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 yours to acclimatize and explore San Pedro on your own.

Discover the Atacama Salt Flat at Laguna Chaxa, home to graceful flamingos, then visit Socaire before reaching the high-altitude lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques at 4,200 m. Continue to Toconao to explore its history and local crafts. The adventure goes on along the Lickanantay Wine Route, where you’ll learn about high-altitude winemaking in the desert, visit Santa Romina Vineyard, and enjoy a tasting of unique wines shaped by Atacama’s extreme environment.

Experience an unforgettable day in Atacama. At sunrise, visit the impressive Tatio Geysers at 4,300 m and watch steam columns rise in this surreal landscape. Continue to Machuca, a charming high-altitude village known for its culture and traditions. In the afternoon, explore the Moon Valley, its unique geology, the historic Victoria Salt Mine, and the iconic Three Marys formations. End the day at Mars Valley, where a sunset toast offers the perfect finale to a journey filled with nature, history, and striking desert scenery.

Today, head back to the Calama airport and catch a flight to Puerto Montt, with a connection in Santiago. Upon reaching Puerto Montt, transfer 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.

*Please note, this excursion has a maximum age limit of 70 years old. Please speak with a Trip Planner about alternative adventures in Puerto Varas if needed.

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 or Puerto Natales in the South of Chile. You are picked up from the airport in the morning and driven to EcoCamp Patagonia, located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park.

En route from Punta Arenas, 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. 

Continue into Torres del Paine National Park, arriving at EcoCamp, a deluxe tent camp of large geodesic-shaped dome tents built to minimize environmental impact while providing a comfortable setting. EcoCamp provides candlelight, feather comforters, composting toilets, and plenty of quiet to enjoy your spectacular surroundings and stunning views of the famous Towers. Over the next two days, choose from three daily excursions of varying difficulty, provided by EcoCamp

*If possible we recommend taking a flight to Puerto Natales. If you fly in via Punta Arenas Airport please make sure your schedule allows you to take the regular Ecocamp transfer from the airport at 2:30 PM the latest.

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!