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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrive in Santiago
Arrive in Santiago today where you will be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel in the buzzing Lastarria neighbourhood. This afternoon you will meet your guide for a private tour taking in the attractions of Chile's capital city from a variety of perspectives. From the refined historic parks that surround the hills of San Cristobal and Santa Lucia to the impressive Plaza de Armas, where the ornate façade of the Metropolitan Cathedral stands in sharp contrast to the glittering glass skyscrapers surrounding it, you will glimpse the many faces of cosmopolitan Santiago.
Overnight: Hyatt Centric Las Condes
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Day 2 Travel to the Atacama Desert
Fly north to Calama, gateway to the Atacama Desert and transfer to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. This afternoon is free for you to relax by the pool or to explore the atmospheric desert town of San Pedro. Your hotel is just a five minute walk from the centre of town, where many hours can be whiled away exploring the narrow streets lined with adobe buildings and handicraft shops, or taking in a memorable sunset over a pisco sour in the main square.
Option: upgrade your accommodation to stay in one of the region's all-inclusive luxury lodges such as Tierra Atacama, where all your meals and a wide range of activities are included during your stay.
Overnight: Hotel Desertica
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Day 3 Valley of the Moon and the Atacama Salt Flats
After breakfast this morning you will set out on a full day of explorations, taking in some of the most dramatic areas of the Atacama. You will first visit the Valley of the Moon, where towering red cliffs and curious rock formations punctuate vast expanses of desert. Gentle hikes across enormous dunes and towering outcrops take you to some of the most spectacular viewpoints in the valley. After time to recover and refuel back at the hotel you will set out once more, this time to the Atacama Salt Flats, where an enormous salt lake of over 1800 square miles stretches out to a backdrop of volcanic peaks. Your guide will explain how the geological and climatic conditions have formed these other-worldly landscapes, and will take you to the best viewpoints of the lagoons - keep a look-out for the remarkable birdlife here, including three species of flamingo.
Option : the night skies over the Atacama are some of the clearest in the Americas, and this evening we can arrange a tour into the desert where you will go star gazing following the astronomical methods of the Atacama's indigenous peoples.
Overnight: Hotel Desertica
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Day 4 Free time in the Atacama Desert
Today is free for you to further explore the Atacama at your own pace. Adventure lovers might embark upon mountain biking through volcanic valleys to turquoise lakes or, for something a little gentler, take to the saddle for a riding excursion to Death Valley. If the intricate geology of the Atacama is what fascinates you most about the region, a full-day tour to El Tatio geysers should not be missed. The rich culture of the Atacama is another draw, so perhaps visit Quitor Pukara, where the remains of pre-Columbian fortress can be found, continuing on to the town of Tulor which was one of the earliest settlements in the desert.
Option : gain an entirely different perspective of the Atacama Desert as you take to the skies on a dawn hot air balloon ride, offering a truly memorable panorama of volcanoes, rock formations and lunar valleys.
Overnight: Hotel Desertica
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Day 5 Vineyards of the Central Valley
Bid farewell to the Atacama today and take a morning flight back to Santiago. Upon arrival you will be met and driven straight out to your relaxing vineyard hotel set in a tranquil valley, less than one hour away from the airport. Highly respected in the wine community, the organic and biodynamic wines produced at Matetic Vineyards win regular awards, and the attached La Casona Hotel occupies a charming a colonial house surrounded by vines and views of the Rosario Valley. Later this afternoon, a guided tour of the bodega gives you an insight into the biodynamic wine production at Matetic, as well as the opportunity to sample some signature wines.
Overnight: Matetic Vineyard La Casona
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Day 6 Travel to Patagonia
This morning a spectacular journey awaits as you fly south from Santiago to Punta Arenas, in Chilean Patagonia. As you travel away from Punta Arenas, you will observe the landscape change from vast expanses of Patagonian steppe to the lush areas of native forest and granite peaks of Torres del Paine. Your accommodation for the coming days is one of the luxurious yurts at Patagonia Camp, a wildlife haven located on the edge of the Torres del Paine National Park and overlooking the shimmering turquoise waters of Lake Toro. A delicious dinner of fine Chilean cuisine and wine awaits before you settle in to your first night under canvas.
Overnight: Patagonia Camp
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Day 7 Activities in Southern Patagonia & Torres del Paine
A wide range of activities are included during your stay at Patagonia Camp, and a team of expert guides will discuss the options each with you evening. While trekking is what takes many people to this spectacular region of Chile, you by no means have to be an experienced hiker to see all that Torres del Paine has to offer. Gentler excursions can be arranged which involve shorter walks through areas of grazing vicuñas, punctuated by relaxing lakeside picnics, and with vehicle transfers taking different routes in and out of the park to ensure you get to see some of the most dramatic viewpoints.
Overnight: Patagonia Camp
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Day 8 Further activities in Southern Patagonia & Torres del Paine
Another full day of activities from Patagonia Camp awaits. Venturing into the Torres del Paine National Park itself is usually a must at least once during your stay, whether you are taking the challenging hike to the base of the 'towers', or catching a glimpse of the blue icebergs floating in the waters of Playa Grey. The setting of the Patagonia Camp in a vast nature reserve opens up another avenue of possibilities however; you can kayak or paddle-board on the waters of Lake Toro, or hike through forested trails to waterfalls and enchanting viewpoints where you will encounter no other visitors - day trippers cannot access this pristine reserve, and it offers a true experience of Patagonia at its most wild.
Overnight: Patagonia Camp
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Day 9 Return to Santiago
After breakfast this morning you will retrace your steps back to Punta Arenas, taking an afternoon flight to Santiago. Transfer to your hotel where you may wish to simply spend a relaxing evening recovering from your Patagonian adventures, or you might prefer to head out to try out one of the Santiago's superb restaurants for your last night in Chile.
Overnight: Hyatt Centric Las Condes
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Day 10 Depart
You will be met at your hotel and transferred privately to the airport, in plenty of time for your flight home or onward arrangements.
Option : extend your trip with a deeper immersion into Patagonia, spending time in the Chilean Lake District or perhaps crossing into Argentinian Patagonia overland, or on a luxury cruise across the Patagonian ice fields.
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Depart
