Chile Top to Toe

Travel the length of Chile, from the barren beauty of the Atacama and altiplano of the north, via the lakes and volcanoes of the Lake District, to the spectacular mountains and glaciers of Patagonia in the south.

What's Included:

• International flights and current taxes
• Domestic transportation
• 4* accommodation
• Included Meals - Breakfasts: 11, Lunches: 10, Dinners: 11
• Touring with guides and entrance fees

Days 1-2: Fly to Santiago

Fly to Chile’s sophisticated capital Santiago, arriving the same or following day. You will be met at the airport and transferred approximately 40 minutes to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure before a welcome dinner. (D)

Day 3: Explore Valparaiso

Travel 3 hours to the coast to visit the bohemian UNESCO port town of Valparaíso. Explore this colourful city, with a ride on the funicular into the hills to visit the former home of Chilean poet-diplomat, Pablo Neruda. Return to Santiago this afternoon.

Day 4: San Pedro De Atacama

Fly to the northern city of Calama, from where you will drive to the desert oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. Drive out to the sun-scorched Death and Moon valleys. Enjoy the views of the lonely volcanoes, and the afternoon sun, turning the hues of the rock from orange, to red to purple.

Day 5: Salar De Atacama

Travel to the otherworldly Salar de Atacama, the largest salt flat in Chile. Visit the scenic Chaxa, Miscanti and Miniques lagoons. Travel to the village of Socaire to see ancient agricultural terraces with irrigation channels. Visit another peaceful village with typical colonial architecture built in Liparita (volcanic stone). Explore the village before returning to your hotel.

Day 6: El Tatio Geysers

Rise early to visit El Tatio Geyers, a stunning natural phenomenon. Watch the geysers hiss and spit over sunrise before a guided tour. Gaze upon Putama Volcano and Tocopuri Mountains as you travel through the Andes, before visiting the desert village of Machuca to see how the locals live, then visit a fascinating nearby archaeological site. Round off the day with a trip to the colourful Rainbow Valley.

Day 7: Travel to Puerto Varas

This morning, transfer back to Calama and board your flight to Puerto Montt, the gateway to Chile's spectacular Lake District. The flight is approximately 5 hours via Santiago. Continue on to Puerto Varas, a charming town on Llanquihue Lake that is dominated by two snow-capped volcanoes. Check into your hotel for a relaxing evening.

Day 8: Volcan Osorno

Travel further around Llanquihue Lake to the village of Ensenada at the foot of Volcan Osorno, where you'll take an easy hike through the volcano's plentiful nature to reach the visitors centre at 1,240 metres. Travel to Perez Rosales National Park to Petrohué Falls, where boardwalks will help you admire the turquoise waters and lush greenery of the Petrohué River.

Day 9: Travel to Puerto Natales

Transfer to the airport and fly further south to Punta Arenas, a city that sits at the end of continental South America on the Straits of Magellan. From there, head to Puerto Natales, the lively, picturesque town that is the gateway to the Torres del Paine.

Day 10: Glacier Cruise

Sail on the gloomily-named Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope) Fjord to Mount Balmaceda Glacier before continuing on foot to the magnificent Serrano Glacier. Admire a tumbling ice wall, look our for cormorants and sea lions, and take a walk through native forest to the foot of of the magnificent Serrano Glacier, part of the Southern Ice Field.

Day 11: Torres Del Paine National Park

Enjoy another full day excursion, this time to the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Torres del Paine National Park. Keep an eye out for large herds of guanacos as you go. Visit the Salto Grande of the Pehoé River with the impressive mountains of Torres del Paine in the background, and visit Lake Pehoé, Lake Grey and Grey Glacier. After lunch stop at Milodon Cave where the remains of a prehistoric animal were found in the last century.

Day 12: Fly to Santiago

Transfer back to the airport in Punta Arenas and board your flight to Santiago for a farewell dinner this evening to round off the trip.

Days 13 - 14: Depart Santiago

Fly to the UK, arriving home the following day. (B)