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Chile Tours and Travel

Suggested Packages / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises / Fiord Cruises
Biking / Treks / Self-Drive / Sea Kayaking / Wine Tours

MAGIC OF CHILE TOUR (13 days / 12 nights)

On this 13 day trip we will visit the highlights of Chile and experience the diversity and contrasts of it´s 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 in Santiago.

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 colourful 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 return to the hotel afterwards and stay overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (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 mummies, including one known as “Miss Chile”. After this visit we will drive 4 km / 2,5 mi to reach the
pre-Columbian 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, whichs vast emptiness and white salt crusts reach out as far as the eye can reach, will take you to one of the most spectacular and dramatic landscapes in Chile. Return to the hotel. Overnight in San Pedro. (B,BL)

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 traveling the Inca Trail. It is an amazing place in the middle of the highland 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. (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. (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. We proceed to Petrohué to 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. (B)

Day 7: Chiloé Island
Departure to Pargua and crossing of Chacao Channel by ferry to Chiloé Island. We will either visit Ancud, famous for its traditional market, featuring a wide range of seafood and crafts, or the well known houses built on stilts in Castro and other sights of interest in town.
PRIVATE/GROUP: If weather conditions allow, we will visit the penguin islands „Islotes Puñihul“, situated on the north-west coast, about 30 minutes from Ancud. During the 30-minute ride in our zodiac to the islands we will be able to see Humboldt and Magellan penguins. In the late afternoon we return to Puerto Varas. Overnight at hotel in Puerto Varas. (B)

Day 8: Puerto Varas
PRIVATE: After breakfast you will visit Frutillar, situated on the shoreline of Lake Llanquihue and founded by German settlers around 1850. Here you will visit the outdoor museum dedicated to those pioneers. Afterwards you will be taken back to Puerto Varas with the afternoon at leisure to discover other nearby sights or to relax. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B)
SEAT-IN-BUS (SIB)/GROUP: Day at leisure in Puerto Varas. Optional excursions can be easily arranged. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B)

Day 9: Puerto Montt - Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales
In the morning, transfer to the airport in Puerto Montt to catch your flight to Punta Arenas.
PRIVATE/GROUP: Arrival at Punta Arenas Airport and transfer to Puerto Natales. Overnight. (B)
SEAT-IN-BUS (SIB.): Afternoon arrival at Punta Arenas Airport and departure to Puerto Natales; on the way visit to the penguin colony (high season only!) at Seno Otway. Overnight in Puerto Natales. (B)

Day 10: Punta Arenas - Torres del Paine National Park
Early departure to Torres del Paine National Park. In the Torres del Paine we will pass Laguna Amarga and Lake Pehoé and enjoy the beautiful view
onto 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 the park. (B)

Day 11: Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales
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 Puerto Natales. On the way we will visit the Milodón Cave where archaeologists found the 12,000 year old remnants of a giant sloth. Overnight in an authentic Patagonian sheep farm halfway between Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas. (B,D)
PRIVATE/GROUP: Overnight at the Estancia Rio Verde
SEAT-IN-BUS (SIB.): Overnight in Puerto Natales

Day 12: Puerto Natales - Santiago
Transfer to the airport of Punta Arenas and flight to Santiago. Overnight in Santiago de Chile. (B)

Day 13: Santiago
Transfer to the airport of Santiago and international flight. (B)

Please Note: This Magic of Chile small group tour can also be requested as private or SIB itinerary.

Fixed Group Departure Dates 2010-2011: October: 16 , November: 20 , December: 11 , January: 15 , February: 12 (minimum of 2 people needed)
Fixed group price per person in US$: $2358. Single supplement = $717

Price per person in US$ for departures on any day:

INDIVIDUAL TRAVELLER:
Program includes: 12 overnights with breakfast, 1 lunch box , transfers and excursions with driver and bilingual guide, entrance fees.
Not included: Flights, beverages, porter, all other expenses.
Private tour: All services are private except the service on the catamaran to Peulla.
Regular program: Service with Spanish - English speaking guide. Sequence of excursions may vary depending on departure day. The excursion on Day 7 (to Castro or Ancud) depends on the day of visit. On Day 9, upon arrival at the airport of Punta Arenas, traveller goes straight to Puerto Natales (on the way there is a visit to the penguin colony in Seno Otway). On Day 10, from Puerto Natales traveller starts with a tour to Torres del Paine. Local English speaking guides in each region. No farewell dinner in Puerto Natales included in this SIB program.

GROUP PROGRAM
Program includes: 12 overnights with breakfast, 1 lunch box and 1 dinner, transfers and excursions with driver and English or German guide, entrance fees.
Not included: Flights, beverages, porters, all other expenses.

Flights recommended
Santiago - Calama (LA 142)
Calama - Santiago (LA 141)
Santiago - Puerto Montt (LA 261)
Puerto Montt - Punta Arenas (LA 281)
Punta Arenas - Santiago (LA 284)