Best of Chile from Atacama to Patagonia - Classic Group
Best of Chile from Atacama to Patagonia - Classic Group
$9435
Best of Chile from Atacama to Patagonia - Classic Group
11 Days Starting and ending in Santiago, Chile
Visiting: Santiago, Valparaíso, San Pedro de Atacama, Atacama Salt Flats, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ZCHLN20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Chile with the "Best of Chile from Atacama to Patagonia - Classic Group" tour. This adventure takes you from the vibrant city of Santiago to the breathtaking landscapes of the Atacama Desert and the majestic Torres del Paine National Park. Discover the colorful streets of Valparaíso, savor exquisite wines in the Casablanca Valley, and explore the moon-like terrain of the Moon Valley. Experience the unique culture of Patagonian cowboys and enjoy authentic dining experiences featuring local flavors. Marvel at the stunning glaciers of Balmaceda and Serrano, and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Atacama Salt Flats. With guided tours, cultural insights, and sustainable travel practices, this tour offers a comprehensive exploration of Chile's diverse landscapes and rich heritage.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive In Santiago
Location: Santiago
Accommodation Name: Intercontinental, Santiago
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Santiago. A picturesque city back dropped by the spectacular, snow-capped Andes, it offers a metropolitan world of museums, top restaurants and historic finds. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening meet your Travel Director and fellow guests at the hotel and enjoy a Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: Valparaíso And The Casablanca Wine Country
Location: Valparaíso
Accommodation Name: Intercontinental, Santiago
Meals Included: Breakfast
Begin your day with a visit to the coastal city of Valparaíso. Explore the UNESCO protected site with a Local Expert as you discover its church-dotted hillsides and unique amphitheater-like layout. After lunch, visit Bodegas RE Winery for a private wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley. Recognized for crafting exceptional wines with passion and precision, embodying the essence of Chilean terroir in every bottle. The evening is yours at leisure to relax or have a night out on the town.
Day 3: On To Atacama
Location: San Pedro de Atacama
Accommodation Name: Cumbres, San Pedro de Atacama
Meals Included: Breakfast
Take a transfer to the airport for your flight to Calama, a city based in the Atacama Desert. On arrival you'll head to San Pedro de Atacama. You’ll then be driven to the Moon Valley for a guided visit. True to its name, this moon-like area is made up of dunes, caves and caverns. Learn more about its history and the land formations from a Local Expert.
Day 4: Explore Atacama
Location: San Pedro de Atacama
Accommodation Name: Cumbres, San Pedro de Atacama
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, take a guided visit to the Atacama Geysers known as El Tatio Geysers, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Located in the Andes Mountains, you'll be 14,170 feet (4,230 meters) above sea level. Afterwards, enjoy a visit to the Puritama Hot Springs before taking a scenic drive back to your hotel.
Day 5: Atacama Salt Flats
Location: Atacama Salt Flats
Accommodation Name: Cumbres, San Pedro de Atacama
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Explore the Atacama Salt Flats, the largest in Chile. One of the driest parts of the world, the area stretches for over 40,000 square miles (103,600 kilometers). Keep your eyes open for species of wild birds including the Andean and James flamingos on the shores of the Chaxa, Miscanti and Minque Lagoons. This afternoon, make your way to Toconao, a traditional colonial village known for its volcanic rock architecture. Take a stroll through the main square and visit the handicraft stands that sell alpaca textiles.
Day 6: Atacama To Santiago
Location: Santiago
Accommodation Name: Intercontinental, Santiago
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wake up for your transfer and flight back to Santiago. Enjoy lunch at El Galeón restaurant, located in the heart of the Central Market. Continue to the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral, traveling to the heart of the city along the famous Alameda, Santiago's vibrant main avenue. Continue your tour by crossing the Mapocho River to reach the bohemian Bellavista district on your way to San Cristobal Hill.
Day 7: On To Puerto Natales
Location: Puerto Natales
Accommodation Name: Remota Patagonia Lodge, Puerto Natales
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fly to Punta Arenas where you'll then drive to Puerto Natales, a port city, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and starting point for explorers in search of the Patagonian fjords. This afternoon, you’ll have leisure time in the day to rest and rejuvenate before heading to dinner. Famous for its spiced meat and seafood dishes, tonight's meal will have you savoring typical Patagonian dishes.
Day 8: Balmaceda And Serrano Glaciers Excursion
Location: Torres del Paine National Park
Accommodation Name: Remota Patagonia Lodge, Puerto Natales
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Wake for a scenic breakfast before starting your day. Torres del Paine National Park boasts jaw-dropping landscapes filled with turquoise lagoons, glaciers, and towering granite horns. Head out on a Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier Cruise to view these majestic ice formations. On return, the rest of your day is at leisure.
Day 9: Torres Del Paine National Park
Location: Torres del Paine National Park
Accommodation Name: Las Torres Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Join your Travel Director on an excursion of Torres del Paine National Park, famous for its glaciers, grasslands, imposing mountains and the three granite towers it is named after. Later today, explore with Insight Choice. Opt to learn the Patagonian cowboy way of life by spending an evening with local vaqueros to learn about their special clothing, saddles and an opportunity to share mate, a herbal tea made from yerba mate leaves. Or, join a tour of the region's oldest gardens at Reserva Cerro Paine which produces seasonal fruits and vegetables using bio-intensive sustainable methods. Tonight, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you enjoy the exquisite flavors of Torres Del Paine National Park.
Day 10: Sightseeing In Torres Del Paine Relaxed Start
Location: Torres del Paine National Park
Accommodation Name: Las Torres Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today you'll spend the day sightseeing in Torres del Paine as you look out for the park's guanacos, a rare creature similar to the llama, as well as Andean condors. Witness the sharp peaks of Cuernos del Paine and marvel at the emerald waters of the park’s lakes. These include Lake Pehoé, Sarmiento Lake, Del Toro Lake and Nordenskjöld Lake.After a day exploring, join your Travel Director and new friends as you toast to your travels at a Celebration Dinner with wine.
Day 11: Back To Santiago
Location: Santiago
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your trip comes to an end. Head to Punta Arenas where you'll fly to Santiago International Airport for your flight home.
What's Included
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Choice Highlights
Choose between two carefully selected activities in Torres del Paine National Park, including a Patagonian Ranch Cultural Experience or an immersive tour of the region's oldest organic kitchens and garden.
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Top Rated Highlights
Enjoy guided tours and experiences in Valparaiso, Santiago, San Pedro de Atacama, and Torres del Paine National Park, including visits to UNESCO sites, wineries, and natural wonders.
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Make Travel Matter
Dine at Hotel Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park, enjoying meals with fresh, in-season ingredients grown on-site using sustainable techniques.
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Authentic Dining
Experience local cuisine with dinners and lunches in Valparaiso, Santiago, and Torres del Paine National Park, including a Welcome Dinner and a Celebration Dinner with wine.
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Insight Choice
Opt for a Patagonian Ranch Cultural Experience or a tour of the region's oldest gardens at Reserva Cerro Paine, focusing on sustainable farming methods.
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Dining Summary
Includes 5 Dinners with Wine, 10 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches with Wine, and 4 Lunches.
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Insight Experiences
Visit the El Tatio Geysers and Atacama Salt Flats, experiencing the unique landscapes and wildlife of the region.
What's Not Included
The tour does not explicitly mention exclusions, but typically, personal expenses, travel insurance, and optional activities not listed in the itinerary are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel seamlessly with transfers and flights between Santiago, Calama, and Punta Arenas. Enjoy scenic drives to San Pedro de Atacama and Puerto Natales, and embark on a Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier Cruise for breathtaking views of majestic ice formations.
Accommodation
Experience comfort and luxury at the Intercontinental in Santiago, Cumbres in San Pedro de Atacama, and Remota Patagonia Lodge in Puerto Natales. Enjoy the exquisite flavors of Torres Del Paine National Park at Las Torres Patagonia, offering fresh, in-season ingredients grown on-site.
Dining Summary
- 5 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 10 Breakfast (B)
- 2 Lunch with Wine (LW)
- 4 Lunch (L)
Insight Experiences
- San Pedro de Atacama: Our journey to the Altiplano starts in the early hours, just in time to watch the sun rise in one of the most important geothermic fields in the world: the El Tatio Geysers. There are over 70 geysers with pools of boiling water spurting vapor and it is best to see them first thing in the morning, so you can truly appreciate the beautiful contrast of colors between the intensely blue sky and the pristine vapor from the geysers. You will then enjoy a well-deserved breakfast in this amazing setting, in the shadows of the Andes. Take a moment to warm up as the temperatures in the zone can range from -2°C to 24.5°C (28°F to 76° F). On you way back to San Pedro de Atacama, you will travel through beautiful landscapes, seeing the valleys, flora and fauna, and maybe even spotting some of the local vicunas and vizcachas - a real highlight.
- San Pedro de Atacama: Explore the Atacama Salt Flats, the largest in Chile. One of the driest parts of the world, the area stretches for over 40,000 square miles (103,600 square kilometers). View the nearby volcanoes, and keep your eyes open for species of wild birds including the Andean and James flamingos on the shores of the Chaxa, Miscanti and Minque Lagoons.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique cultural experiences are included in the tour?
During the tour, you can join a Patagonian Ranch Cultural Experience in Torres del Paine National Park to learn about the baqueano (cowboy) way of life. This includes learning about their special clothing, saddles, and horse tack, as well as how to properly saddle a horse, nail a horseshoe, and ride. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy Yerba mate tea while chatting about Patagonian culture.
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What sustainable practices are highlighted during the tour?
The tour includes a visit to the Reserva Cerro Paine in Torres del Paine National Park, where you can join an immersive tour of the region's oldest organic kitchens and garden. This farm uses bio-intensive sustainable methods to conserve traditional heirloom varieties and an assortment of culinary and medicinal herbs. Additionally, dining at Hotel Las Torres features fresh, in-season ingredients grown on-site using sustainable techniques, supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
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What wildlife can be observed during the tour?
In Torres del Paine National Park, you can look out for guanacos, a rare creature similar to the llama, as well as Andean condors. In the Atacama Salt Flats, you may see species of wild birds including the Andean and James flamingos on the shores of the Chaxa, Miscanti, and Minque Lagoons.
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What are some of the natural wonders visited on this tour?
The tour includes visits to several natural wonders such as the Moon Valley in the Atacama Desert, known for its moon-like dunes, caves, and caverns. You will also explore the Atacama Salt Flats, the largest in Chile, and visit the El Tatio Geysers, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. In Torres del Paine National Park, you will see glaciers, grasslands, and the iconic granite towers.
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What kind of dining experiences are included in the tour?
The tour offers a variety of dining experiences, including a Welcome Dinner in Santiago, lunch at El Galeón restaurant in Santiago's Central Market, and a Celebration Dinner with wine in Torres del Paine National Park. You will also enjoy a dinner featuring typical Patagonian dishes in Puerto Natales.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions