BEST OF
Chile
Possible extensions: Lake region / Easter Island / Patagonia
7 nights program
SANTIAGO/ VALPARAISO/ CALAMA/ SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
4 reasons to sell this circuit
- Accompanied circuit 10 days
- Route based on the Atacama desert can be visited all year.
- Three extensions are available with a guaranteed minimum of two participants.
- English-speaking guides throughout the tour.
What you should know
- Climates vary widely between regions visited. Better period is from November to March.
- Domestic flights of 2 hours, 4 and 6 hours providing the link between the proposed regions.
Daily transport time
Day 1: Europa/Santiago de Chile (not included).
Day 2: Arrival in Santiago de Chile.
Day 3: Santiago / Valparaiso.
Day 4: Santiago/Calama (2 hours flight not included); Calama / San Pedro de Atacama (1h30 drive).
Day 5: San Pedro de Atacama / Moon Valley, Cordillera de la Sal, Death Valley.
Day 6: San Pedro de Atacama / Toconao, Salar de Atacama.
Day 7: San Pedro de Atacama / Geysers Tatio / Q Santiago Calama (2 hours flight not included).
Day 8: Santiago de Chile.
Day 9: Santiago de Chile/Europe (not included).
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
- Flights: The circuit and its extensions were designed based on international flights of Air France (direct flight) and Iberia (via Madrid). For domestic flights please book flights on LAN CHILE company. QUIMBAYA CHILE can book these domestic flights.
- Formalities: Passports must be valid at least six months after the date of return.
- Health: No vaccinations are required. However, it should be noted that the conditions can be difficult during excursions to the Atacama Desert and Bolivia (between 2200m and 4000m above sea level).
- Climate: Temperate or cold in the south and warm and dry in the north. The dates chosen for the circuit allow the visit of the two regions in good weather conditions.
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TRIP IN CHILE
- The assistance throughout the journey of our local team, all English-speaking professionals.
- English expert guides at each stage.
- Visit by foot the historic center of Santiago and Valparaiso.
- Visit and lunch in the Mercado Central, listed building.
- Comprehensive discovery of the Atacama Desert (nature and archeology).
- Taste the Chilean wines in the cellar of Pérez Cruz.
- Cueca lessons, traditional Chilean dance and dinner show.
- Tasting throughout the program of traditional dishes with various flavors.
- Extension Lakes Region: Forests, lakes and volcanoes around Puerto Montt. Visit the island Chiloé, rich with legends and folk traditions.
- Extension Easter Island : Excursion to admire the sacred monoliths facing the Pacific Ocean that reflect the enigmatic Rapa Culture Noi.
- Extension Patagonia Hiking and easy treks in Torres del Paine National Park, classified Biosphere Reserve by Unesco. Wildlife Observation and Patagonian flora and glaciers of the park.
HOTELS
Santiago de Chile
FUNDADOR****
The hotel is located in the historic center of the capital, in the Paris -London district, declared a national monument by its architecture near the main streets of the city. It combines Parisian style with its modern facilities. It offers 150 rooms finely decorated with private bathroom, telephone, internet access and cable TV and also a restaurant, a bar and a conference room.
Web site: www.hotelfundador.cl
San Pedro de Atacama
HOSTERIA SAN PEDRO****
The hotel is located near the archaeological sites. It is built of volcanic stone and has 50 rooms perfectly equipped and has a restaurant, swimming pool and beautiful gardens. It feels good.
Web site: www.diegodealmagrohoteles.cl
LAKE REGION EXTENSION: Puerto Varas
COLONOS DEL SUR MIRADOR***
The hotel has 41 comfortable rooms with private bath, cable TV, internet access, views of the lake and volcanoes. It is located on the heights of the city. It also has a pool, central heating and a large living room that can accommodate 150 people. The atmosphere is very friendly and the service is personalized.
Web site: www.colonosdelsur.cl
EASTER ISLAND EXTENSION
OTAI*** sup.
Located in the center of the island, this hotel has 35 rooms with ocean view, mini bar, telephone and private bathroom. It also includes a bar and a restaurant offering local and international cuisine, as well as souvenir shops. Attention is cordial and pleasant atmosphere
Web site: www.hotelotai.com
PATAGONIA EXTENSION: Puerto Natales
SALTOS DEL PAINE***
This hotel is simple but nice after a day trip. It has 21 rooms with heating, private bathroom, cable TV. Wi- Fi is available in public areas. It also features a restaurant and free parking.
Web site: www.saltosdelpaine.cl
Day 1 – Arrival to Santiago de Chile
Arrival at the Santiago International Airport and welcome by your English-speaking guide.
Departure for the walking tour of the historic center of Santiago, surrounded by very modern districts.
In the colonial district, visiting the Casa de La Moneda, the seat of government and on to the Plaza de Armas to discover colonial architecture and republican monuments such as the Cathedral (nineteenth century).
Then departure to the Lastarria neighborhood to discover the Church of Veracruz and the mansion Plaza Mulato Gil of Castro.
Historic district, typical bohemian and cultural Lastarria developed while preserving its identity.
THE EXCLUSIVE OF QUIMBAYA LATIN AMERICA !
- Climb to the summit of Cerro Santa Lucía to admire the panoramic view of the city surrounded by high mountains of the Andes.
- Lunch at local restaurant in Mercado Central, one of the most picturesque places in Santiago. The building was declared a national monument.
- Visit the house-museum “La Chascona” Pablo Neruda, located in the Bellavista neighborhood.
Installation at the hotel FUNDADOR**** or SIMILAR.
Dinner.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 – Santiago / Valparaiso / Santiago
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Valparaíso to visit the city and its historic harbor dating back to 1536 and classified as UNESCO World heritage. Walk through the streets lined with colorful houses meandering hills and mountains with panoramic views of the Pacific.
THE EXCLUSIVE OF QUIMBAYA LATIN AMERICA !
- Lunch in a restaurant specializing in fish and seafood.
Continue to the scenic tour of Viña del Mar, a seaside town nearby Valparaiso.
Dinner. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 – Santiago / Calama
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport. Flight to Calama. Meet your guide and departure to San Pedro de Atacama.
San Pedro de Atacama, a village oasis in the desert is mostly inhabited by indigenous groups who are dedicated to agriculture. On the old square, a church dating from 1774 is a fine example of local architecture: structural wood cactus, cob walls and beams in Algarrobo.
THE EXCLUSIVE OF QUIMBAYA LATIN AMERICA !
Lunch with the culinary specialties of Atacama.
Arrival at hotel. Diner not included. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 – San Pedro de Atacama
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit of the meteorite museum.
The museum has about 3,000 meteorites.
The tour is fun with many animations and short films.
THE EXCLUSIVE OF QUIMBAYA LATIN AMERICA !
- Departure to Pukará Quitor, built in the 12th century by the then Atacameños, reinforced later by the Incas and destroyed by the Spanish in 1540. It was then renovated and declared a National Monument.
It is now an excellent archaeological road and you can enjoy the view of the oasis and the irrigation system of San Pedro, the surrounding valleys, volcanoes and the hills beyond.
Lunch in one of the most traditional restaurants in the village whose specialty is meat.
In the afternoon, exploration of the desert through the “Salt Cordillera”, the Valley of the Moon and Death Valley.
Dunes and rocks composed of clay, sand and salt form a unique lunar landscape of our planet.
Return to San Pedro after sunset.
Dinner.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 – San Pedro de Atacama
Breakfast at the hotel.
Free morning to stroll through the village of San Pedro.
Lunch in a traditional restaurant.
THE EXCLUSIVE OF QUIMBAYA LATIN AMERICA !
Departure to Toconao, a village typical of the desert.
Discovery of its church and the bell tower San Lucas dating from the eighteenth century, built of volcanic stone.
Crafts and fruit production are the specialties of this village near the volcano Lascar.
Then visit the Salar de Atacama to admire the spectacle of this huge salt lagoon inhabited by birds and Andean flamingos.
Return to San Pedro de Atacama.
Dinner not included.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 – San Pedro de Atacama / Calama / Santiago
Starting before dawn to the Geysers del Tatio. Located 4300m above sea level is the highest geothermal field in the world.
Observation of the impressive steam fume activity produced by the high temperatures of the water emerging from its craters (up to 85 ° C).
It also there’s thermal pools where you can swim.
Breakfast on site.
With coffee you can walk by the open spaces of Geysers.
THE EXCLUSIVE OF QUIMBAYA LATIN AMERICA !
Passage through the village of Machuca, a village whose inhabitants are mainly devoted to agriculture, pasture and cheese production.
Lunch in a traditional restaurant.
On the menu: Chilean cuisine.
Transfer to Calama airport for flight to Santiago.
Transfer to the hotel FUNDADOR**** or SIMILAR.
Dinner not included.
Overnight at hotel
Day 7 – Santiago de Chile
Breakfast at the hotel.
THE EXCLUSIVE OF QUIMBAYA LATIN AMERICA !
- Visit the vineyard Pérez Cruz. Located Huelquén, this winery has a functional architecture in the form of two half barrels divided into three zones for the three fermentation processes, custody and bottling. Red wine tasting.
Return to the hotel. Lunch not included.
- In the afternoon, introduction to Cueca, the national dance of Chile. It is a seductive dance that represents the amorous conquest of a woman called “China” by her suitor, the “Huaso”. The dance couples face to face with a white scarf in hand, without ever touching.
- Dinner in a small traditional Chilean bistro. You will live the festive atmosphere of Chile.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 8 – Santiago de Chile – France
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport. Return flight to France (not included).