CHILE A narrow strip of land between the high Andes and the Pacific Ocean, Chile stretches an incredible 4,300km from north to south. It is a land of spectacular geography and diverse scenery, including harsh deserts, fertile valleys, breathtaking icefields and towering peaks. Chileans exhibit a fascinating blend of European and Latin American cultures. Highlights The beautiful Lakes District; the mountains, fjords and icefields of Patagonia including the famous Torres del Paine National Park; the high altitude mountains, valleys and lakes of the Atacama Desert; and mysterious Easter Island, 3,700km off the Chilean mainland. Climate Chile's climate varies with latitude. The Atacama is dry and sunny, hot in summer and cold at night in winter. The central region has a pleasant Mediterranean climate whilst southern Patagonia has cool summers, cold winters and receives plenty of rain.
46 NATURAL FOCUS – TAILOR-MADE EXPERIENCES Awesome Atacama Dramatic mountains, vast deserts, gorges, geysers and salt flats. I have never experienced a destination of such otherworldly landscapes. Atacama was both a delight and a privilege to visit. Janet Collins
© Chile Tourism
WWW.NATURALFOCUSSAFARIS.COM.AU | E: [email protected] | T: 1300 363 302 47 CHILE • SANTIAGO CITY STAYS
Santiago - where a modern skyline meets the ancient Andes Mountains © Shutterstock Luciano K rooftop terrace © Luciano K
SANTIAGO CITY STAY 3 days/2 nights From $535 per person twin share topover in Chile’s capital, Santiago, San energetic metropolis with a mix of modern and Spanish colonial architecture, excellent shopping and The Ritz-Carlton Deluxe Room © Ritz Carlton Casa Bueras Boutique © Casa Bueras Boutique sophisticated restaurants. A half THE RITZ-CARLTON, SANTIAGO CASA BUERAS BOUTIQUE HOTEL day city tour includes San Francisco (EL GOLF) (LASTARRIA) Church, Plaza de Armas and Cerro San A A A A A A A A A A Cristobal, a hilltop park which offers The elegant 5 star Ritz-Carlton is located in one This masterfully renovated 1927 mansion is tucked superb views. Sandwiched between the of Santiago’s most prestigious neighbourhoods and amongst bohemian Lastarria's best galleries, snow-capped Andes mountains and offers 205 guest rooms overlooking the city. The shops and restaurants. Inside this atmospheric the Pacific Ocean, Santiago is also the hotel has an exceptional restaurant, bar, lounge hotel, you'll find 14 bright and spacious suites, gateway to great hiking opportunities and an expansive rooftop health and fitness facility a wonderful restaurant, bar, a massage room in the east and beaches to the west. offering spa treatments, a pool and stunning views. and a swimming pool set in lush gardens. INCLUSIONS Private airport/hotel arrival and departure transfers, 2 nights accommodation on a B&B basis and private half day city tour. HIGHLIGHTS • An array of wonderful museums and galleries • Exquisite neo-classical architecture • The excellent Mercado Central • The interesting Cementerio General • Vibrant cafe culture and great restaurants
ACCOMMODATION The Singular Santiago © The Singular Le Reve Boutique Hotel © Le Reve Boutique Hotel Price per person from: Twin Single The Singular Santiago (Classic Room) $823 $1559 The Ritz-Carlton (Deluxe Room) $799 $1585 THE SINGULAR SANTIAGO LE REVE BOUTIQUE HOTEL Casa Bueras Boutique (Superior Rm) $699 $1383 (LASTARRIA) (PROVIDENCIA) Le Reve Boutique Hotel (Std Room) $623 $1231 A A A A A A A A A Hotel Cumbres Lastarria (Std Room) $589 $1139 The Singular Santiago combines the enduring style This romantic hotel is located in the very upscale Luciano K (Standard Room) $535 $1059 of the early 20th century with every modern district of Providencia. Its 31 charming guest convenience in an exciting, ultra-chic space. Located rooms feature French influences throughout. OPTIONAL TOURS in the popular Lastarria neighbourhood, it offers 62 The hotel also has cosy shared living areas and a Tour cost per person from (Min 2):^ Per Person rooms, Wi-Fi, an acclaimed restaurant specialising Parisian-style courtyard garden, where breakfast Valparaíso Like a Native full day tour $320 (includes lunch) in modern Chilean cuisine, a rooftop pool and spa. is served in summer. Valparaíso and Viña del Mar full day $313 tour (Private)* LUCIANO K HOTEL HOTEL CUMBRES LASTARRIA Santiago Like a Native (6hrs) $214 (LASTARRIA) (LASTARRIA) ^Single prices available on request A A A A A A A A *Seat in bus tour (i.e. not private) available at reduced rates. The tallest building in Chile in the 1920s, this Located in beautiful Lastarria close to museums, art deco jewel now contains 38 impeccable galleries and restaurants, this stylish hotel has just DAY TOUR INCLUSIONS guest rooms. The grand ground floor houses a 70 ensuite rooms and suites. All rooms are air- Private transport to/from hotel, private tour as indicated. restaurant and sauna while the scenic rooftop conditioned and feature flat screen TV’s. The hotel Further details on request. terrace boasts a bar and heated outdoor pool. offers a restaurant, bar, lounge and outdoor pool.
48 NATURAL FOCUS – TAILOR-MADE EXPERIENCES VALPARAÍSO & VIÑA DEL MAR • CHILE VALPARAÍSO & VIÑA DEL MAR 3 days/2 nights From $1198 per person twin share Departs daily ex Santiago isit the vibrant and unique port Vcity of Valparaíso, famous for its colourful hillside neighbourhoods. Also see the enchanting coastal town of Viña del Mar, known as the 'Garden City'. Price per person from: Twin Single Zero Hotel (Color Room) $1358 $2524 Palacio Astoreca (Standard Room) $1334 $2478 Fauna Hotel (Standard Room) $1198 $2211 INCLUSIONS Private transfers, 2 nights accommodation on a B&B basis, lunch on day 3, sightseeing as per itinerary. Day 1 Valparaíso Colourful Valparaíso © Shutterstock Transfer from Santiago to Valparaíso, declared a World Heritage Site in 2002. Valparaíso’s colourful houses by the sea and steep hills create an amazing VIK CHILE urban landscape. Overnight Valparaíso. 4 days/3 nights Day 2 Valparaíso From $3093 per person twin share* Tour Valparaíso’s vibrant neighbourhoods and the downtown area including the Plaza Sotomayor, Departs daily ex Santiago the cathedral and the harbour. Travel north along INCLUSIONS the coastline to the elegant seaside town of Viña Return transfers from Santiago, accommodation on a full-board basis, del Mar. Return to Valparaíso for overnight. B selected wine with meals and activities. *All prices based on two people sharing, singles on request. Day 3 Tour ends Santiago Journey back to Santiago via Valle de Casablanca, his ultra-luxurious retreat is located on the world-famous VIK vineyard, 2.5 hours from one of Chile’s best-known wine regions. Enjoy a T © Vik Chile visit to a winery including lunch. Arrival transfer Santiago. Perched on a hill top the art-filled Vik to your hotel or the airport. Tour ends. BL Chile has stunning 360 degree views over the 11,000 acre plantation. Each of the 22 suites is completely i el r unique and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows. l r iso lle e C s l Fine dining and wine tastings are a cornerstone SANTIAGO experience at Vik Chile. Explore the world- renowned vineyard and spend an afternoon tasting exquisite Chilean wines in the cellar. Enjoy mouth- CHILE watering Chilean dishes in the onsite restaurant with accompanying wines. Mountain biking, hiking i Chile o el and horseback riding are also available. © Vik Chile © ur l o us
The largest network to, from and within South America. LATAM Airlines operates five non-stop flights per week from Melbourne to Santiago, and one-stop daily flights from Sydney Santa Marta Valledupar Barranquilla to Santiago, via Auckland. Cucuta Monteria Bucaramanga Medellin Villavicencio Boa Vista Pereira Galapagos Puerto Asís Macapá Cali Quito Baltra Belém Guayaquil Leticia Manaus Santarém São Luis San Cristobal Talara Iquitos Fortaleza Imperatriz Natal Piura Tarapoto Marabá Teresina Cajamarc João Pessoa Chiclayo a Porto Velho Maceió Trujillo Pucalpa Palmas Rio Branco Aracaju Darwin Lima Salvador La Paz Ayacucho Juliaca Brasília Ilheus Papeete Cuiabá Porto Seguro Cairns Arequipa Goiãnia Tacna Santa Cruz Belo Horizonte Arica Campo Grande Uberlandia Vitoria Alice Springs Iquique Asunción Ribeirão Preto Calama Campinas Rio de Janeiro SOUTH AMERICA Antofagasta Salta Brisbane Tucumán Londrina Curitiba Gold Coast Copiapó Navegantes Perth La Serena Córdoba Iguazú Florianópolis San Juan Porto Alegre Mendoza Adelaide Sydney Santiago Buenos Aires is more accessible Easter Island Montevideo Melbourne Canberra Auckland Concepción Valdivia Neuquén Osorno Temuco Bahía Blanca Hobart Puerto Montt Bariloche than ever! Chiloé Balmaceda Comodoro Rivadavia
LATAM Flights El Calafate Puerto Natales Río Gallegos Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru Falkland Islands Codeshare Connections Punta Arenas Ushuaia
WWW.NATURALFOCUSSAFARIS.COM.AU | E: [email protected] | T: 1300 363 302 49 CHILE • ATACAMA
SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA 4 days/3 nights Departs daily ex Calama Hotel/Lodge xperience the natural and archaeological wonders of Chile’s EAtacama Desert from your base in the charming oasis village of San Pedro. The surreal landscape of Atacama, located at an altitude of 2,400m above sea level, offers astounding contrasts, from stark deserts with sweeping dunes and steaming geysers to dramatic wind sculpted mountains and gorges, vast lagoons and salt flats. This breathtaking destination of extraordinary colours and textures is easily experienced from the quaint village of San Pedro which is close to a magnificent chain of Andean volcanoes, the Moon Valley, flamingo reserves, Altiplanic villages and the famous Atacama salt flats, one of the largest in the world. INCLUSIONS Return airport (Calama) /hotel transfers, all excursions and accommodation on a full EXPLORA ATACAMA board basis with open bar (excludes premium wines and spirits). *All prices based on two people sharing, singles on request. 4 days/3 nights from $2698 per person twin share* The elegant explora Atacama offers 50 comfortable, television-free rooms fashioned from organic materials. TATIO CALAMA GEYSERS Also on its 42 private acres are a BOLIVIA CHILE fine dining restaurant, convivial bar, MOON e ro open-air barbecue area, spa with four VALLEY e m FLAMINGO pools, a sauna and hot tubs as well RESERVE as horse stables and an observatory SALAR with a telescope for stargazing. Guests DE ATACAMA can choose from around 40 different (SALT FLAT) FLAMINGO ARGENTINA explorations, ranging from gentle to RESERVE challenging. Excursions run between 2 © ur l o us hours and a full day, with travel done on foot, by horseback, mountain bike or car.
HOTEL CUMBRES SAN PEDRO AWASI 4 days/3 nights from $2032 per person twin share* 4 days/3 nights from $4009 per person twin share* This hotel is a luxurious oasis at the edge of the world’s driest desert. The This small, very exclusive Relais & Châteaux hotel is situated on a walled 60 stylish rooms are generously sized, ancient site which once housed with private terraces, outdoor showers shepherds and herders. There are just and climate control. There is free 10 premium suites, constructed out Wi-Fi, a safe and satellite TV. Typical of adobe, timber and thatch, complete of the Cumbres brand, service and with their own vehicle and guide. facilities are top notch; the property Guests can choose from a range of has a concierge, restaurant, two bars, private excursions in the surrounding gym, day spa, three heated outdoor area, or relax in the wonderful onsite pools and two Jacuzzis. Explore the pool and outdoor lounge. Awasi’s Atacama’s impressive geysers, lakes and restaurant offers a taste of the lagoons on guided treks, bicycle rides Altiplano, with a sophisticated menu or drives across the salt flats. showcasing local seasonal ingredients.
50 NATURAL FOCUS – TAILOR-MADE EXPERIENCES ATACAMA • CHILE
TIERRA ATACAMA HOTEL & SPA 4 days/3 nights from $3267 per person twin share* Seamlessly combining outdoor adventure with indoor comfort, this eco- retreat features ultra-chic adobe architecture, sleek modern interiors, unique hand-made textiles and fine local art. Formerly an old cattle corral, its entrance incorporates the structure's ancient walls. Within, guests will find a restaurant, bar, lounge, library and 32 rooms with private terraces and views of Licancabur Volcano. Guests can relax by the pool or in the spa, and choose from a range of excursions led by experienced guides, ranging from easy tours of the Tatio Geysers and Altiplanic lagoons to more challenging outings on mountain bikes or on foot.
ALTO ATACAMA DESERT LODGE AND SPA 4 days/3 nights from $2450 per person twin share* Alto Atacama is an enchanting 42-room desert hideaway that blends perfectly into its natural surroundings. Rooms are spacious and have been carefully decorated to reflect local culture. Each room boasts large comfortable beds as well as private terraces, some with views of the Cordillera de la Sal. The hotel also features a full-service spa, six swimming pools, a large lounge with a fireplace, indoor and al fresco dining areas, a bar as well as an open-air observatory for stargazing. There are more than 30 guided excursions on offer ranging from cultural and contemplative tours to more adventurous trekking, mountain biking and even volcano climbs.
WWW.NATURALFOCUSSAFARIS.COM.AU | E: [email protected] | T: 1300 363 302 51 CHILE • EASTER ISLAND
EASTER ISLAND Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is the most isolated place on earth, lying 3,700km off the coast of Chile. It is a remarkable and mysterious destination, with immense volcanic craters, lava formations, white sand beaches and of course, the gigantic and enigmatic stone statues called "moai". The exact significance of these sculptures is unknown, but they are thought to have been carved by the Rapa Nui Polynesian people between 1250 and 1500. A mild year-round climate provides ideal conditions for exploring the island on foot or by bicycle. Moais at Ahu Tongariki, Easter Island © Shutterstock
that dot the landscape or lie half-buried in EXPLORA the Rano Raraku quarry. Raised on “ahus” EASTER ISLAND most have their backs to the sea, silently 7, 5 or 4 days watching the island’s inhabitants. (Duration subject to flight availability) Explore iconic sites like Ahu Tongariki with its 15 massive moai, or Rano Kau, From $3306 per person twin share a volcano which was significant to the Departs ex Hanga Roa Bird Man cult. With its blissful off-the- explora Rapa Nui Varua Room Raa Room grid remoteness, the island is perfect Price per person from: Twin Single Twin Single 7 day/6 night $5784 $6651 $7758 $8923 for exploring on foot and the seas offer 5 day/4 night $4188 $4819 $5616 $6458 magnificent snorkelling and diving. 4 day/3 night $3306 $3802 $4434 $5099 Days 1-3/4/6 Easter Island INCLUSIONS Arrive Hanga Roa (flight not incl.), Easter Island Easter Island exploration © explora Transfer between Easter Island airport and explora Rapa Nui, where you are met and transferred to explora full board accommodation, bar (excludes premium wines & Rapa Nui. spirits), daily explorations in groups of max. 8 people with bilingual guide, equipment and Easter Island entrance fee. Over the next few days, discover the island with an expert guide. Choose explorations that his Polynesian island, a special suit your personal interests and physical ability. territory of Chile, is one of the T Just some of the sites you can visit include the most remote inhabited islands in the Rano Kau volcanic crater, Orongo - formerly world. Its nearest inhabited neighbour is the ceremonial site of Tangata Manu (Bird Man) Pitcairn Island, over 1,770km away, and worship - and the many "ahus" or ancient rock it lies 3,700km off the coast of Chile. platforms which support the moai. You may stop for a picnic lunch at scenic locations. BLD Named by a Dutch explorer who first encountered the island on Easter Sunday Day 4, 5 or 7 Tour ends Easter Island Morning at leisure before your flight (not in 1722, this remarkable destination is best explora Rapu Nui Raa Suite © explora included). Tour ends. B known for its moai – 887 basalt statues
EASTER ISLAND