Overview of Chile Travel Modules
These tours below give you the option of
tailoring a tour to meet your specific needs by combining various
options. When you make your enquiry, please mention which options you
would like to combine so that we may quote accordingly.
Easter Islands
Days
Day 1:
Hanga roa
After your arrival at Mataveri airport you will experience a
traditional reception with flower necklaces. A short transfer takes you
to your hotel. We recommend you to use the remainder of the day to visit
the church of the village; among the various statues there you will find
traditional Roman Catholic symbols together with indigenous ones. On
Sunday morning you are welcome to attend mass. The artisan market and
the local museum are located next to the church. In the museum you can
marvel at the Rapa Nui artefacts; two originals were removed from the
island and replaced by reproductions, but the remainder of items in the
museum and the other two Rongorongo carvings are original artefacts.
Day 2:
Anakena
Today you will learn more about the fascinating history of Rapa Nui.
After leaving Hanga Roa, we will drive to the south along the coastal
road. You will have views of the Poike Peninsula and the whole coastline
consisting of black volcanic rock. We will make our first stop in Vaihu
to visit archaeological sites. On the road to the next stop we will pass
several Moai, lying along the street indicating the "Camino de los Moai",
the "Trail of the Moai" on which they were maneuvered to their
destinations. At Ranu Raraku - the quarry where a lots of Moai were
sculpted - we will have a picnic lunch, and afterwards we will start
walking up the Ranu Raraku volcano. You certainly will be impressed by
our next highlight - the restored giant Ahu Tongariki and its 15 moai,
which are the largest worship site on the island.
Continuing
on our excursion, we will take a small break to visit two beaches, one
of them being Ovahe, a small bay with a cave and nearly pink-colored
sand; after another short drive we will reach Anakena with its white
sandy beach and coconut palm trees inviting you to rest in the sand and
swim in the warm Pacific water. Drive back to Hanga Roa. (B,BL)
Day 3:
Ceremonial Village Orongo
From Hanga Roa it is a 30 minute drive to the volcano Rano Kau with the
ceremonial village Orongo. You will be surprised by the perfect round
shape of the Crater Lake. Orongo is the ceremonial center of the cult to
the bird-man "Hombre Pajaro", which started after the further building
of Moai had stopped. Your guide will explain this "new" culture of the
island and show you the petroglyph images of Tangata Manu (bird man),
Make Make (the god who created him) and Komari (a fertility symbol).
This site commands a view of three small islets in the Pacific: Motu
Nui, Motu Kao Kao and Motu Iti. You will have the rest of the day for
your leisure and relaxation. (B)
Day 4:
Santiago to Calama - San Pedro and the Moonvalley
Transfer to airport in time to board the flight to Santiago and on to
Calama (not included) (B)
Desert Highlands - 4 Days
Day 1
Calama - San Pedro - Moon Valley
Transfer
to San Pedro de Atacama after arrival at Calama Airport. After the drive
through the desert, the fertile oasis of San Pedro will certainly appear
a total change of scenary. Of pre-Incan origin, this village and its
surroundings are home to various archaeological sites. The fascinating
museum with its immense collection of pre-Hispanic artefacts, among them
astonishingly well preserved mummies - is certainly worth a visit. The
local church built in 1577 by the Spanish conquistadores, who arrived
here in 1540, is one of the many imprints of Spanish culture that have
shaped the village. In the evening you will visit the mysterious Moon
Valley just outside of San Pedro with its fascinating moon landscape
that is becoming increasingly more beautiful in the fading sunlight.
Overnight in San Pedro.
Day 2
Highland Lagoons - Atacama Salt Lake
In the
morning you will ascend to an altitude of over more than 4000 m / 13,100
ft to visit the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons set in the highland below
the homonymous towering mountain peaks. The deep blue colour of the
lagoons framed by white banks and the mountains as a backdrop form an
unforgettable sight. In the afternoon you will return to San Pedro,
stopping at the gigantic Salar de Atacama, the biggest salt lake in all
of Chile, where the RÃo San Pedro trickles off into the endless plains.
Overnight in San Pedro. (Breakfast/Lunchbox)
Day 3
San Pedro - Quitor - Tulor - Puritama Hot Springs
On your
way to a relaxing bath at the tranquil hot springs of Puritama, we will
stop at Quitor and Tulor, two sites of pre-Incan origin, which played a
key role in the colonization of the valley. The fort Quitor was
conquered in 1540 by the Spanish conquistadores, defeating the Incan
troops who, in turn, had captured it from the pre-Incan cultures and
extended the fortification. For the evening you can book an optional
3-hour astronomic excursion in the outskirts of San Pedro. Overnight in
San Pedro. (Breakfast/Lunchbox)
Day 4
Salt Lake of Tara
After
breakfast, you will enjoy a ride through fantastic volcanic landscapes
and wide plains to the salt lake Tara, quietly tucked away in the Los
Flamencos National Park; it is the most beautiful salt lake in the
region surrounded by an incredible scenery. The region is known for its
abundance of archaeological sites of interest and paintings. Llamas and
vicuñas will accompany you throughout the trip. (Beakfast/Lunchbox)
Day 5
El Tatio Geyser - Caspana - Chiu Chiu - Calama
In the
early morning we will set out to see the breathtaking geysers of El
Tatio - the highest geothermal field in the world - where various spurts
of steam shoot up from the blowholes, and brilliant salt crust on the
banks of boiling ponds reflect the metal-blue sky at dawn. Enjoy this
natural phenomenon before continuing to the picturesque village of
Caspana. Afterwards we will visit (if road conditions allow) the Pukara
de Turi - the largest fort of the Incan culture in Chile. Declared
National Monument in 1971, it is still an insider's tip in spite of its
fascinating ambiance and structure. The excursion will continue to the
tiny village of Chiu Chiu, located on the former "Inca Trail", the main
trade route that cut through this valley. Trade continued well into the
19th century until the opening of the railway in 1890 offered a more
efficient alternative. Chiu Chiu is known today for the oldest church in
Chile. From there you will return to Calama to a connecting flight or an
additional day in Calama. (Breakfast/Lunchbox)
EXTENSION:
Additional overnight in Calama to visit the largest copper mine in the
world (Chuquicamata) on the following day (only Mon-Fri).
End of
services
Magic of the Lakes District - 5 Days
Day 1
Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas
Upon
arrival at Puerto Montt Airport you will be taken to Puerto Varas, known
as the "City of Roses", located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue -
Chile's largest lake. Here you can stroll along the shore and enjoy a
wonderful panoramic view of the volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco and the
lively beach in the summer months. Overnight in Puerto Varas.
Day 2
Peulla
Driving
along the shores of the Lago Llanquihue past various beaches and
Ensenada to Petrohue, you will reach the National Park Vicente Perez
Rosales. You can make an optional stop at the famous Petrohue Falls with
their emerald colored water. Then you will proceed to Petrohue where the
catamaran awaits you to sail across the beautiful lake Todos los Santos
to Peulla. You will have time for lunch at Hotel Peulla and/or walk to
nearby waterfalls. Return to Puerto Varas to stay the night. (Breakfast)
Day 3
Puerto Varas - Frutillar
After
breakfast you will visit Frutillar, situated on the shoreline of Lake
Llanquihue and founded by German settlers around 1850. The outdoor
museum which you will visit is entirely dedicated to those pioneers.
Afterwards you will be taken back to Puerto Varas to have an afternoon
at leisure to discover other nearby sights or to relax. Overnight in
Puerto Varas. (Breakfast)
Day 4
Chiloé Island
Departure
to Pargua and crossing of the Chacao Channel by ferry to reach Chiloé
Island.
Schedules differ for winter and summer. From March to December you will
take gravel roads after arriving to Chiloé and pass small farms and
native woods close to the seaside. You will visit the fishermen and
oyster farmers' village of Caulín, where you can have some delicious
seafood, then carrying on to Ancud (famous for its traditional market
featuring a wide range of seafood and crafts. You will visit the local
museum and the San Antonio Fortress and return to Puerto Varas after
this last stop.
In January
and February you will start your trip with a visit to Ancud and then
travel most of the time on the principal route - the final miles of the
Panamerican Highway. First you will stop in Castro, famous for its
houses on stilts and the San Francisco Church, completely built from
native wood. Then you continue to Dalcahue, which features a colorful
market open only on Sundays and a typical Chiloé style wooden church
built in 1858. Return to Puerto Varas and overnight stay. (Breakfast)
Day 5
Puerto Varas - Puerto Montt
After
breakfast, you will depart to Puerto Montt for a brief city tour
including the lively fish market of Angelmo, before you are taken to the
airport of Puerto Montt. (Breakfast)
End of Services
Lakes Crossing - 5 Days
Day 1
Puerto Montt - National Park Vicente Pérez Rosales
After your
arrival you will be transferred to Petrohué passing through the town of
Puerto Varas - known as the "City of Roses" - on the Lago Llanquihue
with a beautiful view of the towering volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco.
Continuing east along the shores of the Lago Llanquihue past various
beaches and Ensenada, you enter the National Park Vicente Pérez Rosales
and will make a stop at the famous Petrohué Falls with their emerald
coloured water. Go for a short and pleasant walk on the trail to the
bridges from where you will have great views of the thunderous rapids.
You will continue your tour to reach the Hotel Petrohué on the shores of
Lake Todos los Santos shortly afterwards; a beautiful lake surrounded by
an idyllic landscape, located right below the snow-capped volcano Osorno.
Overnight in Petrohué. (Dinner)
Day 2
Petrohué - Bariloche/Argentina
Today you
will cross the Andes by boat into Argentina, departing from the Petrohué
Pier. The modern catamaran departs for the crossing of Todos los Santos
Lake, also called "Emerald Lake" due to its deep green color. During the
navigation you can enjoy the magnificent view of the volcanoes Osorno,
Puntiagudo and Tronador. After disembarking in Peulla you will have time
for lunch and/or a short walk before continuing the tour by bus to
Puerto Frías. After a short stop at Chilean custom offices the journey
takes you through a beautiful Andean rainforest up to an altitude of 911
m / 2.990 feet above sea level. After passing the Argentinean border you
will again board a boat which will take you across Lake Frías to the
village of Puerto Alegre, from where you will continue by bus through an
Andean larch forest to Puerto Blest. Here you will again embark a motor
catamaran for your last crossing for today on Lake Nahuel Huapi, taking
you to Puerto Pañuelo where the shuttle buses await to take you to your
downtown hotel in Bariloche - the famous Argentinean Mountain Resort.
Arrival at Bariloche at about 10:00 p.m. Overnight in Bariloche.
(Breakfast)
Day 3
Victoria Island / Argentina
After
breakfast you will drive to Puerto Pañuelo to board a boat that takes
you to Victoria Island at 11 km / 7 mi from the mainland. This island is
the narrow and elongated home to a wide range of fauna and wildlife:
native species such as cipreses coihues and ñires cohabit with huge
sequoias, thujas, eucalyptus, oak, and pine trees. Similarly, the fauna
is a mixture of native and foreign species such as the native "pudu" or
dwarf deer cohabiting with the wild boar or jabali, European deer,
pheasants, and a variety of birds. You will have time to take a walk and
observe the rich flora and fauna. Afterwards you continue the boat trip
to Puerto Quetrihue, located to the south of the homonymous peninsula
and visit a spectacular dense forest solely made up of arrayán trees,
recognizable by their cinnamon brown bark and round, dark green leaves.
Due to the fact that it is almost the only tree specimen in the area,
the surroundings have a bizarre colouring. While walking along set out
trails, you will encounter individual trees that grow up to 15 m / 49 ft
and are 650 years old. In the afternoon you return to Bariloche to stay
overnight. (Breakfast/Lunchbox)
Day 4
Bariloche - Puerto Varas
Transfer
to the bus station after breakfast. You board a regular international
bus to Puerto Varas and cross into Chile passing Puyehue National Park
and the Lago Puyehue; the whole trip takes about 5 to 6 hours. Upon
arrival at Puerto Varas you will be taken to your hotel. Overnight in
Pto. Varas. (Breakfast)
Day 5
Puerto Varas - Puerto Montt
After
breakfast you will be taken to Puerto Montt and for a brief city tour,
including the colourful market of Angelmó on the seaside, before you are
being transferred to the airport of Puerto Montt. (Breakfast)
End of Services
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Chile
Tour
Modules |
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Trip Duration |
From 4 Days |
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Destination |
Chile and Argentina |
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Activities |
Sightseeing |
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Time to travel |
All year |
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Minimum Numbers |
Depends on the tour |
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Back to Chile Tours |
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