Chile & Argentina

(14 days)

Santiago, Calama, San Pedro De Atacama, El Tatio Geysers, Atacama Salt Flat, Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, Torres Del Paine National Park, Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas, Chiloe Island Andean Crossing Tour, Bariloche, Buenos Aires, Puerto Iguazu, Iguazu Falls

Prices: from £3820 (see price list below)
Travel dates: 01 Jan TO 30 APR 2012 

Itinerary:
Day 1: London Heathrow - Santiago
Depart from London Heathrow for your flight to Santiago.

Day 2: Santiago (D)
Arrival and reception at airport. Private transfer to your hotel. Pm City tour in Santiago.
This tour visits the most important monuments such as San Francisco Church, La Moneda Palace (House of Government), Main Square and national monuments like the Cathedral and City Hall. Time to visit Santa Lucia´s Hill – the place chosen to found the city on 1541. Rest of afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at hotel Atton el Bosque.

Day 3: Santiago – Calama – San Pedro de Atacama  (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to airport on time to board your flight to Calama
AM - Arrival reception at Calama airport and private transfer to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama (100 kms approx.) Pm - visit to the Moon Valley Visit to the Salt Mountain range and the fabulous views offered over the valley. Visit the Mars or Death Valley with its spectacular scenery and continue to the “Three Marias” an interesting geological formation, which is next to a former salt mine. At dusk, climb a large sand dune in the Moon Valley for spectacular views of the sunset over the Andes Mountains.
Overnight at Kimal Hotel

Day 4: San Pedro de Atacama  – El Tatio Geysers – Atacama Salt Flat  (B/L/D)
Full Day Excursion to Tatio Geysers* Box breakfast during tour.
Am - Very Early departure from San Pedro towards the El Tatio Geysers. A guided walk around the geothermal field as the fumaroles of steam, which appear at dawn, rise into the sky. Journey through the Andes Mountains, with wonderful views of the Putana volcano and the peaks of Torcopuri. Return to San Pedro de Atacama at lunch time. Pm - Half-day tour to the Atacama Salt Flat and Toconao
Depart San Pedro de Atacama to visit Toconao, known as the “craftsmen’s village” – the locals work the liparite stone found here and many of the buildings are made of this stone, unlike the rest in the area. Continue to the Chaxa Lagoon in the Atacama Salt Flat, where three varieties of flamingos can be viewed. Overnight at Kimal Hotel

Day 5: San Pedro de Atacama – Santiago  (B/L/D)
Transfer to airport on time to board your flight to Santiago. Arrival reception at airport in Santiago and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to explore Santiago. Overnight at Hotel Atton El Bosque.

Day 6: Santiago – Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales  (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Private transfer to airport on time to board your flight to Punta Arenas.
Arrival reception at Punta Arenas airport and transfer to your hotel in Puerto Natales. On the way to Puerto Natales we’ll make a stop and visit the Penguin Colony** Overnight at Costa Australis Hotel.

Day 7: Puerto Natales -Torres Del Paine National Park  (B/L/D)
Breakfast at your hotel. Full Day Excursion to the Torres Del Paine and Milodón cave with lunch
Torres del Paine National Park was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978. Visit the Milodón Cave where the remains of a prehistoric animal were found in the last century. The impressive Andean Massif whose peaks impress all those who visit the park, is surrounded by glaciers such as the Grey glacier, waterfalls, lakes and lagoons such as Pehoe which together with a wide variety of flora and fauna make this one of the best known places in the world for its rich natural beauty. Return to your hotel in Puerto Natales. Overnight at Costa Australis Hotel

Day 8: Puerto Natales – Punta Arenas  – Puerto Montt   (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Punta Arenas and half day city tour. Climb Cerro Mirador where the only ski centre in the world with a sea view operates in winter and enjoy a fantastic Panoramic view of the city. The tour includes visits to the historic cemetery, with its interesting foliage and elaborate tombs, the Monument to Magallanes in the Plaza Muñoz Gamero, the Regional Salesian Museum, which hosts a magnificent exhibition about the Yaganas, Onas and Alacalufes, native peoples who once entirely populated this region. Continue the tour with the Historical Museum of Magallanes in the Braun Menendez Palace, one of the former mansions of the city where the contemporary history of the zone is displayed. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Afterwards, transfer to airport of Punta Arenas in time to board your flight to Puerto Montt. At Puerto Montt private transfer to your hotel in Puerto Varas. (20/30 minutes approx.). Overnight at Cabanas del Lago Hotel.

Day 9: Puerto Varas - Chiloe Island  (B/L/D)
Breakfast at hotel. Full Day Excursion to Ancud with Museum. Travel to Pargua to board the ferry boat which takes passengers to Chacao, the port on the Island of Chiloe. From here, travel to the port of Caulin where it is possible to see local wildlife. Continue to Ancud to visit the Plaza de Armas, or Main Square and the Regional Museum of Ancud where there is an exhibition of local history and a Courtyard of Myths, where various stone replicas of characters who feature in the many myths and legends of the island are depicted. Time for lunch. (included). Return during the afternoon.
Overnight at Cabanas del Lago Hotel.

DAY 10: Andean Crossing Tour (Puerto Varas to Bariloche)  (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. The programme operates the route over the Andes from Chile to Argentina or vice versa through the National Parks of Vicente Perez Rosales (Chile) and Nahuel Huapi (Argentina). The circuit departs daily from Puerto Varas in Chile. In a bus, passengers travel along the southern shore of the lake to the Petrohué Falls in a journey which takes approximately 2 hours. Sailing from Petrohue on the edge of the All Saint’s Lake to Peulla on the other side in a comfortable catamaran, takes one hour and forty minutes. Continue over the Andes Mountains to the border with Argentina at Puerto Frías a small lake which is often ice covered in the heart of the Andes. The crossing here takes 20 minutes, before a short journey by bus to Puerto Blest. Visit the Cantaros waterfall before the
final sailing on Nahuel Huapi Lake to Puerto Pañuelo. In Puerto Pañuelo a bus is waiting to take passengers to Bariloche. (B, L) Arrival to the hotel in Bariloche. Overnight at Kenton Palace Hotel.

 

DAY 11: Bariloche - Buenos Aires   (B/L/D)
Private Half day excursion Short Circuit tour of Bariloche. This includes the highlights of the city, including the ascent to Cerro Campanario (entrance fees included) to enjoy the excellent view of the lakes and mountains. Lunch is included in a downtown restaurant within walking distance from the hotel. In the afternoon, private transfer from the hotel to the airport with English guide to take your Flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival in Buenos Aires pick up and transfer to the hotel with English speaking guide. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at N H Latino Hotel, standard room.

DAY 12: Buenos Aires - Puerto Iguazu - Iguazu Falls  (B/L/D)
After breakfast, early private transfer from the hotel to the domestic airport with English speaking guide to take your flight to Iguazu. Upon arrival private transfer from Puerto Iguazu airport to the hotel with English speaking guide. Pivate excursion to the falls, with English speaking guide. Entrance fees and lunch at a local restaurant are included. Experience the Argentine side of the magnificent Iguazu Falls in three parts. Devil’s Throat: board a little train for a 4 km ride to Devil’s Throat Station surrounding the upper part of the Iguazu River. From here, walk by a bridge walkway that leads to the balcony of the Devil’s Throat. Upper Walk: A walk of 500 meters long and lasts about 45 minutes seeing the Two Sisters, Bosetti, Adam and Eve, Bernabe Mendez, Mbiguá and San Martin falls from the upper part. Lower Path: With a professional tourist guide, walk approximately 1,300 meters along a foot path for about 1.5 hrs viewing the falls from below. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at Esturion Hotel, regency room.

DAY 13: Iguazu - Buenos Aires  (B/L/D)
After breakfast private transfer from the hotel to Iguazu airport with English speaking guide to take your flight to Buenos Aires. Reception at the airport and private transfer to the hotel with English speaking guide. In the afternoon, private 3 hour City tour to visit the highlights of Buenos Aires city. The tour visits the typical neighborhoods like La Boca, which retains the spirit of Italian immigration and Palermo with its big green spaces, exclusive avenues and first class bars and restaurants. The Recoleta, distinguished by its French style, is one of the fanciest residential neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, with great cultural activity and spaces dedicated to the arts. The Colon Theater, the National Congress, and the Presidential Palace are some of the many spots that are included.At night, transfer (without guide) to La Ventana, for a Dinner & Tango Show. Overnight at NH Latino Hotel, standard room.

DAY 14: Ezeiza Airport - London Heathrow (B)
Private transfer from the hotel to Ezeiza airport, without guide, to take your international flight back.

Price List:

Prices are per person and include international and internal flights.
Please note that flight prices are subject to change until booked and tour prices may change depending on season. Terms and conditions apply.
 

What is included:
• Return International Flights
• Private transfers & Excursions with English Speaking guide as specified.
• Seat in bus tour for Andean Crossing
• Entrance fee at National Parks and museums (Closed on Mondays)
• Lodging at specified hotels or similar, depending on availability at time of booking
• Full board as specified.

What is not included:
• Early check in/Late check out
• Airport taxes
• Tips and personal expenses
• Extra meals, transfers and excursions not mentioned in the programme
• Drinks, except when specifically mentioned

Vegetarian meals are available with all our tour packages

*Please note that prices are per person and include international and internal flights. Please note that flight prices are subject to change until booked and tour prices may change depending on season. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information on any of our packages featured or to book, please call us on: 0207 312 1742