Chile; Land of Natural Diversity

Welcome to Chile! Upon arrival to Santiago meet your Spiced Destinations Representative and transfer to the Hotel. In the afternoon tour Santiago, visiting the city’s most outstanding attractions, including a walking tour downtown to the “Plaza de Armas”, the Cathedral, Ahumada Boulevard and the Government Palace “La Moneda”(outside). Then, by vehicle, visit the main avenues of old Santiago, crossing the bohemian neighborhood of Bellavista and drive up San Cristobal Hill, for a magnificent panoramic view of the city and the Andes Mountain Range. We then drive to the modern part of Santiago, including its chic neighborhoods, shopping and financial centers. Our tour includes a brief Metro ride, to view two important murals in the underground train stations. Tonight dinner at one of Santiago’s award winning restaurants (d)

Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to the airport in time to board flight to Calama. Reception at Calama airport and transfer to the village of San Pedro de Atacama through the Domekyo Mountain Range and the Salt Mountain Range. In the afternoon, visit the Salt Mountain, Marte Valley (also called Death Valley) and Moon Valley to admire the spectacular sunset over the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight at your Lodge. (b,d)

Our full day tours begin with a drive to the Atacama Salt Flat, Chiles biggest Salt Flat and among one of the largest in the world. Here we encounter three different species of flamingos, that live and breed at the Laguna Chaxa. We continue to the picturesque village of Toconao with its beautiful Bell Tower, a fine example of classical Atacamenian Architecture. Will also visit the village of Socaire, and then the Altiplanic lagoons of Meñique and Miscanti. Located at 4.500 meters above sea level (14,850 feet), the lagoons are the “heart” of Flamingos National Reserve. The lagoons are surrounded by imposing volcanoes that were formed when the Andes Mountain Range rose from the sea through millions of years of evolution. (b,l,d)

This morning bundle up with your warmest clothes! Early departure from the hotel (4.00 AM) to the Geysers del Tatio. Breakfast box in provided. Enjoy a guided walk around the geothermal field to observe the dramatic hundreds of columns of steam, best viewed as the sun rises over the Andes Mountains. Return to San Pedro with spectacular views of the Torcopuri y Sairecabur volcanoes. The rest of the day is spent at leisure. We recommend a visit to the market in San Pedro or just to enjoy the superb facilities at your lodge. (b,l,d)

Breakfast in the hotel, then transfer to the airport in Calama for your flight to Santiago with connection to Puerto Montt. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the hotel in Puerto Varas. The city is also dubbed as the “City of Roses” and it is well known for its German traditions, its cuisine (featuring exquisite seafood), its casinos and the breathtaking vistas of the lake and volcanoes. Evening at leisure (b)

This morning we drive through the streets of Puerto Varas, dotted with colorful Rose Bushes. We ascend to the Philippi Hill for a wonderful view of Lake Llanquihue and the Osorno Volcano. Continue to Puerto Montt and the fishermen village of Angelmó with its great selection of arts and crafts; a perfect spot for your souvenir shopping. We drive to the little town of Frutillar, where we see some typical constructions of the German Settlers. Continue to the “picture perfect” Petrohue River Fllas, and on to the small port village of Petrohue on the shores of All Saint’s Lake. In the afternoon, return to Puerto Varas. (b,l)

Departure from Puerto Varas southwards towards Pargua, where we embark the ferry with our vehicle for a scenic 40-minute cruise across the channel to Chiloe Island. Chiloé Island (8,394 km², 3241 sq mi), is the second largest island in Chile and the fifth largest in South America, it is slightly smaller than the land surface of Puerto Rico. While disembarking at the port of Chacao we can already spot the first signs of the unique island architecture called “Chilota”. We will visit the village of Quemchi and the area of Aucar where a pedestrian bridge of almost 560 meters (1700 feet) long, constructed of wood, connects the town to a picturesque cemetery located on a small island. We continue to Colo where we will visit the most traditional church of the island; declared together with all the churches in Chiloe as a World Heritage, by UNSECO. Drive along scenic roads via deserted beaches, picturesque farms and coastal forests to the Penguin Sanctuary of Puñihuíl, (visit from Nov-Mar), the only known place where Humbolt and Magellanic penguins nest side-by-side. (b,l)

Breakfast at the hotel before departing to the airport of Puerto Montt to board the flight to Punta Arenas, the most prominent settlement on the Strait of Magellan, and the departure point of most of the expeditions to Antarctica. Upon arrival, reception at the airport and transfer to Puerto Natales, located 247 Km (153 miles) northwest of Punta Arenas. (b)

Early in the morning depart by Catamaran for a 3-hour navigation through the beautiful Ultima Esperanza Fjord to the thousand-year-old glacier of Mount Balmaceda, habitat of cormorants and sea lions. We disembark for a 1 km (3/4 mile) along a trail through the native forest, till we reach the foot of the Serrano Glacier. We sail back to Puerto Natales. En route, we visit the Estancia Perales for a typical lunch. (b,l,d)

We travel north for a full day excursion of the Torres del Paine National Park.The 1.5-hour drive winds through the steppes and Patagonia scrub, with an abundance of wild life and herds of sheep. We arrive at the Torres del Paine National Park, declared world heritage by UNESCO. In the park, we observe a large variety of native fauna especially the large herds of the wild Guanacos. Visit the Salto Grande of the Pehoe River, with the impressive massif of Torres del Paine in its background. Then visit Lake Pehoe and Lake Grey, where can see the Grey Glacier in the distance. Return to Puerto Natales in the evening. (b,l,d)

Entire day at leisure to relax, or for optional tours to the wine country or Port City of Valparaiso, and other UNSECO World Heritage Site.

Later in the day, transfer to the airport for your home-bound flight. (b)