15 Days / 14 Nights
Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt, Frutillar, Los Alerces Mountain Lodge,
Torres del Paine National Park and Easter Island
Day 1 - Friday
Arrival In Santiago. Upon arrival at the airport a host will meet and
assist you in transferring to the hotel. Afternoon City Tour of Santiago
de Chile - This tour includes visits to the posh residential areas of
Providencia and Las Condes, one of South America's most beautiful racetracks,
Club Hípico, as well as Santiago's historic Santa Lucía Hill and the Cousiño
Palace. Optional: Typical Show and Dinner at Bali-Hai - Adventure, entertainment
and Chilean cuisine await you in tonight's tour to Bali-Hai, a charming
restaurant with a tropical island decor. Experience Chile's diverse cultural
heritage as you enjoy a folkloric show with dances and colorful costumes
from the Northern, Central and Southern regions as well as the exotic
rhythms of Easter Island.
Day 2 - Saturday
Full day excursion to Vineyard Concha y Toro and the Maipo Canyon - In
the morning we drive to Concha y Toro, the biggest and perhaps the most
important wine exporter in Chile. We shall visit the oldest of their bodegas
located south of Santiago in the Maipo Valley. Founded in 1883 it sits
amidst a beautiful park next to the old family mansion La Chascona, which
dates back to before the turn of the century. Our visit to the vineyard
includes a tour of the facilities and the historical museum. The best-known
brands made by Concha y Toro are Don Melchor, Marquéz de Casa Concha
and Casillero del Diablo. Afterwards we continue on to the nearby village
of Pirque, where we lunch in Andean foothills scenery. In the afternoon
we shall proceed up the beautiful Maipo river Valley into the Andes on
to the town of San José de Maipo. San Jose is a country village
laid out in the traditional chessboard grid pattern with the plaza de
Armas in the center. Lots of adobe architecture lends it a colonial air.
After enjoying the beauty of this typical Chilean countryside and the
pure mountain air of the Andes we shall return to Santiago. Lunch is included.
(AB,L).
Day 3 -
Sunday
American breakfast at your hotel. Flight - Santiago / Puerto Montt,
upon arrival at the airport a host will meet and assist you in transferring
to the hotel and in registering. Tour to Frutillar - Located by the Llanquihue
Lake and with a spectacular view of the Osorno volcano, Frutillar is a
charming German style village, housing the most complete museum in the
area, which exhibits samples and relics from the German pioneers who colonized
the region. (AB).
Day 4 - Monday
American breakfast at your hotel. Full Day Tour to Petrohue Falls and
Peulla - This tour offers a taste of the breathtaking beauty of Chile's
famous lake district. Visit charming Puerto Varas on the banks of Lake
LLanquihue, then board a comfortable catamaran at the Petrohué River Falls.
Sail for two hours to Emerald Lake, named for the deep green color of
its water. From the boat admire the Osorno volcano, El Tronador and Puntiagudo
Andean Peaks. We disembark at Peulla near the Argentine border. Enjoy
a leisurely walk among lush vegetation and visit La Novia Falls. In the
afternoon return to Petrohue to board the bus to Puerto Montt or Puerto
Varas. (AB).
Puerto Montt - Alerce Mountain Lodge. Transfer to Alerce Mountain Lodge. Follow the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway) south alongside the Reloncaví Estuary for 23 miles, and then begin the ascent to the lodge on a road constructed of alerce logs. You'll make a small detour to see "El Tata," one of the oldest alerce trees in this area, around 4000 years old. A short while later, you'll reach Laguna Reflejos (Reflections Lake) and board a small hand drawn ferry for the last leg of the journey to Alerce Mountain Lodge. You'll be welcomed to the lodge and get an introduction to the history of the lodge and the alerce tree. Afternoon Hike to Oro Verde Mayor (Moderate 3 hour trek) Oro Verde or "green gold" is the majestic colors of the Valdivian forest. After a relatively easy walk you'll reach El Condor Lookout, where you can see down into the glacial valley formed millions of years ago. Continuing your walk, you'll observe alerce trees up to 3000 years old. A highlight will be the Fountain of Hope, where crystal clear water running from the mountains forms an enchanting waterfall and pool. Return to the lodge along a path known as Igor. Dinner and overnight. (AB,L,D)
Alerce Mountain Lodge. Trail through the Patagonian Andes (Strenuous 6 hour trek) After an early buffet breakfast, start your ascent to the Gran Nevado (1500 meters/4900 feet above sea level). From the top you'll have magnificent views of volcanoes such as Puntiagudo, Osorno, Calbuco, Yates, Apagado and Corcovado as well as mighty Tronador. You can also see Lake Llanquihue and the Reloncaví Sound. After a short break to appreciate these spectacular views and to have a bite to eat, continue walking following the mountain path up to El Condor Lookout, before returning to the lodge. Enjoy lunch in Lodge. In the afternoon you'll have free time to relax and enjoy the lodge facilities, such as the spa and sauna. Dinner and overnight. (AB,L,D )
American breakfast at your hotel. Transfer from hotel to the airport for departure. Flight - Puerto Montt / Punta Arenas upon your arrival in Punta Arenas travel across the Patagonian Steppes, home to rheas and pink flamingoes, to Puerto Natales for overnight. (AB).
American breakfast at your hotel. Morning visit to Milodon Cave where the remains of the giant milodon sloth that roamed the Patagonia plains some 11,000 years ago were discovered in 1896 by the German settler, Herman Eberhard. Continue to Torres del Paine National Park, where herds of guanaco graze amidst vibrant blue and vivid green lakes towered over by jagged, snow-capped peaks soaring up to 3,000 meters. View the beauty of the Salto Chico and Salto Grande and a short walk to the panoramic overlook at Lago Nordenskjold. Motorcoach - Puerto Natales / Torres Del Paine National Park. (AB) .
American breakfast at your hotel. Today's activities include Lago Grey, Grey Glacier and a photo safari to Laguna Amarga in search of Guanacos, foxes, rheas, pink flamingoes, condors and other species of birds. (AB) .
American breakfast at your hotel. Morning excursion to Laguna Azul ("Blue Lagoon") in search of more wildlife. Late afternoon return to Puerto Natales. (AB)
American breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Punta Arenas. Flight to Santiago for overnight. (AB).
Transfer to airport, flight to Easter Island. Upon arrival at the airport a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering. Afternoon free to explore the colorful village of Hangaroa or to relax and contemplate the enigma of Easter Island's landmarks, the giant stone-carved statues - the "Moai", and the once flourishing civilization which created them. (AB)
Today you embark on a full day journey beginning the exploration of this mysterious island in earnest. Visit the burial temples of Vaihu and Akahanga, the last of which is believed to house the remains of Hotu Matua, the first king on the island. Continue to the Rano Raraku Quarry where the magnificent "Moai" were carved prior to being transported to the various temples and ceremonial sites scattered throughout the island. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Anakena Beach area and visit the restored temple of Ngao-Ngao before returning to the hotel. (AB)
This morning's tour visits the Rano Kau Volcano and the nearby ceremonial center of Orongo before continuing to the Vinapu ruins whose architectural style is remarkably similar to that of the Incas. In the afternoon visit the site of Ahu Akivi also called the Seven Moais which according to legend represent the first emissaries to the island sent by King Hotu Matua. Continue to the Puna Pau Quarry where the red stoned hats were fashioned and to the impressive ceremonial center of Tahai. (AB)
Morning transfer from hotel to the airport for departure. Connecting flight home. (AB)