Details
13 DAYS FROM 7000 PP
Best time to go
NOV - MAR
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.
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 the 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. Known as the Garden City for its prolific foliage, Valparaiso was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Enjoy a guided city tour taking you through its neighbourhoods of multi-hued buildings, intertwined by mazy streets and lookout points connected by long staircases, outdoor elevators and historic trolleybuses.
After catching a flight south to Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia, you’ll then be driven to Awasi 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. 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.
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. Over the next three days you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of activities available to guests staying at Awasi. 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.
This Relais & Chateaux property was built on an ancient site, where for centuries travellers have been coming to rest and fetch water and supplies before continuing onward with their desert adventure. This intimate hotel ensures a unique and personal experience for each guest, with their own guide and driver ready to organise their entire stay. Complete with ample sumptuous outdoor spaces, shaded by thatched roofs, in which to relax and absorb this unique, dramatic and exotic landscape, the hotel is perfect for those wanting to really engage with their environment.
This Relais & Chateaux property is built to complement its natural surroundings, Awasi Patagonia consists of 14 stunning modern lodges perfectly integrated into the stunning landscape of Chilean Patagonia. Located in a private reserve spanning 4,500 hectares, this lodge is a haven for those wanting to escape modern life and get in touch with nature. Each villa also comes with a private guide and private 4x4 vehicle.