Chile North to South

After landing at Santiago airport and clearing customs, you are met by your local representative and driven to your hotel for a private transfer. Settle into your cozy hotel before being picked up for a City Walking Tour.

The tour begins with you and your guide traveling downtown via private transfer to explore the famous landmarks including the central fish market and ‘Plaza de Armas’, Santiago’s main square and kilometer zero (the point from which all distances in the country are measured). You visit the ‘Alameda’, the main street of the city center, via the busy pedestrian walkway ‘Paseo Ahumada’, famous for its crowds, shops, and diversity of people. After visiting Chile's presidential palace ‘La Moneda’, a symbol of Chile’s political past and its famously turbulent history, climb Cerro Santa Lucía, where Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro Valdivia. The tour finishes by visiting the bohemian Lastarria neighborhood, lined with cafés, restaurants, small theaters, bookstores, and boutique shops.

They will pick you up at 9:00 AM to start the journey to the beautiful Casablanca Valley, not far from Santiago. The meandering, tree-lined country roads of the enchanting Casablanca Valley are the backdrop for this easy, relaxing bike tour through one of Chile's premier wine-growing regions. We'll bike leisurely along tree-lined roads through some of central Chile's finest vineyards, stopping to learn about the fascinating history of wine in Chile and why the soil and climate here is perfect for production, sample some of the area's superb white wines and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch underneath the swaying eucalyptus trees.

**Please Note: This excursion is available Monday - Friday. Alternative options will need to be discussed for Saturday or Sunday.

This morning check out of the hotel for a private transfer to the airport. After a short scenic flight, arrive in Calama and be driven to San Pedro de Atacama, in the middle of the desert. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax or explore San Pedro on your own.

The very early wake-up call from the hotel is well worth it when you arrive at the amazing Tatio Geysers and see them in action. From almost 900 meters below the earth, boiling steam bursts up to 40 meters over the surface of these spectacular geysers. A scrumptious breakfast is served upon arrival before you walk through the geothermal fields with the geysers erupting nearby. As you drive back, there is a magnificent view of the Tocopurri and Sairecabur volcanoes. Arrive back in town in time to have lunch and the afternoon is free to rest after the early start, high altitude, and low temperature you faced in the morning.

Today venture into the highlands to explore the unique landscapes, colorful Altiplanic Lagoons and otherworldly salt flats. Miscanti Lagoon (the largest in the region) will surely catch your eye among the dazzling expanse. Unique flora and fauna can be seen and the area is also home to many legends about the Atacama Desert.

End your day by visiting the town of Socaire, a nearby village with ancient architecture and inviting locals who produce fine wool knit products. where old Andean traditions still exist.

Today, travel from the dry Atacama Desert to Chile's picturesque Lake District, known for its numerous lakes and active volcanoes. Before leaving the desert, visit Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), located about 13 kilometers (8 miles) west of San Pedro in the Salt Mountain Range. This valley is famous for its stunning lunar landscapes and is one of the driest places on Earth. The tour is expected to finish around 11:30 a.m.

Please note that this excursion can be rescheduled, depending on the availability of flights from Calama to Santiago and then to Puerto Montt. It is highly recommended to discuss this with your Travel Planner.

After the visit, drive to Calama airport to catch a flight to Puerto Montt, with a connection in Santiago. Upon reaching Puerto Montt, continue to Puerto Varas, a charming town with unique German-style architecture located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, and check into your welcoming hotel.

This morning it's time for a white water rafting adventure! We'll head to the Petrohue sector, in Perez Rosales National Park, located at the foot of Osorno Volcano next to the flowing turquoise waters of the Petrohue River. Once we arrive we'll meet our skilled guides who will equip us with the rafting gear needed (wet suit, helmet, paddle jacket and life jacket) and then talk us through safety instructions. We board the rafts and start paddling down this beautiful class III river, enjoying the rapids and the views. After finishing our adventure, we'll have a tasty snack on the river banks and then return to Puerto Varas to spend the afternoon.

With Volcano Osorno as our backdrop, today we'll trek close to Chile's famous Todos Los Santos Lake. On the way, we'll stop to admire the region's rivers and waterfalls at Ensenada and Saltos de Petrohué, before starting your three-hour ascent. At the top, the prize is clear: one of the most exquisite views of the Andes mountain range, with three volcanos and the expansive blue of Todos Los Santos Lake, sprawled at your feet. What a treat!
 

Today you'll check out of your hotel and board a flight to Punta Arenas in the South of Chile. You are picked up from Punta Arenas airport in the morning and driven to EcoCamp Patagonia, located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park.

En route make a stop in Puerto Natales, a small, lively town on the shores of Seno de Ultima Esperanza, where you can enjoy a hearty local lunch. The journey is very scenic, with plenty of wild birds and wonderful landscapes to be seen. 

Transfer today into Torres del Paine National Park (via shuttle drive from Punta Arenas or public bus and shuttle drive combination from El Calafate). Arrive at the EcoCamp, a deluxe tent camp of large igloo-shaped tents built to minimize environmental impact while providing a comfortable setting with the luxury Suite Domes. The EcoCamp provides candlelight, feather comforters, composting toilets, and plenty of quiet to enjoy your spectacular surroundings.

A morning excursion to Magdalena Island, home to over 100,000 Magellanic penguins, is an option with an additional cost. This excursion is subject to weather and sea conditions.  Contact us to add this excursion or for details.

Your time at the EcoCamp is flexible and includes a menu of guided excursions. Choose your day's activities from a daily menu based on your interests and energy level for the day. Options range from easy-paced to strenuous hikes or even cycling tours. Click here for the Excursion list and schedule.

Set off with your guide across the park to Grey Glacier. Along the way, stop to visit the Salto Grande waterfall and take a quick hike (one hour roundtrip) to the Mirador Nordenskjold for stunning views of Los Cuernos and the French Valley. In the afternoon, board the ferry and set off across the Lago Grey.

Hikers can venture to the foot of the gigantic spires of the Paine range (8 hours roundtrip). Weather permitting, witness the most famous sight of the Torres del Paine - the three granite monoliths reaching 9,400 feet - a testament to the massive glacial forces that carved them out of the earth.

Some travelers prefer to relax and stay at the EcoCamp to enjoy the vistas and tranquility or take a walk apart from the guided group. Horseback riding and spa services can be arranged at the nearby Las Torres Reserve during any free time or as an optional activity.

Early this morning, transfer to Punta Arenas for the late afternoon flight to Santiago (must be a flight departing after 2:00 pm from Punta Arenas). 

With a few more days, you can add extensions to the Atacama Desert, Isla Chiloe, a cruise around Tierra del Fuego to Argentina, or rafting in the Lakes District. A transfer can also be arranged from Torres del Paine National Park into Argentina's El Calafate to continue your Patagonia travel adventures.

After breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport by private transfer, where you board your flight home. Hasta la proxima Chile!