Si! Chile (17 days)

Morning arrival in Santiago. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to the Singular Santiago in the heart of trendy Lastarria for immediate check-in and two night stay. Afternoon city tour of Santiago, fourth largest city in South America and beautifully set among a backdrop of the snowcapped Andes. Visit the highlights including the Club Hipico, the area of "La Moneda" government palace with statues of national heroes of the early Independence years; historic Plaza de Armas with the Cathedral, Post Office and National Museum, the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, with one of the most complete collections of ceramics, ancient textiles and relics of American culture, among other places of interest.

Today you'll enjoy a full day's excursion to the twin cities of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. Begin with a scenic 90 minute drive west to these coastal cities. Vina del Mar is a popular seaside resort and Valparaiso, Vina's neighbor, has been named by UNESCO as a "Patrimony of Mankind". Visit the main points of interest in Vina and then continue to Valparaiso. Valparaiso is a sheer surprise and long overlooked. It is built on a series of hills and has narrow winding streets, houses that seem to cling to the hillsides, unique architecture, many hip restaurants and clubs. Historic cable-cars are still a popular means of transportation from the sea level town below to these bustling neighborhoods. Enjoy lunch at one of the popular restaurants and late afternoon return drive to Santiago.

Morning pick up at your hotel by your private car and guide for transfer to the airport for flight north to Calama, gateway to the Atacama Desert, considered one of the driest deserts on earth. Meeting by staff from the Alto Atacama and drive about 90 minutes by hotel van into the heart of the desert to the town of San Pedro de Atacama for a four night stay at the Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa. This afternoon you'll have your first chance to begin visiting the area.

During your stay you will enjoy all meals, an open bar and a daily menu of activities and excursions including biking, hiking, and visits to main points of interest in the area such as the Salt Flats, the geysers and the town of San Pedro de Atacama.

Today you will choose from the menu of excursions as offered by Alto Atacama.

Again today you can choose from the menu of excursions as offered by Alto Atacama.

One last day to explore the area Alto Atacama style.

At the appropriate time Alto Atacama will transfer you back to the Calama airport for your flight south to Santiago. Meeting and transfer to the Ritz Carlton in the heart of the city for overnight stay.

Morning transfer to the airport for flight south to Puerto Montt, gateway to the scenic Lake District of Chile. Meeting upon arrival and visit the main points of interest in Puerto Montt including Angelmo's fish market and colorful handicraft market. Then transfer 40 minutes north to Puerto Varas on the shores of Lake Llanquihue with snow-capped Osorno Volcano as a backdrop. You'll stay two nights in a Superior Lake View room at the Radisson Puerto Varas.

Spend the day exploring this side of the Lake District. Visit the highlights of Puerto Varas, often called The City of Roses. Enjoy a drive along scenic Lake Llanquihue with a visit to the monument to the first settlers, en route to Frutillar where you will visit this picturesque city and its small but excellent museum. Frutillar was settled by the Germans and has a distinct alpine atmosphere. Then continue on to Octay on the Centinela Peninsula. Lunch is included en route today.

Today you'll enjoy a day trip to the island of Chiloe. Drive from Puerto Varas to the ferry port for an hour's crossing to Chiloe. Then drive to Ancud, on the north coast 30 km west of the Strait of Chacao. Founded in 1767 to guard the shipping route, it was defended by two fortresses on opposite sides of the bay. Visit the San Antonio Fort built in 1770, and the Museo Regional with an interesting collection of artifacts from Chiloe's early history. The Jesuits arrived on Chiloe in 1608 and by the time they were expelled in 1767 the island had 69 churches. The island is famous for its traditional handicrafts, woolens and basketware. Visit all the main points of interest and enjoy lunch before return ferry and drive back to Puerto Varas.

Morning transfer to Puerto Montt for flight south along the Andes to Punta Arenas where you will be met by the staff of Tierra Patagonia for the five hour transfer to the edge of Paine Towers National Park, one of the icons of Patagonia, and without a doubt, one of the most spectacular mountain areas on earth. In the center of the park is a granite massif from which rise the Torres (Towers) and the Cuernos (Horns) of Paine, oddly shaped peaks of over 2,600 meters. There are 15 peaks in the park above 2000 meters, the highest of which is Cerro Paine Grande. The valleys are filled with beautiful lakes and the enormous Campo de Hielo Sur icecap gives the park four main glaciers: Grey, Dickson, Zapata and Tyndall. Two other glaciers descend from the west side of the central massif. There is an abundance of wildlife in the park (105 species of birds, 25 species of mammals and over 200 species of plants) due to a micro-climate especially favorable to plants and wildlife. You'll spend four nights at the Tierra Patagonia.

Please NOTE: During your stay you will enjoy all meals, an open bar and a daily menu of excursions. Each night the guides will discuss the options for activities the next day. They range from half day, easy excursions to full day, difficult excursions and include walks, hikes, treks, horseback riding and motor launch excursions. The excursions are designed to give you ample time to explore the beauties of the park. Be sure to include a visit to Estancia Cerro Guido, an authentic still working Patagonia Estancia for an opportunity to learn about life in this remote part of the world.

Today enjoy activities and excursions as offered by Tierra Patagonia. You have options both inside and outside of the park.

Another day to enjoy activities and excursions as offered by Tierra Patagonia.

Another day to enjoy activities and excursions as offered by Tierra Patagonia.

Morning transfer by Tierra Patagonia van for the five-hour drive south along the rolling steppes of Patagonia to Punta Arenas airport where you catch your flight north along the Andes to Santiago. Meeting upon arrive in Santiago and transfer a little over an hour south to the San Antonio Valley and the charming La Casona, guesthouse for Matetic Wineray. You'll spend two nights and enjoy all meals during your stay.

Day at leisure at La Casona.

Enjoy a relaxing morning at La Casona, have lunch and late afternoon return drive to the Santiago airport for check-in for your departure flight.