Chile Highlights – Santiago, Atacama Desert & Lake District

Our holiday begins as we set off on our flights to Santiago Chile.

We have arrived in Santiago, Chile. Let’s meet our guide and transfer to our hotel. 

Let’s discover one of Santiago's highlights on an afternoon excursion.

• Visit to Sky Costanera observatory – tallest skyscraper in South America offering 360 panoramic viewpoints (on a clear day)

After our welcome views to Santiago, we return to our hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Please note:

This excursion may take place the following day due to flight arrival times.

Discover Santiago on a half-day city tour, taking in the historic centre and some of the city’s best-known landmarks. With the Andes Mountains as your backdrop, explore lively squares, elegant architecture and finish with lunch at the famous Central Market.

• Guided tour of Santiago’s historic centre.
• Visit to Plaza de Armas and Santiago Cathedral.
• See La Moneda Palace, the official seat of the Chilean presidency.
• Light seafood lunch at Santiago’s iconic Central Market (included).

After our guided tour we return the hotel and relax for the afternoon. Take a walk, sit in a café and people watch the choice is yours. Your local guide will be happy to make some recommendations for your free time.

We set off by coach to spend the day exploring Santa Rita Winery (or similar) in the scenic Maipo Valley, surrounded by vineyards and views towards the Andes. Discover the winery’s fascinating history, enjoy a wine tasting and visit the Andean Museum before sitting down to lunch at a local restaurant.

• Visit to Santa Rita Winery – or similar

• Guided winery tour and tasting of four wines with cheese 

• Visit to the Andean Museum hosting a collection of 3000 archaeological artifacts.

• Lunch at local restaurant (included)

• Time to enjoy the vineyard setting and gardens

Later, we return to Santiago, with the rest of the evening free to explore more of the city at your own pace.

Today, we leave Santiago behind and head north to the dramatic Atacama Desert. Fly to Calama before continuing to the village of San Pedro de Atacama, your base for the next three nights. 

On arrival, we’ll transfer to our hotel. 

Once we’ve checked in, we’ll have some time to relax and enjoy some downtime before our next experience.

Altitude Note:

San Pedro de Atacama is located at around 2,400 metres above sea level, while our visits to Rainbow Valley and El Tatio Geysers take us to significantly higher altitudes. El Tatio reaches approximately 4,320 metres above sea level. We recommend taking it easy, drinking plenty of water and allowing your body time to adjust to the altitude. Limiting alcohol and avoiding strenuous activity can also help. Your guide will be on hand to offer advice and support throughout your excursions.

Tonight, we’ll experience the spectacular skies of the Atacama Desert, discovering the stars through both modern astronomy and the traditional Andean worldview. With expert guides, we’ll gather around the fire to hear stories and myths before viewing the night sky through a telescope. Wrap up warm, as temperatures can drop significantly after dark in the desert. Following this fascinating experience, we’ll return to our hotel.

• Expert-guided astronomical experience around a fire in the Atacama Desert. Take in the wonder of the night skies!

After breakfast, we’ll meet our guide and head out to explore the dramatic landscapes of Moon Valley. Set within the Salt Mountain Range, we’ll see striking formations, salt deposits and unique rock landscapes shaped over millions of years. Discover the otherworldly landscapes, ancient rock art and colourful geology of the Atacama Desert.

• Guided scenic drive in through Salt Mountain range and visit to Moon Valley

We return to our hotel and enjoy some free time at leisure before we uncover more.

After lunch, we’ll head out again to discover Rainbow Valley and the nearby area of Yerbas Buenas. We’ll see ancient rock art and colourful geological formations, with views towards the Andes and Atacama Salt Flat.

• Guided visit to Rainbow Valley

• Visit Yerbas Buenas and its ancient rock art

• See the colourful layers of Rainbow Valley

After experiencing one of Chile’s natural wonders, we’ll return to our hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

As the sun rises, we’ll head into the Andean highlands to witness the powerful volcanic activity of the El Tatio Geysers. Watch as steam and hot water rise from the ground, creating an impressive geothermal landscape. We’ll also explore the White Geysers, where there is the opportunity to enjoy a thermal bath.

• Guided visit to El Tatio Geysers

• See geysers, fumaroles and volcanic landscapes

• Chance to enjoy a thermal bath at the White Geysers

• Observe the Machuca and Putana wetlands biodiversity enroute

• Visit the Andean village of Machuca

After our exploration of this unique and biodiverse area we return back to our hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Today we say farewell to Atacama and its world wonders, as we transfer to the airport for our flight to Santiago. 

We’ve arrived back in Santiago, where we’ll take a short transfer to our hotel near the airport for a convenient overnight stay ahead of tomorrow’s flight to Puerto Montt. With the rest of the day at leisure, we can take some time to relax, recharge and get ready for another exciting day ahead.

Today, we fly south to Puerto Montt and continue to the beautiful Lake District. We’ll visit the charming village of Frutillar, set on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, where German heritage, lakeside scenery and local traditions come together.

• Visit to Frutillar a German style village 

• Visit to the local museum

• Light lunch 3 course set menu, Included today

After our visit to Frutillar, we’ll continue to Puerto Varas for an overnight stay. Once we’ve checked in, we’ll have some free time to relax and soak up the local atmosphere. Our local guide can tell you of places to see during you free time.

After breakfast, we’ll set off on a 60 km drive along the shores of Lake Llanquihue, with views of the Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes as our backdrop. We’ll continue into Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park.

• Visit to the majestic Petrohué Waterfalls

Next, we’ll board a catamaran for the 1 hour 45-minute journey across Lake Todos los Santos to Villa Peulla. Famous for its emerald-green waters, the lake is surrounded by dramatic volcanic landscapes. 

• Catamaran journey across Lake Todos los Santos

• Walking tour and lecture in Villa Peulla

• Light lunch and dinner 3 course set menu are included today

   

Arrive at our hotel, check in and enjoy the evening at leisure to relax and soak up the scenic surroundings.

Please note:

Due to limited space on the Catamaran transfer journeys, one suitcase per person is permitted. Please pack an extra bag or soft bag for you stay in Villa Peulla, if you need to bring extra luggage. Additional luggage will be left in storage at the hotel in Puerto Varas.

This region of Chile is natural and scenic and off the beaten track, mobile signals can be weak for this area. Take the time to enjoy our unique part of the world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Meals in Peulla will be set three course meals, light, simple meals for your stay. 

Today, we’ll explore the scenic Villa Peulla Valley together by off-road vehicle on a half day tour. Along the way, we’ll enjoy a farm walk at Fundo Rigi before crossing the Peulla River and continuing into the Río Negro Valley. A small catamaran ride through El Encanto offers a chance to take in the Andean valleys, evergreen forests and peaceful surroundings.

• Off-road vehicle excursion through Villa Peulla Valley

• Walk through a local farm at Fundo Rigi

• Explore the Río Negro Valley and El Encanto area

• Catamaran ride

• Panoramic views of the Andean valleys and evergreen forests

• Light lunch and dinner 3 set course menu are included today

After our morning adventure, we’ll return to the hotel with the afternoon free to spend as you wish, whether enjoying some quiet time in our remote setting or making the most of the hotel’s surroundings.

After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a morning excursion in Villa Peulla before we set off back to Puerto Varas.

• Morning "forest bathing" guided walk through the woods learning about the local nature
• Light lunch included

We’ll then travel by catamaran across Lake Todos los Santos before continuing by coach along the scenic shores of Lake Llanquihue to Puerto Varas.

On arrival, the remainder of the evening is free to enjoy at leisure.

This morning we say farewell to Puerto Varas and transfer by coach to Puerto Montt airport for our flight to Santiago Airport.

On arrival in Santiago Airport, we check in for our international flights home after a journey through the highlights of Chile.