Chile, Adventure between glaciers and desert

Upon arrival in Santiago de Chile, you will be met by a driver who will take you to your accommodation located in the Chilean capital. Your guide will be waiting for you at the hotel to discover the capital. You will pass by the main historical and cultural sites of the city, such as the 18th century Metropolitan Cathedral, the Plaza de Armas in the heart of the old colonial center, the Paris-London district, a piece of Europe just behind the San Francisco Church, which is also the oldest building in Chile. You will have time to walk around and take pictures of the different styles of architecture dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries. You will end up taking the cable car to Cerro San Cristobal to have a panoramic view of Santiago, 984 feet above the city, and taste one of the most typical Chilean refreshments: mote con huesillo. Upon reaching the top, you will be amazed by the view of the city. You will enjoy the rest of the day freely. Accommodation: 4* Hotel

Depending on the departure time of your flight, a driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to Santiago airport (approximately 30 minutes drive) where you will board a flight to Calama. Once in Calama, a driver will pick you up and take you to the village of San Pedro de Atacama (approximately 1h30 drive). In the afternoon, accompanied by your English-speaking guide, you will leave for the Valley of the Moon, located approximately 8 km away. San Pedro de Atacama, declared a nature reserve, is part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve, located in the Salt Mountains. It is a place of beautiful shapes and colors where you can walk and observe a geological spectacle with sculptural forms, similar to the lunar surface. You will visit salt statues "Las Tres Marías", salt caves and the Great Dune. Transfer to the Salt Mountain Range, to admire all its splendor at sunset, accompanied by an aperitif. You return in the early evening to San Pedro. Accommodation: Hotel

After breakfast, you leave for the altiplanic lagoons of Miñique and Miscanti, located 138 km from San Pedro de Atacama and at 4,300 meters above sea level. We take the road to Toconao, it crosses the plain straight with views of the imposing Licancábur volcano, on the route we can observe species of trees native to the area such as the tamarugo and the chañar.

We make a first stop at the village of Toconao, brief visit to the main square and the church, its houses built in volcanic stone (Liparita) stand out. Panoramic view of the beautiful contrast that occurs between the greenery of the Jere Valley and the desert, we continue a brief visit to the peasant town of Socaire. We will then climb the Andes mountain range to reach the Miscanti and Meñiques lagoons, with their intense blue color and white shores, located in the Los Flamencos National Reserve, surrounded by imposing hills and volcanoes, creating a unique landscape in this region. Guided walk through the area. Then we get back on the road and stop in Socaire. Lunch at a local restaurant. We enter the Salar de Atacama, visit and travel through the Chaxa lagoon where we can observe flamingos and other types of birds. Return to San Pedro de Atacama in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Hotel

Our vehicle takes us for a short transfer to the Guatin Valley where two rivers meet: the hot Puritama and the cold Purifica. The two rivers give rise to a new bed, the Vilama, which facilitates the unique ecosystem of the Guatin Gorge. Here we find the impressive cacti called cardones and a varied vegetation, as well as the rocky descents and river falls that make this hike a great adventure. After the picnic, we then enter the Puritama thermal baths site where we can bathe in the hot springs, very suitable after our hike. Return in the afternoon to San Pedro de Atacama. Accommodation: Hotel

We get up very early this morning (between 3 and 4 am) to go to the site of the Tatio geysers, located at 4,320 m above sea level on a limestone plateau surrounded by volcanoes. At sunrise, the spectacle is unique between fumaroles and geysers that can reach more than 10 m in height. Breakfast in the middle of the fumaroles. Return to San Pedro de Atacama via the small village of Machuca located at 4,000 m above sea level, with small houses with straw roofs and mud walls, as well as its very pretty church. In the middle of the afternoon, we leave for the salt lagoon of Cejar, located 20 km from San Pedro de Atacama, by a dirt road in good condition, located in the center of the Salar de Atacama at 2,500 meters above sea level. This lagoon is of great beauty with calypso-colored waters and surrounded by salts of various shapes. Its geomorphological formation is a very special case of the Salar de Atacama. It is a transit point on the route of the pink flamingo. It is a magical place that deserves to be photographed. We then head to the Laguna de Piedra, with similar characteristics, which, thanks to its high salt content, has a surprising floating effect, similar to that of the Dead Sea. We will enjoy a relaxing bath in the Laguna de Piedra for 1 hour. Bring a swimsuit and a towel, when you bathe you can live the closest experience to flying in the water, it floats and it is impossible to sink. After this restorative bath, we moved a few meters to the Ojos del Salar lagoon with two freshwater pools. Finally, we go to the Tebinquinche lagoon, this lagoon is distinguished by its snow-white salt crust, hard and resistant. The vastness of the desert is phenomenal and incredible, you feel the connection with nature. Here we will enjoy a dream sunset. In which the entire chromatic range of reds merges with the desert and the whiteness of the salt flat. Return to San Pedro de Atacama in the early evening. Accommodation: Hotel

Depending on your flight time, a driver will pick you up at your accommodation and take you to Calama Airport. Upon arrival in Santiago, you will be transferred to your accommodation and then your guide will pick you up at your hotel to discover the cultural Santiago. You will go to the city center, directly to the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, which displays an impressive collection of Andean treasures dating back to 3000 BC. You will continue through the cobblestone neighborhood of Lastarria, cross the Parque Forestal and pass in front of the Bellas Artes Museum. You will then arrive in the modern part of the city, known as "Sanhattan" (a mix of Santiago and Manhattan), where the difference with the rest of the city is striking. Accommodation: 4* Hotel

Depending on your flight time, a driver will pick you up at your accommodation and then take you to Santiago airport from where you will take your flight to Balmaceda, the gateway to the Aysen region in Patagonia. You will be met at Balmaceda airport. You will travel along the southern road towards Puerto Guadal, on the way we will visit the "Villa Cerro Castillo", a magnificent plain dominated by the mountain of the same name. We will have lunch in a typical Patagonian restaurant. We will continue to Puerto Tranquilo to take a boat trip (weather permitting) to the "Marble Chapel", a splendid cavern drawn by the waves. Arrival in Puerto Guadal. Lodge Terra Luna will welcome us with a welcome drink and a delicious dinner.   Accommodation: Lodge

After breakfast, we set off towards the "mariscos petrificados" trail. During this hike, we will have the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of Mount San Valentín (4058m) and Mount San Lorenzo (3706m).   Accommodation: Lodge

After breakfast you leave for a morning of navigation in zodiac to visit the 3 lakes Carrera, Bertrand and Plomo, with visits to waterfalls and sandy beaches. This activity lasts about 3 hours. After lunch at the lodge, you leave for an afternoon of tree climbing or a horseback ride around Terra Luna. Each activity lasts about 2 hours. In the evening, you can enjoy the hot tub. Accommodation: Lodge

After breakfast you will go rafting on the Rio Baker. This activity lasts about 4 hours (2 hours of round trip transportation and 2 hours of activities). In the afternoon, you will head by vehicle to the Patagonia National Park to discover the flora and fauna of the region. The choice of the trail and its difficulty will be made on site, according to your current fitness level. Accommodation: Lodge

Expedition day to Lake Leones. A beautiful day of jet boat navigation and trekking allows us to appreciate the Mapuche Glacier and the mountain ranges of the Leon Valley. We reach Lake Lions. Navigation by zodiac to the impressive glacier of the same name. Ice walk possible. Accommodation: Lodge

Breakfast at Terra Luna and transfer to Balmaceda/Coyhaique, following the extraordinary route of the Carretera Austral, we return to the airport of Balmaceda or Coyhaique to take the return flight to Punta Arenas (via Puerto Montt). Upon arrival in Punta Arenas, a driver will pick you up and take you to your accommodation located in the center of Punta Arenas. Accommodation: Hotel

After breakfast, an English-speaking guide will take you on a tour of the city of Punta Arenas. Then you will drive to Torres del Paine National Park where you will stay for 5 nights in a lodge located in Torres del Paine National Park. When not exploring the park on one of the many excursions and tours offered by the lodge, travelers can relax with yoga, massages or bond with other travelers over delicious meals, all while being surrounded by the wild nature of Patagonia. Accommodation: Private Dome

The program at the Ecocamp includes a menu of excursions that you choose each evening for the next day. During these few days, let yourself be carried away by the many possible excursions: hiking, etc. You will be able to decide the day before for the next day according to your desires and your fitness. Accommodation: Private Dome

Play hide-and-seek with the King of Patagonia... and catch him with your camera lens. Designed specifically for nature lovers, this day explores the unparalleled terrain of Torres del Paine with an experienced team of outdoor trackers. Discover and photograph the breathtaking landscapes, sublime sunrises and native flora and fauna. Soak up the quiet moments this region is famous for as you watch the park’s puma, Patagonia’s elusive feline. Accommodation: Private Dome

You enjoy a last day in the park before returning to Puerto Natales to spend the night in this charming little town nestled on the edge of the fjord. Accommodation: 4* Hotel

Depending on your flight time, a driver will take you to the Puerto Natales airport from where you will take your flight to Santiago. Upon arrival in Santiago, a driver will pick you up to take you to Valparaiso, a city with many colorful houses clinging to the hills, located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Accommodation: 3* Hotel

Today, a French-speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel to take you for a full day of this fascinating city. You will have lunch in a local restaurant to immerse yourself in the typical culture of this city. Accommodation: 3* Hotel

Today you will go to visit the vineyards of the Casablanca Valley, located between Valparaiso and Santiago. On the program, the visit of 2 vineyards that will give you an overview of the variety of wines of the area. In the afternoon, you will settle into your last accommodation of the stay, located in the Casablanca Valley, in the middle of the vineyards. Accommodation: 4* Hotel

Depending on your flight time, your driver will pick you up and take you to Santiago airport to catch your return flight.