11 days Chile Voyage from North to Patagonia

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11 days Chile Voyage from North to Patagonia
Tour Code: SIB-C-01
This 11 DAYS CHILE VOYAGE sets out to discover the range of geography that make Chile what it is Years ago, a renowned travel guide referred to Chile as a long narrow string bean of a country. At almost 4000 kilometers long and not 190 kms wide, indeed it is. Imagine taking 11 days to experience the diversity of such a country that is longer than the US (or all of Western Europe) is wide! -- a country full of friendly souls on a seldom visited exotic continent filled with its own flora and fauna, unique history and booming modern day success. Add: snowcapped volcanoes, endless salt flats, emerald blue lakes, glacial Fiords, dense rain forests, the Atacama Desert, Patagonia, the Andes, unique native foods from both land and sea, terrific new world wines, and a conducive setting for pretty much every sport known to man and you have the country of Chile. Perhaps the most difficult part is to trim it down to eleven days.
Dates Throughout the year



Day 1 Santiago Meet your (English speaking) guide at the airport in Santiago. Transfer downtown to the Hotel Fundador (or similar). Take an historic tour of Santiago including: the Presidential Palace once the National Mint and thus called La Moneda, the historic main square or Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Palacio de la Real Audiencia, today housing the National History Museum, and Casa Colorado , the historic residence of the Governor. Perhaps the best view of Santiago is from the summit of the Cerro San Cristobal, where the statue of the Virgin stands looking out over the city. San Cristobal is just a small part of our walk through a large city park called Parque Metropolitano. Continue uptown to see some of the barrio alto. Day 2 Santiago - Calama - San Pedro de Atacama B Early flight north to Calama in the Atacama Desert. Travel overland to the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. Spectacular views of the Atacameñian Cordillera de la Sal, or Salt Mountains. Prepare yourself for a sunset in the Valley of the Moon. Sundown in this bizarre, almost lunar landscape is a particularly rare experience which lends itself to photography and awe. Return to San Pedro after sunset. Overnight: Hostería Don Tomas (or similar).
Day 3 San Pedro de Atacama B Early morning visit to the archaeological museum of Padre le Paige with large collection of artifacts demonstrating the development of the Atacameñian society. Visit to historic church of San Pedro dating from the 17th century -- with a roof made of cactus. Afternoon visit to the Salar de Atacama (the world s largest salt lake) with visit on route to the town of Toconao. Toconao: Picturesque village built of bricks of white volcanic stone, which lends the town a classic yet unique Altiplano appearance. Famous church and bell tower built of this bleached white volcanic stone. Laguna Chaxa, Reserva Nacional de los Flamingos, Terrific opportunity to get closer to the many rare birds in their natural habitat. Overnight: Hostería Don Tomas (or similar). Day 4 Geysers El Tatio B Early departure for the Geysers of El Tatio, situated 4500m above sea level on the Altiplano. About 40 geysers, thermal wells, and fumaroles in the early morning light make for a striking and unforgettable experience. Drive back to San Pedro in the afternoon with rest of the day at leisure. Overnight: Hostería Don Tomas (or similar). Day 5 Calama - Santiago - Puerto Varas B Flight via Santiago south to Puerto Montt, capital of the Lake District. Short drive to Puerto Varas and the Hotel Colonos del Sur on the shore of Lago Llanquihue (pronounced Yan - key - way). Overnight: Hotel Colonos del Sur (or similar). Day 6 Cruise on the All Saints Lake B Beautiful drive along the southern shore of the lake toward Ensenada approaching Volcan Osorno. First stop Saltos de Petrohue (pronounced: petro way). Interesting rapids and waterfalls formed by cooling lava from Volcano Osorno. Impressive sculpting of extruded volcanic rock over thousands of years of river flow. Board catamaran in Petrohue for crossing of the All Saints Lake. Lago Todos Los Santos (All Saints Lake) is surrounded by high mountains whose lower slopes are thickly forested. As we pull away from the landing and the source of the river Petrohue the view is quickly stolen by the tremendous size and proximity of ice-capped Volcán Osorno right behind us. Morning spent cruising on the lake. To the south high above the forested shore you will see the peculiar shape of Volcan Puntiagudo and a series of waterfalls high in the southern Andes. Arrive in Peulla (pronounced pooh-way-a), at the eastern end of the lake for lunch. This is the heart of National Park Vicente Perez Rosales. Short hike to the Cascada de la Novia or the Bride’s Waterfall amidst rare native growth Valdivian Rainforest . Return by catamaran to Petrohue and coach to Puerto Varas. Overnight: Hotel Colonos del Sur (or similar). Day 7 Puerto Varas - Puerto Montt - Puerto Natales B Morning to explore Puerto Montt, capital of the Lake Region, founded in 1853 by German colonists on the site of an indigenous Mapuche community. Walk downtown through main squares and historical monuments. Visit the busiest southern port in Chile including the fish market of Angelmo. Large handicraft market full of artisans wares and heaps of fresh southern shellfish along the shore. Afternoon flight to Punta Arenas, Patagonia- the southernmost city in Chile. Large city amidst the elements of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. From Punta Arenas we head north through the vast patagonian Pampa to Puerto Natales. Terrific views on route of the Straits of Magellan and across the chilly antarctic waters to Tierra del Fuego. Excursion to Penguin Colony of Otway sound: Penguins can be seen from October through March (this is the season when they come to lay eggs and raise their young) The Colony is a project in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund and staff are renowned scientists from all over the world. The landscape is a southern barren next to the sea, which is very popular with the Penguins. There are well-marked trails and blinds for humans to gain a tremendous glimpse of these quirky creatures in their natural habitat. Arrival in Puerto Natales in the early evening. Overnight: Hotel CostAustralis (or similar) (room with city view). Day 8 Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine National Park - Grey Glacier B Early start for full day in Torres del Paine National Park Unique flora and fauna that will leave you impressed. Unforgettable views of the Paine Towers of Paine Lago Grey with the tremendous blue ice of the Grey Glacier. Overnight: Hosteria Las Torres (or similar). Day 9 Torres del Paine – Puerto Natales B Day at leisure inside Torres del Paine National Park. optional: horse back riding optional: hike to the Torres towers Late afternoon return to Puerto Natales for overnight at Hotel CostAustralis (or similar) (room with city view). Day 10 Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas - Santiago B Travel back south to Punta Arenas - the southernmost city in Chile Large city amidst the elements of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Flight back to Santiago, transfer to the hotel Overnight: Hotel Fundador (or similar). Day 11 \| Santiago B Morning at leisure to take optional excursions Transfer to Santiago’s airport for outbound flight
Please note: English speaking local tour guide. There are no flights included in the rates mentioned above. Please request rates for domestic airfares.

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