dossier

Contrasts of Chile

Day 1 - Arrive Santiago City
After meeting you at the airport we enjoy lunch before an optional walking tour of Santiago.

Day 2 - Coastal Cordillera Walk 12km/7.5mi/5hr
We drive south to the vineyards and hike from Señor Rivera’s pretty farm up into the flower filled coastal ranges. After a hilltop picnic under a shady patagua tree, we can say “Hola” to huasco cowboys with broad hats and sheepskin saddles, before arriving at Santa Cruz hotel in time for a swim.

Day 3 - Santa Cruz Vineyard 12km/7.5mi/5hr
From Santa Cruz vineyard, a steep trail leads from deep green ranks of vines up to an azure hill lake fringed with wild pansies. We return along a high ridge dotted with daisies before descending for a delicious wine tasting! Tonight, join the paseo in the pretty plaza before a pisco sourin the hotel bar.

Day 4 - High Andes Walk 14km/9mi/6hr
Today we tackle the spectacular Andes foothills – a bracing ascent through pine and eucalyptus leads to a panoramic plateau, dwarfed by 180 degree views of 6000m high snow-capped peaks. After lunch, a narrow path scented with rosemary and wild mint descends to a gorgeous rock pool and waterfall for a swim, before we return to the hotel.

Day 5 - Santa Cruz to Atacama
After a visit to Santa Cruz’s amazing museum charting Chilean history we return to Santiago airport for our short 2 hour flight to the Atacama. We’re met and then taken on a short tour of San Pedro’s narrow streets - lively restaurants, pretty plazas and local Indian colour is all on the doorstep - before dinner at our boutique hotel.

Day 6 - Salt Range Ridge and Canyon Walk 10km/6mi/5hr
Passing a ruined Inca fortress, we hike past shattered blood red rock formations sparkling with crystallized gypsum, before descending a 100m sand dune! After lunch at the hotel we explore a scarlet salt canyon, then relax at a viewpoint with a cold sundowner. Enjoy dining out tonight – many Chilean restaurants in town have live music!

Day 7 - Tatio Geysers and Rock Pools 5km/3mi/2.5hr
An early start for breakfast at 4300m - the highest geyser field in the world! Clouds of steam rise into the thin, cold air, before a safari spotting guanaco leads to an uphill red river canyon walk, vivid with lush bamboo and cardon cacti. After a rock pool picnic the afternoon is free to relax by the hotel pool or explore San Pedro’s atmospheric streets.

Day 8 - Macucha Valley 14km/9mi/6hr
From 4000m with pink flamingo and curious llamas, we descend a gorge to picnic at an abandoned riverside Indian village. Our rugged descent finishes amid terraces of garlic and fava beans. Enjoy dinner tonight under the breathtaking diamond-studded night sky looking out for shooting stars.

Day 9 - Atacama to Patagonia
Sit back and enjoy views of emerald lakes and royal blue fjords as we fly (4.5 hours) from the Atacama down to the wilds of Patagonia. We receive a warm welcome at our hotel in a converted sawmill run by Señor Angel Lara and his family, and take a tour of this charming country town before a welcome dinner with our guide in the hotel.

Day 10 - Coihaique National Reserve 12km/7.5mi/5hr
We ascend a trail through natural Coigue forest on a steep trail past pine fringed lagoons – above the tree line we have views from Andes to Pacific for our picnic. We pass strawberry vines and Antarctic beech trees on the descent. Stroll with the locals by the fountains in the pretty plaza before dinner.

Day 11 - Cerro Castillo National Reserve 16km/10mi/6hr
The National Reserve of Cerro Castillo is meltingly beautiful - glaciers sparkle below jagged peaks as we walk on patchwork farms through meadows of chestnut horses, and by deep blue lakes. We’ll spot gaucho cowboys from our hilltop picnic spot, before we descend to return to Coihaique.

Day 12 - Laguna San Rafael National Park
A full day luxury fjord cruise with porpoising dolphins and vivid blue icebergs leads to San Rafael glacier – a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Drift ice crackles around us on an optional excursion in small zodiac boats. On the way back, watch the sunset on mountains from the cocktail deck, and raise a glass to the fabulous contrasts of Chile.

Day 13 - Depart Chile

Extra nights: Santiago Park Hotel, Santiago (5-star). $102 B&B, singles $204.

All extra night prices are per person, per night based on 2 people sharing a double room.