Day 1 – Arrive Santiago.
Welcome to Chile.
On arrival, our Representative will meet you and you will be fast-track all the way through immigration. Transfer Proceed to Colombo (50 minutes away) and to our hotel. Head to your room for a good night’s sleep, ready for the first day of exploration.
Overnight Ritz Carlton Santiago de Chile. (Welcome Dinner)
Days 2 toΒ – ChiloΓ© – Tierra ChiloΓ©
After breakfast we transfer back to the airport and board out flight to fly south to ChiloΓ©. Located just off the west coast of northern Patagonia, this is a region of pretty fishing communities where traditional stilt houses look out across sweeping coastal views. We spend three amazing nights here exploring the region’s rivers, lakes, coves and beaches on a series of excursions.
ChiloΓ© is the perfect resting point between Atacama and Patagonia and is known for its UNESCO churches as well as its myths, legends, unique folklore and culinary traditions.
With minimalist, contemporary interiors and a sustainable geometric design, Tierra ChiloΓ© is sleek with a modern edge. The lodge is decorated with local handmade textile and wood carvings, making it easy to cozy up if you donβt feel like venturing out. Made of locally sourced wood and clad in shingles, the exteriors mimic the traditional homes of local fishing communities.Β Inside, panoramic windows in the restaurant and living areas allow for uninterrupted Pacific Ocean views, which change constantly as the clouds and light play across the water. Every piece of furniture and decor has a story, as Chilean designers have collaborated with local craftspeople to curate a space which is relaxed and welcoming.
It even comes complete with its own boat, the βWilliche,β for navigating the inland waters.
Staff and guides are on hand to help you discover the genuine warmth of the islanders, through excursions that provide insights into the local traditions and myths; you can hike, bike, kayak or sail your way through the charming landscapes of ChiloΓ©. Expect everything from boat trips and horseback rides to guided treks and cultural tours, where you’ll learn about the island’s fascinating history, which dates back to the times of ChiloΓ©’s first inhabitants β the indigenous Huilliches, Cuncos and Onas people.
Kayaking with a local guide is a great way to see some of the local mussel farms, birdlife and the occasional Chilean sea lion and end your day with a self-guided bike ride to some of the nearby villages if you still have a bit more energy to burn through. *Everyday you will be able to choose between two half day excursions or one full day excursion.
We will also have the chance to try some of ChiloΓ©’s traditional cuisine, which features a huge variety of fish and shellfish, harvested fresh from the surrounding sea.
In the evenings, indulge at the hotel Uma Spa, or simply relax with a good book next to an open fire and enjoy the views across ChiloΓ©’s magnificent landscapes.
Overnights x3 Tierra ChiloΓ©. (B / L / D)
Days 5 to 9 – Patagonia – Tierra Patagonia
This morning we need to fuel up as we have a big day ahead of us! We are heading to Patagonia, and even though it is a relatively long ride to get there, it will be so worth it….
We fly into Punta Arenas and on arrival we will be met and transferred to Tierra Patagonia, located approximately 4 hours by road. The hotelΒ is immersed in the landscape and emerges from the hillside.
Bordered by the spectacular Andes Mountains, the Chilean side of Patagonia is a mass of fjords, glaciers and peaks which converge most powerfully in the Torres Del Paine National Park. After having explored the dry and stark Atacama in the north and the lush wetlands of ChiloΓ© in the south, this regionβs contrast will be the perfect final chapter on your Chilean journey.
Tierra Patagonia sits nestled into the hillside at the edge of Lake Sarmiento. With award-winning contemporary design that perfectly blends in with the local surroundings, the lodge is almost invisible until you arrive at its front entrance. But once here, youβll be greeted by spectacular Torres Del Paine National Park β truly one of the most spectacular landscapes that you could ever rest your eyes upon β to find a laid-back luxury setting.
The entire property is architecturally stunning; the interior is light and airy with large floor-to-ceiling windows across the welcoming communal areas. This main space combines a lounge with a fireplace alongside couches that you can sink into and mingle with like-minded guests.
There are half-day escorted treks, horseback rides across the Patagonia steppe and full-day mountain hikes for you to choose from. You are taken to all corners of the National Park as well as less traveled areas near the lodge. You can opt to be guided to the four glaciers in Torres Del Paine or meet locals who live and work in this unique corner of the world. Whether you are super active or looking for a more mellow way to spend the final portion of your trip, this is the place to do it. And you can always pamper yourself at Uma Spa for some final moments of zen. *Everyday you will be able to choose between two half day excursions or one full day excursion.
Overnights x4 Tierra Patagonia. (B / L / D)
Days 9 to 11Β – Casa Real, Santa Rita Wineries
This morning we transfer back to the airport for our flight to Santiago. On arrival we will be met and transferred to the Maipo Valley and our base for 2 nights, Hotel Casa Real.
The Maipo Valley is home to some of the most recognized wineries in the country. Arguably one of the most famous is ViΓ±a Santa Rita which is not only one of the oldest and largest wineries in Chile, it is home to one of the most spectacular hotels you may ever have the pleasure of staying at.
Casa Real Hotel is a national treasure. Located on the manicured Santa Rita Winery estate 45 minutes southeast ofΒ Santiago, the hotel is located in a grand manor house. This carefully preserved, 19th-century, Pompeian-style summer house was declared a historic monument in 1972. Casa Real features several lounges, a dining room, a chapel, a game room, a terrace, and an inner courtyard that are kept the same way they were at the end of the XIX century, with its original furniture.
The Santa Rita winery manages nearly 2,471 acres of vineyardsβsome at the estate, and some in neighboring valleys. The hotel itself rests within the central estateβs 99-acre parkβan Eden of ancient trees, flowers, herb gardens, and boxwood labyrinths. Black-necked swans preen near the ponds, and green parrots chatter in the cypresses.
Over our time here we will have:
– A ‘Welcome’ bottle of wine in our room
– A guided visit of the century-old park, Roman baths, neo-gothic chapel, and century-old wine cellars.
– A tour served with a cheese plate with dried fruits.
– A private thematic tasting on our terrace or in the Red Hall.
– The Andean Museum Visit: ethnographic collection with more than 3.000 items from the Claro Vial Foundation located in the midst of the vineyards.
– Bikes to ride across the vineyard on the 40 ha park designed by Guillermo Renner.
Overnights x2 Hotel Casa RealΒ (B / L / D – Aperitif’s, wine with dinner)
Days 11 to 15Β – Atacama
After a lazy breakfast, we transfer back to the airport and board a flight north to Calama, gateway to the Atacama Desert. We head off to escape to a world of clear night skies, high altitude lagoons and moon-like valleys…
After landing at Calama airport, we will be met for our transfer to the Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa, our fabulous base for the next four-nights. (Approximately 1.5 hours away). The drive will reveal the rocky moon-like landscape of the region, complete with volcanoes towering on the horizon. High in the northern desert of Chile, Tierra Atacama lodge encapsulates exquisite design, where a sense of both adventure travel and pure relaxation lingers in the air. The property was designed by some of Chileβs most renowned architects, with regional sensibilities, eco-friendly design and boutique comforts firmly in mind; like the fire pits on the outdoor terrace that will keep you cozy during starlit evenings, and a modern take on High Andean cuisine that will leave you totally satisfied.
The desert of Atacama is known for its captivating landscapes of sand dunes, hot springs, canyons and geysers. Here, glowing sunrises and mind-blowing sunsets are the norm. After dusk, the sky is illuminated with a canopy of blinking stars, a sight unmatched anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere. Morning, noon or night, the Atacamaβs natural splendor and enigmatic energy is inescapable.
Once we arrive and settle in, our guides will sit down with us to find out what sort of *activities and Atacama Desert adventures we might be interested in, creating an excursion plan for the upcoming days as we chat. *all activities are included during our stay.
We will spend the next few days enjoying the hotel’s superb facilities, including an indulgent Uma Spa complete with steam room, Jacuzzi and Turkish bath, and exploring the dramatic landscapes of the Atacama Desert with the hotel’s extensive list of excursions.
There are so many excursions to choose from: exploring Valle de la Luna is a great way to start, as you get the chance to hike through the rugged moon-like landscape through diverse peaks, canyons and rock formations.
If you want to lounge by the pool, then Tierra Atacama is an oasis for R&R, or, head off for more exploration. Afternoon excursions can include checking out the Salar de Atacama where youβll be treated to stunning views that stretch across Chaxa Lagoon, home to a myriad of birdlife including flamingos and Andean gulls. Take in the changing colours of the landscape as the sun sets and moon rises. A morning hike through Valle de Guatin (The Valley of the Cactus) may be a highlight of the trip. You will be completely immersed in the landscape as you hike past the flowing river passing giant cactai that are hundreds of years old. You can bike from Tierra Atacama to Cejar Lagoon where the salt concentration is so high you can actually float in the lagoon. And enjoy an evening excursion at a local observatory for some star gazing.
There are trips out to the Tatio Geysers, the Salar de Tara, the Valle de la Luna and the spectacular Altiplanic Lagoons as well as horse riding, bird watching, volcano hikes, mountain biking and even stargazing. And so much more! *Every day you will be able to choose between two half day excursions or one full day excursion.
We will cap our nights with a Pisco Sour as we watch the sunset over the Licancabur Volcano.
Overnights x4 Tierra Atacama. (B / L / D)
Day 15 – Depart
This morning after breakfast, at the scheduled time we will be transferred to Calama Airport. We fly back to Santiago Airport for our departures.
Thank you for sharing this extraordinary journey with us.