue Lake. Frutillar has experienced a significant tourist boom during the past two decades, fueled mainly by the efforts of its inhabitants who restored and refurbished traditional buildings and built a magnificent waterfront promenade adorned with flowers beds. The Museo de la Colonización Alemana offers an excellent insight into the life of the second generation of German settlers.
You may also choose to enjoy this as a day at leisure at the hotel.
(B)
Overnight at hotel in Puerto Varas
Breakfast. Transfer from Puerto Varas to the airport in Puerto Montt to board our flight to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival drive to the hotel in Puerto Natales. La Guanaca, a locally owned and operated pizzeria makes an excellent last stop for the end of a busy day. (B)
Overnight at boutique hotel
Breakfast. Morning activities include your choice of horseback riding in the scenic valley or trekking to Cerro Dorotea or Cerro Benitez. Afternoon transfer — Enter Torres del Paine National Park with a stunning drive. Shuttle service provided by Las Torres Hotel. Las Torres Hotel is an all-inclusive hotel. Complimentary optional excursions include hiking, horseback riding, boat trip to Gray Glacier, driving excursions through the park. Do it all and then enjoy beautiful views from their bar and a Calafate Sour or any of their other fantastic cocktails without having to pull out your wallet. Full spa activities available. This ranch will not disappoint. (B,D)
Overnight at luxury hotel with stunning view
Spend your days at leisure and enjoy the activities offered. Hotel Las Torres has a privileged location at the foot of the Torres del Paine, the main feature of the park, which UNESCO declared an international Biosphere Reserve in 1978. The hotel is one of the most outstanding in the region. It maintains the principles of its founders, “to share the warmth of the people and the customs of Patagonia.” (B,L,D)
Overnight at luxury hotel with stunning view
The day begins with a transfer from Hotel Las Torres to the airport in Punta Arenas to board our flight to Santiago. Upon arrival in Santiago transfer to the hotel. (B)
Overnight at boutique hotel in Santiago
Breakfast. Half day city tour through downtown Santiago, which will include the central market, museums and a tour of the presidential palace. Late check out and transfer from the hotel to the airport to board our flight to US. (B)
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