Best of Chile with Atacama and Paine National Park

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Santiago, City Vista from Cerro San Cristobal

  Welcome to Santiago, the capital city and the international transport hub of Chile! On arrival, meet your personal driver at the airport and then be transferred to your downtown hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour including a trip up Cerro San Cristobal for a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.

  • Santiago

• Day 2: Santiago - Calama - San Pedro de Atacama, Moon Valley

  Fly to Calama this morning and then take a private vehicle to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. In the afternoon, drive out of the city to marvel at the charm of the Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna), which enjoys the name for its similar geological landscapes with the moon's surface. Immerse yourself in the impressive scene dominated by the formation of stone, petrified salt, and sand. During millennia, wind and water have molded their style.

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  • San Pedro de Atacama

• Day 3: San Pedro de Atacama, Atacama Salt Flats & Toconao Village

  Start your adventure in the Atacama Salt Flats (Salar de Atacama), the largest salt flat in Chile with arid landscapes dotted with beautiful lagoons, notably Chaxa Lagoon, the best place to find flamingoes. Continue to visit Toconao, a nice stop on the way back to the town. In this colonial village, you will find the thatched San Lucas Church and its peeling-paint bell tower, a pleasant square, and some small shops selling local handicrafts.

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  • San Pedro de Atacama

• Day 4: San Pedro de Atacama, Chiu Chiu Village & Pucara de Lasana Fortress

  Travel to San Francisco de Chiu Chiu, a historic village in the middle of the desert that was once a part of the Inca Trail. Here, you will explore the Church of San Francisco - Chile's oldest church built in 1672 with mud and cactus wood.

  Later on, continue your tour to another village nearby to see an old fortress named Pucara de Lasana. The architectural styles show that the fortress was built during three different periods: pre-Inca, Inca, and Spanish.

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  • San Pedro de Atacama

• Day 5: San Pedro de Atacama - Calama - Santiago

  Take a flight to Santiago, and then meet your driver at the airport for a private transfer to your hotel.

  Later in the afternoon, visit Vinolia - a wine tourism center in the city - for an adventure to learn about the best vineyards of Chile, taste some best-selected wines, and discover the secrets of Chilean wine.

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  • Santiago

• Day 6: Santiago - Punta Arenas - Puerto Natales

  Fly to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, be met and escorted to enjoy a scenic ride along the Chilean countryside to the charming farm of Olga Teresa Estancia in Río Verde, a vast rural commune. You will learn about the history of the family-owned farm, also have an opportunity to observe sheep shearing and the loyal work of the herding dogs. In addition, enjoy a delicious "Asado al Palo" (typical lamb barbeque). After this great excursion, drive to your hotel in Puerto Natales, the must pass to the famed Torres del Paine National Park.

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  • Puerto Natales

• Day 7: Puerto Natales - Torres del Paine National Park

  Today, the highlights are the natural wonders of Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, located in the southern ice fields of Torres del Paine.

  Early morning, drive to the pier to board a small ship down the Última Esperanza Bay towards these two glaciers. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of fjord-side mountains and lush forests along the way, may spot seals, cormorants, and condors nearby Monte Balmaceda. We'll pass by the Balmaceda glacier first, viewing it from the boat at a close distance. Then the ship docks for you to take a short hike to enjoy close-up views of the Serrano glacier and its lagoon.

  After that, return to the Puerto Natales for lunch, then delve further deep into the Torres del Paine with your English-speaking driver for more exploration, making a few photo-stops on the way. Later, check into the Hotel Lago Grey in Paine Park for the night.

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  • Torres del Paine National Park

• Day 8: Torres del Paine National Park - Puerto Natales

  Known as the "crown jewel" of Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park is considered one of the best natural destinations. Hiking inside the park, you will immerse yourself in the most beautiful nature on the earth: peaks covered with white snow, gigantic glaciers floating on the waters, various wildlife hidden in the vast grasslands, and lakes reflecting crystal blue colors.

  Drive about 45 minutes towards the center of Torres del Paine National Park for a challenging hike to the Condor Lookout. Enjoy the views of mountains and the lake along the way. The lookout at the top of the hill provides incredible views of Pehoé Lake and Paine Grande Massifs. With some luck, you may see Condors. Hike back and depart for Puerto Natales, check into the hotel.

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  • Puerto Natales

• Day 9: Puerto Natales - Punta Arenas - Santiago

  Head to Punta Arenas airport for the flight back to Santiago. On arrival, be transferred to your hotel and have the remaining time on your own to explore more about the city before saying goodbye to Chile.

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  • Santiago

• Day 10: Santiago, Departure

  Time to say goodbye! At the appointed time, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport for your home-bound flight.

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