Best of Chile

After landing at Santiago airport and clearing customs, you will be met by a Cascada representative and driven to your hotel in a private hotel transfer. You will have time to relax after checking into your cozy hotel before being picked up for a City Walking Tour.

Our Chile tours from Santiago begins with us driving downtown to famous landmarks including the central fish market and ‘Plaza de Armas’, Santiago’s main square and kilometer zero (the point from which all distances in the country are measured). We visit the ‘Alameda’, the main street of the city centre, via busy pedestrian walkway ‘Paseo Ahumada’, famous for its crowds, shops, and diversity of people. After visiting Chile’s presidential palace ‘La Moneda’, a symbol of Chile’s political past and its famously turbulent history, we climb Cerro Santa Lucía, where Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro Valdivia. Our tour finishes by visiting the bohemian Lastarria neighborhood, lined with cafés, restaurants, small theaters, bookstores and boutique shops.

Overnight Meridiano Sur 3*, Santiago

In the morning we’re picked up from the hotel and driven south to wine country. Once we arrive in the famous Maipo valley, we offload the bikes and start riding past vineyards and small villages. We stop to visit three vineyards, all varying in history and in the wine they produce.

The first vinyard is a rustic, family-owned estate producing a wide variety of wine including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere (thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in Chile in 1994). The second is a contemporary vineyard started by a wealthy Santiago family to produce high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Syrah and Cot (Chile’s version of the famous Argentine Malbec). The third is a 100% organic vineyard where we taste wine directly from the tanks. After the final vineyard we drive to a countryside restaurant for lunch. Satisfied after great food, wine and the scenic bike ride, we return to our hotel in Santiago.

Overnight Meridiano Sur 3*, Santiago
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

*Please note: The bike & wine tour only operates Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

This morning you’ll check out of the hotel and be driven to the airport in a private transfer. After a short scenic flight you’ll arrive in Calama and be driven to San Pedro de Atacama, in the middle of the desert, where you’ll check into your hotel.

In the afternoon you’ll have a little time to acclimatise before being whisked off on a bike tour to Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), located 13km/8 miles west of San Pedro in the Salt Mountain Range. The valley has beautifully strange lunar landscapes and is considered one of the driest places on the planet. Cycling towards Valle de la Luna in time to witness a spectacular sunset, you’ll feel the immensity of the desert stretching out all around you. Light refreshments and a specialist guide will be provided.

Overnight poblado Kimal 3*, San Pedro de Atacama
Meals: Breakfast, Snack 

Today we drive to the great Salar de Atacama, a white endless salt flat with flamingos nesting in the lagoons. Geological research studies suggest this great salt flat is the most important lithium reserve in the world.

We visit a nearby village with ancient architecture and inviting locals who produce fine wool knit products and in the afternoon we visit the Altiplano lagoons Miscanti and Meñique, located at 4,500m above sea level. Unique flora and fauna can be seen and the area is also home to many legends about the Atacama Desert. We end by visiting the town of Socaire, where old Andean traditions still exist today.

Overnight poblado Kimal 3*, San Pedro de Atacama
Meals: Breakfast, Box-lunch

The early wake-up call from the hotel will be well worth it when we arrive at the amazing Tatio Geysers and see them in action. From almost 900 meters below the earth, boiling steam bursts up to 40 meters over the surface of these spectacular geysers. A scrumptious breakfast will be served upon arrival before we walk through the geothermal fields with the geysers erupting nearby. As we drive back, there is a magnificent view of the Tocopurri and Sairecabur volcanoes. We arrive back in town in time to have lunch and the afternoon will be free to rest after the early start, high altitude and low temperature we faced in the morning.

Overnight poblado Kimal 3*, San Pedro de Atacama
Meals: Breakfast

Today we’re travelling from one extreme to another as we head from the dusty Atacama desert to Chile’s luscious Lake District, lined with vast lakes and active volcanoes. After checking out from the hotel you’ll be driven to Calama airport and board a flight to Puerto Montt, connecting in Santiago. Upon arrival in Puerto Montt you’ll be driven to nearby Puerto Varas, a beautiful town with a marked German architectural style located on the shore of Lake Llanquihue, where you’ll check into your welcoming hotel.

Overnight Hotel Casa Kalfu 3*, Puerto Varas
Meals: Breakfast

This morning we are going white water rafting! We are driven to the Petrohue sector, in Perez Rosales National Park, located at the foot of Osorno Volcano next to the flowing turquoise waters of the Petrohue river. Once we arrive we meet our skilled guides who will equip us will all the rafting gear needed (wetsuit, helmet, paddle jacket and life jacket) and then talk us through safety instructions. We board the rafts and start paddling down this beautiful class III river, enjoying the rapids and the views. After completing the designated river section, we have a snack on the river banks and then return to Puerto Varas to spend the afternoon.

Overnight Hotel Casa Kalfu 3*, Puerto Varas
Meals: Breakfast

With Volcano Osorno as your backdrop, today you’ll trek close to Chile’s famed Todos Los Santos Lake. On the way, you’ll stop to admire the region’s rivers and waterfalls at Ensenada and Saltos de Petrohué, before starting your three-hour ascent. At the top, the prize is clear: one of the most exquisite views of the Andes mountain range, with three volcanos and the expansive blue of Todos Los Santos Lake sprawled at your feet.

Overnight Hotel Casa Kalfu 3*, Puerto Varas
Meals: Breakfast, Box-lunch

Today you check out of your hotel and are driven to the airport to board a flight to Punta Arenas. You are picked up from Punta Arenas airport in the morning and driven to EcoCamp Patagonia, located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park.

En route we make a couple of stops – First in Puerto Natales, a small, lively town on the shores of Seno de Ultima Esperanza, where we enjoy a hearty local lunch, and second at Cueva de Milodon, a massive prehistoric cave where the remains of a giant ground sloth were discovered in the 1890’s. The whole journey is very scenic, with plenty of wild birds and wonderful landscapes to be seen. The day ends with our arrival and overnight stay at EcoCamp Patagonia, nestled in the heart of the park with a view of the Torres. During summer the sun sets around 11pm, so upon arrival there’s plenty of light to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizon.

For the next two days you will have the choice between active or easy excursions. EcoCamp Patagonia provides you with a chart of excursions provided each day of the week. The excursions vary depending on weather and the season. (For a detailed description of all excursions and restrictions in shoulder season restrictions please see our Wildlife safari program.)

Overnight EcoCamp Patagonia Standard Dome, Torres del Paine National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

*If possible we recommend taking a flight to Puerto Natales. If you fly in via Punta Arenas Airport please make sure your schedule allows you to take the regular Ecocamp Transfer from the airport at the latest 15:30pm.

EASY
Western Lakes and Grey Glacier*

We drive across the Park, admiring the view of Paine Grande and its snowy peaks, and Los
Cuernos with its black, granite horn-like spires. Walking along the shores of the stunning Lake Pehoe, we see the furious Salto Grande waterfalls where the water from Lake Nordenskjold cascades down into Pehoe. The walk continues over the gentle Nordenskjold trail until until we reach its spectacular lookout point. Later, back at Lake Pehoe, we are driven south to a beach along the shores of glacial Lake Grey. Here we enjoy a tasty box-lunch by the lake before embarking on a boat ride across the icy waters to the towering blue walls of Glacier Grey. After this incredible sight of the glacier up close, we drive back to EcoCamp.

*During Shoulder Season (October and April) the boat trip on Glacier Grey may be cancelled as the boat requires a minimum of 10 passengers to sail. If this is the case we will plan an
alternative excursion in the Park.

ACTIVE
Western Lakes and Pingo Trail

We drive across the Park, admiring the view of Paine Grande and its snowy peaks, and Los Cuernos with its black granite horn-like spires. Walking along the shores of the stunning Lake Pehoe, we see the furious Salto Grande waterfalls where the water from Lake Nordenskjold cascades down into Pehoe. The walk continues over the gentle Nordenskjold trail until until we reach its spectacular lookout point.

Later, back at Lake Pehoe, we are driven south to a beach along the shores of glacial Lake Grey where we walk to reach the start of the beautiful Pingo Trail taking us through a fairytale Magellan forest full of local fauna and flora. As we walk, huge rock formations in nearby hills and the strong Patagonian wind give us a good idea of just how wild Patagonia is! We reach a small sightseeing point with splendid views of the Massif’s west face, and then walk back to Grey Beach to meet our fellow travelers coming back from the boat ride. Together, we all head to Ecocamp to enjoy dinner and relaxation time.

Overnight EcoCamp Patagonia Standard Dome, Torres del Paine National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Box-lunch, Dinner

EASY
Laguna Azul and Fauna Trail

We start the day driving to Laguna Azul, on the north-eastern side of the Park, stopping at various points en route to admire the local flora and fauna and the mighty Paine Waterfall. Once at Laguna Azul we hike to a sightseeing point with a panoramic view of both the lagoon and granite towers. We then drive down to the shores of Sarmiento lake, home to many limestone formations and herds of guanacos, and walk northwards along the Fauna Trail past the small Goic lagoon and various types of fauna. After around 5km we reach the Laguna Amarga ranger station from where we are driven back to EcoCamp to relax and enjoy the evening meal.

ACTIVE
Trek Towers Base

We walk from Ecocamp towards Hostería Las Torres and join the uphill path to Ascencio Valley on the Tower’s eastern face. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. Our big challenge comes as we climb the steep moraine, a mass of boulders leading us towards one of the world’s most famous views overlooking the Towers. The famous Torres del Paine (2,900 m/ 9,400 ft) consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. After an uphill slog, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before us, with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting on the view and our picnic, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp.

Overnight EcoCamp Patagonia Standard Dome, Torres del Paine National Park
Meals: Breakfast

We board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta
Arenas on time to catch the evening flight to Santiago. Once in Santiago we are driven back to our lovely hotel by private transfer and get some well-deserved sleep.

Overnight Meridiano Sur 3*, Santiago
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we check out of the hotel and are driven to the airport by private transfer, where we board our flight ending our Chile travel tours…Hasta la proxima Chile!

Meals: Breakfast