Ultimate Chile & Argentina

Welcome to South America! Consisting of 13 countries, it is the fourth largest continent and home to some of the world's most recognisable UNESCO World Heritage sites. Our journey begins in the cosmopolitan Chilean capital, Santiago. Founded in 1541 by conquistador Pedro de Valdivia, Santiago is named in honour of the biblical figure, St James, patron saint of Spain. Santiago is located within a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coastal Range, creating a picturesque backdrop for the city. After joining your fellow travellers in a welcome drink this afternoon, we'll visit the Sky Costanera observatory, South America's tallest building and highest viewpoint.

Our day begins with a tour of the city. In Santiago, the best features of a vibrant, modern metropolis are paired with the old-world charm of a former colonial capital. We'll discover both the historic and modern sites, including La Moneda (the presidential palace) which once housed the old Mint, the Plaza de Armas and the historic sites clustered around this square, the Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago, the beautiful former post office and the Palacio de la Real Audienca, which is now home to the National History Museum.

We also head to a lookout for breathtaking views over the city. You may like to try the ‘Mote con Huesillo' – a specialty from central Chile which is a hearty drink consisting of a sweet, dried peach nectar and freshly cooked husked wheat, Chile's answer to bubble tea! Leaving the city behind, we'll enjoy a scenic drive out to Viña Undurraga in the heart of the Maipo Valley. The valley is described as the ‘Bordeaux of South America'. Don Francisco, one of the pioneers of winegrowing in the region, personally carried the vineyard's first vine stock to Chile from France and Germany, and after 120 years of operation, Undurraga sells in more than 60 countries. Tonight, we'll enjoy a group welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

Travelling north-west today, we'll discover the charming city of Valparaiso, the oldest port in Chile. The many hills that surround the city, are filled with a multi-coloured panorama of painted houses, offering a spectacular backdrop to your visit. Taking in the city highlights, we'll tour the historic city centre, with its UNESCO World Heritage 19th century architecture, the parliamentary building, and the Plaza Sotomayor's memorial to the heroes of the War of the Pacific.

We continue our journey along the stunning coastline to the beautiful beachside town of Viña del Mar. This modern resort city is also known as the ‘Garden City', due to the abundance of parks and greenery scattered amongst the high rises and hills. Our final stop takes us to the picturesque Viñas Casas del Bosque, a family-run vineyard in the Casablanca Valley. Relax with a glass of wine, savouring the gorgeous scenery, before we head back to Santiago. (B)

We fly to Calama today, gateway to the Atacama Desert. The remote landscape is really like no other. Sit back and admire the unique panorama, as we transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. This evening we'll take an incredible sunset tour of the Valle de la Luna, or Moon Valley, enjoying a drink while overlooking the vast expanse. The setting sun bathes the unique rock formations and Licancabur Volcano in constantly changing light for a mesmerising display of colours. We'll ascend to a lookout point on a giant sand dune for breathtaking views. Be sure to bring extra layers, as the temperature can drop quite quickly when the sun goes down. (B)

Gain insight into daily life on a traditional Atacameñan farm, learning how to cultivate crops in such a barren region, before tasting some of the authentic products from the land. This afternoon we'll visit Toconao Village, before heading to the Salar de Atacama, an immense salt flat covering 3,000 square kilometres. The surface is decorated by a layer of white salt crystals as far as the eye can see, caused by the evaporation of the lake's water. The lake is also home to several species of flamingo including the Andean, Chilean, and James flamingo, making for a beautiful photo opportunity! (B/L)

The early start today will be well worth it, once we reach the incredible Geysers of El Tatio, and you witness the field at sunrise. The geysers shoot up to 10 metres high and reflect countless colours as they mingle with the sun's rays, creating a strong contrast with the rising steam and surrounding summits. Here, we'll have the opportunity to swim in the natural hot springs near the Geysers, so don't forget to pack your swimsuit and a towel! We'll return to San Pedro de Atacama—keep an eye out for the Tocorpuri and Sairecahur Volcano as we pass by. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy at leisure. (B)

We'll transfer to the airport today for our flight to Temuco, via Santiago, gateway to Chile's stunning Lake District. On arrival we will be met and transferred to our hotel in Pucón. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy this scenic, lake-side town. (B)

Situated on the shores of Lake Villarrica, Pucón's location is the perfect starting point for us to tour the active Villarrica Volcano's underworld. This morning we'll explore the tunnels and caves created by lava flow more than two million years ago, when the upper layer of the lava flow began to solidify on contact with the cold air, while the lower layers of lava continued to flow. We'll be able to venture up to 300 metres into the caves to see the hardened remains of this monumental flow. This afternoon we'll travel east past the Villarrica, Quetrupillán, and Lanin Volcanoes to Kila Leufu Farm.

Special Experience: Learn about the native Mapuche culture at Kila Leufu ‘House between three rivers', before feasting on typical Mapuche fare for lunch, made with organic ingredients fresh from the farm. There will be some time at leisure, so you might choose to go for a hike, go horseback riding or simply relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Later this afternoon we'll return to Pucón. (B/L)

This morning we travel into the gorgeous Huilo Huilo Nature Reserve, set amongst lush greenery and dotted with picturesque lakes in the heart of the Chilean Patagonian Rainforest.

Special Experience: Experience two nights staying in a luxury treehouse with picture windows offering incredible views over the nature reserve.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity. (B/L/D)

Enjoy a full day at leisure to make the most of this stunning location. You could choose to discover the nearby Mocho-Choshuenco Volcano, explore more of the trails on a hike, birdwatch, go ziplining or horseback riding, or simply relax in the hotel's facilities. Tonight, we'll head to the Petermann Brewery, to dine on gourmet pizza made from local ingredients, and sample some of their craft beer varieties.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity. (B/L/D)

We depart for Puerto Varas this morning, stopping along the way in the small German settlement town of Frutillar on the shores of Lake Llanquihue. The town's historic houses have been lovingly restored and it still boasts a charming wooden pier that perches out into the lake, offering amazing views over to the Osorno Volcano. Make sure you try some of the delicious German cakes while you're here – the town is famous for them! This afternoon we'll arrive in Puerto Varas and explore the picturesque city centre on foot. Known as ‘the City of Roses', Puerto Varas became home to thousands of German immigrants, whose heritage is reflected today in the city's distinctive wood architecture. (B)

We're off to explore Isla Grande de Chiloé, this morning – more commonly referred to as ‘Chiloé Island'. Located in the Chiloé Archipelago off the coast of Chile, Chiloé is home to a seafaring people more linked to the sea than the continent. Their distinct handicrafts, cuisine and rustic labour separate them from continental Chile, as does their distinct mythology and folkloric celebrations.

Our first stop on the island is the Bay of Caulín, known for its beautiful birdlife, before heading to the northern-most town of Ancud. The former capital of the island, Ancud is a great place for us to get an insight into the lifestyle of the island's inhabitants, known as ‘Chilotes'. We'll see the colourful shingle houses on stilts, typical for the island, as well as fishing boats, the harbour, and the market. Fortifications dating back to the era of the War of Independence are also worth a look while here.

Special Experience: Prepare to immerse yourself in a very hands-on traditional experience, enjoying lunch with the Chilotes, creating their local specialty dish ‘curanto', a stew full of seafood, various meats and Chiloé potatoes cooked in an earth oven – reserved for special occasions. After lunch we'll return to the hotel to relax and reflect on this wonderful experience. (B/L)

Travelling along the stunning shoreline of Lake Llanquihue's, our first stop is at Saltos de Petrohué, a collection of rapids and waterfalls that cascade over the impressive lava formations from the surrounding volcanoes. At the quay of Petrohué, our catamaran awaits to take us across Lake Todos Los Santos to Peulla. The lake is surrounded by densely forested mountains, while the perfect cone of the Osorno volcano dominates the landscape. During the journey, we'll pass small islands, waterfalls, and the pointed summit of the Puntiagudo volcano. While crossing these beautiful Andean Lakes, we will be travelling with other tourists. There will be a guide on board who speaks both English and Spanish, and they will guide all passengers through the various sites we will be visiting.

We arrive in Peulla, a charming small village in the heart of the Patagonian Lakes District. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this scenic area. Why not explore the picturesque Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park? Alternatively, hike through the dense Valdivian temperate rainforest to the ‘Cascada de la Novia' waterfall, or simply marvel at the magnificent Osorno, Puntiagudo and Tronador Volcanoes. We will meet back at the hotel in the evening for a group dinner. During this time the guide will provide us with meeting details for the continuation to Bariloche tomorrow. (B/D)

With a morning at leisure, you may choose to just relax at the hotel, or try one of the exciting optional activities, including a canopy tour, horseback riding, a 4WD tour or a boat tour. This afternoon we journey to Argentina via the Pérez Rosales Pass. Short distances by bus are interspersed by lake crossings by boat or catamaran, and we'll be treated to wonderful views of pristine landscapes the entire way. Fortunately, this lonely route has never been turned into a major highway and is still travelled in much the same way as the earliest settlers to the region did over a century ago.

As we are crossing the border today, make sure you have your passport on hand. You will not be able to take any items that contain wood, seeds or leather, or any fruits or vegetables (vacuum sealed fruits and vegetables are permitted). The final boat journey ends at Puerto Pañuelo on Lake Nahuel Huapi. From here, it's just a short drive to charming Bariloche. (B)

Our ‘small circuit tour' this morning will introduce us to some of the most beautiful attractions Bariloche has to offer. We'll visit the beautiful beach of Playa Bonita, take a chairlift to the top of Cerro Campanario hill and travel to the Llao Llao Peninsula to visit the rustic San Eduardo Chapel. Enjoy the afternoon at your own pace to explore or relax. (B)

We'll fly south today to the breathtaking city of El Calafate. This remote region of Argentina is referred to as ‘Los Glaciares' (the glaciers) or the lake region, as much of it is covered by a vast sheet of ice over 320 kilometres long and up to 65 kilometres wide. In 1973 the National Park, Los Glaciares, was created to preserve this vast glacial area; it was also given ‘Humanity Inheritance' status by UNESCO. This stunning area boasts towering mountains, clear lakes and huge glaciers that descend from the Andes into icy arms on the western edges of the lakes.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Why not visit the Glaciarium, which is just a short drive from our hotel? Built to entertain and educate about ice, glaciers and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, it's a fantastic place to learn more about these natural phenomena in depth, especially in preparation for tomorrow's visit to Los Glaciares National Park. (B)

A magical day ahead, as we explore Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina's largest national park, on a full-day excursion. The National Park is located 85 kilometres from El Calafate and along the way we'll pass Cerro de los Elefantes. Once here, we will see the Brazo Rico of Lake Argentina and the first forests of lengas and cypresses. If we're lucky we may spot some native fauna such as grey foxes, guanacos, armadillos, red foxes, and pumas.

Once we reach Curva de los Suspiros, we will have our first glimpse of the imposing 70 metre high wall of ice and, after following the signs along the trails, we will finally reach the glacier. Enjoy the crisp unpolluted air and silence, only interrupted by the movement of the glacier when huge blocks of its ice fall into the Canal de los Tempanos below. Special Experience: Hear the thunderous sound of ice breaking from Perito Moreno Glacier, as we cruise up close to witness one of the few advancing glaciers, left in the world. (B)

Today we transfer to the bus station to board a shared coach service to Puerto Natales. A stop will be made during the bus trip to complete border formalities between Argentina and Chile. Please note, spot checks of your luggage may be made at the border. (B)

We spend the day discovering one of the world's most spectacular national parks, the incredible Torres del Paine. Along the way, we'll stop at the Milodon Cave, a beautiful natural formation that opens onto a slope of Benitez Hill. Nestled within the cave's interior is a scale model of the prehistoric Mylodon, a mammal which has been extinct for 5,000 to 8,000 years, and gave the cave its name after well-preserved remains were found here when the cave was discovered in the late 1800s.

We'll then continue to Torres del Paine National Park. Covering 242,242 hectares, Torres del Paine is a fertile combination of lakes, lagoons, waterfalls, glaciers, hills, and peaks. Inside the park, the road is surrounded by dozens of lagoons inhabited by aquatic birds, contrasting with small hills where flocks of guanaco's pasture. One of the main lakes at the eastern entrance of the park is Sarmiento Lake, characterised by its remarkable blue-coloured water. There is also the Nordenskjöld Lake, which bathes the mountainside of the Paine range in an emerald green colour. The lake gives life to the impetuous Salto Grande (big waterfall), forming the quiet Pehoé Lake.

Our journey through the park continues by the Salto Chico (small waterfall), skirting the Paine River, until we reach the Grey Lake. Enjoy a walk along a track, crossing the Pingo river to reach the sandy ground on the borders of the lake where numerous icebergs can be seen. At the far end of the lake is the imposing Grey Glacier.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity. (B/L)

Today we transfer to Punta Arenas for our flight back to Santiago. (B)

Today is a day at leisure for you to relax or finalise some last-minute souvenir shopping. We'll enjoy a group farewell dinner at a local restaurant tonight, before transferring to the airport. This marks the end of our adventure through the stunning landscapes of Chile and Argentina. We hope you leave with fantastic memories! (B/D)