Description
Experience the arid wasteland of the Atacama Desert and the rugged landscape of Torres del Paine National Park - as well as the cities in between – on this journey across Chile.There are a host of highlights that draw travellers to Chile, and this adventurous safari takes in some of the best. From the Atacama Desert – one of the driest places on earth – to the mountains and glaciers of Patagonia.
Overview
Experience the arid wasteland of the Atacama Desert and the rugged landscape of Torres del Paine National Park - as well as the cities in between – on this journey across Chile.
There are a host of highlights that draw travellers to Chile, and this adventurous safari takes in some of the best. From the Atacama Desert – one of the driest places on earth – to the mountains and glaciers of Patagonia, this long strip of a country contains within it a wide variety of landscapes and ecological regions for the intrepid explorer to experience. In addition to Chile’s natural wonders, you’ll be able to visit some of the country’s cultural highlights, including the capital city of Santiago and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Valparaiso.
WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP EXTRAORDINARY
- Combine visits to the arid Atacama Desert with Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park.
- During your time in the Atacama, venture forth into the otherworldly landscapes of Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) and Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley).
- Observe flamingo-filled lakes and huge geyser formations in the Atacama.
- Experience the immensity of Patagonia through a variety of guided excursions within the Torres del Paine, exploring mountains, lake and glaciers.
- Visit Valparaiso, one of the most unique and colourful towns in all of South America.
Itinerary
Today you’ll arrive at Santiago Airport, where you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. Santiago, watched over by the snow-capped Andes, sits in a valley bisected by the Mapocho River. Chile’s capital city was founded by Pedro de Valdivia in 1541, and has since grown into the fifth-largest city in South America, offering first-class hotels and restaurants that lend it a distinctly contemporary feel. The city’s historic centre has an interesting mix of modern buildings alongside crumbling old churches; a legacy of the earthquake damage that Santiago has suffered over the years. It acts as the perfect entry point to an intriguing country. The rest of your day is yours to spend at leisure, as you settle in gently after a long flight.
This morning after breakfast, it’s time to transfer to the colourful coastal city of Valparaiso (approximately 1.5 hours away). Known as the Garden City for its prolific foliage, Valparaiso was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Today's guided city tour will take you through its neighbourhoods of multi-hued buildings, intertwined by mazy streets and lookout points connected by long staircases, outdoor elevators and historic trolleybuses. Return to Santiago for a relaxing evening and a good night’s sleep in the colonial-era La Reve Boutique Hotel before your wilderness adventures start tomorrow.
After catching a flight south to Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia, you’ll then be driven to EcoCamp Patagonia, your home for the next few nights located just outside Torres del Paine National Park. Declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 1978, Torres del Paine is an area of outstanding natural beauty that attracts visitors from all over the world. After arriving at your camp you’ll be free to spend the rest of the day and evening settling in to your wonderful new surroundings, taking in the spectacular views of the Paine Massif.
Overnight: Eco Camp Patagonia(B, L, D)
The next four days are yours to explore the highlights of Torres del Paine on foot, on horseback, by bicycle and by kayak! Each day brings a new adventure as you have breakfast with your group and head out into the Patagonian wilderness for a different activity. These treks and nature walks are included as part of the cost of your safari, but the exact schedule will be determined in coordination with your guide. Sights include the three granite columns from which the park takes its name; the verdant ridgeline of Frances Valley; the immense wall of Grey Glacier; and herds of guanacos that graze the hills, a relative of the llama. Each evening you’ll return for dinner at the camp and enjoy the comfort of your eco-friendly domed tent.
Overnight: Eco Camp Patagonia(B, L, D)
After breakfast, you'll be driven about 5 hours back to Punta Arenas and transferred to your hotel for the night (a packed lunch will be provided en-route). Tomorrow your adventures continue as you fly to the Atacama Desert.
Rise early this morning for a transfer to the airport, catching your flight to Santiago in time to connect with an onward flight to Calama, a city widely known as the gateway to the Atacama. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred just over an hour away to your lodge, a beautifully sculpted and sustainable adobe-style building situated in an ideal position to explore the desert over the next few days.
Overnight: Altiplanico Atacama(B)
Over the next three days you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of activities available to guests staying at Altiplanico Atacama. Some of the highlights include an excursion to Valle de la Luna (so-called because of its similarity to the moon’s surface); Valley de la Muerte (Death Valley), an astonishing natural formation carved out by wind, rain, and changing temperatures in the desert; the sprawling Atacama Salt Flats; Chaxa Lagoon, home to three types of flamingo; Tatio Geysers, more than 80 vents that rise into 40 ft-high pillars of steam, dancing in the golden rays of the early morning; and the Puritama Hot Springs, a refreshing destination in a land where water is scarce – a truly enlightening experience! The exact schedule and meal arrangements will be arranged with your guide and the other guests. One day will also be free for you to spend at your leisure.
Overnight: Altiplanico Atacama(B)
After a final breakfast in this lunar-like landscape, you will be transferred back to Calama Airport for your flight to Santiago, in time to connect with your international flight home.
Accommodation
- Altiplanico Atacama
- Eco Camp Patagonia
Cancellation Policy
Life is unpredictable and we understand that sometimes you have to cancel or change your trip dates and it is our endeavor to make it as easy as possible for you. However, please understand that we plan everything including guide fees, permits, accommodation and ration in advance. Therefore, any cancellation means inconvenience and certain losses to the people involved in various stages of the program. Keeping that in mind, our cancellation charges are as below,
- Cancellations prior to 30 days from the start of the event: Full refund as cash.
- Cancellations between 30 days and 15 days to the start of the event: 50 % refund as cash.
- Cancellations less than 15 days to the start of the event: No refund.
- Cancellations will be accepted only by email.
Note: We reserve the right to cancel a program before departure in the event of logistical problems arising due to natural calamities, strikes, wars or any other circumstances that make the event inadvisable. In this case, we will refund 50% of the event fees.
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