Day 01 ) Departure

Day 02)
Arrival in Santiago and transfer to our hotel . In the afternoon we do a short city tour,passingthe Presidential Palace, “la Moneda”,and strolling around the main square,where we relax and try a typical “café cortado” . We enjoy the view over the city from the Cerro Santa Lucia hill, right next to our hotel.

Day 03)
In the morning we explore Santiago a little morebefore flying to Calama city in the Atacama desert ( 2.200 meters above sea-level).

Day 04)
We visit the largest open-pit copper mine in the world, Chuquicamata, and continue our trip on to San Pedro de Atacama, 2500 meters above sea-level.Accomodation in a double-room with private bath.

San Pedro

Day 05) – 06)
On days 5 and 6 we enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the San Pedro “Indian style“ village with its white adobe brick houses and very pretty church.Very early in the morning we travel up to 4000 m above sea-levelto the “El Tatio Geysers”, a geothermal field.Here we admire the beautiful mountain scenery and bathe in hot springs.In the afternoonwe climb a huge sand dune in the “MoonValley” to enjoy the sunset.There is also an optional visit the local archaeological museum with its famous “Miss Chile” mummy.Two nights in a double-room with private bath.

Day 07)
On Day 7 we do a whole day excursion to see the beautiful Mininques and Miscanti lagoons. The scenery offers gorgeous views over the surrounding volcanoes.Accomodation in a double- room with private bath.

Day 08)
Transfer to Calama and flight to Puerto Montt. We continue by road to the beautiful little village of Puerto Varas on the Llanquihue lake. If weather conditions are good we will see the Puntiagudo and Tronador Volcanoes as well as the perfectly-shaped Osorno Volcano. This southern part of Lake District is also called the Chilean Switzerland.You can still see signs with the words “Kuchen” , and the Beautifully-kept gardens remind us of the German immigrants who came here over 100 years ago. Hotel.

Day 09)
After a short transfer we see the Petrohue Waterfalls. The turquoise PetrohueRiver rushes powerfully over the stones formed from volcanic lava.This provides a perfect photo opportunity with the Osorno Volcano in the background. We also visit the beautiful LlanquihueLake and do a smallhike through Chilean rainforest. Hotel in a double-room with private bath.

Day 10)
On Day 10 we take a bus and ferry to the second largest island of South America -Chiloe, famous for its local mythology and the Curanto(a typical dish prepared in an earth whole).We probably will see some dolphins, penguins and sea lions when crossing to the island.We will be impressed by the wooden houses with their “tijuela” rooves . Accomodation in a double-room with private bath by the coast in Ancud.

Chiloe

Day 11)
We leave the island and take a national flight to Punta Arenas. Transfer to the Hotel.

Day 12)
Today we get to the beautiful little town of Puerto Natales and from there we continue to what has to be one of the most beautiful parks in South America –Torres del Paine. Onour way we get beautiful photo opportunities of the Paine peaks. We will stay in a lodge in shared rooms.

Day 13)
On day 13 we do a great hike through the park. It is a tiring ascent to the Torres peaks but definitively worth it. Accomodation in a lodge.

Day 14) 
We cross the whole park by bus stopping here and there to hike. We are able to enjoy the impressive view of the different mountain glaciers.
We finally arrive at the Grey Glacier where with broken-off icebergs floating in the lake.  On  the way we see plenty of Guanacos, who are very patient about being photographed.  We may also see foxes, ostrich species and condors.  Overnight in a lodge.

Torres del Paine

Day 15) 
Transfer through the Pampa to Punta Arenas . Depending on our schedule we visit the Milodon Cave, made famous in Bruce Chatwin’s book “Patagonia “.  We also visit a big colony of penguins at the Otway Sound . Hotel .

Day 16)
Flight to Santiago . Transfer to our hotel.

Day 17)  
If the time allows, before transferring to the airport we visit an attractive market.         
International flight.

Day 18) Arrival

We always make every effort to keep as close as possible to the program as previously promoted.  However, we reserve the right to make changes that may become necessary due to unforeseen circumstances. 

El Caminante Ltda Services:
All excursions, transport,  visits and hikes mentioned in the program except internal flights, 15 nights in clean and pleasant hotels and lodges (10 x in double-rooms  with private bath,  2 x in double and triples with shared bath, 3 x in 6 –bed rooms in the Torres lodge),  entrance fees to the National Parks,  El Caminante  tour-guide.  

Not included:
All meals, internal flights, optional excursions, personal expenses, tips and drinks.

Rates on request