13 Days / 12 Nights

In this group tour we will visit the enchanting highlights of Chile and experience the diversity and contrasts of its nature, climate, geography, and the culture of this long and narrow country. Starting in the capital, Santiago de Chile, we will first visit the Atacama Desert, then the Lake District, and end the trip in the far South of Patagonia.

Day 1: Santiago

Arrival at Santiago airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon we will enjoy a city tour to see the most interesting attractions of the Chilean capital.

Overnight Santiago in Hotel Galerias or similar

Day 2: Santiago - San Pedro – Valle de la Luna

After breakfast a transfer will take us to the airport to board our connecting flight. Upon arrival at the airport of Calama, a transfer will take us to San Pedro de Atacama. San Pedro is an unusually colorful village at 2,000 m / 6,560 ft above sea level in the middle of a green oasis. In the afternoon we will enjoy the eerily silent moonscape of Valle de la Luna with its backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes; here we will observe the beauty of the scenery, intensify during sunset. We will then return to the hotel and stay overnight.

Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Casa de Don Tomás or similar (B)

Day 3: San Pedro, historical sites & the Atacama Salt Lake

After breakfast we will visit San Pedro de Atacama – the centre of a Palaeolithic civilization which built impressive rock fortresses on the mountains encircling the green valley. The colonial church was constructed in 1577 and is the largest and most beautiful church of the region. The extraordinary archaeological museum (closed on mondays) of Padre Gustavo le Paige shows, among its many archaeological pre-hispanic artefacts, several amazingly well preserved. After this visit we will drive 4 km / 2,5 mi to reach the Precolumbian village Tulor with an approx. age of 3,000 years. The archaeological remains are the oldest evidence of human settlement in the valley. We will then continue our morning tour to Pukara de Quitor, a fortress which was conquered in 1540 by the spanish Conquistadores defeating the incan troops who, in turn, had captured it from the pre-incan cultures and extended the fortification. In the afternoon you will start your tour to Toconao, a village where the locals dedicate themselves to the manufacturing of white volcanic stone sculptures. Continuing to the huge Atacama salt lake, an inland sea formed millions of years ago, whose vast emptiness and white salt crusts reach out as far as the eye can see, will take you to one of the most spectacular and dramatic landscapes in Chile. Return to the hotel.

Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Casa de Don Tomás or similar(B)

Day 4: El Tatio – Machuca

Today we will depart at 4:00 a.m. in order to see the el Tatio geysers, a geothermal field flanked by soaring peaks. At dawn powerful spurts of steam shoot up from various blowholes and condensate in the cold air. The steaming ponds are encrusted with brilliant salt crystals that reflect the metal blue sky; along with the rising columns of steam they make for a breathtaking sight. on the way back from the geysers to San Pedro, we will visit the settlement Machuca, located at 3,400 m / 11,150 ft above sea level. Only a few shepherds still live here, at the former resting place for llama caravans travelling the Inca Trail. It is an amazing place in the middle of the highlands with a spectacular view of the Andes and the Atacama salt lake. In the afternoon we will return to San Pedro.

Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Casa de Don Tomás or similar (B)

Day 5: Calama – Puerto Montt – Puerto Varas

After breakfast a transfer will take us to the airport of Calama to board our connecting flight. Arrival at Puerto Montt airport,
directly followed by a short city tour of Puerto montt; a transfer will then take us to Puerto Varas, also known as the “city of Roses”,
located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, Chile’s second largest lake, with the volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco reflected in the crystal clear water.

Overnight in Puerto Varas – Hotel Solace or similar (B)

Day 6: Peulla

In the morning we will depart from the hotel and drive along the shoreline of lake Llanquihue to Petrohué in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. A short stop to look at the famous Petrohué falls is optional. Once in Petrohué, we will board the catamaran to navigate across lake Todos Los Santos to Peulla enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding mountains on the way. We will have time for lunch at the Hotel Peulla and/or a walk to the nearby waterfalls. Return to Puerto Varas and hotel.

Overnight in Puerto Varas – Hotel Solace or similar (B)

Day 7: Chiloé Island

Departure to Pargua to navigate across the Chacao channel by ferry to Chiloé island. We will either visit Ancud; famous for its traditional market, which features a wide range of seafood and crafts, or the well known houses built on stilts in castro, combined with other interesting sites.

Overnight in Puerto Varas – Hotel Solace or similar (B)

Day 8: Puerto Varas

Day at leisure in Puerto Varas. Optional excursions can be easily arranged.

Overnight in Puerto Varas – Hotel Solace or similar (B)

Day 9: Puerto Montt – Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales

In the morning, transfer to the airport in Puerto Montt to catch your flight to Punta arenas.
Upon arrival at the airport, visit the penguin colony at Seno Otway. Afterwards transfer to your hotel
in Puerto Natales.

Overnight in Puerto Natales: Hotel Costaustralis or similar

Day 10: Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine

Early departure to Torres del Paine National Park. Once in the park, we will pass Laguna Amarga and Lake Pehoé and enjoy the beautiful views of the Paine massif, Almirante Nieto, and the famous Torres (towers) del Paine. We will be able to observe local wildlife such as guanacos, ñandus, foxes, skunks, black-necked swans, flamingos, condors, and eagles.

Overnight in Torres del Paine: Hosteria Lago Grey or similar

Day 11: Torres del Paine – Punta Arenas

The morning will be at leisure. There will be time for a stroll in the surroundings of the hotel. In the afternoon we will leave the park and drive to Punta arenas. On the way we will visit the Milodón cave where archaeologists found the 12,000 year old remnants of a giant sloth.

Overnight Punta Arenas: Hotel Finis Terrae or similar

Day 12: Punta Arenas – Santiago

Transfer to the airport of Punta arenas and flight to Santiago.

Overnight Santiago in Hotel Galerias or similar

Day 13: Santiago

Transfer to the airport of Santiago

(B)

Departure Dates.

Note we need reservations not more than 50 days before departure.

2011 December: 03
2012 January: 07
2012 February: 11

Rates Min. 2 Pax – Bus Tour

£ 1,535 per person in Double Room

£ 1,985 per person in Single Room

Rate includes:

• 12 overnights with breakfast
• 1 lunch box and 1 dinner
• transfers and excursions with driver and English guide
• entrance fees

This tour excludes:

• International flights
• Domestic flights on day 2, 5, 9 and 12
• Beverages
• Porters
• All other expenses

Note this tour can also be done as a Regular Tour or Private Tour. Please contact us for our special rates.
Rates are subject to change and exchange rate fluctuations.

BOOKING FORM - TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

Hotels offered can be up or downgraded according to your requirements. Furthermore beach extensions, city breaks, excursions, day tours etc. can be added to complement your holiday. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a custom made proposal.

Tel. 0203-287 7587 or email info@latintravel.co.uk

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