Chile from the South to the North

14 Days/13 Nights

 

Day 1

• Reception and transfer from Santiago's airport to the hotel.
• City tour of Santiago.
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Santiago.

Day 2

• Breakfast.
• Transfer from the airport Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales, but on the way is possible to watch different species of marine birds and in a lucky day possibly dolphins.
• Then the road turns heading North West to take an unpaved road that goes through the Patagonian steppe, where different sheep farms can be found and some species of the native flora can be seen as well.
• The native fauna of this area is composed by Lesser Rheas, Upland geese, Andean condors, Kelp gulls, Eagles, skunks, different species of ducks and foxes.
• Before approaching to the Otway Sound the bus drives bordering a coal open cut mine, important activity in the region.
• At the then of the road is located the small colony of Magellanic Penguins that every year come for breeding and feeding. The walk stretches for about one mile on a wooden trail with three different observation points.
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Puerto Natal

Day 3

• Breakfast.
• Departure at 7:30 am from your hotel to begin a full day excursion that will drive us to the imposing Cave of the Milodon (Natural Monument) and later to the Torres del Paine National Park where we will be welcomed by an amazing panoramic view of the famous Paine Towers.
• We will also admire Lakes Sarmiento, Nordenskjold, and Pehoe.
• Typical fauna such as guanacos and foxes roam the park and a wide variety of birds can be easily observed during the trip.
• A short trek will take us to a big waterfall known as the "Salto Grande", part of the park's hydrographical network.
• Later on, returning to the main road, we continue to Lake Grey, where we will reach a beach after a 30-minute walk through a millenary forest to admire its glacier and a great number of drifitng floes.
• Lunch in Hosteria Lake Grey is included in the service.
• At approximately 7:30 pm we return to Puerto Natales.
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Puerto Natales.

 

Day 4

• Breakfast.
• Departure at 8:30am for a water excursion to the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers.
• Ahead of us now we have the majestic Mt. Balmaceda and the glacier leading off its eastern slopes. The mountain is 2,035 meters high and only a few climbers are known to have ascended it.
• The glacier is retreating as are practically all glaciers on the planet; as an indication of its shrinkage rate, it is interesting to note that 15 years ago the foot of the glacier was at sea-level.
• After four hours of sailing we dock at Puerto Toro, from where you can walk the last kilometer to the base of the Serrano Glacier. The walk takes you through a wonderful native forest along the shore of the lake.
• Both Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers are in the Mt. Balmaceda National Park.
• Back to Puerto Natales.
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Puerto Natales.

 

Day 5

• Breakfast.
• The bus picks you up at 07:00 am at your hotel in Puerto Natales and continues driving along the Patagonian steppes, known as the Pampa, this time towards Argentina.
• We cross the border and continue our way to Calafate.
• Transfer from the bus station to the hotel.
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in El Calafate.

 

Day 6

• Breakfast.
• Full day excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier (lunch not included).
• Located in Los Glaciares National Park, this imposing ice river, 3 km wide and 50 mt high, descends from the Patagonian continental ice shield provoking ice cracks and explosions during its slow descent. Because of its breathtaking beauty and unusual behaviour it was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.
• Visitors have access to several walkways offering impressive views of the glaciar, and have the chance for an unforgettable walk on the glaciar, prior to putting on crampons, to observe the glaciar's ice, peaks and deep blue interior lagoons.
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in El Calafate.

 

Day 7

• Breakfast.
• Transfer from the hotel to Calafate's Airport.
• Flight from Calafate to Bariloche.
• Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Bariloche.
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Bariloche.

 

Day 8

• Breakfast.
• We leave the hotel at 06:30am to start the Lakes Crossing.
• We travel on a bus to Puerto Pañuelo where we board El Condor Catamaran and sail the long and narrow Blest Arm of Lake Nahuel Huapi.
• We continue on another bus ride to Puerto Alegrewhich bordering the Frías River for a 3-kilometer stretch.
• On board the Caleuche or the Dalca motorboat we sail Lake Frías for 15 minutes. Here we'll have our first glimpse of Mt. Tronador.
• Upon arrival at Puerto Frías we clear Argentine customs and proceed on a bus through lush Andean vegetation to the Vicente Pérez Rosales Pass and then 29 kms. to the Chilean customs at Peulla.
• After customs, it is only a short ride to Peulla Hotel (lunch optional in Peulla Hotel).
• Later, we continue our journey and board the Lagos Andinos Catamaran and set out to cross the waters of Lake Todos Los Santos.
• On our trip we will be able to view Mt. Puntiagudo and the impressive Osorno Volcano.
• We arrive to Petrohué and during our trip to Puerto Varas we stopover for a visit at the magnificent Petrohué Falls. (entrance fee approx USD 5).
• Arrival in Puerto Varas 7:00pm.
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Puerto Varas.

 

Day 9

• Breakfast.
• Free day.
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Puerto Varas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 10

• Breakfast.
• Transfer from the hotel to the airport with a city tour of Puerto Montt, capital of Region X. We'll tour its streets, get to know its people and typical architecture and pay a visit to the Angelmó fishing cove with its handicrafts center specializing in wool articles and baskets and its fish market famous for its wide array of typical seafood dishes.
• We will meet the fishermen who bring in their catch everyday from nearby islands.
• The tour will take us to a natural lookout point from where we can enjoy a panoramic view of this bustling city and the Reloncavi Estuary.
• The tour includes a visit to Pelluco Beach as well as Chinqihue Beach on the opposite end, which borders the Tenglo Channel where old shipyards evoke the city's past.
• Transfer to Puerto Montt's airport.
• Flight Lan from Puerto Montt to Santiago and connecting flight to Calama.
• Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama.
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San Pedro de Atacama.

 

Day 11

• Breakfast.
• Morning archeological tour to the Incan fortress of Pucara of Quitor, then on to the LePaige Museum, the barren Salt Mountain Range, and the Tulor Ruins, over 3,000 years old.
• Return to San Pedro de Atacama.
• Afternoon tour of Toconao includes a 30-minute visit, where we can admire typical handicraft made of cactus wood, llama wool and volcanic stone.
• We continue to the Liparita stone quarry in the Jerez Valley.
• Then, on to the Atacama Salt Flats, including the Chaxa Lagoon, to admire the flamingoes and wait for the evening sunset with its spectacular colors on the Andean Mountain Range.
• Back to the hotel.
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San Pedro de Atacama.

 

Day 12

• We go out to the Geysers of Tatio, leaving around 04:00am.
• Breakfast upon arrival at sunrise, take a walk among the geysers and a dip in a natural hot springs pool.
• We then continue traveling through the towns of Caspana, Chiu Chiu, Lasana.
• Llamas, alpacas and vicuñas roam freely across the Andes plateaus.
• Lunch not included.
• Transfer to the hotel.
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in San Pedro de Atacama.

 

Day 13

• Breakfast.
• Transfer from the hotel to Calama's airport.
• Flight from Calama to Santiago.
• Accommodation at the hotel of your choice in Santiago.

 

Day 14

• Breakfast.
• Transfer from the hotel to Santiago's airport.

Preliminary price calculation per person:

Luxury accommodation (four star hotel):

2 participants without a guide from Europe 71 000,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe 106 500,-CZK

3 participants without a guide from Europe 71 000,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe 95 000,- CZK

4 participants without a guide from Europe 71 000,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe 89 000,- CZK

5 participants without a guide from Europe 71 000,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe 85 000,- CZK

6 participants without a guide from Europe 71 000,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe 83 000,- CZK

7 and more participants 71 000,- CZK (specialized English speaking guide from Europe included)

Single room supplement:  22 500,-CZK

 

Standard accommodation (three stars hotel):

2 participants without a guide from Europe 60 000,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe  90 000,- CZK

3 participants without a guide from Europe 60 000,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe  80 000,- CZK

4 participants without a guide from Europe 60 000,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe  75 000,- CZK

5 participants without a guide from Europe 60 000,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe 72 000,- CZK

6 participants without a guide from Europe 60 000,- CZK; with a specialized English speaking guide from Europe  70 000,- CZK

7 and more participants 60 000,- CZK (specialized English speaking guide from Europe included)

Single room supplement:  14 500,-CZK

 

Included in the price:

Transfer from/to the airport

Hotel accomodation according to client´s choice

Half board

All road and boat transportation

English speaking local guide (naturalist guide - see above)

Local taxes

National parks entrance fees

 

Not included in the price:

Any air tickets (neither inernational or domestic)

Drinks

Any personal expenses - telephones, laundry, etc.

Health insurance

Tips for driver and local guides