Classic Chile Tour

Amazon Adventures

Chile

Classic Chile / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Biking / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises
Fiord Cruises / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Hacienda Life

CHILE ROUND TRIP - FROM THE NORTH TO PATAGONIA

Chile Round Trip offers you 13 days in the desert, the Lakes, the wilds of Patagonia, including spectacular Torres del Paine National Park (Tor-race del pie-ney) as well as Santiago Chile's capital. You will be staying comfortable hotels and eating at quality restaurants and be accompanied by learned and enthusiastic guides.

Day 1 - Santiago - Meet your (English speaking) guide at the airport in Santiago. Transfer downtown to the Hotel Fundador (or similar). Take an historic tour of Santiago including : the Presidential Palace once the National Mint and thus called "La Moneda" , the historic main square or "Plaza de Armas", the Cathedral, the "Palacio de la Real Audiencia", today housing the National History Museum, and "Casa Colorado" the historic residence of the Governor. Continue on to Santa Lucia the hill upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. History recounts that on this lone steep rock, which rises steeply from the city below brave colonists held out against the fierce Araucana natives through a hard Andean winter. With sparse supplies and little spirit remaining they were rescued heroically by Spanish troops arriving from Peru. Perhaps the best view of Santiago is from the summit of the Cerro San Cristobal, where the statue of the Virgin stands looking out over the city. San Cristobal is just a small part of our walk through a large city park called "Parque Metropolitano". Continue uptown to see some of the "barrio alto". Overnight at Hotel Providencia

Day 2 - Santiago - Calama - San Pedro de Atacama - Early flight north to Calama in the Atacama Desert. Travel overland to the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. Spectacular vistas of the Atacameñian Cordillera de la Sal, or Salt Mountains. Prepare yourself for a sunset in the Valley of the Moon. Sundown in this bizarre, almost lunar landscape is a particularly rare experience which lends itself to photography and awe. Return to San Pedro after sunset. Overnight : La Casa de Don Tomas (or similar).(B)

Day 3 - San Pedro de Atacama - Early morning visit to the archaeological museum of Padre le Paige with large collection of artifacts demonstrating the development of the Atacameñian society. Visit to historic church of San Pedro dating from the 17th century -- with a roof made of cactus. Afternoon visit to the Salar de Atacama (the world's largest salt lake) with visit on route to the town of Toconao.
Toconao : Picturesque village built of bricks of white volcanic stone, which lends the town a classic yet unique Altiplano appearance. Famous church and bell tower built of this bleached white volcanic stone.
Laguna Chaxa, Reserva Nacional de los Flamingos - Terrific opportunity to get closer to the many rare birds in their natural habitat.
Overnight : La Casa de Don Tomas (or similar)(B)

Day 4 - San Pedro de Atacama - Early departure for the Geysers of El Tatio, situated 4500m above sea level on the Altiplano. About 40 geysers, thermal wells, and "fumaroles" in the early morning light make for a striking and unforgettable experience. Drive back to San Pedro in the afternoon with rest of the day at leisure.(B)

Day 5 - San Pedro de Atacama - Puerto Varas - Flight via Santiago south to Puerto Montt capital of the Lake District, then a short drive to Puerto Varas and the Hotel Colonos del Sur on the shore of Lago Llanquihue (pronounced Yan - key - way). · Stroll along the shore of Lago Lanquihue and later overnight: Hotel Bella Vista (or similar). (B)

Day 6 - Cruise on the All Saints Lake - (B) Enjoy a eautiful drive along the southern shore of the lake toward Ensenada approaching Volcan Osorno. · First stop is Saltos de Petrohue (pronounced: petro way). Interesting rapids and waterfalls formed by cooling lava from Volcan Osorno. Impressive sculpting of extruded volcanic rock over thousands of years of river flow. · Board the catamaran in Petrohue for crossing of the All Saints Lake. Lago Todos Los Santos (All Saints Lake) is surrounded by high mountains whose lower slopes are thickly forested. As we pull away from the landing and the source of the river Petrohue the view is quickly stolen by the tremendous size and proximity of ice-capped Volcán Osorno right behind us. · Morning spent cruising on the lake. To the south high above the forested shore you will see the peculiar shape of Volcan Puntiagudo and a series of waterfalls high in the southern Andes. · Arrive in Peulla (pronounced pooh-way-a), at the eastern end of the lake for lunch. · This is the heart of National Park Vicente Perez Rosales. · Short hike to the Cascada de la Novia or the Bride's Waterfall amidst rare native growth "Valdivian Rainforest". · Return by catamaran to Petrohue and coach to Puerto Varas. · Overnight: Bella Vista(or similar).

Day 7 - Puerto Varas – Ancud – Penguin Colony Puñihuil (visit depends on weather
conditions) ..................... B - Early departure to drive south and out toward the Pacific, then crossing the straights of Pargua by ferry to the Island of Chiloé. Drive to the Bay of Caulin experiencing the fascination of unspoiled nature and silence. Swans and other birds can easily be watched. Afterwards you continue to Ancud, time to walk and explore. Rustic homes and traditional, colorful fishing boats offer ample photo opportunities in Ancud.
Visit of the historic Spanish forts, and a wonderful market filled with local traders and artisans selling souvenirs. Chiloé is an island full of legends and superstition, and the locals whisper that century-old monsters roam the night and sail upon elaborately painted ghost ships, frightening even the bravest of fishermen. From Ancud you continue on to the northern coast of the island, where you visit the penguin colony, one of the few places where Magellan and Humboldt penguins live and breed together. A trip in a zodiac brings you amongst the small islands of the penguin rookeries. Depending on weather conditions, we might observe a sea lion colony as well. A picnic on the beach will be the highlight of this day. Arrival back in Puerto Varas late evening. Overnight with breakfast at Hotel Bellavista

Day 8 - Puerto Varas - Puerto Natales (B) - · Morning to explore Puerto Montt, capital of the Lake Region, founded in 1853 by German colonists on the site of an indigenous Mapuche community. · Walk downtown through main squares and historical monuments. · Visit the busiest southern port in Chile including the fish market of Angelmo. · Large handicraft market full of artisans wares and heaps of fresh southern shellfish along the shore. · Afternoon flight to Punta Arenas, Patagonia- the southernmost city in Chile. · Large city amidst the elements of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. · From Punta Arenas we head north through the vast patagonian "Pampa" to Puerto Natales. · Terrific views on route of the Straits of Magellan and across the chilly antarctic waters to Tierra del Fuego. · Excursion to Penguin Colony of Otway sound: · Penguins can be seen from October through March (this is the season when they come to lay eggs and raise their young) · the Colony is a project in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund and staff are renowned scientists from all over the world. The landscape is a southern barren next to the sea, which is very popular with the Penguins. There are well-marked trails and blinds for humans to gain a tremendous glimpse of these quirky creatures in their natural habitat. · Arrival in Puerto Natales in the early evening. Overnight: Weskar Lodge

Day 9- Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine National Park (B) - Early start for full day in Torres del Paine National Park · Unique flora and fauna you will not soon forget. · Lago Grey with the tremendous blue ice of the Grey Glacier. · Many more unforgettable views of unique geography in the park. · Wildlife, wildlife, wildlife. · Unforgettable views of the Paine Towers of Paine · Overnight: Hosteria Cabañas del Paine .

Day 10 - Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales - (B) Day at leisure inside Torres del Paine National Park. · optional: horse back riding · optional: hike to the Torres towers · Late afternoon return to Puerto Natales for overnight at Hotel Weskar Lodge

Day 11 - Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas - Santiago (B) Travel back south to Punta Arenas · Afternoon flight to Santiago · Overnight: Hotel Providencia (or similar).

Day 12 -Full day Valparaíso & Viña del Mar ......... B - Full day excursion to Valparaíso, the oldest port in Chile. Truly a picturesque city in every respect of the word. It retains tremendous historical significance as well as being home to the Chilean House of Assembly. During your city tour you shall visit the new government houses, the Plaza Sotomayor, the Plaza Victoria, the cathedral, the harbor area and “La Sebastiana”, the former house of the Chilean writer and Nobel Prize Winner Pablo Neruda. High above the city there is a fantastic agglomeration of brightly painted homes. The upper and lower parts of the city are connected with 16 funicular railways constructed around the turn of the century (1900) when the city experienced tremendous growth. From Valparaíso you shall continue along the coast to the beautiful beaches of Viña del Mar, the Garden city, named for its many parks and green spaces. Viña del Mar is a lively city with attractive beaches, modern hotels, high-end restaurants and fashionable bars. The casino, built in 1932 and set amidst beautiful gardens, is a well kept Chilean tradition of elegance. (lunch and entrance fee not included)Return to Santiago. Overnight at Hotel Providencia

Day 13 - Santiago - (B) Morning at leisure to take optional excursions · Transfer to Santiago's airport for outbound flight

Departure Dates: 19 Jan 08 - 31 Jan 08 , 16 Feb 08 - 28 Feb 08 , 15 Mar 08 - 27 Mar 08, 05 Apr 08 - 17 Apr 08,
11 Oct 08 - 23 Oct 08 , 25 Oct 08 - 06 Nov 08 , 15 Nov 08 - 27 Nov 08 , 20 Dec 08 - 01 Jan 09

Price per person for departures valid till 01 JAN 2009: Double Room US$ 2060. Single Room Supplement US$ 648.
Triple Room Reduction (based on double room price): US$ 120

Price does not include domestic flights.

Minimum: 3 persons , max. = 16.