You are here
Choice of Chile tour
11 nights
Making up the western side of South America's tapering tail, Chile is a country of amazing contrasts. Extending 2,666 miles from the sub-tropical deserts of the north to the cold glacial south, it is fringed by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the towering Andes to the east. Rarely wider than 120 miles, it nevertheless rises sharply from sea level to dizzying heights, often over 20,000 feet. The variety of habitats supports distinctive flora and fauna, protected by a system of national parks.
Chile has many climatic regions. The temperate north and sub-tropical Easter Island can be visited throughout the year, while Santiago and central Chile have seasons that are the opposite of those in the UK. The Lake District is beautiful in Chile's spring and autumn, and there is endless sunshine during high summer in December and January. As in Argentina, Chile's Patagonia is very changeable and it is advisable to be prepared for anything.
Holiday idea
| Day 1 | On arrival in Santiago you will be met ad transferred to your hotel, where you will stay for two nights. A half day tour of Santiago has been arranged. |
| Day 2 | Full day tour to the port city of Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar, known for its beaches. |
| Day 3 | Morning transfer from the hotel to the airport for your flight to San Pedro de Atacama, where you will stay for three nights. The Atacama Desert is a feast for the eyes; pink flamingos visit the vast salt lakes and flats where volcanic activity comes to the surface in spectacular geysers, steam vents and hot springs. This is the driest desert in the world and is also rich in archeological remains, with evidence of pre-Hispanic cultures dating back over 10,000 years. |
| Day 4-5 | Explore geysers, hot springs and archeological remains. |
| Day 7 | The morning will be at leisure before transferring to the airport at Temuco for your flight to Puerto Montt. Transfer to your hotel for the night. |
| Day 7 | Transfer to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas, where you will be met and transferred to the bus station for your journey to Puerto Natales. Situated 250km north of Punta Arenas, on Last Hope Sound, Puerto Natales has many hotels, restaurants and local attractions. This stunning town is primarily used as a base from which to explore Torres Del Paine National Park, only one and half hours away. The Serran and Balmaceda Glaciers can also be visited from here. Stay for two nights at the Hotel Costaustralis. |
| Day 8 | A boat ride through Seno de Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope Sound) will take you to both the Serrano and Balmaceda Glaciers. |
| Day 9 | A full day excursion to Torres Del Paine, the most famous national park in Chile and all Patagonia. Torres Del Paine is remote, isolated, rugged and difficult to reach. But the journey is definitely worth it – the opportunity to hike the landscape of lakes, rivers and waterfalls beneath the dramatic granite spires is truly breathtaking. Due to the remoteness of the national park, there are only a handful of places to stay, and the accomodation is suitably rustic yet comfortable. Tonight you will stay at the Hosteria Lago Grey within the park. |
| Day 10 | A morning hike will take you to the base of the 'towers' to observe the flora and fauna of the region. Later in the day you will board the bus for Punta Arenas, where you will stay at the Cabas de Hornos Hotel. |
| Day 11 | Return by air to Santiago and stay overnight. |
| Day 12 | Transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. |
More information
| Dates | Contact us for further information. |
| Prices | Contact us for further information. |
Price includes accomodation, breakfast, dinner on days 4, 5 and 6, lunch on days 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11, tours as listed. Flights, meals not listed, gratuities and items of a personal nature are not included.
Falkland Islands Extension – 7 nights
Windows On The Wild would be happy to tailor make a seven night holiday including the islands of your choice in the Falklands to be added to your trip to Chile. Flights to the Falkland Islands depart on a Saturday from Punta Arenas or Santiago.
Click here to go to the Chile overview page
Click here to go to the Falkland Islands overview page