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Chile Tours and Travel Packages

Multiple Destinations / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises / Fiord Cruises
Biking / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Wine Tours

Hotel Salto Chico in Patagonia Chile

The location is terrific: right next to the waterfall Salto Chico with a view that does not seem to be from this world - across the Lake Pehoe straight to the famous Cuernos de Paine. The entire Torres Mountain Massif towers in front of the large windows. And if you enter the hotel you surely will be surprised once again: All over there are warm tones of wood and soft wave-like walls that dominate the atmosphere, there are cozy seat corners, chimneys and a restaurant that offers a mixture of Nouvelle Cuisine and traditional chilean cooking. Beautifully and luxurious furnished rooms, indoor pool, sauna, open-air jacuzzis. But these are only the trimmings on a very well thought out, very well rounded travel experience. It was designed with onesimple philosophy - in our words not theirs - "if one were to travel to this part of the world but once in a lifetime with no limitations how would one do it?" The answer is here. Long after you have returned home and long after you have forgotten about the creature comforts you enjoyed there, you will remember your guides, your walks, the camaraderie of your fellow guests, but most of all, this tremendous park. It is an environment conducive to experiencing the park to the fullest, summer or winter 365 days a year.

There are just a few places on earth, where a dream made of luxury and adventure will come true. This hotel in Patagonia definitely is one of them .

In Torres del Paine National Park the llamas live in peace with the flamingoes, glaciers, emerald lakes, peaks, waterfalls and shining valleys. Guests may participate freely in a wide choice of explorations. Everyday there are 5 different options chosen according to the weather and the wishes of the guests - by van, horseback, on foot, in a launch or by mountain bike (always with the help of selected guides).

The hotel is concerned with details. for example the bed linen is from Barcelone, tapestries from New York, chinaware from England and all of the furniture is hand made

You can book the all-inclusive packages for 5 days or 9days.

Rates per person in US$ for travel till Dec. 31, 2010

Child rates are not applicable in single rooms. Rates for those up to 15 are subject to availability.
Extra bed for those up to 12 is for sharing in parents room. Max. of 1 extra bed per room. Extra beds are not allowed in Rio Paine rooms. Children under 3 = complimentary when sharing a room with their parents

Programs of 5,6 and 7 nights are available between April and October and subject to availability

Rates include:
* Transfers from and to Punta Arenas Airport (departure from airport between 1 and 5pm, based on flight arrivals from Santiago. Departure from hotel between 7 and 8am
* accommodation
* full board. 3 meals per day, including house wines, drinks and soft drinks
* daily explorations in Torres del Paine N.P., with bilingual guides, equipment, boats, horses, vehicles and food (groups no larger than 10)
* Rates valid from Jan 1st 2009, until December 31st, 20010, subject to change

2010 arrival and departure days: Jan. 4,8,12,16,20,24,28, Feb. 1,5,9,13,17,21,25, March 1,5,9,13,17,21,25, April 2,6,10,14,18,22,26,30, any day May-Sept, Oct. 3,7,11,15,19,23,27,31, Nov. 4,8,12,16,20,24,28. Dec. 2,6,10,14,18,22,28

The Hotel Salto Chico and the Torres del Paine Park are even better than the description on your web site. The hotel rates may be high, but they
are all inclusive and worth every penny. From the time we were picked up at the Dreams hotel in Punta Arenas to the moment we were let off are the airport for the return flight to Santiago, everything was taken care of at no additional cost:
* It’s a five hour drive from Punta Arenas to hotel Salto Chico, half of the time on dirt roads, but it includes a free lunch stop at a resort hotel with a choice of meals and drinks included. The drive also allowed time for us to get acquainted with 4 other guests, who became good friends during our stay in the park.
* Always get a room with a view of the Torres del Paine Massif, as we did. The view from our room window was stunning and worth the hotel price alone.
* A free bar, great food, and entertainment every evening at the hotel, made for an excellent day’s end after hiking.
* The staff were unfailing helpful, and the guides limit each hiking group to 8 people or less. They also quietly assess your hiking capabilities, and make suggestions each evening for the next day’s excursions based on what they think you can do and enjoy. Apparently they also organize each group so that everyone in the group has about the same capabilities.
Alan Baxter

EXPLORATION OPTIONS

1.LAGO GREY PENÍNSULA WALK
Length: Half-day. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Río Paine, Guardería Lago Grey. By foot: Río Pingo hanging bridge. Lago Grey peninsula. Return. Attractions: Mature lenga forest. View of Glaciar Grey. Icebergs along the beach. Level: Easy.

2. GLACIER GREY WALK
Length: Full day. Picnic. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By boat: Lago Pehoé, Refugio Pehoé. By foot: Refugio Pehoé, lookout point over Glacier Grey and Southern Ice Field. Return. Attractions: Views of Glacier Grey and the Macizo Paine. Icebergs. Rivers, gorges and forests, with lookout points. NOTE: The boat crossing is dependent on weather conditions. Level: Difficult.

3. ALTURAS DEL TORO WALK
Length: Full day. Picnic. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Quebrada La Feria, Alturas del Lago del Toro, Puente Weber. Return. Attractions: Mature beech, forests, lakes, views of the enormous, deep blue Lago Toro, the emerald waters of Río Paine and the golden prairie of the Valle Río Serrano. Condors. Level: Medium.

4. JOURNEY NORTH OF THE PARK; LAGUNA AZUL
AND A TRADITIONAL QUINCHO BARBECUE
Length: Full day. Lunch: Traditional lamb and vegetable barbecue. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Cascada Río Paine. Guardería Laguna Amarga ranger station, Laguna Azul, Río de Las Chinas, Quincho explora. Short walks around the area. Attractions: Easy exploration, followed by a festive barbecue. View wildlife such as guanacos, Darwin's rhea, condors, foxes, ducks, geese, and more. Río Paine Cascades. Level: Easy.

5. MIRADOR NORDENSKJÖLD WALK
Length: Half-day. Trail snacks. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Refugio Pudeto. By foot: Shore of Lago Pehoé, Salto Grande, Lago Nordenskjöld, Mirador Nordenskjöld. Return. Attractions: The cascade and roar of Salto Grande waterfall. Views of Valle Francés, Macizo Paine Grande, Cuernos del Paine. NOTE: Strong wind. Level: Easy.

6. MIRADOR DEL TORO WALK
Length: Half-day. Trail snacks. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Río Paine Shore. By foot: Climb to Mirador del Toro, descending to the Posada Río Serrano and Park Administration. Scientific presentation by Conaf park rangers on the area's geography, geology, fauna and flora. Observe birds, local fauna and learn characteristics of regional flora. Views of Lago Toro and Río Serrano, flanked by large mountains such as Cerro Ferrier, Cerro Donoso and more. Level: Easy.

7. LAS CORNISAS WALK
Length: Half-day. Trail snacks. Itinerary: Depart hotel by foot: Cerros del Sureste, Mirador de los Cóndores, Cornisas, Mirador Alto Conaf, Quebrada La Feria. Return. Attractions: Winter -- groups of guanacos are usually seen along the trail. Views of the park's southeast side, including Lago Pehoé, Lago Nordenskjöld, Cuernos del Paine, Valle del Francés and several other lakes. Pass through condor habitat and walk along a cornice to the Mirador Alto, descending the Quebrada La Feria, where there are small lakes and forest. Level: Medium.

8. GLACIER DEL VALLE DEL FRANCÉS WALK
Length: Full day. Picnic. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By boat: Lago Pehoé, Refugio Pehoé. By foot: Lago Skottsberg, Valle del Francés, Campamento Italiano, Mirador del Glaciar. Return. Attractions: Valle del Francés -- one of the park's most exceptional sectors, and the Cordillera del Paine. View of the Cuernos del Paine, the Macizo Paine Grande (3,050m/ 10,000ft), the Cerro Paine Grande, the Glaciar del Francés, the Lago Nordenskjöld and numerous other lakes and lagoons. NOTE: The boat crossing always depends on weather conditions. Level: Medium.

9. BASE OF THE TORRES DEL PAINE WALK
Length: Full day. Picnic. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Río Paine, Guardería Laguna Amarga, Estancia Cerro Paine, Cerro Almirante Nieto. By foot: Valle del Río Ascencio, Campamento Chileno, lenga forests, Campamento Torres, lookout point with views of the Torres del Paine and the lake below them. Return. Attractions: This is one of the most challenging explorations in the park. Habitat for numerous birds. Multiple-colored lakes. View of the imposing Almirante Nieto (2,640m/ 8,661ft). View of Lago Nordenskjöld, Laguna Amarga and Río Paine. Forests of century-old beech and impressive views of the Torres del Paine. NOTE: This exploration requires that guests be in good physical shape. Level: Difficult.

10. ARCHEOLOGICAL WALK FROM GUARDERIA SARMIENTO
TO GUARDERIA LAGUNA AMARGA
Length: Half-day. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Guardería Lago Sarmiento. By foot: Head north along the park's perimeter. Petroglyphs. Guardería Laguna Amarga. Return. Attractions: W alk through open land with panoramic views. Rock outcroppings with ancient paintings by Tehuelche Indians, the first inhabitants of the region. Abundant guanacos and possibility of viewing a puma. NOTE: This walk is generally taken before the barbecue at the Quincho. Level: Easy.

11. LAGO SARMIENTO WALK
Length: Half-day. Trail snacks. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Lago Pehoé, Lago Nordenskjöld. By foot: Shore of Lago Sarmiento. Return. Attractions: Calcium carbonate formations along the lake shore and, during the winter, groups of guanacos along the trail. Level: Easy.

12. REFUGIO PEHOÉ HORSEBACK RIDE
Length: Full day. Picnic. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Corral (near Park Administration). By horse: Campamento Las Carretas, Río Grey, Refugio Pehoé. Return. By boat: Cross Lago Pehoé. Attractions: View of the Macizo del Paine and Lago Grey with its icebergs. NOTE: This exploration requires previous horseback riding experience. The boat crossing depends on weather conditions. Level: Medium.

13. THE QUINCHO HORSEBACK RIDE
Length: Half-day. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Guardería Laguna Amarga, Cascada Paine, Laguna Azul, Quincho explora. By horse: Río de las Chinas, Antarctic and deciduous beech forests. Return to Quincho. Attractions: View of the Sierra Baguales, Torres del Paine, Río de las Chinas. NOTE: Ride takes place before or after the barbecue at the Quincho. Level: Easy.

14. LAGUNA AZUL WALK
Length: Half-day. Trail snacks. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Guardería Laguna Amarga, Cascada Paine, Laguna Azul. By foot: Shore of Laguna Azul, Mirador Torres del Paine. Attractions: Antarctic and deciduous beech forests, views of the Torres del Paine and Laguna Azul. NOTE: Can be taken before or after the barbecue at the Quincho. Level: Easy.

15. MIRADOR DONOSO HORSEBACK RIDE
Length: Full day. Picnic. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Corral (near Park Administration). By horse: Puente Río Grey, pampa Esmeralda, Laguna los Choros, Cerro Donoso. Attractions: Pass through flower-filled meadows. Narrow trails through forest, lakes and pampa. View of Cerro Donoso, one of the most unexplored sections of the park. Level: Medium.

16. RÍO SERRANO HORSEBACK RIDE
Length: Half-day. Trail snacks. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Corral (near Park Administration). By horse: Río Serrano, the Patagonian steppe of the Pampa Serrano. Attractions: Ride along the deep blue water of Río Serrano, with views of snowcapped Monte Balmaceda. Return along the golden prairie of the Pampa Serrano, with views of the Cuernos del Paine. Level: Easy.

17. LAGUNA LINDA HORSEBACK RIDE
Length: Half-day. Trail snacks. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Corral (near Park Administration). By horse: Laguna Negra, Laguna Linda, pampa surrounding Park Administration. Attractions: Stark hills with burnt trees. Views of Río Paine, Lago Toro, Cordillera Paine and the Andean mountain chain. Level: Easy.

18. 2 DE ENERO ESTANCIA HORSEBACK RIDE
Length: Half-day. Trail snacks. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Guardería Laguna Amarga, Cascada Paine, Laguna Azul, Quincho explora. By horse: Río Zamora, sections of pampa, Laguna Jara, Estancia 2 de Enero at the base of the Cerro Obelisco, Río Zamora. Attractions: Possibility of viewing condors and eagles. View of the Sierra Baguales and the Torres del Paine. NOTE: Requires previous horseback riding experience. Ride may be taken before or after the Quincho barbecue. Level: Easy.

19. LAGUNA LA CAL / SARMIENTO WALK
Length: Full day. Picnic. Itinerary: Depart hotel by foot: Laguna La Cal, Paso Las Buitreras (condor nesting site), Lago Sarmiento and Sarmiento Chico. Attractions: The first portion of the trail passes through forests of native beech. Laguna La Cal is in a unique windy area. During the spring, the area is home to abundant fauna. Impressive view of the Cuernos del Paine en route to Lago Sarmiento, with its formations of calcium carbonate. Level: Medium.

20. RIO PINGO WALK
Length: Half-day or full day. Trail snacks or picnic. Itinerary: Depart hotel. By vehicle: Río Paine, Guardería Lago Grey. By foot: Río Pingo, Refugio Pingo, Chorrillo de los Salmones. Attractions: Follow a rushing river of glacier water, across open prairies and through stunning vegetation that is home to a large variety of birds. Cascada del Río de los Salmones. The full-day walk arrives at Cascada del Río Pingo, passing through a forest of mature beech, with views of Cerro Paine Grande. Level: Easy.

21. MIRADOR CONDOR WALK
Length: Half-day. Trail snacks. Itinerary: Depart hotel by foot, climbing to the Mirador de los Cóndores, descending toward Lago Pehoé. Return. Attractions: Introduction to the park, observe different species of plants and birds. This walk is generally taken on the afternoon of guests' arrival. Level: Medium.