Best of Chile from Atacama to Patagonia

Best of Chile from Atacama to Patagonia

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Best of Chile from Atacama to Patagonia

14 Days Starting in Santiago (Chile) and ending in Easter Island

Visiting: Santiago, Valparaiso, San Pedro de Atacama, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park, Punta Arenas Pres. Ibanez, Easter Island

Tour operator:

Insight Vacations

Tour code:

ZCHLEAM18

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Journey across Chile on an immersive two-week adventure, from Santiago set against the snow-capped Andes to the UNESCO protected sites of Valparaíso and the llama farms of Torres del Paine. Wine connoisseurs will be in their element at the Kingston Family Vineyard where a private Casablanca Valley Wine Tasting uncorks the finest local tipples—including regional Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In Torres del Paine, join the Patagonia Ranch cultural experience and see the world through the eyes of your local baqueano guides—the cowboy descendants of horsemen who came to work the ranches over a century ago. In Atacama, journey 14,000 feet up into the Andes for a dip in the Puritama Hot Springs before an evening of stargazing under the crystal-clear skies of the Chilean desert.

Highlights

  • Torres del Paine National Park: This afternoon, join a Patagonian Ranch Cultural Experience and learn about the baqueano (cowboy) way of life. Many of these local cowboys are the descendants of horsemen who came to work ranches in this remote region more than a century ago. During your time with them, you will learn about their special clothing, saddles and other horse tack. You'll also be shown how to properly saddle a horse, nail a horseshoe and of course how to ride. Enjoy a Yerba mate tea with them while chatting about Patagonian culture.

  • Torres del Paine National Park: Join an immersive tour of the regions oldest organic kitchens and garden at the Reserva Cerro Paine. Using bio-intensive sustainable methods, this farm  conserves traditional heirloom varieties as well as an assortment of culinary and medicinal herbs.

  • : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.

  • : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests).

  • : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

  • : Torres del Paine National Park: Choose to join a Patagonian Ranch Cultural Experience and learn about the baqueano (cowboy) way of life. Alternatively, take a tour of the region's oldest organic farm inside the Reserva Cerro Paine.

  • Santiago: In the evening meet your Travel Director and fellow guests at the hotel, where you'll enjoy a delicious Welcome Dinner while getting to know some of your new travel companions.

  • Santiago: Enjoy lunch at El Galeon restaurant, located in the heart of the "Central Market," Santiago's main market for fish and seafood.

  • Santiago: Visit Kingston Family Winery, a small boutique winery located in Casablanca Valley for an introduction to and tasting of their exquisite wines.

  • Torres del Paine National Park: After a day exploring, join your Travel Director and new friends as you toast to your travels at a Celebration Dinner with wine.

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Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive In Santiago
Location: Santiago
Accommodation: The Singular Santiago Lastarria Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner with Wine

Welcome to Santiago. A picturesque city back dropped by the spectacular, snow-capped Andes, it offers a metropolitan world of museums, top restaurants and historic finds. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening meet your Travel Director and fellow guests at the hotel and enjoy a Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: Valparaiso And The Casablanca Wine Country
Location: Valparaiso, Santiago
Accommodation: The Singular Santiago Lastarria Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine

Begin your day with a visit to the coastal city of Valparaiso. Explore the UNESCO protected site with a Local Expert as you discover its church-dotted hillsides and unique ampitheatre-like layout. After lunch, visit the Kingston Family Vineyard for a private wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley. Recognised as one of the best wineries in Chile, its varieties have been featured on the wine lists of top restaurants including Aureole in New York. The evening is yours at leisure to relax or have a night out on the town.

Day 3: On To Atacama
Location: Santiago, San Pedro de Atacama
Accommodation: Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama
Meals Included: Breakfast

Take a transfer to the airport for your flight to Calama, a city based in the Atacama Desert. On arrival you'll head to San Pedro.You’ll then be driven to the Moon Valley for a guided visit. A nod to its name, this moon-like area is made up of dunes, caves and caverns. Learn more about its history and the land formations from a Local Expert.

Day 4: Explore Atacama
Location: San Pedro de Atacama
Accommodation: Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, take a guided visit to the Atacama Geysers known as El Tatio Geysers, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Located in the Andes Mountains, you'll be 14,170 feet (4,230 metres) above sea level. Enjoy a visit to the Puritama Hotsprings before taking a scenic drive back to your hotel.

Day 5: Atacama Salt Flats
Location: San Pedro de Atacama
Accommodation: Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama
Meals Included: Breakfast

Explore the Atacama Salt Flats, the largest in Chile. One of the driest parts of the world, the area stretches for over 40,000 square miles (103,600 kilometres). Keep your eyes open for species of wild birds including the Andean and James flamingos on the shores of the Chaxa, Miscanti and Minque Lagoons. This afternoon, make your way to Toconao, a traditional colonial village known for is volcanic rock architecture. Take a stroll through the main square and visit the handicraft stands that sell alpaca textiles.

Day 6: Atacama To Santiago
Location: San Pedro de Atacama, Santiago
Accommodation: The Singular Santiago Lastarria Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch with Wine

Wake up for your transfer and flight back to Santiago.Enjoy lunch at El Galeon restaurant, located in the heart of the Central Market. Continue to the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral, traveling to the heart of the city along the famous Alameda, Santiago's vibrant main avenue. Continue your tour by crossing the Mapocho River to reach the bohemian Bellavista district on your way to the San Cristobal Hill.

Day 7: On To Puerto Natales
Location: Santiago, Puerto Natales
Accommodation: Hotel Remota, Puerto Natales.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Fly to Punta Arenas where you'll then drive to Puerto Natales, a port city, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and starting point for explorers in search of the Patagonian fjords. This afternoon, you’ll have leisure time in the day to rest and rejuvenate before heading to dinner.Famous for its spiced meat and seafood dishes, tonight's meal will have you savouring typical Patagonian dishes.

Day 8: Balmaceda And Serrano Glaciers Excursion
Location: Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park
Accommodation: Hotel Remota, Puerto Natales.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Wake for a scenic breakfast before starting your day. Torres del Paine National Park boasts jaw-dropping landscapes filled with turquoise lagoons, glaciers, and towering granite horns. Head out on a Balmaceda & Serrano Glacier Cruise to view these majestic ice formations. On return, the rest of your day is at leisure.

Day 9: Torres Del Paine National Park
Location: Torres del Paine National Park
Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres Patagonia.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine

Join your local expert on an excursion of the Torres del Paine National Park. Situated in Chile's Patagonia region, this park is famous for its glaciers, grasslands, imposing mountains and the three granite towers it is named after.This afternoon, explore Torres del Paine with Insight Choice. Choose to join a Patagonian Ranch Cultural Experience and learn about the baqueano (cowboy) way of life. During your time with them, you will learn about their special clothing, saddles and other horse tack. You'll also be shown how to properly saddle a horse, nail a horseshoe and of course how to ride. Alternatively, choose to join a tour of the region's oldest gardens at Reserva Cerro Paine which produces seasonal fruits and vegetables using bio-intensive sustainable methods.Tonight, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you enjoy dinner at your hotel. All the ingredients are produced onsite utilizing sustainable farming techniques.

Day 10: Sightseeing In Torres Del Paine
Location: Torres del Paine National Park
Accommodation: Hotel Las Torres Patagonia.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine

Today you'll spend the day sightseeing in Torres del Paine as you keep a look out for the park's guanacos, a rare creature similar to the llama, as well as Andean condors. Witness the sharp peaks of Cuernos del Paine and marvel at the emerald waters of the park’s lakes. These include Dickson Lake, Lake Pehoé, Sarmiento Lake, Del Toro Lake and Nordenskjöld Lake.After a day exploring, join your Travel Director and new friends as you toast to your travels at a Celebration Dinner with wine.

Day 11: Back To Santiago
Location: Torres del Paine National Park, Punta Arenas Pres. Ibanez, Santiago
Meals Included: Breakfast

It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your trip comes to an end. Head to Punta Arenas where you'll fly to Santiago International Airport for your flight home.

Day 12: Arrive Easter Island
Location: Easter Island
Accommodation: Hanga Roa Resort and Spa, Easter Island.
Meals Included: Breakfast

Arrive on Easter Island, the cradle of an enigmatic culture that persists to this day (transfer flight not included). Be greeted by your local expert, followed by an organised transfer to your hotel. Afterwards, embark on an excursion to Orongo. Start by driving up to Rano Kau, an extinct volcano that offers stunning views of the island and Crater Lake. Then continue onwards to Easter Island's southwestern tip to the stone ceremonial village of Orongo. End your tour at the Ana Kai Tangata cave, where you'll observe the intricate rock paintings as you hear stories about the birdmen culture.

Day 13: Easter Island And Anakena Beach
Location: Easter Island
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Uncover more of Easter Island's mysteries with a visit to the bay of Hanga Te'e and the unrestored Ahu Vaihu where the toppled "moais" are surrounded by spectacular views. From there, you'll visit Akahanga, the burial site of King Hotu Matua. Afterward, visit the Rano Raraku, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to almost 900 moais. Your exploration of the island continues to Ahu Tongariki and its impressive 15 moais that stand tall overlooking the land and at Ahu Te Pito Kura where the largest carved moai stands at 33 feet (10 metres). End your tour at Anakena beach to enjoy some sun and the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Day 14: Depart Easter Island
Location: Easter Island, Santiago
Meals Included: Breakfast

Drive inland to see the restored Ahu Akivi, where seven identical "moais" were built in the center of the island. According to legend, they represent the seven explorers who were sent to the island by King Hotu Matua. Afterwards, you'll be able to admire the impressive masonry skills of these carvings when you view the unrestored, tumbled "moai" at Ahu Hanga Poukura and visit the Puna Pau volcano quarry. You'll end your tour at Tahai, a ceremonial site and the only place on the island where eyes were re-instated into a statue. This afternoon you'll be transferred to the airport where you'll fly back to Santiago (flight not included).

What's Included

  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.

  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.

  • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

  • Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.

  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.

  • Prices include economy air and air-related charges for flights between Santiago - Calama, Calama - Santiago, Santiago - Puerto Natales, Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine and Torres del Paine - Santiago. Easter Island Option requires an included overnight in Santiago. Flight from Santiago - Easter Island not included. This trip experiences high elevations, we recommend guests with preexisting medical conditions talk with a doctor prior to travel.

Check out our Q&As

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1978.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

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    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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