Santiago to Patagonia

Bienviendos a Chile! Upon arrival into the airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Santiago. The rest of the day is free for you to get out and explore.

Encircled by snow-capped Andean peaks, the city of Santiago enjoys a particularly spectacular setting. This morning join a scheduled tour of the city to discover Santiago’s appealing blend of the old and new. Walking to the Plaza de Armas gaze at the handsome colonial architecture including the grandiose Catedral Metropolitana, the Post Office and the Santiago City Hall. Continue to the Government Palace and the older neighbourhood of Plaza Concha y Toro marked by cobblestone streets and elegant 20th century mansions. Heading east through neighbourhoods with a thoroughly modern appearance stop at a local handicrafts store where you can try a Pisco Sour.

Santiago – Puerto Varas. This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Puerto Montt in the southern region of Chile’s Lake District. On arrival you will be collected and transferred to your hotel in Puerto Varas, a smart little town with excellent tourist facilities. Remainder of the day at leisure.

Located on the shore of the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Montt is the region’s prime fishing centre. Joining a scheduled tour this morning you will visit the Cathedral in Puerto Montt, as well as the lively seafood market and colourful handicraft market of Angelmó. You’ll also visit the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús church and enjoy the panoramic views of Tenglo Island from the bay. Heading back to Puerto Varas the afternoon will be free for you to soak up the vistas of Lake Llanquihue or make the most of the city’s good food and beautiful gardens.

Bordering Argentina, the Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales is a stunning collection of pristine lakes and forests with the Lagos Todos Los Santos its centrepiece. This morning visit the Petrohué waterfalls and enjoy a sailing trip on the Todos Los Santos Lake taking in the sights of the Osorno, Puntiagudo and Tronador volcanoes. At the far end of the lake is Peulla, a small ecological village of 150 inhabitants where you can opt to partake in the adventure activities available.

Departing Puerto Varas begin the journey to the haven of rural tranquillity that is the Chiloé archipelago. From the small fishing village of Pargua board a ferry that crosses the Chacao Chanel with the chance to see sea lions and playful dolphins along the way. On arrival at Chiloé our first stop is the town of Chacao where innumerable black-necked swans gather along the shoreline. Caulin Bay is our next stop where a walk along the beach might bring meetings with the local residents harvesting seaweed and transporting their yield by oxes. Continue to the charming town of Castro for lunch at a local restaurant and an afternoon tour. Visit the municipal market, the main plaza and the majestic Iglesia San Francisco.

Day 7 is a free day for you to explore Castro further. Head to the waterfront to see the traditional palafitos, Chile’s last remaining fishermen’s houses on stilts, or sample Chiloé’s national dish curanto at a restaurant in town.

This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas in southern Patagonia. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. On the morning of day 9 enjoy a city tour of Punta Arenas. First stop is the Cerro de la Cruz view point for magnificent panoramic views of the city’s colourful rooftops, the Strait of Magellan and in the distance, the large island of Tierra del Fuego. Back in Punta Arenas visit the main square with its many beautiful buildings and the Salesian Museum, displaying a complete collection on Patagonian Indians, flora, fauna, history and economy. In the afternoon take an excursion to the colony of Magellanic penguins at Seno Otway. Beachfront hides allow visitors to observe the birds amble out of the water for feeding time. The route here along the Strait of Magellan is particularly scenic as it passes into Patagonian steppe.

On the morning of day 10 you will be transferred to your hotel in the Torres del Paine National Park. Home to the incredible Paine Massif, a small range of mountains with unusual, twisted peaks, the national park is a striking expanse of flat brown pampa and glacial lakes. Over the next four days you will have ample opportunity to partake in the many activities offered by your hotel. You might spend one day trekking the Ascencio Valley getting up close to the astounding Towers of Paine mountain range or horse ride to Cerro Paine for spectacular views of the Nothafagus forest. You could take a ferry across Pehoe Lake to Grey Glacier View Point for striking vistas of the centenary icebergs or you could trek to Sarmiento Lake to examine the calcium carbonate formations. The activities and excursions on offer will ensure you see the very best of this incredible national park.

Today marks the end of your incredible adventure. After breakfast and hotel check out you will be transferred to the airport in Punta Arenas for your onward departure journey.