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| THE
LAKE DISTRICT - Lakes Crossing Chile to Argentina |
| Day
1 |
Fly to Puerto
Montt -
After your arrival you will be transferred
to Petrohué passing through the town
of Puerto Varas. Continuing east along the
shores of the Lago Llanquihue past various
beaches and Ensenada, you enter the National
Park Vicente Pérez Rosales and will
make a stop at the famous Petrohué
Falls with their emerald colored water. Go
for a short and pleasant walk on the trail
to the bridges from where you will have great
views of the thunderous rapids. You will continue
your tour to reach the Hotel Petrohué
on the shores of Lake Todos los Santos shortly
afterwards; a beautiful lake surrounded by
an idyllic landscape, located right below
the snow-capped volcano Osorno. Overnight
in Petrohué.
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| Day 2 |
Explore Andean mountain trails used by old indigenous inhabitants, crossing
rivers and valleys and visiting natural hot springs, all in the Vicente Perez Rosales
National Park. Overnight Petrohue.
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| Day
3 |
Today you
will cut through the Andes by boat into Argentina,
departing from the Petrohué Pier. The
modern catamaran departs for the crossing
of Todos los Santos Lake, also called "Emerald
Lake" due to its deep green colors. During
the navigation you can enjoy the magnificent
view of the volcanoes Osorno, Puntiagudo and
Tronador. After disembarking in Peulla you
will have time for lunch and/or a short walk
before continuing the tour by bus to Puerto
Frías. After a short stop at Chilean
custom offices the journey takes you through
a beautiful Andean rainforest up to an altitude
of 2.990 feet above sea level. After passing
the Argentinean border you will again board
a boat which will take you across Lake Frías
to the village of Puerto Alegre; from where
you will continue in a bus through an Andean
larch forest to Puerto Blest. Here you will
again embark a motor catamaran for your last
crossing for today on Lake Nahuel Huapi; taking
you to Puerto Pañuelo where the buses
await you to shuttle you to your hotel in
Bariloche . Overnight in Bariloche.
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| Day 4 |
After breakfast you will drive
to Puerto Pañuelo to board a boat that
takes you to Victoria Island, 7 mi from the
mainland. This island is the narrow and elongated
home to a wide range of fauna and wildlife:
native species such as cypresses coihues and
ñires cohabit with huge sequoias, thujas,
eucalyptus, oak, and pine trees. Similarly,
the fauna is a mixture of native and foreign
species such as the native "pudu pudu"
or dwarf deer cohabiting with the wild boar
or jabalí, European deer, pheasants,
and a variety of birds. You will have time
to take a walk and observe the rich flora
and fauna. Afterwards you continue the boat
trip to Puerto Quetrihue, located to the south
of the peninsula and visit a spectacular dense
forest solely made up of Arrayán trees,
recognizable by their cinnamon brown bark
and round, dark green leaves. Due to the fact
that it is almost the only tree specimen in
the area, the surroundings have a bizarre
coloring. While walking along the trails,
you will encounter individual trees that grow
up to 49 ft and are 650 years old. In the
afternoon you return to Bariloche to stay
overnight.)
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| Day
5 |
Transfer
to the Bariloche Airport and fly to Buenos
Aires.
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|
PRIVATE CHILEAN WINE TOUR |
| Day
1 |
Departure from USA
Depart from your home city to Santiago on overnight service.
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| Day 2 |
Santiago
Morning arrival at Santiago airport where you will be greeted by our local wine expert guide. Transfer to your hotel where you will stay for the next 2 nights.
In the afternoon, depart from your hotel to explore the historic and modern sights of Santiago de Chile. We will start our trip at the Alameda Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago's main avenue, visiting La Moneda. Following this you will enjoy a walk through the pedestrian streets of Huérfanos and Ahumada, where the main commercial activity of the city is concentrated. Then visit the famous Plaza de Armas and continue by visiting the Santa Lucia Hill, the hill upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. Your city tour will also include a visit to Bellavista, the cultural and artistic neighborhood of Santiago and Pueblito Los Dominicos where you will find the most complete and representative sample of Chilean handcrafts.
Dinner this evening at a local restaurant serving fine Chilean wines.
(B,D)
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| Day
3 |
Maipo Valley
After breakfast at your hotel, travel south with your guide on the Panamerican Highway to Buin, an agricultural town, close to the Maipo River. Passing through vineyards, as you make your way to the Perez Cruz winery, a premium red wine producer. At the estate you will visit the gardens, vineyards, bottling plant and cellars. Then continue to Cajón del Maipo, a narrow valley by the Maipo River, at the foot of the Andes. Here you will find the boutique winery, Cavas del Maipo Winery. A family owned and operated winery since 1950, preserves their traditional wine making and personalized style. After the tasting with the owner and wine maker, you will have the chance to buy their wines or the best product this winery has to offer "L´Heritage Sparkling Wine".
Return to Santiago in the afternoon and dinner out at a local restaurant.
(B,D)
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| Day 4 |
Tren del Vino / Santa Cruz
Depart from Santiago and travel south to the San Fernando railway station. Board the wine train and travel to Santa Cruz, through the most important vineyards of the Colchagua Valley. Enjoy a wine tasting and appetizer on the train while Chilean locals play songs that represent the native roots of Chile. Upon arrival in Santa Cruz you will visit the Santa Cruz vineyard and discover the fascinating world of wine, learning about the elaboration process and techniques, right in the place of its creation. Lunch will be served at the vineyard.
Check into your hotel room at Santa Cruz and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
(B,L,D)
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| Day
5 |
Colchagua Valley
After breakfast, visit the Colchagua Museum. It houses the largest private collection in South America, exhibiting paleontological, archaeological, pre-Colombian and colonial Spanish artifacts as well as thematic pavilions about the modernity, history and development of arms Huaso riding gear, coaches & carriages, agricultural machinery, railways and automobiles. In the afternoon visit Casa Lapostolle, a "French" Chilean winery for tour and tasting. The winery is a marvel of technical ingenuity as well as aesthetic excellence. Dinner is included at your hotel.
(B,D)
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| Day 6 |
Winery tours & tasting
This morning, depart for Montes winery, located in the middle of the renowned Apalta Valley. Montes produces premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah. The first Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon was the first ever Chilean premium export wine. In the afternoon, visitn Vina Vium Manent. The tour begins at the hacienda "La Llaveria", which was built in the early 20th century and proudly represents the architecture of Chilean haciendas of the time. After a tour and tasting, visit the Viu Manent equestrian club and return to the hotel for dinner.
(B,D)
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| Day
7 |
Vina del Mar
Depart in the morning for a scenic drive from Santa Cruz to Vina del Mar and the neighboring seaside resort of ConCon by way of Carretera de la Fruta. This coastal region has beautiful beaches and a wide expanse of sand looking out to the Pacific. The Humboldt Current wells up cold water from the ocean floor, but that same current also accounts for marvelous seafood. You will have plenty of free time to relax on the beach or enjoy a spa treatment. Dinner tonight will be in the hotel restaurant overlooking the sea.
(B,D)
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| Day
8 |
Vina del Mar & Valparaiso
Late morning departure from your hotel for a full day of touring. Valparaíso's picturesque shape, enhanced by the surrounding hills that seem to dive into the ocean, remind us that this was once the most important maritime destination of the Pacific coast before the Strait of Panama was opened to navigation in 1914. We will visit the downtown area and the hill neighborhoods for a better understanding of why it was the most flourishing city in the early 20th century in Chile. Traveling north along the coastline of the bay we will reach the city of Viña del Mar, the most famous and visited seaside city of the area, with its many parks of huge trees and palms that gave Viña del Mar the well deserved name of 'Garden City'. We will also visit the beaches and the Casino, and we will learn about its history.
Continue on to Santiago airport for your evening flights home.
(B)
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THE SPIRIT OF PATAGONIA |
| Day
1 |
Upon arrival at Punta
Arenas Airport you will discover the historic and cultural
highlights of Punta Arenas during a city tour, before
continuing the trip to the penguin colony at Otway Sound.
Midway between Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales you will
stay at a typical Patagonian Estancia. The Estancia Rio
Verde is a working sheep ranch and you have the possibility
to learn more about the farm, its history and daily life.
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| Day 2 |
Enjoy the Patagonian farm life or even
go on a horseback ride. After an early lunch you will
depart to Puerto Natales to board a catamaran and navigate
the Ultima Esperanza Bay. Enjoy the spectacular scenery
of mountains and native forests and the Balmaceda Glacier.
You may possibly spot seals and cormorants, when the boat
approaches Monte Balmaceda. Overnight at Hostería
Monte Balmaceda.
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| Day
3 |
In the morning you will
hike to a small lagoon to see floating ice floes and the
glacier Serrano. In the afternoon you will board a zodiac
and the trip continues upstream on Río Serrano.
You will approach the Torres del Paine National Park,
where you can enjoy the spectacular view of the Southern
Ice Field. You will then disembark the zodiac boat for
a short walk past the Victoria Waterfalls to a second
zodiac that will take you all the way to the national
park (luggage is transported by staff). Upon arrival at
Torres del Paine National Park, you will be transferred
to your hotel. Overnight at Torres del Paine National
Park.
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| Day 4 |
Torres del Paine National Park
After breakfast you will explore the imposing Torres del
Paine National Park together with your guide. You will
visit Lake Pehoé, Lake Nordenskjöld, Lake
Sarmiento, and the Salto Grande with beautiful views of
the Paine Mountain Range and Torres del Paine. Overnight
at Torres del Paine NP.
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| Day
5 |
After breakfast you will
depart for Punta Arenas Airport with intermediate scenic
stops. Lunch will be served at a restaurant en route.
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We
recommend combining this with the Lakes Crossing package
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| 21 DAY TREK
EXPLORING ATACAMA AND ARGENTINA |
| Day
1 |
Arrive Santiago. Airport
greeting and transfer your Santiago hotel, overnight
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| Day 2 |
Transfer to the domestic air terminal and
fly to Calama.
Airport greeting and transfer by van to Explora en Atacama
for 4 nights
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| Day
3 |
Full day of exploration
in Atacama
Overnight Explora Lodge
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| Day 4 |
Full day of exploration in Atacama
Overnight Explora Lodge
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| Day
5 |
Full day of exploration
in Atacama
Overnight Explora
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| Day 6 |
Depart for Argentina. High-altitude walk
to lakes, salt flats and volcanoes. Lodging at The Tambo
La Quesera campsite (3,500 meters) in Poma, Argentina,
after passing Abra De Acay (4,895 meters).
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| Day
7 |
Explorations and high-altitude
walks in the Poma area. Visit to the village of Cachi,
an important testament to Spanish colonization. Lodging
at the Finca Rancagua house, a traditional hacienda in
the outskirts of Cachi.
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| Day
8 |
Explorations in the Calchaquies
Valley, part of an ancient travel route that features
an imposing landscape with traces of the Atacaman Indian
culture and other pre-Columbian cultures that once inhabited
this region.
Lodging at the Finca Rancagua house.
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| Day
9 |
Additional explorations
in the Calchaquies region.
Lodging at the Finca Rancagua house.
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| Day
10 |
Depart for Salta, Argentina,
one of the oldest colonial villages in Argentina. Explorations
in the Cuesta del Obispo. You will be dropped off at the
Sheraton Hotel in Salta, overnight
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| Day
11 |
(Half-day). Travel with
your Argentinean guide to the small village of Purmamarca,
The terrain here is untainted. Enjoy the landscapes and
wonderful rock formations as you hike with your guide.
Lodging tonight is at La Comarca Hotel, located in beautiful
Purmamarca.
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| Day
12 |
Full day trekking in
the Quebrada de Humahuaca, with a picnic lunch. This spectacular
valley of the Rio Grande follows the line of a major cultural
route, “The Camino Inca.” Here, there are
visible traces of prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities,
of the Inca Empire (15th -16th centuries) and of the fight
for independence in the 19th and 20th centuries. Overnight
La Comarca Hotel.
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| Day
13 |
After breakfast travel
south about 5 hours to Cafayate, a beautiful village in
the heart of the Calchaquies Valleys. En route, pass through
Cerrillos, Alemania and the Rio Las Conchas Gorge, which
has been declared a national monument because of its extraordinary
formations on the rocks eroded by the wind and time. Stop
for lunch on the way. Balance of the day at leisure. Lodging
tonight is at Patios de Cafayate, an elegant estate, rich
in culture and tradition.
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| Day
14 |
In the morning, take
a walking tour around the Indian ruins of Quilmes. Dating
from about AD 1000, Quilmes was a complex urban settlement
that occupied about 30 hectares and housed as many as
5000 people. Lodging tonight at Patios de Cafayate.
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| Day
15 |
Today, you can choose
to relax and enjoy your hotel or you can do a hike. Your
guide is at your disposal. Lodging at Patios de Cafayate.
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| Day
16 |
Travel about 4 hours
into Tucuman, Argentina’s smallest province and
to the city of Tucuman. Fly from Tucuman to Buenos Aires
and on to Mendoza.
Transfer to the Vistalba Winery and check into the Inn,
the family estate of Carlos Pulenta. Lodging tonight at
Vistalba Winery.
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| Day
17 |
Full day wine tour, including
lunch. First visit Achaval Ferrer and on to Ruca Malen,
where you will have lunch. Return to Vistalba.
Overnight at Vistalba Winery.
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| Day
18 |
Trekking tour in the
area, with a box lunch. In the afternoon, drive to Rancho
e Cuero. The lodge is located only 16 km. from the base
of Nivero del Plata glacier and the natural reserve around
the lodge is home to lake trout, guanaco troops and the
majestic condor. Overnight at Rancho e Cuero.
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| Day
19 |
Today will be a very
special trekking day. You can decide, with your guide
which of the treks you would prefer. Mid-afternoon, visit
Salentein winery, an absolutely gorgeous winery, located
very near the ranch. This winery was originally started
by the Jesuits. Dinner and overnight at Rancho e Cuero.
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| Day
20 |
After breakfast, transfer
to Mendoza (2 hrs.) and fly to Buenos Aires
Transfer to hotel and overnight
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| Day
21 |
Spend the day in Buenos
Aires and transfer in the evening to the airport for your
return flight.
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Currency:
Chilean Peso
Language: Spanish
Gateway airport:
Santiago (SCL)
Travel
time from:
- ATL 9.5 hrs
- MIA 8.5 hrs
Time zone:
(GMT -4)
One hour later than
Eastern
Time.
DST is observed.
Voltage:
220 V
Dialing code: 56+
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