Lake District Adventure from Santiago

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Santiago

  Welcome to Chile, a magical country that provides intoxicating and contrasting natural landscapes, from sparkling blue glaciers and snow-covered volcanoes to the driest non-polar desert. This journey will start from the capital city of Santiago to the less-visited gems of Chile's Lake District, a place full of deep blue mountain lakes, meandering rivers, snow-capped volcanoes, and temperate forests.

  Upon your arrival in Santiago, a private transfer will escort you to your hotel. Check into the hotel and take the rest of the free at leisure.

  • Santiago

• Day 2: Santiago, Casablanca Valley Wine Tour & Valparaiso

  This morning you will leave your hotel for a wine tour in Casablanca Valley. Grapevine was first planted here in the mid-1980s and soon became famous for its white wine. The Emiliana Winery in the valley, being proud of its all-natural approach to growing grapes, is your destination. Here, you will visit the vineyard and the production facilities, and then enjoy their organic wine and local cheeses and chocolates.

  After that, continue to the coastal Valparaiso, a UNESCO-listed city surrounded by mountains and the sea. With colorful houses scattered on the hillside, it is considered the most romantic and artistic city in Chile. Starting from the port, take a tram between Plaza Sotomayor and Plaza Aníbal Pinto, then jump on the Reina Victoria funicular up to the top for a stroll around. The walls of Museo a Cielo Abierto were painted with different styles of graffiti. Maybe turn the corner, a wonderful mural will jump out at you.

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  • Santiago

• Day 3: Fly to Puerto Montt & Transfer to Castro

  This morning, you will fly from Santiago to Puerto Montt, which is the gateway to the mysterious island of Chiloe. Fairy tales about the ghost ship, mermaid, and witches go on over the centuries on this fog-shrouded island.

  A scenic drive through rolling green hills, dense forests and patchwork fields will take you from the airport to the city of Castro in Chiloe Island.

  Upon your arrival, if you aren't too tired, why not get out for a sightseeing tour, seeing wood-slat houses painted with cheerful colors?

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  • Castro

• Day 4: Castro, Chiloe National Park Full-Day Tour

  In addition to its wooden houses, the dramatic landscape from coastal scenery to the untouched forest is also the highlight. Cross the island to Ptolaya Rahue and embark on a short hike to the famous cape of Punta Pirulil. As you climb to the hilltop, you will be surprised by the sweeping vistas of the green coastline and the Pacific Ocean in the distance. The symbolic Muelle del Alma ("dock of the soul"), a wooden boardwalk rising from the grassland and overlooking the western edge of the island, would be a good photography spot.

  Enjoy traditional Chilean lunch at a house of the indigenous community of Quilque and then continue to Chiloe National Park. This reserve, dominated by dense forest and coastal dunes, is a real wildlife paradise. An easy hike along the boardwalks will take you into the breathtaking nature surrounded by stunning temperate rainforest.

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  • Castro

• Day 5: Ancud Exploration & Transfer to Puerto Varas

  It's worth the time to stroll around Ancud, the northernmost city as well as the second-largest city in Chiloe after Castro, before leaving Chiloe for Puerto Varas.

  Here, you can see the ancient cannons in the Fuerte San Antonio, Spain's last Chilean outpost. Walk into the Ancud's Regional Museum to learn about the history and heritage of this island. Stroll around the municipal market and the Plaza de Armas to get insight into the local life. The tour also includes a boat ride to some nearby islets occupied by Magellanic and Humboldt penguins.

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  • Puerto Varas

• Day 6: Puerto Varas, Sea Kayaking the Reloncavi Fjord

  The Reloncavi, where the freshwater of Petrohue River meets the saltwater of the Pacific Ocean, is the first fjord of Patagonia. Kayaking should be a more interesting way to explore this area.

  After receiving a complete safety lecture and practice, you will start the navigation from the mouth of the fjord to the village of Cochamo. As you paddle, snow-capped Yate and Hornopirén volcanoes will come in front of you, and seabirds, even sea lions, dolphins, and penguins will probably appear in your way. The trip includes a stop at a family farm, which is located on a peninsula with a small cove lined with green meadows. Here you can enjoy a traditional lunch with some freshly brewed coffee, take a short excursion around the woods.

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  • Puerto Varas

• Day 7: Drive from Puerto Varas to Pucón

  Today, a four-hour drive will take you to the town of Pucón, which is internationally known as the "Adventure Capital of Chile". After arrival, take a good rest and get ready for the adventures in the following days.

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  • Pucón

• Day 8: Pucón, Hiking to Pichillancahue Glacier

  Outdoor activities ranging from rafting and kayaking to horseback riding and hiking, there is so much to experience and you may not have enough time to do it all. One of the most popular activities is an interesting hike to the most accessible glacier of the Villarrica volcano.

  The glacier does not correspond to the typical image of a glacier because covered with volcanic ashes, but the scenery along the way is also worth visiting. Along its well-marked trail, you will pass through a native araucaria forest, meet a beautiful waterfall with a height of 30 meters, and enjoy spectacular views in 360° of the surrounding volcanoes. When the hike ends, transfer back to the hotel for relaxing.

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  • Pucón

• Day 9: Pucón, Full-day Adventure to Huerquehue

  The exciting adventure continues with an adventure into Huerquehue National Park, just 35 km from Pucón. This protected area covers an area of over 30,000 acres of virgin forest, offering incredible natural scenery, including lush valleys, many lakes and lagoons. It is also a sanctuary of some protected species such as condors and pudus.

  There are numerous trails leading you to indulge in its breathtaking views. One of the classic routes is kayaking from one side of Tinquilco Lake to the other, and then trekking into the woods, experiencing the exotic flora and fauna in this area first hand. When the trip is over, cross the lake again and return to the starting point.

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  • Pucón

• Day 10: Pucón to Temuco, Departure

  Your great Patagonian adventure will come to an end. About 1.5 hours' drive will take you to the airport in the city of Temuco. Bid farewell to Chile and take a flight to Santiago, where you can connect with your international flight to go home.

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