Chile tours

Atacama, Lakes, and Patagonia

Itinerary

Day 1: Santiago
Reception at Santiago airport and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon tour of Santiago's main attractions, including a walking tour downtown, visiting the Main Square ‘Plaza de Armas’, the Cathedral, Ahumada Boulevard, the Government Palace ‘La Moneda’. Then, by vehicle, visit the main avenues of the old Santiago, crossing the bohemian neighbourhood of Bellavista and drive to San Cristobal Hill, for a magnificent panoramic view of the city and the Andes Mountain Range. Then visit the modern part of Santiago, including its elegant neighbourhoods, shopping and financial centers. This tour ends at the artisan village of ‘Los Graneros del Alba’, where artisans can be seen at work and you will have time to walk around or do some shopping. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the selected hotel.
(Dinner)

Day 2: Santiago – Calama – San Pedro de Atacama
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Calama. Reception at Calama airport and transfer to the village of San Pedro de Atacama, travelling through the Domekyo mountain range and the Salt Mountain range. In the afternoon, visit the Moon Valley to admire the spectacular sunset reflected on this wonderful landscape – nature's own light show. Return to the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant included. Overnight at the selected hotel.
(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3: San Pedro de Atacama
In the morning, visit the archeological museum, with its important anthropological collection of the Atacameñan culture. We then continue to the indian fortress of Quitor, where Atacameñan families live and work the land. We then visit the ruins of Tulor, an ancient abandoned village, which is more than 3,000 years old. In the afternoon we visit the village of Toconao, famous for its volcanic Liparite stone, and travel on to the Atacama Salt Lake and the Chaxa lagoon, after a short walk in the Jeri valley. At the Chaxa lagoon we may see the native pink flamingoes. Return to San Pedro de Atacama. Dinner is included at a local restaurant. Overnight at the selected hotel.
(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4: San Pedro de Atacama
Early departure from the hotel (4.00 AM) to the Geysers del Tatio. Box breakfast at the geysers, before a gentle guided walk around the geothermal field, to see the natural phenomenon of the steam columns, viewed at their best as the sun rises over the Andes mountains. We return to San Pedro, with spectacular views of the Torcopuri and Sairecabur volcanoes on the way. We stop at the hot springs of Puritama, where you can bathe in the warm waters (30°C) of one of 6 pools which cascade down the hillside. On returning to San Pedro, the rest of the day is at leisure. We suggest visiting the market in San Pedro. Dinner is included at a local restaurant. Overnight at the selected hotel.
(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5: San Pedro de Atacama – Calama – Santiago – Puerto Montt – Puerto Varas
Transfer to Calama airport for your flight to Santiago with connection to Puerto Montt. On arrival in Puerto Montt, reception and transfer to your hotel in Puerto Varas.
Dinner and overnight at the selected hotel.
(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 6: Puerto Varas – Puerto Montt – Frutillar – Petrohue – Puerto Varas
Departure from the hotel to visit the town of Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt. We first visit the streets and avenues adorned with rose bushes and the Phillipi Hill with wonderful views of Lake Llanquihue and the Osorno Volcano. We then continue to Puerto Montt and the fishermen village of Angelmó with its wonderful selection of arts and crafts and then back to Puerto Varas. In the afternoon we visit Frutillar, admiring the majestic Osorno Volcano and Llanquihue Lake on the way. The tour includes a visit to upper and lower Frutillar and its church. We then continue the visit along the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue admiring the views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes with a stop at the falls of the Petrohue River (Lunch included). We continue to the small port of Petrohue on the shores of All Saint's Lake. In the afternoon return to Puerto Varas. Overnight at the selected hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7: Puerto Varas – Ancud – Puerto Varas
Departure on the Panamericana route heading south to the Pargua locality, where we will board the ferry. After a 30 minute journey, we will disembark in the village of Chacao, then continue to Caulin, where we will have a chance to spot local fauna. Here you may taste some oyster dishes (optional). Continue to Ancud, visiting the Main Square, Plaza de Armas, before driving along the coast to the Quitalmahue Gulf and the fort of San Antonio. In Castro, visit the palafitos, colorful houses built on stilts over the water and the main square with its impressive cathedral. From the Gamboa lookout there is a wonderful opportunity for photographs before returning to Puerto Varas. Overnight at the selected hotel.
(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8: Puerto Varas – Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales
Transfer to Puerto Montt airport for your flight to Punta Arenas. In Punta Arenas, reception at the airport and transfer to the bus station for the regular bus to Puerto Natales. Reception at the bus station and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the selected hotel.
(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 9: Puerto Natales – Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers – Puerto Natales
Full day excursion with lunch included. Early in the morning sail from Puerto Natales, visiting the beautiful Ultima Esperanza Fjord and, after a 3-hour navigation, arrive at the thousand-year-old glacier of Mount Balmaceda, habitat of cormorants and sea lion colonies. At the end of the fjord disembark and walk for approximately 1 kilometer (3/4 mile) on a path, through the middle of a wonderful native forest, to the foot of the Serrano Glacier. From here, admire this huge natural wonder. We stay for a couple of hours, before returning to Puerto Natales in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the selected hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10: Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine – Puerto Natales
Full day excursion with lunch included, visiting the Torres del Paine National Park. Departure from Puerto Natales, stopping at the Milodon Cave en route. The journey continues through steppes and Patagonian scrub, abundant with wildlife and herds of sheep, up to Torres del Paine National Park. In the park, a large variety of native fauna, especially large herds of guanacos can be seen. We visit the Salto Grande of the Pehoe River, with the impressive mountain massif of Torres del Paine in the background. We then visit Lake Pehoe, Lake Grey and the Grey Glacier. Return to Puerto Natales in the evening. Dinner and overnight at the selected hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 11: Puerto Natales – Punta Arenas - Santiago
Transfer to the bus station to board the regular service bus that will drive you to Punta Arenas airport to board your flight to Santiago. In Santiago reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the selected hotel.
(Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 12: Santiago
Transfer to the airport in good time for your onward flight.
(Breakfast)