Chile Adventure in Style

Fly overnight to Santiago

Arrive in the morning in Chile’s capital. Check out those spectacular mountains which create a spectacular backdrop to the city. Soon you will be in amongst those peaks.

A private guide and driver will take you on the short journey straight out to the coast for a few days in Valparaiso. Wind down today with the fresh Pacific Ocean air in this historic port.

See the UNESCO World Heritage Centre of Valparaiso with a private guide Before the Panama Canal was built this was one of the busiest sea ports in the world, and visitors can see echoes of the past in the colourful streets. Continue to the house of Pablo Neruda, for an insight into the colourful life of poet and diplomat as well as fabulous views from up high.

There’s plenty of time as well to relax in the luxurious surroundings of Casa Higueras. Taking drinks and eating on the terrace before heading into the wild.

Transfer to Santiago and fly to Calama, the gateway to Chile’s remote north. From there continue by jeep up to the high plains of the Atacama Desert, see the scenery becoming more deserted and remote before arriving in the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama.

Stay for 4 nights here at Hotel Casa Atacama. No need to rush these altitudes and these inviting open spaces.

In the late afternoon head out to Moon Valley. Under the gaze of the giant Licanbur volcano, this canyon glows a beautiful red at sunset as the spectacular stars appear in the clear sky.

Tipiliuke Lodge is the perfect location for mountain adventure, with space all around. There’s horse riding, mountain biking and trekking at your disposal. Not to mention rafting on pure white water, golf and the ranch is a renowned base for fly-fishing, perfect if you want to give it a go.

After all that fresh air, relax in the cosy lodge. Connect with nature in the studio with a yoga class, or try a tango lesson in laid back surrounding. Plus of course you can simply relax and enjoy a nice Malbec or two, we won’t tell if you don’t! The hot tub is a good spot for this.

A full day private tour to the high plains of the Atacama will take you into what feels like another planet.

Stop on the way at Socaire village. Houses are made from volcanic stone and at over 3,000 metres altitude it must be one of the most remote villages in the world.

The day is a photographer’s delight, with the bright blue waters of Misquanti and Miniques lagoons against the towering peaks of twin volcanoes rising to 6,000 metres high. It’s incredibly silent up here, with the odd vicuna, duck and desert fox not even breaking the silence and solitude.

Return to San Pedro for the evening. This little town in the desert is quite a traveller’s hub with plenty of cosy restaurants and shops to explore.

An early start today to get up to the geysers of El Taito for daybreak. It’s an eerie atmosphere up here, at over 4,000 metres in altitude. The Sun’s rays reflect against the boiling jets and steam. You can warm up with a soak in the natural hot pools created by the geysers. We are willing to bet this will be the highest hot tub soak you’ll ever have, and possibly the smelliest.

Return to San Pedro de Atacama by lunch, and time to relax no doubt with a desert siesta.

In a country of extremes, it’s one extreme to another. Drive back to Calama and fly south to Puerto Montt.

Arrive in a land of vast lakes, ancient forest, those ever-present mountains of the Andes which lead to Chile’s sea fjords.

Drive with your private guide to the mountain resort town of Puerto Varas and unwind by the lake. Spend four nights here and truly get to know the region.

Get out in the wild and on the river. Spend a day rafting on the thrilling white waters of the Petrohue. It’s a 13km route covering class II and class IV rapids. The Petrohue River is actually fed by volcanic waters and there’s places you can stop off to jump into the waters which can be around 18 degrees.

After the rafting you will travel up to the Petrohue waterfalls which surge over eroded lava rocks in the shadow of the impressive Osorno volcano.

There’s plenty of cool places to head to in Puerto Varas for mountain food and beers or Chilean wine after this day of action.

It’s a bit more relaxed today, yet still a wonderful place of untouched nature. Visit the Senda Nativa park, an area of protected Patagonian forest which is full of native bird life. You can walk through the forest and along the Maulin river, and visit the animal rescue centre.

While here, enjoy a traditional Patagonian lunch of organic produce direct from the mountains and fields. With Chilean aperitifs and wine and grilled firewood meats, as well as a delicious dessert. You might need a short walk after the meal too!

Do what you want to do today, or do nothing. This part of Chile is full of mountain adventure – mountain biking, horse riding, trekking on a volcano and even more. Or get on a boat for a trip on the lakes and treat yourself to a hot spring spa.

Fly further south to Punta Arenas, the gateway to Antarctica and the frozen south. This is into the heart of wild Patagonia, the frontier of the imagination.

The guys from Hotel Las Torres Patagonia will meet you and take you into the Torres del Paine national Park. Travelling along the southern ocean waters by Puerto Natales, venture into the wild empty lands where the dramatic peaks of Paine will appear before too long. These icons of adventure and South America seems to constantly change in different light, under clouds and under starry clear skies.

Stay at Hotel Las Torres Patagonia for a 4 nights all-inclusive Patagonia safari experience. With all food included, the excursions and an open bar – perfect for celebrating just being in this amazing place.

Three full days to explore Patagonia and the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park. And you won’t have any problem filling long days here at the end of the world. There’s a smorgasboard of activities on offer by the hotel, from easy hikes along the lakes and views of Grey glacier to challenging full day hikes up to the base of the iconic Paine towers. There’s also boat trips on Lake Nordenskold and horse riding, with visits to local cowboys possible.

French Valley is a legendary full day walk and on all the walks it may be possible to spot some of the elusive wildlife including vicunas and Andean condor sweeping through open skies. On all walks and adventures, picnics and al fresco eating are the order of the day and it’s all arranged for you. Nothing to worry about, leaving you time to take it all in an enjoy each moment.

Time to bid farewell to the wilderness, transfer to Punta Arenas and fly up north to the capital.

After a wilderness of desert and lakes and mountains, the big city will no doubt come as a shock to anyone. But don’t worry, we’ll take all the rough edges off and take you to the best bits.

Stay for 2 nights in a welcoming boutique hotel.

There may be a bit more time to have a wander around Santiago this morning, maybe a bit of shopping. Then transfer to the airport for your departure flight. If you do have any more time, we are full of ideas to extend your adventure.

Arrive home, and start thinking about which wilderness you’ll experience next.