Hidden Gems of Chile

Flyovernight from London to Santiago via São Paulo. Regional connections available. Arrive in the morning and transfer to the Pullman Santiago El Bosque for 2 nights.

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Explore Santiago in the morning. Visit the Santiago De Compostela Cathedral, which is one of the most important religious structures in Spain. Check out the city main square (the Plaza de Armas), where you can enjoy authentic Chilean cuisine and purchase local products. Or visit Sky Costanera, which offers 360 degrees of stunning scenery at 300 meters height.

In the afternoon, drive to the countryside and visit the Undurraga vineyard. Founded in 1885, it is one of the oldest wineries in Chile. It features over 1,700 hectares of vineyards and has many grape varieties, including Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay.

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In the morning, fly to Calama and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama for 3 nights at the Hotel Altiplanico (or similar). In the afternoon, visit the Valley of the Moon, an otherworldly desert featuring sweeping dunes, valleys, and hills of sand, rock, and salt. Watch as the landscape gradually changes color during and after sunset.

(B)

Enjoy a full-day tour of the Atacama Desert. Visit the flat, dessicated salt plains, home to pink Flamingos. Check out the Toconao village, famous for its volcanic rock formations and unique flora and fauna. Then head to a traditional farm for lunch and visit the Tebinquinche lagoon. Watch as the sun starts hiding behind the sprawling mountain ranges, changing the color of the salt plain to pink and blue and orange.

On Day 6, enjoy leisure or take an optional visit to the El Tatio geysers, the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere. Alternatively, visit the 17th century fortress of Pukará de Quitor, containing the ruins of a pre-Columbian fortress city.

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Fly to Puerto Montt via Santiago. Then transfer to the town of Puerto Varas for 2 nights at the Cabaña del Lago Hotel. The hotel is the largest property in Puerto Varas, measuring at 10,000 square meters.

At morning, visit the Petrohué Falls, part of the Andes Mountain. Then take a boat trip to Lake Todos los Santos, followed by an afternoon drive to the lower reaches of the Osorno Volcano. This glacier-covered volcano is a popular hiking destination, where people around the world visit to ski and snowboard.

(B)

Fly to Punta Arenas. Then proceed to Puerto Natales, a popular fishing port and tourist destination. It features locally brewed boutique beers, wine tastings, and corrugated-tin houses coupled next to cosy granny-style lodgings.

Stay overnight at the Hotel Costaustralis with a fjord-view room.

(B)

Drive to the Torres del Paine National Park. Travel across the Patagonia wilds along the way, which spans an enormous 402,700 square miles and is home to many local wildlife including the Patagonian Puma and Guanocos.

Enjoy a full-day tour at the National Park. There you will witness the rugged and beautiful landscape, take part in horseback riding, see dozens of native wildlife, and even enjoy up to 17 hours of natural light. You will also get the chance to meet the local park rangers and learn about the important work that they do.

Stay 2 nights at the Hotel Lago Grey. Optional upgrade to a luxury room with views of the glacier, £45 per person.

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Take a morning boat trip on Lake Grey. The lake is 500 meters deep, surrounded by icy rocky glaciers, and its grey waters are ideal for kayaking and canoeing.

Enjoy afternoon leisure or your choice of optional tours.

(B)

Drive to Punta Arenas. Along the way, visit a traditional Patagonia estancia, that being one of Patagonia’s many enduring estates that are full of hilly grasslands.

At Punta Arenas, you will learn about the remote lifestyle and even experience an authentic quincho barbecue, with your choice of wood-fire meat dishes and vegetarian options.

In the afternoon, tour Punta Arenas some more. Then stay overnight at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel.

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Fly to Santiago. Stay one more night at the Pullman Santiago El Bosque.

(B)

Enjoy morning leisure. Or take an optional tour of the Pre-Columbian Museum before your overnight flight back to London via São Paulo. Arrive in London the next day.

(B) (N)