Day 01: Arrive Balmaceda and drive to Mallin Colorado
Arrive in Balmaceda airport and set out on the 6 hour drive South along the Carretera Austral and arrive to Mallin Colorado Ecolodge. The sparsely populated region of Aysen, Chile is noted for its glaciated lakes and dramatic landscape including the Northern and Southern Patagonian Ice Fields, calpyso-blue glacier lakes and fjords, and ice-capped mountains. Arrive to your comfortable and rustic cabins overlooking the Lake General Carrera, the second largest in South America after Lake Titicaca.

Day 02: Kayak the Marble Caves
Join your guide in the morning and drive an hour north of the lodge. Take a boat trip to the western end of the lake and see the famous Marble Caves and Cathedrals by kayak. Learn about the geologists’ theories about the formation of these mysterious series of cliffside marble caves created along the shores of Lake General Carrera. View the ways in which the stone has been eroded by the movement of water and wind throughout the years as you kayak the calypso-blue waters.

Day 03: Exploradores Glacier Trek
Next continue on to the Exploraderes glacier for a full day trek. The remote Northern and Southern Patagonian Ice Fields are the largest remaining on earth aside from Antarctica and Greenland and span this region along the Carretera Austral. Trek two hours today through bushes on a trail and over stones to get to the glacier. Spend the next three hours trekking on the ice plateau. Explore the immense ice caves and take in the amazing views before returning the two hours back and returning to the cabin this evening.

Day 04: Baker River Confluence & Rafting
In the morning, join your guide and drive 22 miles south along Chile’s Austral highway. Arrive at Puerto Bertrand, a small town located in a picturesque area near the source of the Baker River, known as having Chile’s largest volume-flow of water. Stop to explore the mouth of the Baker River before driving another 8 miles to where the Baker River meets the River Neff. The scenery where the two rivers join is overwhelming. Surrounded by high mountains and abundant vegetation, the area is rich in scenic views. This afternoon take to the river for 2 hours of Class II rafting before returning to the lodge this evening.

Day 05: Free day Aysen
Enjoy a free day in the region to take part in a number of optional excursions at an additional cost. The highly recommended horseback ride to Mallin Colorado Lagoon takes you through a thriving forest of native trees and allows for amazing views of Lake General Carrera, Lake Bertrand and the glaciers of the Northern Ice Fields. Other activities at additional cost include full day fly-fishing on nearby lakes, visiting the San Rafael National Park, hiking on nearby trails, or arranging for another day kayaking on the lake.

Day 06: Depart Aysen
Return to the Balcameda Airport today in time for your return flight to Santiago, or continue on to your next Chile tour destination.

Day 01: Arrive in Santiago
Arrive in Santiago and transfer to your hotel. Overnight.

Day 02: Explore Santiago
In the morning, meet your guide at your hotel. Your guide leads you on a tour which highlights Santiago’s most important historical sites, including the downtown area surrounding the Plaza de Armas and the La Moneda Presidential Palace. Pass by the Mercado Central, one of Chile’s largest fresh seafood markets, and stroll by the many bustling stalls to see the tremendous variety available from Chile’s bountiful sea. Visit some of the lesser-known barrios of Santiago, including Republica and Concha y Toro, which were historically privileged neighborhoods and home to Santiago’s high society. There is time to walk around and take photos of the varied styles of architecture dating back to the 19th and early 20th century. Continuing through the cobblestoned Lastarria neighborhood, walk through the Parque Forestal and pass by the Bellas Artes Museum. For a panoramic vista of the city, visit the top of Cerro San Cristobal Hill, which sits 984 feet above the city.

During the tour, the option to visit one of Santiago’s most famous museums, La Chascona, is available. The former home of beloved poet and Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda, the whimsical residence provides a snapshot into the life and mind of Neruda, and is filled with art, eccentric collections, and even his Nobel Prize.

Enjoy a free afternoon and further explore the city on your own.

Day 03: Trekking to El Morado Glacier
Meet your guide at your hotel and head for the dramatic peaks of El Morado National Park, one of the Central Valley’s best places to hike and explore. Begin at Baños Morales and head toward Laguna Morales, a small lake at 7,874 feet above sea level. After a picnic lunch, continue along the trail until you arrive to a viewpoint of San Francisco Glacier, one of twenty-nine Chilean glaciers which has a considerable impact on the nation’s landscape and water supply. Following the same trail, head back to Baños Morales for some refreshments before driving higher into the Andes for a relaxing soak in the Baños Colinas hot springs. This tour involves four to five hours of moderate hiking.

Day 04: Biking and Wine Tasting in the Colchagua Valley
In the morning, set out with your guide for a day of biking and wine tasting. Begin with a three hour drive south to the high eastern section of the renowned Colchagua Valley where you start your ride. Take a gentle ride downhill for 20 miles toward the town of San Fernando and end at the Casa Silva Winery which features a rich history dating back over a century. Enjoy a tour of the winery and lunch with wine tasting. Following your time at the winery, drive to your new hotel in the Colchagua Valley to rest from the day’s ride.

We can customize and increase the biking distances for more advanced cyclists.

Day 05: Colchagua Valley Biking
Enjoy a second day pedaling around the Colchagua Valley. First your driver meets you and takes you to Estampa, the first winery in Chile which was dedicated to blending its wines. The architecture of Estampa features an avant-garde design, which houses cutting-edge winemaking equipment. Next, pedal to the family-run Viu Manent winery for a provided lunch. Founded in 1935, Viu Manent’s core philosophy is centered on attention to detail, respect for the environment, and honoring history and tradition.

Following your meal, bike a short distance to Neyen Winery. Founded on the site of one of the region’s pioneering wineries and dating back to the 19th century, Neyen is the perfect blend of traditional and modern times. Its Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted in 1890 and produce excellent fruit. Renowned enologists Patrick Valette and Eduardo Silva serve as consultants, employing art, precision, and passion to achieve a maximum expression of the vines, varieties, and unique terroir. Drive back to your hotel late this afternoon. Total pedaling distance today is 17.5 miles.

Day 06: San Antonio Valley
In the morning, set out for a three hour drive to the San Antonio Valley: Chile’s most coastal wine region. Nurturing the grapes requires a unique knowledge in order to achieve the delicate balance between sunlight, wind, and temperature. The hard work of winemakers has yielded excellent results: crisp whites and spicy reds which are increasingly capturing attention around the world. First travel to the Matetic Winery. A state-of-the-art winemaking facility, Matetic was designed to compliment its beautiful natural surroundings. Grapes are handpicked and carefully examined to ensure only those of highest quality are used in the winemaking process. Enjoy a tour of the grounds and taste the flavors of their distinctive wines.

Your next visit is Casa Marín Winery. Founded in 2000 by Chile’s first female vineyard owner, Maria Luz Marín, Casa Marín has been described as one of the most daring and innovative vineyards in the country. Its outstanding wines have received many awards, including: Best Sauvignon Blanc in the World (2010), Winery of the Year (2010) by industry association Wines of Chile, and most recently was named among the Top 100 Wineries in the World (2012) by Wine & Spirits magazine. Two of its top wines – Miramar Vineyard Syrah 2010 and Cipreses Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011, were named the best in Chile by the country’s most prestigious wine publication, Descorchados. Following a tour and tasting of their premium wines, enjoy a delicious lunch on the grounds. This afternoon return to your hotel at Matetic Winery and enjoy the rest of the day free to further explore the property.

Day 07: Valparaiso
In the morning, set out with your guide for a city tour of Valparaíso. Begin in the downtown sector and learn about the history of ‘Valpo’ and its importance in South American trade and commerce. Century-old hillside elevators transport you up the city’s steep hills, where a labyrinthine maze of streets reveal brightly colored buildings, bohemian cafes, and elegant restaurants. Enjoy lunch at one of the city’s top restaurants, which is nestled in the hills. With a varied menu and a fresh pisco sour or glass of wine, what could be better? After lunch, continue your tour in the resort city of Viña del Mar, also known as ‘the garden city’ for its lush gardens and palm-lined boulevards. Pass by the ‘Reloj de Flores’ (flower clock) and sandy beaches while learning about the colonial history of the city, as well as its contemporary flair.

Day 08: Return Home
After breakfast, meet your transfer at your hotel and head for the airport for your continued journey.

Day 01: Arrive Santiago | Walking Tour
After landing at Santiago airport and clearing customs, you are met by your local representative and driven to your hotel for a private transfer. You have time to relax after checking into your cozy hotel before being picked up for a City Walking Tour.

The tour begins with you and your guide traveling downtown via Santiago’s subway to explore the famous landmarks including the central fish market and ‘Plaza de Armas’, Santiago’s main square and kilometer zero (the point from which all distances in the country are measured). You visit the ‘Alameda’, the main street of the city center, via the busy pedestrian walkway ‘Paseo Ahumada’, famous for its crowds, shops, and diversity of people. After visiting Chile’s presidential palace ‘La Moneda’, a symbol of Chile’s political past and its famously turbulent history, climb Cerro Santa Lucía, where Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro Valdivia. The tour finishes by visiting the bohemian Lastarria neighborhood, lined with cafés, restaurants, small theaters, bookstores, and boutique shops.

Day 02: Casablanca Valley Bike & Wine Adventure
The profound yet simple essential products of the earth provides the main course of this bike tour through extensive vineyard-flanked country roads in the valley of Casablanca. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind route on magical old tree-lined roads, where you can absorb the captivating beauty of Chile into your heart and soul, tasting the renowned white wines of Casablanca (some of them a real treat!) and enjoying our farm-to-table gourmet cooking at a memorable picnic-lunch under centenary eucalyptus trees.

You are picked up at your hotel and head to the Valley of Casablanca (1.5h drive) where you stop at Viña Orgánicos Emiliana for a tour and wine tasting. After visiting Viña Emiliana, bike along quiet secondary roads flanked by extensive vineyards to reach the main square of the quaint town of Casablanca, one of the first founded by the Spanish conquerors. Then, continue biking to reach the road to Las Dichas, where you have a sumptuous picnic lunch under old eucalyptus trees.

Bike 5km (3.1 miles) to reach the point where the bike tour ends; from there, drive back to your hotel.

Day 03: Fly to Atacama | Moon Valley Tour
This morning check out of the hotel for a private transfer to the airport. After a short scenic flight, arrive in Calama and be driven to San Pedro de Atacama, in the middle of the desert. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax or explore San Pedro on your own.

In the late afternoon, visit the giant sand dunes and polychromatic rock formations of the Valley of the Moon. Located 13km/8 miles west of San Pedro in the Salt Mountain Range, the valley has beautifully strange lunar landscapes and is considered one of the driest places on the planet. Explore Valle de la Luna in time to witness a spectacular sunset, and feel the immensity of the desert stretching out all around you.

Day 04: Salt Flats of Atacama
Today you drive to the great Salar de Atacama, a white endless salt flat with flamingos nesting in the lagoons. Geological research studies suggest this great salt flat is the most important lithium reserve in the world.

Visit a nearby village with ancient architecture and inviting locals who produce fine wool knit products. In the afternoon visit the Altiplano lagoons: Miscanit and Meñique, located at 4,500m above sea level. Unique flora and fauna can be seen and the area is also home to many legends about the Atacama Desert. End by visiting the town of Socaire, where old Andean traditions still exist today.

Day 05: El Tatio Geysers
The very early wake-up call from the hotel is well worth it when you arrive at the amazing Tatio Geysers and see them in action. From almost 900 meters below the earth, boiling steam bursts up to 40 meters over the surface of these spectacular geysers. A scrumptious breakfast is served upon arrival before you walk through the geothermal fields with the geysers erupting nearby. As you drive back, there is a magnificent view of the Tocopurri and Sairecabur volcanoes. Afternoon is free to rest after the early start, high altitude, and low temperature you faced in the morning.

Day 06: Fly to the Lakes District
Today travel from one extreme to another as you head from the dusty Atacama desert to Chile’s luscious Lake District, lined with vast lakes and active volcanoes. After checking out from the hotel head to the Calama airport and board a flight to Puerto Montt, connecting in Santiago. Upon arrival in Puerto Montt, continue on to nearby Puerto Varas, a beautiful town with a marked German architectural style located on the shore of Lake Llanquihue, where you stay overnight.

Day 07: Perez Rosales National Park | Trek though Desolation Pass
With Volcano Osorno as your backdrop, today trek close to Chile’s famed Todos Los Santos Lake. On the way, stop to admire the region’s rivers and waterfalls at Ensenada and Saltos de Petrohué. On your three hour ascent take in some of the most exquisite views of the Andes mountain range, with three volcanoes and the expansive blue of Todos Los Santos Lake sprawled at your feet. Enjoy a boxed lunch, included today on your trek.

Day 08: Raft Petrohue River | Fly Punta Arenas
​This morning head out for white water rafting! Drive to the Petrohue sector, in Perez Rosales National Park, located at the foot of Osorno Volcano next to the flowing turquoise waters of the Petrohue river. Upon arrival, meet skilled guides who equip you with all the rafting gear needed (wetsuit, helmet, paddle jacket and life jacket) and then talk you through safety instructions. Board the rafts and start paddling down this beautiful class III river, enjoying the rapids and the views. After completing the designated river section, have a snack on the river banks and then return to Puerto Montt for your flight to Punta Arenas (must be a flight departing after 4:00 pm from Puerto Montt).

Day 09: Arrive at Ecocamp Patagonia
Get up early for your scenic drive to EcoCamp Patagonia, located in the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park, where you spend the next three nights in a standard dome.

En route make a stop in Puerto Natales, a small, lively town on the shores of Seno de Ultima Esperanza, where you can enjoy a hearty local lunch. The journey is very scenic, with plenty of wild birds and wonderful landscapes to be seen. The day ends with your arrival and overnight stay at EcoCamp Patagonia, nestled in the heart of the park with a view of the Torres. During summer the sun sets around 11pm, so upon arrival there’s plenty of light to admire the Patagonian steppe with its guanacos and snow-peaked mountain horizon.

For the next two days you have the choice between active or easy excursions. EcoCamp Patagonia provides you with a chart of excursions offered each day of the week. The excursions vary depending on weather and the season.

Day 10-11: Torres del Paine Excursions
Your time at the EcoCamp is flexible and includes a menu of guided excursions. Choose your day’s activities from a daily menu based on your interests and energy level for the day, options ranging from easy-paced to strenuous hikes or even cycling tours. Click here for the weekly excursion schedule. Hikers can venture to the foot of the gigantic spires of El Paine (8 hours roundtrip). Weather permitting, witness the most famous sight of the Torres del Paine – the three granite monoliths reaching 9,400 feet- a testament to the massive glacial forces that carved them out of the earth. Some travelers prefer to relax and stay at the EcoCamp to enjoy the vistas and tranquility or take a walk apart from the guided group. Horseback riding and spa services can be arranged at the nearby Hosteria Las Torres during any free time or as an optional activity.

Day 12: Return to Santiago
Early this morning enjoy a scenic ride back to Punta Arenas in time to catch the evening flight to Santiago (must be a flight departing after 3:00 pm from Punta Arenas). Once in Santiago head back to your hotel for some well-deserved sleep.

Day 13: Fly Home
After breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport by private transfer, where you board your flight home.

Day 01: Arrival to Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales
Upon arrival, welcome you at the airport, where you will be given a detailed itinerary, a welcome kit, and assistance with your luggage. Then, you will be transferred to your hotel. Today you will meet our SGV Travel representative where a full Itinerary briefing will be provided.

Day 02: Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine National Park
Transport to Torres del Paine National Park + Trek to Camping Serón (4 – 6 hours, 8.9 Km, approx. 200m elevation gain)

At 7.30 AM in the morning, we will depart to Torres del Paine National Park, once we arrive to the Main entrance in Laguna Amarga, and acquire the Entrance ticket to the Park; afterwards, we take the shuttles that lead to Las Torres sector, where the trekking begins.

In Las Torres Sector we will meet our porters and hand them your duffle bags (Please be aware that duffle bags don’t weight more than 7,5kg each. Thank you in advance for your understanding, that for own health porters need to protect themselves from any luggage excess).

From Las Torres sector we might be able to enjoy impressive views of the Torres del Paine and the peak of Almirante Nieto before we start hiking.

Our trail will guide us across ancient glacial moraines and walk through a tall deciduous beech forest, where we may spot the Magellanic woodpecker. On our way to Camp Serón we hike through the foothills of Cerro Paine and grassland areas. On this hike, we might also be able to spot Austral parakeets, several species of geese and the occasional guanaco such as foxes.

Day 03: Camping Serón to Refugio Dickson
Trekking from Camping Serón to Refugio Dickson (6 – 8 hours; 18,5 Km, approx. 204m elevation gain)
Recommended hour to start: 8.30 AM.

We will have another early start, as this is going to be a long hiking day. Our path will lead us through ups and downs, but the terrain is going to be mostly flat today. Our hike continues along the foothills of Cerro Paine and skirting Lago Paine. Today we might catch some incredible views of the northeast peaks of the Paine Massif, including Cabeza del Indio (Indian Head), Escudo, Cubo, and Dickson.

Tonight we camp at Lago Dickson, a glacial lake on the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap.

Day 04: Refugio Dickson to Campamento Perros
Trekking from Refugio Dickson to Campamento Perros (5 – 7 hours 1/2; 8,7 Km, approx. 350m elevation gain)
Recommended hour to start: 8.30 AM.

Today we’ll hike west toward the Paso John Garner and the immense Patagonia Ice Cap. Along the way the Dickson Glacier might be visible, pouring into Dickson Lake from the Southern Patagonian ice cap above. We enter into pristine, old-growth beech forests and hike up the Río de Los Perros. Just before we arrive at our camp we will trek past glacier Perros with fantastic close-up views of the glacier and its lake. From here we continue hiking for about half an hour to reach the Perros campsite, located in a peaceful old-growth forest.

Today’s hike through primeval beech forest will give us a good chance to get to see the incredible red-headed Magellanic
woodpecker.

Day 05: Camp Los Perros to Grey Glacier
Trekking from Camp Los Perros to Grey Glacier (10 -12 hours, 22 Km, approx. 1000m elevation gain)
Recommended hour to start: 6.30 AM.

Today, we probably face the most exhausting but most impressive part of the tour. We leave the Camp Los Perros early in the morning and hike uphill to the Paso John Garner. Once on top, we can admire a striking view over rugged, glaciated peaks and the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap.

Afterwards, we scale down to the tree line and enter the forest along the left bank of the Grey Glacier. This part of the hike is very strenuous; we’ll have to pick our way carefully over numerous fallen logs and descend steep, slippery trails that can get very muddy at times. We’ll continue along Grey Glacier descending towards Lake Grey.

*Today’s hike is the most challenging one, encountering buttresses, climbing and descending steep and slippery trails, crossing avalanche gullies, and fording some fast-moving streams. Trekking poles are warmly recommended especially for today’s hike!

Day 06: Relaxing day at Grey Glacier
Today we have an easy-going day with a lot of free time to enjoy the area as well as to relax and recover from yesterday’s hike. After breakfast, we start a short hike (about 30 minutes) to the pretty lookout in front of Grey Glacier. A truly spectacular spot, to sit down and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of grey glacier and the floating icebergs in our front, such as the mountains around us. If we are lucky we even might see the calving of an iceberg from the glacier into Lago Grey.

The afternoon will be free to relax and enjoy the area at Sector Glacier Grey or Sector Lago Grey.

Day 07: Refugio Grey to El Francés
Refugio Grey to El Francés (8 hours, 21,6 Km, approx. 183m elevation gain). Recommended hour to start: 8.30 AM.

Trekking from Refugio Grey to El Francés (8 hours, 21,6 Km, approx. 183m elevation gain)
Recommended hour to start: 8.30 AM.

Today we continue hiking south, skirting Lago Grey with pretty lookout points to Grey Glacier and overlooking Grey Lake with its floating icebergs. Reaching Laguna de los Patos we start descending to the Camp Pehoe, which is beautifully located at the turquoise coloured Lago Pehoe, “hidden lake” in the Tehue                                                      lche language. From here on the hike takes us towards the French valley along the splendorous Lago Skottsberg to the entrance of French Valley. After two and a half hours we reach “Campamento Italiano” from where we have about an hour more to go to tonight’s accommodation.

Day 08: Trekking into French Valley
Trekking into French Valley (8 hrs, 17 Km, approx. 579m elevation gain).

Today’s hike takes us into French Valley, one of the most spectacular cirques in the Paine Range. After about one hour we get to “Campamento Italiano” at the entrance of French Valley. From here we subsequently move inside French valley and towards its viewpoint “Mirador” where we gain deep insight into the mountains. After another hour and a half of ascent, we get to French Glacier lookout, where we’ll be able to observe its hanging glacier. With a bit of luck, we witness ice cracking off the Paine Grande (3,050m) sounding like a roaring thunder. After that, the trail continues through beech forest until reaching “Campamento Británico” and after another 20 more minutes we will reach the lookout point “Mirador Británico”, considered by many as one of the most overwhelming spots in the Circuit.

This valley is the most beautiful in the park and one of the most unique in the world; hanging glaciers and an amphitheatre of granite walls and spires surround it. After a good rest we trek back the same way we came, towards to the extraordinary turquoise Lake Nordenskjöld, passing “Campamento Italiano” till we get back again to Domos El Francés.

Day 09: Trekking to Sector Las Torres (Estancia sector)
Trekking to Sector Las Torres (Estancia sector) (5,5 hours, 13,5 Km, approx. 200m elevation gain). Recommended hour to start: 9.00 AM.

Today’s Hike goes with Ups and downs along the extraordinary turquoise Lake Nordenskjöld to our right and the Cuernos Peaks such as Mount Almirante Nieto, with its hanging glaciers, to our left.

Today it’s time to say good-bye to our porters. Arriving at Refugio Torre Central we pick up our belongings from the porters.

Day 10: Trekking to “BASE TORRES” (8 hours; 19 Km)
Recommended hour to start: 8.30 AM.
Today we start our last day of hiking, which by the way is one of the most famous hikes in the National Park and one of the highlights of our Trekking trip. The first hour and a half walking is steep with fantastic views of the lake Nordenskjöld and Almirante Nieto Mn (2.670 m.s.n.m), with it’s hanging glacier until you reach Refugio El Chileno to recover energies. Then we will continue the trail through a millenary Lenga forest (1 hour) until the base of “the moraine” which challenging ascent (45 min), will take you to one of the most impressive lookouts in the park: “Base of Torres del Paine” where you will have the view of Torre Sur (2,850 m.s.n.m.), Torre Central (2.800 m.s.n.m), Torre Norte (2.600 m.s.n.m) and Cerro Nido de Cóndor. After enjoying the breath-taking view from the lookout point, we return back the same way until Las Torres sector to take a shuttle to the bus that will bring us back to Puerto Natales.

Estimated time of arrival to Bus Station in Puerto Natales: 22.00 PM
Transfer from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas to airport for flight back to home.

Day 01: Arrival in Santiago: Sightseeing tour from San Cristobal Hill
This tour includes the main landmarks in Santiago, a city on the move, starting with the old residential and Universitario districts and then moving on to the historic city center and financial district, with stops at such important attractions as the La Moneda Palace and Main Square that is surrounded by lovely buildings. Next is the urban park, Parque Forestal, the confines of which hold the lovely Museum of Fine Arts building. Lastly, you will tour the Bellavista, the city’s Bohemian district. You will return to your hotel afterwards to spend the night.

Day 02: Valparaiso and Viña del Mar
Today begins one of the many day trips from Santiago planned for this package. You will leave the city early in the morning for the enchanting port city of Valparaiso, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, classified thusly due to its historical importance. The tour continues to Cerro Alegre and the museum “Al Cielo Abierto” (Open Sky Museum), whose walls and stairways have been painted by local artists. After that, you will depart Valparaiso and travel down the coast to Viña del Mar, enjoying the sights there. You will return your hotel in Santiago to spend the night.

Day 03: Half Day Wine tour
This Santiago wine tour takes you to the Concha y Toro winery, located in Pirque commune. This day is going to be an intense one, where you will enjoy the best wines this place has to offer and tour its wine cellar and renown vineyard. There will be time for sampling a glass of Terrunyo Sauvignon Blanc or Casillero del Diablo Carménère. You won’t leave the place until visiting the main attractions, like its old underground wine cellars, and without tasting its different varieties of grapes. Meanwhile, relax and sip a glass of Marqués de Casa Concha Merlot. Later on, after a day filled with pleasure, you will return to Santiago to spend the night.

Day 04: Arrival at San Pedro de Atacama – Valle de la Luna 
You will leave Santiago for Atacama, arriving in time to visit the Cordillera de la Sal, a wonder of nature formed millions of years ago and filled with unusual shapes and glittery rock formations, natural sculptures, and a palette of colors generated from the minerals that form the rocks. Afterwards, it’s off to the Valle de la Luna, a natural sanctuary, rugged yet of great geographic beauty, especially at night fall when it takes on a rather lunar appearance. You will travel through different sectors and visit the Tres Marias (three Marias), a natural salt formation, a salt mine, caves, and a lookout. Last stop on the trip is the Duna Central, where you will experience nightfall in the Chilean desert. You will return to your hotel filled with the energy that only comes from an excursion like this.

Day 05: Town of Tocanao
You will visit the town of Tocanao, an oasis in the Atacama Desert, whose main claim to fame are the houses built from volcanic rock. Afterwards, you will venture into the Salar de Atacama, stretched over 400 km2 in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is Chile’s largest salt deposit and is fed by the waters from the San Pedro River and other smaller rivulets. It makes a perfect place for bird watching, like flamingos, that have made the salt flat their habitat. To end the journey, you will stay for nightfall, a spectacular experience that only the peace and quiet of the salt flat can offer. Afterwards, it’s back to your hotel in the middle of the desert.

Day 06: San Pedro de Atacama – Dawn at the Tatio Geyser Field
You will leave just before dawn so you can reach the highest peaks in the Andes and the Tatio geyser field, at an elevation of 4321 meters, for an extreme morning excursion. You will see a huge number of geysers and enormous steam plumes that can reach 6 meters. You will then eat breakfast to recharge the batteries and take off on a short hike through the area to look at its characteristic plants and animals. You will finally return to your hotel.

Day 07: Transfer to the Airport
At the appointed time, you will be transferred to the airport for your departing flight.