Wild Chile

Welcome to Chile, a nature-lover’s delight! You will transfer through Santiago to Calama, Atacama, where you will be met upon arrival. Enjoy a private transfer to Explora Atacama, your base camp to adventure for the next several days. 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 oldest and 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. Seach 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 on a flight bound for Chile’s capital city, Santiago. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Chile’s bustling capital city is framed by a magnificent circle of mountains, from the snowy peaks of the Andes to the east, to the Cordillera de la Costa to the west. Today you will have a chance to stretch your legs on a pleasant day hike just outside the city, complete with a picnic lunch.

This morning you will bid Santiago goodbye and fly southward to Cochrane via Balmaceda. You will be met upon arrival and enjoy a private vehicle transfer to Patagonia National Park, taking in the majestic mountain landscapes that surround you along the way.

Welcome to Patagonia National Park, one of Chile’s newest and least-discovered national parks! The mesmerizing Chacabuco Valley forms the heart of this wild and pristine part of Patagonia, featuring a biologically rich ecosystem where grasslands, wetlands, and riparian forests converge.

During your time here you will have your choice of daily excursions and you can explore the Park’s lakes, rivers, grasslands, forests, and peaks by foot, kayak, bicycle, or vehicle. As one of South America’s greatest conservation success stories, the park is a haven for wildlife. Track pumas in vast grasslands along the river, spot guanacos strolling across the grasslands, and keep your eyes on the sky for a chance to see Andean Condors or Magellanic Woodpeckers.

At the end of each day, return to the lodge to relax and enjoy the intimate, private atmosphere. Relax in one of the three outdoor hot tubs while taking in views of the captivating landscape around you, and dine upon local, seasonal foods that showcase the flavors of Patagonia.

This morning you will bid farewell to the endless expanses of Patagonia, transferring to Cochrane airport to begin your journey home via Balmaceda and Santiago.