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BEST of CHILE ITINERARY Atacama Desert, Santiago, Patagonia and Lake District Journey Overview

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BEST of CHILE ITINERARY Atacama Desert, Santiago, Patagonia and Lake District Journey Overview BEST OF CHILE ITINERARY Atacama Desert, Santiago, Patagonia and Lake District Journey overview Embark on an unforgettable 13-day journey through four of Chile’s most contrasting landscapes. Your adventure kicks off in the Atacama Desert, in the north of Chile, the driest, most desolate and arid in the world. The Andean Altiplano will surprise you with its dramatic and exotic beauty. San Pedro de Atacama, a small town surrounded by impressive natural scenery, was the cradle of ancestral cultures. Considered today to be the archaeological capital of Chile, San Pedro continues to be a silent witness of the passage of time. The geological transformations of the desert give birth to ranges, volcanoes, salt flats and lagoons, bodies of water that emerge in the middle of the desert, thermal pools, geysers and marshes. A varied array of flora and fauna has managed to adapt to the extreme conditions of the desert such as llamas, guanacos, vicuñas, foxes, viscachas, rheas and lizards. The next leg of your adventure will take you to spellbinding Santiago. The Chilean capital is today a modern, sprawling and vibrant metropolis that is flanked on one side by the Andes mountain range, and the Coastal range on the other. It is here that you can enjoy a series of tours that range from historical and cultural explorations to specific excursions centered on food, architecture and art. After exploring the vibrancy of Santiago, you will head to the awe- inspiring beauty of Patagonia. Over 500 years after the arrival of the first European seafarers in Patagonia, the words to describe it are the same: exotic, faraway, vast, infinitely beautiful, wild, and indomitable. Situated in the heart of the National Park, the Torres del Paine Mountains are one of the main attractions of that region and an icon of Chilean Patagonia. The immensity of the ice floes, the majesty of the mountains and the expanse of the lakes are a constant source of wonderment. The Torres del Paine National Park’s habitat blends together a wide array of ecosystems, making it a treasure for Chilean wildlife. Your journey culminates in the Chilean Lake District at &Beyond Vira Vira, situated just outside Pucón. Coined the “Adventure Capital” of Chile, this area offers a plethora of outdoor activities such as rafting, trekking, skiing, kayaking, fly-fishing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Adventure activities aside, Vira Vira also offers the opportunity to embark on captivating cultural excursions, gaining insight into the Mapuche people, and relishing delicious varieties of cheese at the lodge’s cheese factory. You can also unwind with soothing wellness treatments, yoga sessions or an indulgent dip in a bubbling hot tub under the night sky. Highlights of the itinerary • Strap on your boots for various scenic hikes in the Atacama Desert. Discover the Moon Valley, walk along a river through a beautiful canyon, and venture to the hot springs of Puritama to relax weary muscles. • Explore the Los Flamencos National Reserve, home to flamboyant flamingos. • Gaze up to the skies and spend an evening stargazing with an astronomer. • Visit the famous El Taito Geysers, bypassing the Alto Plano lakes which provide an excellent birdwatching opportunity. • Hop onto the saddle for a bicycle excursion in the desert. • Enjoy a full-day, themed exploration of vibrant Santiago. Choose from a culinary, art, sculpture or architecture tour. • Discover Patagonia’s renowned French Valley on an awe-inspiring hiking adventure that unveils the region’s iconic landscapes or, for the more adventurous, trek to the base of the towers in Torres del Paine National Park. • Ride through Patagonia on an extraordinary horseback adventure. • Set out on a guided walk in search of the elusive puma. • Embark on an excursion to the Grey Glacier, a massive natural ice construction. • Be spoilt for choice with myriad adventures at &Beyond Vira Vira including horseback riding, trekking, fly fishing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, skiing, and scenic helicopter flights. • Dine on sublime cuisine with the ‘farm-to-table’ concept of producing everything required for the award- winning restaurant at &Beyond Vira Vira • Gain insight into the fascinating local Mapuche people • Make the most of your adventure and extend your stay by adding Easter Island or Argentina. Specially created for: • First-time travellers to Chile • Families and small groups • Travellers looking for adventure • Nature lovers 12 nights / 13 days 2 Guests DAY PROGRAMME 1 Scheduled flight Santiago International Airport to Calama International Airport Shared transfer from Calama International Airport to Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa Dinner included Overnight: Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa 2 – 3 Enjoy 2 excursions days provided by Alto Atacama You can choose between 1 full day or 2 half day excursions each full day (shared with other lodge guests) All meals included Overnight: Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa 4 Shared transfer from Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa to Calama International Airport Scheduled flight from Calama International Airport to Santiago International Airport Private transfer from Santiago International Airport to The Singular Santiago Lunch and dinner at leisure Overnight: The Singular Santiago (BB) 5 Half day Activity: Urban adventure ‘Barrios’ Lunch and dinner at leisure Overnight: The Singular Santiago 6 Private transfer from The Singular Santiago to Santiago International Airport Scheduled flight from Santiago International Airport to Punta Arenas International Airport Shared transfer from Punta Arenas International Airport to Explora Patagonia Dinner included Overnight: Explora Patagonia 7 to 9 Enjoy 3 full excursion days provided by Explora Patagonia You can choose between 1 full day or 2 half day excursions each full day (shared with other lodge guests) All meals included Overnight: Explora Patagonia 10 Shared transfer from Explora Patagonia to Punta Arenas International Airport Scheduled flight from Punta Arenas International Airport to Puerto Montt Airport Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Airport to &Beyond Vira Vira Dinner included Overnight: &Beyond Vira Vira 11 & 12 Enjoy 2 full excursion days provided by &Beyond Vira Vira You can choose between 1 full day or 2 half day excursions each full day (shared with other Lodge guests) All meals included Overnight: &Beyond Vira Vira 13 Shared transfer from &Beyond Vira Vira to Temuco Airport Scheduled flight from Temuco Airport to Santiago International Airport Departure Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa Day 1 Upon your arrival at Santiago International Airport, you will be welcomed and assisted by an &Beyond representative, who will assist you in connecting to your domestic flight to Atacama. Upon arrival in Calama, you will be transferred to your hotel, Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa. Dinner this evening at the lodge. Day 2 & 3 You will have two full days to enjoy the myriad excursions available at Alto Atacama Desert Lodge, all tailor-made. Excursions are in provided on shared basis (small groups of 8 guests per vehicle) and are organized according to your preferences and pace. The Hotel guides will help you to plan your daily explorations and will accompany you during your stay. You can choose full or half-day trips, below an example of some of the many available options. Tocanao/Atacama saltflats: On the way to the famous saltflats of San Pedro de Atacama, we visit the lovely town of Tocanao and the Valle Escondido de Kunza (the hidden valley) where we visit the church and artisan market stalls in the central plaza. From here, we continue our journey to the saltflats. On arrival, there is a gentle 20 minute walk to the Laguna de Chaxa where we can see wild flamingos and other birds native to the area. Later, when the setting sun catches on the mountains and the lagoons, you will see one of the most incredible sunsets the world has to offer. Sunset at Moon Valley: A 20 minute drive brings us to the spectacular Moon Valley. This is one of the most famous national parks in Chile and for good reason. The enormous sand dunes and dramatic rock formations create a stunning lunar landscape born of land lifts and centuries of erosion. The sunsets here are extraordinary and no visit to San Pedro is complete without an trip to the Moon Valley to watch the sun go down Full-Day Tatio Geysers: We leave the hotel before dawn to arrive at the famous geysers at daybreak: the steam and vapours are all the more impressive with the cold and the light of the early morning. At the geyser field, we will also see geysers thermal pools, mud fountains, colourful rock formations, hot streams and flora and fauna. The return journey is quite stunning with an abundance of wildlife and beautifully contrasting landscapes. Dinner at the Hotel Overnight at Alto Atacama Hotel Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa The luxurious Alto Atacama is blessed with a most spectacular and private location, tucked away in a valley of serene beauty, in the shadow of the Pukará de Quitor ruins and with the San Pedro River winding its way discreetly alongside. The perfect base for exploring the desert, cultural encounters, or simply absorbing the breathtaking landscape. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, all of them well equipped to soothe your body after an action packed day. The decoration is simple yet elegant, incorporating local crafts, and all rooms have a private terrace were to enjoy the colors of the valley, take a nap, read a book or simply relax at the sight of the hotel gardens. The definition of peacefulness aquires a new meaning after a couple of nights here, Catarpe embraces Alto Atacama with silence, let silence embrace you. The Singular Santiago Day 4 After your breakfast you will be transferred to Calama Airport for your domestic flight to Santiago.
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