Chile Magic - 13 Day Vacation

Day 1: Santiago

After your arrival at Santiago airport you will be transferred to the your hotel either in Las Condes or the city center. Enjoy a relaxing morning before taking an afternoon tour of the city and end off in the lap of luxury in one of our favorite hotels in Santiago, depending on your budget of course.

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

Enjoy the hotel´s sumptuous breakfast before boarding a connecting flight to Calama. Upon arrival at the Calama airport, you will be transferred to the small village of San Pedro de Atacama. This village, situated 2 000m above sea level, is in the middle of an oasis and is considered Chile´s archaeological capital. In the afternoon, we will take in the beautiful scenery of Valle de la Luna, its surrounding snow-capped mountains and watch as the landscape changes and intensifies during sunset. We will then return to San Pedro de Atacama, where we will spend the night. You have a range of hotel and lodge options, including some of our favorites.

Day 3: San Pedro, historical sites and the Atacama salt lakes

Today we will set out for San Pedro de Atacama where ancient civilisations built imposing rock fortresses which surround the valley. A tour to the impressive archaeological museum will take you back to the pre-Hispanic era and the magnificent colonial chuch, built in 1577, is a must-see for anyone visting the town. After the tour, a short drive will take us to the pre-Columbian village of Tulor, which is believed to be 3000 years old and is home to the region´s oldest human remains. We then move on to a 450-year-old fortress, Pukara de Quitor, which was conquered by the Spanish who defeated the Incan army (who themselves had captured it from pre-Incan cultures). The afternoon tour will begin with a visit to the village of Toconao, where locals produce white volcanic stone sculptures. A stop-off at the Atacama Salt Lake will definitely top your list as one of the most impressive and dramatic landscapes that Chile has to offer. We then return to San Pedro for an overnight stay.

Day 4: El Tatio – Machuca

An early start at 4am is must for anyone who wants to witness the breathtaking sight of powerful jets of steam shooting up from various blowholes at the El Tatio Geysers. These ponds of steam are surrounded by salt crystals that reflect the morning sky and combined with the steam columns, make for a mesmerizing display of natural beauty. On the journey back into San Pedro, we will make a stop at the sparsley populated hamlet of Machuca, siutated at 3 400m above sea level. This settlement, located in the middle of the highland, provides a striking view of the Andes and Atacama Salt Lake. We will then make our way back to San Pedro where we will spend the night.

Day 5: Calama – Puerto Montt – Puerto Varas

After a hearty breakfast, we will be transferred to the Calama Airport where a connecting flight will take us to the city of Puerto Montt, Upon arrival, you will be taken on a city tour of Puerto Montt before making our way to the ¨City of Roses¨, also known as Puerto Varas – a beautiful lakeside city situated on the banks of Lake Llanquihue. The lake, which is the second biggest in Chile, reflects the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes in its crystal clear waters. We will then spend the night in Puerto Varas at Colonos del Sur, the Solace Hotel, or something similar.

Day 6: Peulla
After breakfast we will take a drive along the shorelines of Lake Llanquihue towards Petrohue in the Vincent Perez Rosales National Park. Upon arrival at Petrohue, we will board a catamaran and cross the stunning Lake Todos los Santos towards Peulla. As we cross the lake, enthralling views of the mountains surrounding the lake greet the eye and before one knows it, we have arrived at Puella where a decadent lunch awaits us. Take a walk to the waterfalls nearby before making a return to Puerto Varas where we will spend the night.

Day 7: Chiloe Island
Today we will depart from Pargua and cross the Chacao Channel by ferry to the Chiloe Island. On the island we can either visit the seething fish and crafts markets of Ancud or the famous houses built on stilts, as well as other interesting sights in the town. Depending on the weather, we may be able to visit the penguin islands "Isolates Punihul" where the Humboldt and Marigold penguins breed side by side. If one is lucky, sea lions, pelicans and comorants may also populate the island during our visit. We then return to Puerto Varas for an overnight stay.

Day 8: Puerto Varas
After a tasty breakfast at our hotel, we will head to the German-founded settlement of Frutillar which is located on the shores of the beautiful Lake Llanquihue. The town hosts a museum dedicated to the pioneers of Frutillar and after a perusal of its artefacts, we will head back to Puerto Varas where you can spend the afternoon relaxing or discovering nearby sights. We will spend the night in Puerto Varas

Day 9: Puerto Montt - Punto Arenas or Puerto Natales
Today we head to the airport in Puerto Montt where you will catch a flight to Punto Arenas. Upon arrival at Punta Arenas Airport you will be transferred to Puerto Natales, where you will spend the night, possibly in the Indigo Hotel or something similar.

Day 10: Punta Arenas - Torres del Paine National Park
After an early breakfast, we head to the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park. As we head through the park, one can view Laguna Amarga and Lake Pehoe, as well as enjoy the magnetic view onto the Paine Massif, Almirante Nieto and the towers of Torres del Paine. Local animals such as guanacos, nandus, foxes, skunks and black-necked swans can be viewed along the way and an overnight stay in the park promises a treat for all guests.

Day 11: Torres del Paine - Puerto Natales
This morning you can enjoy at your leisure where you can stroll around the park and take in its spectacular surroundings. We will then leave the park and head into Puerto Natales, stopping along the way at the Milodon Cave. Archaeologists discovered the remains of a sloth believed to be 12 000 years old in the cave and an overnight stay at a Patagonian sheep farm will give you an authentic experience of the area.

Day 12: Puerto Natales - Santiago
Today we will transfer to the airport of Punta Arenas and take a flight to Santiago where we will spend the night in one of the city's hotels.

Day 13: Santiago

Spend the day at your leisure before heading to the airport and taking your international flight home or continue on to one of our other tours.

To see more Chile tours CLICK HERE!