Contrasts of Chile
10 NIGHTS GUIDE PRICE £6,650

This evening take your flight to Santiago, landing the next morning.  Direct flights are generally approx 14 hours.

Explore the historic centre of Santiago, including Plaza de Armas and ascend San Cristobal Hill in the funicular railway or by cable car for panoramic views of the City with the backdrop of the Andes Mountains.  Foodies can consider visiting a local vineyard for lunch or, in the evening, perhaps have dinner in the Bellavista neighbourhood and soak up the bohemian atmosphere!

Today fly south to the gateway to the Torres del Paine, Puerto Natales, a flight time of 3 – 4 hours.

Spend the next 3 days exploring this breathtaking wilderness, including hiking to the base of iconic granite towers that gave the National Park its name.  Part of the icefield, the Grey Glacier, is in fact a luminous blue and contrasts dramatically with the dark lake and surrounding mountains.  Get close on cruise, navigating around icebergs, before further exploring the vast landscapes by mountain bike or horseback; perfect for active explorers.

Wildlife lovers are also not forgotten as the Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is also home to a variety of species including guanacos (wild llamas), elusive pumas, Andean condors and the endangered Chilean huemel deer.

Today fly to the arid north of Chile via Santiago, and find yourself in a completely different setting! Once you arrive in Calama, approx 2 hours from Santiago, transfer to your chosen Lodge.

The desert has some of the clearest skies in the world, especially during Winter, so stargazing is a highlight!  Other must-sees are the unique landscapes of Moon and Death Valleys renowned for their Mars-like rock formations.  Geothermal activity is also a dramatic feature of this area;  the El Tatio Geysers are in fact the highest geothermal field in the world.

The Salt flats showcase a stark white surface against the backdrop of the mountains, whilst the high altitude lagoons such as Chaxa and Cejar are also home to flamingos thanks to their high salt concentrations supporting their favoured food of brine shrimp and microscopic algae.   Whilst flamingos can be seen year round they are most spectacular December to February.  Did you know there are actually many different species of flamingo?  Here you can see the Chilean, Andean and James’s flamingos!

Today it’s time to head back to Santiago for final night before taking your flight home.  Perhaps enjoy 360 degrees nighttime views from the Sky Costanera on your last evening, reflecting on your Chilean adventure!