best of chile itinerary atacama desert, …...journey overview embark on an unforgettable 13-day...
TRANSCRIPT
BEST OF CHILE ITINERARY
Atacama Desert, Santiago, Patagonia and Lake District
Journey overview
Embark on an unforgettable 13-day journey through four of Chile’s most
contrasting landscapes. Your adventure kicks off in the Atacama Desert,
in the north of Chile, the driest, most desolate and arid in the world.
The Andean Altiplano will surprise you with its dramatic and exotic
beauty. San Pedro de Atacama, a small town surrounded by impressive
natural scenery, was the cradle of ancestral cultures. Considered today
to be the archaeological capital of Chile, San Pedro continues to be a
silent witness of the passage of time. The geological transformations of
the desert give birth to ranges, volcanoes, salt flats and lagoons, bodies
of water that emerge in the middle of the desert, thermal pools, geysers
and marshes. A varied array of flora and fauna has managed to adapt to
the extreme conditions of the desert such as llamas, guanacos, vicuñas,
foxes, viscachas, rheas and lizards.
The next leg of your adventure will take you to spellbinding Santiago.
The Chilean capital is today a modern, sprawling and vibrant metropolis
that is flanked on one side by the Andes mountain range, and the Coastal
range on the other. It is here that you can enjoy a series of tours that
range from historical and cultural explorations to specific excursions
centered on food, architecture and art.
After exploring the vibrancy of Santiago, you will head to the awe-
inspiring beauty of Patagonia. Over 500 years after the arrival of the first
European seafarers in Patagonia, the words to describe it are the same:
exotic, faraway, vast, infinitely beautiful, wild, and indomitable.
Situated in the heart of the National Park, the Torres del Paine
Mountains are one of the main attractions of that region and an icon of
Chilean Patagonia. The immensity of the ice floes, the majesty of the
mountains and the expanse of the lakes are a constant source of
wonderment. The Torres del Paine National Park’s habitat blends
together a wide array of ecosystems, making it a treasure for Chilean
wildlife.
Your journey culminates in the Chilean Lake District at &Beyond Vira
Vira, situated just outside Pucón. Coined the “Adventure Capital” of
Chile, this area offers a plethora of outdoor activities such as rafting,
trekking, skiing, kayaking, fly-fishing, mountain biking, and horseback
riding. Adventure activities aside, Vira Vira also offers the opportunity
to embark on captivating cultural excursions, gaining insight into the
Mapuche people, and relishing delicious varieties of cheese at the
lodge’s cheese factory. You can also unwind with soothing wellness
treatments, yoga sessions or an indulgent dip in a bubbling hot tub under
the night sky.
Highlights of the itinerary
• Strap on your boots for various scenic hikes in the Atacama Desert. Discover the Moon Valley, walk along a river
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
through a beautiful canyon, and venture to the hot springs of Puritama to relax weary muscles.
Explore the Los Flamencos National Reserve, home to flamboyant flamingos.
Gaze up to the skies and spend an evening stargazing with an astronomer.
Visit the famous El Taito Geysers, bypassing the Alto Plano lakes which provide an excellent birdwatching
opportunity.
Hop onto the saddle for a bicycle excursion in the desert.
Enjoy a full-day, themed exploration of vibrant Santiago. Choose from a culinary, art, sculpture or architecture
tour.
Discover Patagonia’s renowned French Valley on an awe-inspiring hiking adventure that unveils the region’s iconic
landscapes or, for the more adventurous, trek to the base of the towers in Torres del Paine National Park.
Ride through Patagonia on an extraordinary horseback adventure.
Set out on a guided walk in search of the elusive puma.
Embark on an excursion to the Grey Glacier, a massive natural ice construction.
Be spoilt for choice with myriad adventures at &Beyond Vira Vira including horseback riding, trekking, fly fishing,
whitewater rafting, kayaking, skiing, and scenic helicopter flights.
Dine on sublime cuisine with the ‘farm-to-table’ concept of producing everything required for the award-
winning restaurant at &Beyond Vira Vira
Gain insight into the fascinating local Mapuche people
Make the most of your adventure and extend your stay by adding Easter Island or Argentina.
Specially created for:
• First-time travellers to Chile
• Families and small groups
• Travellers looking for adventure
• Nature lovers
12 nights / 13 days
2 Guests
DAY PROGRAMME
1 Scheduled flight Santiago International Airport to Calama International Airport
Shared transfer from Calama International Airport to Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa
Dinner included
Overnight: Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa
2 – 3 Enjoy 2 excursions days provided by Alto Atacama
You can choose between 1 full day or 2 half day excursions each full day (shared with other lodge guests)
All meals included
Overnight: Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa
4 Shared transfer from Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa to Calama International Airport
Scheduled flight from Calama International Airport to Santiago International Airport
Private transfer from Santiago International Airport to The Singular Santiago
Lunch and dinner at leisure
Overnight: The Singular Santiago (BB)
5 Half day Activity: Urban adventure ‘Barrios’
Lunch and dinner at leisure
Overnight: The Singular Santiago
6 Private transfer from The Singular Santiago to Santiago International Airport
Scheduled flight from Santiago International Airport to Punta Arenas International Airport
Shared transfer from Punta Arenas International Airport to Explora Patagonia
Dinner included
Overnight: Explora Patagonia
7 to 9 Enjoy 3 full excursion days provided by Explora Patagonia
You can choose between 1 full day or 2 half day excursions each full day (shared with other lodge guests)
All meals included
Overnight: Explora Patagonia
10 Shared transfer from Explora Patagonia to Punta Arenas International Airport
Scheduled flight from Punta Arenas International Airport to Puerto Montt Airport
Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to &Beyond Vira Vira
Dinner included
Overnight: &Beyond Vira Vira
11 & 12
Enjoy 2 full excursion days provided by &Beyond Vira Vira
You can choose between 1 full day or 2 half day excursions each full day (shared with other Lodge guests)
All meals included
Overnight: &Beyond Vira Vira
13 Shared transfer from &Beyond Vira Vira to Temuco Airport
Scheduled flight from Temuco Airport to Santiago International Airport
Departure
Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa
Day 1
Upon your arrival at Santiago International Airport, you will be
welcomed and assisted by an &Beyond representative, who will
assist you in connecting to your domestic flight to Atacama.
Upon arrival in Calama, you will be transferred to your hotel,
Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa.
Dinner this evening at the lodge.
Day 2 & 3
You will have two full days to enjoy the myriad excursions
available at Alto Atacama Desert Lodge, all tailor-made.
Excursions are in provided on shared basis (small groups of 8
guests per vehicle) and are organized according to your
preferences and pace. The Hotel guides will help you to plan
your daily explorations and will accompany you during your
stay. You can choose full or half-day trips, below an example of
some of the many available options.
Tocanao/Atacama saltflats: On the way to the famous saltflats
of San Pedro de Atacama, we visit the lovely town of Tocanao
and the Valle Escondido de Kunza (the hidden valley) where we
visit the church and artisan market stalls in the central plaza.
From here, we continue our journey to the saltflats. On arrival,
there is a gentle 20 minute walk to the Laguna de Chaxa where
we can see wild flamingos and other birds native to the area.
Later, when the setting sun catches on the mountains and the
lagoons, you will see one of the most incredible sunsets the
world has to offer.
Sunset at Moon Valley: A 20 minute drive brings us to the
spectacular Moon Valley. This is one of the most famous
national parks in Chile and for good reason. The enormous sand
dunes and dramatic rock formations create a stunning lunar
landscape born of land lifts and centuries of erosion. The
sunsets here are extraordinary and no visit to San Pedro is
complete without an trip to the Moon Valley to watch the sun
go down
Full-Day Tatio Geysers: We leave the hotel before dawn to
arrive at the famous geysers at daybreak: the steam and
vapours are all the more impressive with the cold and the light
of the early morning. At the geyser field, we will also see
geysers thermal pools, mud fountains, colourful rock
formations, hot streams and flora and fauna. The return
journey is quite stunning with an abundance of wildlife and
beautifully contrasting landscapes.
Dinner at the Hotel
Overnight at Alto Atacama Hotel
Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa
The luxurious Alto Atacama is blessed with a most spectacular
and private location, tucked away in a valley of serene beauty,
in the shadow of the Pukará de Quitor ruins and with the San
Pedro River winding its way discreetly alongside. The perfect
base for exploring the desert, cultural encounters, or simply
absorbing the breathtaking landscape.
Rooms are spacious and comfortable, all of them well equipped
to soothe your body after an action packed day. The decoration
is simple yet elegant, incorporating local crafts, and all rooms
have a private terrace were to enjoy the colors of the valley,
take a nap, read a book or simply relax at the sight of the hotel
gardens. The definition of peacefulness aquires a new meaning
after a couple of nights here, Catarpe embraces Alto Atacama
with silence, let silence embrace you.
The Singular Santiago
Day 4
After your breakfast you will be transferred to Calama Airport
for your domestic flight to Santiago. Upon your arrival in
Santiago, you will be met by your &Beyond representative who
will transfer you to your hotel, located in the cosy Lastarria
neighbourhood.
Day 5
After breakfast you embark on an urban adventure in Santiago
called ‘barrios’ (=neighbourhoods), whereby you will explore the
different sights of the capital, getting a glimpse in its history and
multi-faceted identity.
This fascinating tour is an exploration of Santiago’s thriving barrios.
In Chile, the term ‘barrio’ simply refers to a neighbourhood with a
character and identity of its own, and Santiago has plenty to choose
from. The downtown barrios of Brasil, Yungay, and Paris-Londres
are of huge historical, political, and cultural importance. The
revitalized Barrio Lastarria – perhaps the most fashionable area in
the city at present – is packed with cafés, boutique hotels, small
stores, and a lively restaurant scene. It is also home to the iconic
creations of architect Luciano Kulczewski. Across the river, Barrio
Bellavista is bohemian, sophisticated, tidy, and chaotic all at once,
and is regarded as a seat of political and cultural revolution.
Elsewhere, Barrio Italia is one of the true gems of Santiago. Known
for its design stores and antiques restorers, it is also home to trendy
cafés and a wide variety of restaurants, from full-on vegan, Spanish
and Italian, to gourmet soup. Santiago’s barrios are not exclusive
to the downtown areas however. For example, the elegant Barrio
El Golf is home to embassies, multi-national companies, expats,
and the country’s most expensive real estate. This tour offers
contrasts galore and a unique insight into Santiago’s barrio life.
The Singular Santiago
The hotel’s design embraces the artistic heritage of the
neighborhood. The interior of the hotel is a tribute to the
palaces of past centuries, setting the tone for the environment.
Hotel facilities include a spa, dining at the Singular Restaurant,
dazzling views and refreshing cocktails in the ninth floor
Singular Rooftop Bar, an elevated terrace with spectacular
views, an arboreal escape right alongside the hotel and a
rooftop swimming pool.
Situated just a few minutes away from the hotel is some of the
finest visual and performance art Chile has to offer at The
Museum of Fine Arts, The Museum of Visual Arts and the
Gabriela Mistral Center. Guest accommodations at The Singular
Santiago are an alluring blend of classic and contemporary,
offering modern comforts while exuding the charm of a bygone
era. The guest rooms and suites are equipped with safe deposit
boxes, refrigerator with soft drinks and WI-FI internet access.
Explora Patagonia
Day 6
After breakfast you will be transferred to Santiago Airport for
your flight to Punta Arenas. Upon your arrival you will have an
overland journey to your hotel in Torres del Paine. This transfer
takes several hours and will allow you to admire the landscape
of the region.
Dinner at the lodge this evening.
Day 7 to 9
Enjoy three full days enjoying adventurous excursions available
at explora Patagonia, in the Torres del Paine National Park. This
dynamic paradise, boasts hiking and horseback riding, and you
can pick and choose your activities according to your own
specific interests and level of physical fitness. All excursions
are in groups of up to 8 guests.
Below a mere sample of the activities on offer at explora
Patagonia, this is not an exhaustive list:
Mirador Pehoé Trekking: You will leave the hotel by foot,
walking along the Pehoé Lake, observing the various orchids and
ñirre trees that comprise the local flora. You will ascend to a
triangular rock from where you will be able to see the intense
blue of Lake Pehoé and the Paine ridge. If the day is clear you
will be able to enjoy a unique view from above, quite different
from that of the hotel. Finally, you will descend, observing the
turquoise tones of the Paine River from afar. Recommended for
families.
Trekking to Glaciar Grey Campamento Guardas: On this
exploration, we will follow the path to the Grey Glacier. From
the Grey Glacier shelter, we will ascend towards the Park
Ranger camp lookout, from where we will be able to truly grasp
the glacier’s size. Later we will return along the same path to
the shelter, from where we will board a boat that will take us
up close to the glacier walls. As in the previous expedition, we
will cross a lenga forest and the Pingo River hanging bridge to
take a van back to the hotel. (This excursion is subject to
climate conditions, as the boat rides may be cancelled due to
strong winds.)
Horseback riding is also offered at explora Patagonia, for
beginners and advanced riders, along different paths, allowing
you a different perspective on the breath-taking views of Torres
del Paine.
Overnights at explora Patagonia.
Explora Patagonia
Anchored like a white ship on the shores of turquoise Lake
Pehoé, explora Patagonia’s unique location sets travelers
literally in the middle of Torres del Paine National Park, while
greeting them with award winning architecture.
Our over 40 different guided hikes and horseback rides offer our
travelers breathtaking views of glaciers, lakes and mountains in
Torres del Paine National Park.
Located at the center of the Torres del Paine National Park,
explora Patagonia’s unique location and explorations are the
ultimate Patagonian experience.
The 49 rooms of explora Patagonia are designed to take full
advantage of the silence, privacy, and spaciousness of the
surrounding landscape, ensuring deep rest after a long day of
exploration in Torres del Paine National Park.
&Beyond Vira Vira
Day 10
After breakfast, you will be driven to Punta Arenas Airport for
your domestic flight to the Puerto Montt Airport. Upon arrival
you will be met by a representative from &Beyond Vira Vira
and transferred to the lodge in Pucón.
Day 11 & 12
You will have a full two days of activities arranged by the lodge
The area is a traveller’s dream when it comes to adventures
and choice of activities. The many surrounding natural parks,
the majestic volcano Villarrica with its unbelievable views,
water sports, horseback riding, and trekking in the foothills of
the Andes, are a vital part of the experience at Vira Vira. You
are encouraged you to explore a new adventure or experience
every day, with the aim of understanding the mystic ambiance
of these ancient Mapuche territories. The guides at Vira Vira
are passionate about their work, and about the excursions on
offer. With some thirty options available, choosing what to do
may seem daunting. That is where the role of your hosts and
guides become of paramount importance. Each day they will
make a series of options available, allowing you to pick and
choose according to your personal preferences, their level of
difficulty, or simply a natural or cultural focus.
Activities are centred on nature and adventure, with treks and
horseback rides of various durations. There are also
explorations of the nearby Villarrica volcano, visiting its
labyrinth of tunnels, or even reaching the summit. There are
also several cultural activities, aimed at revealing the secrets
of the region. Vira Vira also offers some wonderful experiences
at the hotel itself such as cooking, cheese-making, and even
spending a day on their organic garden. There are also more
relaxing activities. What better than seating in a hot pool of
thermal spring water, glass of red wine in hand, and looking out
across a backdrop of mountains, forests, and volcanoes?
Of course cuisine plays an important role in the Vira Vira
experience. Their menu veers away from the typical
international offerings by blending Chilean and ancient
indigenous recipes, all created with the freshest seasonal
ingredients. Each day the chef prepares a selection of two full
menus, carefully composed and lovingly arranged and paired
with the perfect wine for each dish.
&Beyond Vira Vira
Inspired by the startling beauty of the environment, and the
colourful Mapuche people, &Beyond Vira Vira blends
harmoniously into its spectacular surrounds. Elegant, yet
exuding warmth, the eclectic mix of interiors combines
traditional and contemporary elements.
Explore the delicious organic vegetable garden, and relish
sublime farm-to-table dining with fresh produce and
ingredients. Gaze up at the magnificent blanket of stars whilst
relaxing in one of the two lodge hot tubs, enjoy wellness
retreats, therapies and massages in the spa, and balance your
chakras with daily yoga classes. Curl up with a good book in the
library, and for a spot of retail therapy, peruse beautiful items
in the &Beyond Shop.
Set in a marvellous native park and surrounded by stunning
Volcano’s (some active and some asleep) and right along the
shores of the peaceful Liucura river. Every day guest will meet
around the cozy fireplace or at the fruit bar with the excursion
manager – who has a passion for the wildlife and fauna around
Pucón – to discuss and arrange the activities or excursions for
the next day. Pucón simply offers the best in adventure – be it
to explore the many untouched natural parks by horse, to climb
with an experienced guide on top of the Volcano, to fight the
lively water on a kayak or enjoy a fun day river rafting in the
Trancura river – it will always be a fun and unforgettable
experience at &Beyond Vira Vira.
Departure
Today, our wonderful journey comes to an end and, after your
breakfast, you will be driven to Temuco Airport for your flight
to Santiago. In Santiago, we wave a fond farewell as you board
your flight onward.
Validity: until December 20th 2019 (except May 12th to – June 30th) Don’t include pick season (special festivities)
Luxury rate per person in double base: USD 14,585 / Total Program: USD 29,170
Classic rate per person in double base: USD 12,520 / Total Program: USD 25,040
Flights
DAY DETAILS
1 Santiago International Airport to Calama International Airport
4 Calama International Airport to Santiago International Airport
6 Santiago International Airport to Punta Arenas International Airport
10 Punta Arenas International Airport to Puerto Montt Airport
13 Temuco Airport to Santiago International Airport
Transfers
DAY DETAILS
1 Calama International Airport to Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa (1.30 hours)
1 Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa to Calama International Airport (1.30 hours)
4 Santiago International Airport to The Singular Santiago (30 mins)
6 The Singular Santiago to Santiago International Airport (30 mins)
6 Punta Arenas International Airport to Explora Patagonia (4.30 hours)
10 Explora Patagonia to Punta Arenas International Airport (4.30 hours)
10 Puerto Montt International Airport to &Beyond Vira Vira (4.00 hours)
13 &Beyond Vira Vira to Temuco Airport (2.00 hours)
Accommodation
DATE DESTINATION ACCOMMODATION DETAILS
1 to 4 San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Alto Atacama Desert
Lodge & Spa
1x Catarpe Room (Luxury Program)/
Quitor Room (Classic Program)
All meals
4 to 6 Santiago The Singular Santiago 1x Singular Rooms (Luxury Program)/
Lastarria Room (Classic Program)
Breakfast
6 to 10 Torres del Paine
National Park
Explora Patagonia 1x Cordillera Paine Room (Luxury Program)/
Salto Chico Room (Classic Program)
All meals
10 to 13 Pucon &Beyond Vira Vira 1x Villa (Luxury Program)/ Suite (Classic Program)
All meals and local brands of drinks
What’s included:
All nights of accommodation mentioned in the program
Private transportation (when it is available) in the best available vehicles
Tours as mentioned in the program with private English speaking local guides
Meals as indicated in the program
Domestic Air Tickets and local airport tax
Taxes included, where applicable
What’s not included:
Early check in or late check-out charges
Items of personal nature like laundry, phone calls, etc.
Any video/still camera fee during the trip
Tipping
Drinks
Excess of baggage
Insurance
Visa or reciprocity fee expenses