CHILE • Escorted Group Tour From Patagonia to the Ring of Fire The Volcanoes & Fjords of Chile y country has the shape of a great albatross with wings outstretched” said the M Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet, Neruda, and certainly the simile is apt. One wing-tip brushes the Equator and roasts in the bitter heat of the world’s driest desert, the other wing reaches into the formidable glaciers and fjords of Antarctica. Between the two extremes lie the rich farmlands and orchards of the Central Valley, the forests of the Lake District and vast highland plains where llama and alpaca have grazed for centuries.This tour seeks to reveal Chile’s immense and dramatic diversity, and our hotels are characterful with excellent standards of service. We start with 2 nights in vibrant Santiago then fly north to the surreal landscapes of the desert for 2-nights’ exploration of its bizarre geological features. We then fly south to the prosperous Lake District and spend 2 nights amidst lush river canyons, sparkling lakes and a volcano-studded landscape before continuing our journey into the wide expanses of Chilean Patagonia and the sub- Antarctic, visiting the National Park and seeing amazing wildlife. Progressing through utter wildernesses and lush landscapes, from sophisticated Santiago to pre-hispanic settlements, we may well agree with the words of the first European settler, “life here cannot be equalled…it seems as if God had created everything so that it would be at hand.” 15 days Day 1 London (Sunday) Depart London 700-year-old Indian fortress at Pucara de Day 7 Puerto Varas Fly to Puerto Montt Day 11 Torres del Paine National Park A day Santiago (2 nights) Heathrow by Tam Airlines at around 2010 for Quitor. Stay 2 nights at the charming Poblado on the glorious Lake District, where plentiful at leisure to explore the park independently, or San Pedro de Atacama Santiago via Sao Paulo. de Kimal. (B) rain nourishes farmland and forest. Continue book optional excursions locally such as hiking, “We have had a superb holiday. The (2 nights) the short distance to Puerto Varas, a pretty horse-riding, and other outdoor activities. (BD) organisation was terrific and the local Day 2 Santiago Arrive Santiago in the morning Day 5 El Salar de Atacama, Valley of the Santiago (1 night) village set by a wide bay on Lake Llanquihue, guides were knowledgeable and very and rest after your flight. Santiago stands at Moon Morning drive to the vast expanse of Day 12 Punta Arenas Morning drive to Punta helpful.” - Mrs Shipley overlooked by the perfectly conical Osorno Puerto Varas (2 nights) 2000 feet high at the centre of the country, in the Salar de Atacama, a salt flat ringed by Arenas, founded as a centre for the ‘white gold’ volcano. Stay 2 nights at the Cabanas del Lago Lake District the middle of a wide plain overlooked by the spectacular snow-capped volcanoes nearly of the Patagonian sheep farms. Stop en-route Hotel. (B) Puerto Natales (1 night) Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’. A city sightseeing tour 20,000 feet high. At first glance all seems to visit the colony of Magellan penguins at Patagonia this afternoon showcases the impressive La empty, but flamingos come and feed on the Day 8 Puerto Varas Morning visit to the Otway Sound. After lunch, take a tour of the Tour code GCHILE Moneda Palace, the Plaza de Armas where tiny fish and crustacea in the marshes, and little interesting German settlement town of Frutillar. city, and visit the Regional Salesiano Mayorino Departures 2016 Twin share Single supp Torres del Paine National Park (2 nights) the Spanish stored their ammunition to protect lava lizards bask in the sun. Return to San Pedro The town is located on the shores of Lake Borgatello Museum to understand more of the Jan 17 £3895 £895 them from night raids from the Indians, the via the quaint village of Tocanao. At sunset Llanquihue with spectacular views of the Osorno, vanished culture and daily lives of the native Punta Arenas (1 night) Feb 14 3895 895 Parque Forestal based on the Champs Elysee visit the surreal landscape of the Valley of the Calbuco and Puntiagudo volcanoes. Afternoon at tribes, and overnight at the Cabo de Hornos Santiago (1 night) Nov 6 3995 945 in Paris, and Santa Lucia Hill where the city was Moon. (B) leisure. (B) Hotel. (B, packed lunch) founded in 1541. Continue to the bohemian area Private journey price from £4390 per person Day 9 Puerto Natales Fly into Punta Arenas Day 13 Punta Arenas, Santiago Morning at of Bellavista and climb San Cristobal Hill for twin shared (Minimum 2 passengers) on the notorious Magellan Straits facing Tierra leisure. Transfer to the airport for your flight outstanding panoramic views of the city. Stay 2 del Fuego – before the Panama Canal opened to Santiago and transfer to the Orly Hotel for Departures 2017 Twin share Single supp nights at the Orly Hotel. this was the first (or last) port on rounding Cape overnight. (B) Jan 22, Feb 12 £3995 £945 Day 3 Santiago Optional full day excursion Horn, and it was known as ‘the town at the end Day 14 Santiago, London (Saturday) Private journey price from £4490 per person to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, or explore of the world’. Transfer to Puerto Natales and twin shared (Minimum 2 passengers) Homeward flight to London via Sao Paulo with Santiago at your leisure. (B) overnight at the Martin Gusinde Hotel. (B) Tam Airlines at around 1515, arriving London the Business Class upgrade from £2795 return Day 4 San Pedro de Atacama This morning Day 10 Torres del Paine National Park Today following day (Day 15) at around 1310. Price includes fly to Calama in the ‘Great North’, and drive drive to the National Park of Torres del Paine • Economy class flights onwards to the pre-hispanic oasis town of San Torres del Paine National Park that covers 450,000 acres and is designated a Extensions to Easter Island, Chile’s winelands, • Twin-shared accommodation, transfers, transportation and sightseeing as listed Pedro de Atacama, via a varied landscape of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Guanacos, hares, and a Patagonia cruise available (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) both wide, empty plains and rocky outcrops condors and rheas are often to be seen, and See page 68 for further details. Services of English-speaking local Tour Day 6 Santiago Fly back to Santiago and • showing colourful bands of nitrate, copper, an impressive landscape of glaciers, lakes Guides the Orly hotel. Afternoon at leisure or optional silver and gold deposits. Here are places where and snowcapped mountains reaching 9000ft. Please note that sections of this tour operate tour to the vineyards of Concha y Toro, whose Not included it has never rained and there is little vegetation En-route we call at the Milodon Cave where the on shared basis with other (non-CTS Horizons) • Travel insurance Chardonnay and cabernet vines are descended but where llamas, alpacas and vultures thrive. remains of a giant, prehistoric sloth were found. passengers. • Gratuities from cuttings brought from the Bordeaux • Any government taxes or compulsory In the late afternoon, visit the Archaeological We stay at the comfortable lodge-style Rio charges introduced after brochure vineyards in the 19th century. (B) Museum and continue to the ruins of the Serrano hotel for the next 2 nights. (BLD) publication 64 Book direct, call 020 3750 1655, fax 020 7256 9776 or email [email protected] Book direct, call 020 3750 1655, fax 020 7256 9776 or email [email protected] 65.