Splendours of Chile

Superior Group Tour in brief

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Santiago, via São Paulo, with LATAM Airlines. Morning arrival and transfer to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco for 2 nights. (N)

Morning tour of Santiago, including the cathedral, the historic main square, the central market and Sky Costanera, the tallest building in South America for views across the city and the Andes beyond. Afternoon drive into the countryside to the Undurraga vineyard for a tour and wine tasting. (B)

Early morning flight to Calama and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama for 3 nights at the Hotel Altiplanico. Afternoon excursion to the Valley of the Moon to see the mesmerising change of colours at sunset. (B)

Full-day journey into the spectacular desert landscape. Visit the Atacama salt flats, where pink flamingos may be seen, and stop at the small village of Toconao, with its white volcanic stone buildings. Continue to a traditional farm for lunch and visit Tebinquinche lagoon. (B, L)

Day at leisure or take an optional excursion to El Tatio geysers, the hot springs or the 17th century fortress of Pukara de Quitor. (B)

Fly to Puerto Montt via Santiago and transfer to the town of Puerto Varas for 2 nights at Cabaña del Lago Hotel, set on the lake. (B)

In the morning visit Petrohué Falls and take a boat trip on Lake Todos los Santos. Afternoon drive up the lower reaches of the Osorno Volcano for views of the surrounding mountains. (B)

Fly to Punta Arenas and continue to Puerto Natales, set amid jagged peaks and the glassy waters of Last Hope Sound. Stay overnight at the Hotel CostAustralis. (B)

Drive across the wilds of Patagonia to Torres del Paine National Park. Full-day tour taking in the dramatic scenery of granite peaks, emerald lakes, waterfalls and ancient lenga forests. There is also the opportunity to meet the local rangers and learn about their work in the park. Stay at Hotel Lago Grey for 2 nights. (B, L)

Morning shared boat excursion on Lake Grey for an up-close view of its striking bright-blue glacier. Afternoon at leisure or optional tours. (B)

Drive to Punta Arenas, visiting a traditional Patagonian estancia en route. Discover how people live in this remote region and enjoy a typical quincho barbecue for lunch. Afternoon short tour of Punta Arenas, situated on the Magellan Strait, and overnight stay at Cabo de Hornos Hotel. (B, L)

Fly to Santiago for a final night at the Hotel Plaza San Francisco. (B)

Morning at leisure or optional tour of the pre-Columbian Museum before your overnight flight to London, via São Paulo, with LATAM Airlines, arriving the next day. (B) (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

TOUR EXTENSIONS

Tour + Easter Island: 6 days & 4 nights from £1,095 A visit to Easter Island is an extraordinary experience, with 600 or so moai statues scattered around the island, dramatically set against the dark waters of the Pacific Ocean, a reminder of the civilisation that once thrived and faded on these shores.

National park fee: Easter Island National Park fee is not included and is payable locally.

Tour + Australis Cruise & Buenos Aires: 8 days & 6 nights from £2,095 Discover the extraordinary beauty of Patagonia aboard the Stella or Ventus Australis. Travel across great seas to Ushuaia in Argentina and explore the sparkling glaciers, dramatic scenery and wildlife of the southernmost part of the world, including Cape Horn. Finish with two nights in Buenos Aires.

Winelands / Valparaiso extensions: It is also possible to relax for a few nights after the main tour at a winery hotel or in Valparaíso.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Optional British Airways flights: It is possible to add an extra night at Hotel Plaza San Francisco at the end of the tour and fly to and from Santiago direct with British Airways. Please enquire for supplements.

Private & tailor-made travel: This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements.

Superior Group Tour in brief

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Santiago, via São Paulo, with LATAM Airlines. Morning arrival and transfer to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco for 2 nights. (N)

Morning tour of Santiago, including the cathedral, the historic main square, the central market and Sky Costanera, the tallest building in South America, for views across the city and the Andes beyond. Afternoon drive into the countryside to the Undurraga vineyard for a tour and wine tasting. (B)

Early morning flight to Calama and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama for 3 nights at the Hotel Altiplanico (or similar). Afternoon excursion to the Valley of the Moon to see the mesmerising change of colours at sunset. (B)

Full-day journey into the spectacular desert landscape. Visit the Atacama salt flats, where pink flamingos may be seen, and stop at the small village of Toconao, with its white volcanic stone buildings. Continue to a traditional farm for lunch and visit Tebinquinche lagoon. Day 6 is at leisure or take an optional excursion to El Tatio geysers, the hot springs or the 17th century fortress of Pukara de Quitor. (B)

Fly to Puerto Montt via Santiago and transfer to the town of Puerto Varas for 2 nights at Cabaña del Lago Hotel, set on the lake. In the morning visit Petrohué Falls and take a boat trip on Lake Todos los Santos. Afternoon drive up the lower reaches of the Osorno Volcano for views of the surrounding mountains. (B)

Fly to Punta Arenas and continue to Puerto Natales, set amid jagged peaks and the glassy waters of Last Hope Sound. Stay overnight at the Hotel Costaustralis (fjord-view room). (B)

Drive across the wilds of Patagonia to Torres del Paine National Park. Full-day tour taking in the dramatic scenery of granite peaks, emerald lakes, waterfalls and ancient lenga forests. There is also the opportunity to meet the local rangers and learn about their work in the park. Stay at Hotel Lago Grey for 2 nights (upgrade to a superior room with views of the glacier from £45 per person). (B, L)

Morning shared boat excursion on Lake Grey for an up-close view of its striking bright-blue glacier. Afternoon at leisure or optional tours. (B)

Drive to Punta Arenas, visiting a traditional Patagonian estancia en route. Discover how people live in this remote region and enjoy a typical quincho barbecue. Afternoon short tour of Punta Arenas, situated on the Magellan Strait, and overnight stay at Cabo de Hornos Hotel. (B, L)

Fly to Santiago for a final night at the Hotel Plaza San Francisco. (B)

Morning at leisure or optional tour of the Pre-Columbian Museum before your overnight flight to London, via São Paulo, with LATAM Airlines, arriving the next day. (B) (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

TOUR EXTENSIONS

Tour + Easter Island: 6 days & 4 nights from £1,095 A visit to Easter Island is an extraordinary experience, with 600 or so moai statues scattered around the island, dramatically set against the dark waters of the Pacific Ocean, a reminder of the civilisation that once thrived and faded on these shores.

National park fee: Easter Island National Park fee is not included and is payable locally.

Tour + Australis Cruise & Buenos Aires: 8 days & 6 nights from £2,095 Discover the extraordinary beauty of Patagonia aboard the Stella or Ventus Australis. Travel across great seas to Ushuaia in Argentina and explore the sparkling glaciers, dramatic scenery and wildlife of the southernmost part of the world, including Cape Horn. Finish with two nights in Buenos Aires.

Winelands / Valparaiso extensions: It is also possible to relax for a few nights after the main tour at a winery hotel or in Valparaíso.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Optional British Airways flights: It is possible to add an extra night at Hotel Plaza San Francisco at the end of the tour and fly to and from Santiago direct with British Airways. Please enquire for supplements.

Private & tailor-made travel: This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements.