Chile Boutique - Chilean Landscapes Tour

The Destination background

Santiago is the modern capital city of Santiago combining modern high rise buildings with some beautiful colonial architecture.

The Colchagua Valley is the Bordeaux of Chile with undulating hills and first class vineyards with the Andes as a backdrop.

Torres del Paine is Chile's showpiece: a world biosphere reserve with all the diverse scenery of Alaska in only 180,000ha (444,600ac). With waterfalls, sprawling glaciers, dense forests, and the chance to see Patagonian guanaco, the South American Ostrich (Rhea) and if lucky, the majestic puma.

The Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world is also home to incredible landscapes such as the Altiplano, Volcanoes, awesome lunar landscapes, bizarre rock formations and cacti forests.

Full Itinerary

• Day 1. Santiago

  Arrival in Santiago de Chile, reception and transfer to your hotel. Free day at leisure.

• Day 2. Santiago (B)

  After breakfast, a half day city tour of Santiago including a visit to the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino. This museum offers a thorough overview of 4500 years of pre-Columbian civilization throughout Central and South America. At the Main Square (Plaza de Armas) you shall appreciate the beautiful Cathedral, Post Office and National Museum. Continue along the main avenue called "Alameda" to admire the San Francisco Church and the National Library. You shall also see the Mercado Central which is one of Santiago’s most colourful markets.

  A visit to Cerro Santa Lucia, where Santiago was founded in 1541 before returning to your hotel.

• Day 3. Santiago - Santa Cruz (B & L)

  After breakfast, you will transfer south to the heart of the wine region of Chile with a first stop in the Maipo Valley at the prestigious Casa Real Hotel, located in the Santa Rita valley. This beautiful large mansion is surrounded by excellent vineyards where you can sample some excellent wine.

  Continue on to the heart of the Colchagua district, the 'Bordeaux' of Chile. Accommodation at the 5* Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza. Lunch before visiting the Montes vineyards, recipient of the coveted "New World winery of the year 2002 award". Accommodation at the Santa Cruz Plaza Hotel.

• Day 4. Santa Cruz - Santiago - Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales (B & D)

  After breakfast, return to Santiago for your flight to Punta Arenas. Arrival and transfer to the Penguin Sanctuary at Seno Otway. The Magellanic Penguins return here annually between the months of October and March to lay eggs and raise their young. Continue on to Puerto Natales, close to the Torres del Paine National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978). Accommodation and dinner at your hotel.

• Day 5. Puerto Natales - Torres Del Paine (B, L & D)

  Depending upon your choice of hotel, you will either stay inside the National Park or Puerto Natales and use this as a base to explore this incredible region of Southern Chile. Torres del Paine is Chile's showpiece: a world biosphere reserve with all the diverse scenery of Alaska in only 180,000ha (444,600ac). The Torres Del Paine are spectacular granite pillars which soar almost vertically for more than 2000m (6560ft) above the Patagonian steppe. Cascading waterfalls, sprawling glaciers, dense forests, and the chance to see Patagonian guanaco make it an incredible destination.

• Day 6. Torres Del Paine (B, L & D)

  Each day we have a selection of different tours available. Choose from visiting several breathtaking glaciers and stunning lakes; enjoy treks, walks, working farms and other excursions. This National Park will appeals to people from all walks of life including outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, naturalists and birders.

• Day 7. Torres Del Paine (B, L & D)

  Day of excursions.

• Day 8. Torres Del Paine (B, L & D)

  Day of excursions.

• Day 9. Torres Del Paine - Calama - San Pedro de Atacama (B & D)

  Transfer to Punta Arenas for the return flight back to Santiago and connecting flight to Calama. The journey will take most of the day but you are traversing 30° of latitude in one day.

  Arrival and transfer to your hotel, the Tierra Atacama. Accommodation in a volcano view room.

  Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa is ideally located for you to admire the beauty of the Altiplano and the Atacama Desert. After a day of hiking, biking, walking or four wheel touring, guests will enjoy delicious meals and the luxury of a fabulous Spa.

  The Uma Spa includes an outdoor swimming pool, a jacuzzi and an indoor heated pool. The Uma steam room or Turkish bath is fabulous after a day in the dry air of the desert, aiding tired muscles and stiff joints. The tranquil rooms for massages, facials and body treatments are all quiet and inviting.

  All of Tierra Atacama's rooms have private terraces with casually elegant and neo-minimal style rooms.

  All rooms are equipped with private bathroom, wireless internet connections, central heating, safe, hair drier and telephone.

  Cuisine at the Tierra Atacama has not been ignored and incorporates fresh ingredients of the area, such as quinoa, Andean potatoes and fresh herbs. With high quality beef and Chilean lamb, fresh fish and seafood, and seasonal fruits and vegetables from the garden, meals will feature traditional Chilean and Andean dishes, which tend to be light and healthy. All meals are accompanied by fine Chilean wine.

  With a wide choice of excursions from 4X4 touring to volcano ascents, walking biking, hiking and wildlife tours to choose from, each day is planned in advance and involves guided trips in small groups.

• Day 10. Atacama Desert (B, L & D)

  Full day of activities.

• Day 11. Atacama Desert (B, L & D)

  Full day of activities.

• Day 12. Atacama Desert - Calama - Santiago (B)

  After breakfast, transfer to Calama airport for your return flight to Santiago and onward for your connecting flight home.

End of our services.

Tour Prices

Price per person US$6499.00 - based on two people sharing First Class Boutique Hotels.

Tour Price Includes:

• Accommodation at first class boutique hotels & lodges with private bathroom, including breakfast.
• All transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary with local English speaking guides.
• Most meals as per itinerary.
• Flight tickets: Santiago - Punta Arenas - Calama - Santiago.

Tour Price Does Not Include:

• Meals not specified on the itinerary.
• Airport taxes.
• Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc.
• Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident, cancellation and curtailment, etc.
• Tips, baggage porterage and other extras not specified.

Hotels

Santiago Hotels

Orly Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

Santa Cruz Hotels

Santa Cruz Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

Puerto Natales Hotels

Remota. (Subject to availability.)

Atacama Hotels

Tierra Atacama or Explora - Hotel de Larache. (Subject to availability.)