Discover the best sights and experiences that Chile has to offer, from exploring the martian-like landscapes of the Atacama Desert to hiking the iconic mountain panoramas of Patagonia. You will begin and end this adventure in Chile’s capital city, Santiago, offering the chance to visit a nearby winery in the world-famous Casablanca Valley after witnessing the bohemian magic of the coastal city of Valparaiso.
After Chile’s urban delights, it’s time to immerse yourself in the wild and remote landscapes that Chile is known for, starting in the Atacama Desert. Based in one of the most luxurious accommodations in the Atacama, enjoy complete flexibility to plan each day with your local guide. There are endless activities to choose from: hiking to wilderness hot springs, visiting ayllus (native farming communities) on horseback, or even searching out flamingoes and foxes en route to nearby geysers.
After losing yourself in the mesmerizing geologic formations and boundless expanses of the Atacama, you will fly across the Chilean countryside to Patagonia. Journey to Isla Magdalena and surround yourself with thousands of Magellanic penguins before reaching your eco-lodge on the edges of Torres del Paine National Park. Plan each day’s activities with your local expert guide and explore the region’s glaciers, lakes, summits, waterfalls, forests, lagoons, and wildlife by day while saving some time to soak in the heated infinity pool, visit the on-site spa, and sip a local wine while enjoying sumptuous meals at night.
A flight from Punta Arenas brings you back to Santiago to catch your departing flight home.
Welcome to Santiago, the capital of Chile! You will be met on arrival at Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport and driven to your hotel, with an optional afternoon walking tour if time allows.
After breakfast you will head out on a day of exploring the Chilean countryside, starting with a morning tour of the coastal town of Valparaiso. Known as the “Jewel of the Pacific”, this colorful port city is steeped in history. Enjoy a refreshing lunch and wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley before returning to Santiago for an afternoon at leisure.
After breakfast, fly to Calama, Atacama, where you will then transfer by vehicle to Explora Atacama Lodge in San Pedro de Atacama. Upon arrival you will be wowed by the striking architecture of the lodge and the stunning views of the desert and mountains that surround you. After an orientation describing the extensive menu of activity offerings, relax and enjoy your surroundings at the lodge, whether exploring the ancient footpaths that meander through the property or soaking in the on-site thermal baths.
The vast desert expanses of the Atacama present some of the most striking and otherworldly landscapes on Earth, offering endless possibilities for exploration by foot, vehicle, bicycle, or horseback. Each day here in one of the driest deserts in the world is yours to create as you please. Choose from daily explorations that traverse five different altitude zones, each with its own unique geographic, cultural, and biospheric characteristics. Visit geysers, canyons, dunes, lagoons, salt flats, and archaeological sites. Serach out resident wildlife like vicunas, Andean cats, birds, and foxes.
At the end of each day, return to the tranquil surroundings of Explora Atacama. Relax in the sauna, unwind with a massage, or enjoy some of the best stargazing in South America through the telescope at the private observatory. Reflect on the day’s experiences over exquisite meals featuring local ingredients, and enjoy some excellent Chilean wine.
Depart the arid Atacama today bound for the southern port city of Punta Arenas, with your flight transferring through Santiago. Upon arrival in Punta Arenas, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
This morning you will journey across the Straight of Magellan by boat to reach the island of Magdalena. Distinguished by a historical lighthouse, the uninhabited Isla Magdalena is one of the largest nesting sites for Magellenic penguins, boasting over 60,000 breeding pairs. You will delight in up-close encounters with these curious creatures as you hike along the island, keeping your eyes out for skua, oystercatchers, terns, cormorants, and gulls. In the afternoon you will transfer by boat and then vehicle to Torres del Paine National Park. (Note: penguins are seasonal)
Welcome to Torres del Paine, Chile’s most famous national park! The jagged peaks, dynamic glaciers, and mirror-glass lagoons of this part of Patagonia provide a jaw-dropping backdrop to countless adventures to be had. During your time here you will have your choice of daily excursions and you can explore by foot, boat, bike, or horse. Take in stunning views of the mesmerizing glaciers of the Southern Icefield after trekking through lush lenga forest; travel back in time on a geologic tour that reveals ancient thrombolites along the shores of Lake Sarmiento; or keep a lookout for flamingoes and other birdlife as you explore the azure lagoons and wetland ecosystems of the Park.
At the end of each day, return to Tierra Patagonia to relax and rejuvenate after the day’s adventures. Designed to allow guests to experience the power and mystical beauty of the surrounding landscape, you will be enchanted by the architectural beauty, thoughtful design, and exceptional service offered at Tierra. Be sure to leave time in your day to immerse yourself in all that Tierra has to offer, whether it’s enjoying a Patagonian craft beer beside the fireplace, spotting wildlife while soaking in the heated infinity pool, or indulging in an aromatherapy massage at the Uma Spa.
Your time at Tierra Patagonia will come to an end too soon! Depart for the local airport and then Santiago to catch your international flight.
Other accommodations are available. Please call to see what may fit your style of travel best.
