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Chile and the Lake District

14 days

Get behind the wheel for this classic self-drive tour of Chile from vibrant Santiago and its neighbouring vineyards to the famed Lake District for outdoor adventure and vistas of pure beauty. Sample world-class wines, admire crystal clear lakes and the backdrop of impressive volcanoes and explore the native rainforest of Huilo Huilo.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Tour Overview

Duration

14 days

Starts

Santiago

Ends

Puerto Montt

Range

Private

Tour Guide

Yes - for all included sightseeing

Group Size

Min 2 / Max N/A

Minimum age

5 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

Any day of the year

Hotel Rating

Standard (superior and deluxe available on request)

Countries

Chile

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

Yes

Meals included

Breakfast: 13, Dinner: 2
Per Person From
USD$4,735.00
Deposit From
Final payment
USD$2,842.00
$6,628.00

Tour Highlights

Santiago – Join a half day city tour of colonial architecture and traditional neighbourhoods
Colchagua Valley – Go wine-tasting in Chile’s finest wine-making region
Chillán – Wander around vast handicrafts market and fascinating Mexican murals
Pucón – Make the most of the ideal base to explore the Lake District and the incredible Villarrica Volcano
Huilo Huilo Reserve – Explore this lush, native forest with plenty of outdoor activities available
Puerto Varas – Enjoy the location along Lake Llanquihue’s southern shore with excellent access to the Osorno volcano and Pertohué waterfalls

Included

13 nights STANDARD accommodation. Upgrading to SUPERIOR or DELUXE accommodation options are also available upon request. Accommodation rating – See Trip Notes for details
13 breakfasts and 2 dinners
Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 14
City and wine tour in Santiago on a shared basis (private touring available for a supplement)
12 days car hire/rental – car hire/rental based upon compact vehicle, Hyundai Accent Sedan, VW Golf Sedan or similar. Includes unlimited kms, CDW insurance (USD $500 deductible), roadside emergency assistance

Not Included

International flights and visas
Tipping – an entirely personal gesture

Itinerary

Day 1 - Santiago

Bienviendos a Chile! Once you’ve arrived in Santiago you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Santiago

Day 2 - Santiago City Tour

Encircled by snow-capped Andean peaks, the city of Santiago enjoys a particularly spectacular setting. This morning join a scheduled city tour taking in the Metropolitan Cathedral, the La Moneda Presidential Palace and the Plaza de Armas where artists randomly appear to make theatrical performances. Jump on the metro for a short ride to the magnificent Santa Lucia park and its unique castle. Continue to the Lastarria neighbourhood to marvel at the neoclassical architecture and make the most of the many restaurants, coffee shops and green parks.

In the afternoon head 35 minutes out of town to the Cousiño Macul Vineyard on a scheduled tour. Producing high quality wines in exclusive amounts, this vineyard is an excellent introduction to the wine production process and how technology is used alongside artisan traditions.

Overnight: Santiago
Meals: Breakfast

Days 3-4 - Colchagua Valley

Santiago – Santa Cruz. After breakfast collect your rental car and drive to Santa Cruz in the Colchagua Valley. Known as the Valle de Colchagua in Spanish, the valley sits in the centre of one of Chile’s finest wine-making districts and is home to many of the country’s world-class wines. Spend the next two days independently touring the wineries in the valley, sampling as much wine as you can handle. It’s also worth checking out the Museo de Colchagua, boasting a well-designed and diverse collection of exhibits housed in a grand colonial hacienda.

Overnight: Santa Cruz
Meals: Breakfast x2

Day 5 - Chillan

Santa Cruz – Chillán. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in your hotel before following Route 5 to the lively city of Chillán. Upon arrival and hotel check in why not spend the remainder of your day exploring the vast handicrafts market of Feria de Chillán? Filling the Plaza de la Merced and offering everything from fresh produce to knitwear and leather goods, this daily market is a souvenir hunter’s paradise. Wandering around the city will also reveal a fascinating collection of Mexican murals.

Overnight: Chillan
Meals: Breakfast

Days 6-8 - Villarrica and the Lake District

Chillán – Pucón. Stretching from Temuco in the north and Puerto Montt in the south, Chile’s Lake District is spattered with dozens of crystal clear lakes, snow-capped mountains and dense forest. After a morning’s drive you reach Pucón, your base for the next three nights and the ideal place from which to explore the region’s natural gems. The outdoor activities on offer here are staggering – raft the Río Trancura rapids, hike in the secluded wooded corners of Parque Nacional Huerquehue, fish in the pristine rivers or rest your bones in the local thermal spas.

No trip to the region would be complete without visiting Parque Nacional Villarrica and its centrepiece, the smouldering Volcán Villarrica. Lined by lush forest and sharply ascending into a black waste of lava, the volcano is a dominating sight and it’s possible to hike to the gaseous crater with a local tour guide. The national park is also home to two other volcanoes, spectacular waterfalls and remote hiking trails.

Overnight: Pucon
Meals: Breakfast x3

Days 9-10 - Huilo Huilo

Pucón – Huilo Huilo Reserve. A short drive this morning brings you to the gorgeous Huilo Huilo Reserve. Nestled in 100,000 hectares of lush, native forest, the private reserve supports a diverse range of ecosystems rich in endemic species. In the distance the unspoiled white tip of Volcán Choshuenco looms large. Spend the next two days partaking in the many activities offered by your rainforest lodge. Trek along scenic walking trails, explore the reserve on horseback, take a jeep expedition to one of the beautiful lagoons, walk the rainforest canopy, mountain-bike, kayak, try your hand at fly fishing or simply relax in one of the natural thermal baths.

Overnight: Huilo Huilo
Meals: Breakfast x2, Dinner x2

Day 11 - Puerto Varas

Huilo Huilo Reserve – Puerto Varas. Departing your rainforest lodge this morning drive further south to the elegant little town of Puerto Varas. Serving as an introduction to Patagonia, Puerto Varas has a wealth of tourist facilities and with wide streets, green parks and stunning views of the Osorno and Calbuco, it’s the ideal spot to base yourself. Food in this region is excellent so make sure you finish your day with a hearty meal at a restaurant in town.

Overnight: Puerto Varas
Meals: Breakfast

Days 12-13 - Lake Llanquihue and around

With Puerto Varas as your base, spend the next two days independently exploring the surrounding area. Surrounded by gently rolling pastures with the perfectly symmetrical Volcán Osorno as its backdrop, Lake Llanquihue could easily swallow a day of your holiday. Visit the little villages that dot the pastures looking for stalls selling German pastries and smoked trout or head to the black-sand beaches of Frutillar Bajo, a popular holiday resort with several traditional wooden structures. You could also venture further afield to the Saltos de Petrohué, a series of steaming rapids created by a hard layer of lava eroded into small channels that connect with the stunning Lago Todos los Santos.

Overnight: Puerto Varas
Meals: Breakfast x2

Day 14 - Puerto Montt

Today marks the end of your Chilean adventure. After breakfast and hotel check out, drive to airport in Puerto Montt to return your hire car and connect with your onward departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Prices & Dates

'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults.

Prices shown are based upon 'Standard' accommodation. An upgrade to 'Superior' and 'Deluxe' accommodation is available upon request. Prices are indicative and may vary depending on hotel and room availability. If you wish to travel on a date not listed please contact us for pricing. High season supplements will apply for travel during local festivals, Easter, Christmas and New Year dates. Discounts will apply if there are 4 or more people in your travelling party, since fixed costs like transportation and guiding are shared across the group.

2024
Twin/Double
Single
4 Dec - 17 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
5 Dec - 18 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
6 Dec - 19 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
2025
Twin/Double
Single
4 Jan - 17 Jan
$4,735
$7,065
5 Jan - 18 Jan
$4,735
$7,065
6 Jan - 19 Jan
$4,735
$7,065
7 Jan - 20 Jan
$4,735
$7,065
8 Jan - 21 Jan
$4,735
$7,065
9 Jan - 22 Jan
$4,735
$7,065
10 Jan - 23 Jan
$4,735
$7,065
11 Jan - 24 Jan
$4,735
$7,065

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