Splendours of Chile

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Santiago, via São Paulo, with LATAM Airlines. (N)

Morning arrival. Transfer to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure. (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 flamingoes 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. Alternatively, 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. Stay 2 nights at the Cabaña del Lago Hotel, set on the lake. (B)

Morning visit to 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 in a Superior room with views of the glacier. (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 stay at the Cabo de Hornos Hotel for 1 night. (B, L)

Fly to Santiago and transfer to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco for an overnight stay. (B)

Morning at leisure or optional tour of the Pre-Columbian Museum or Los Dominicos handicraft market. Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London, via São Paulo, with LATAM Airlines arriving the next day. (B) (N)