Iconic Chile: Geysers, Glaciers, & Grapes
Experience Chile's wonders from desert skies to Patagonian peaks on this dynamic 12-day, best of the best adventure, featuring vibrant cities, epic landscapes, and fine wines.
SPECIAL OFFER
7.7*
ECO SCORE
2
PASSENGERS
12
DAYS
3/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Chile: Drink It In
Embark on an extraordinary journey through the dramatically different but equally stunning landscapes of Chile. Start in the otherworldly Atacama Desert, exploring ancient cultures, active geysers, and surreal salt flats. Witness the sunrise over the Andes on a hot air balloon ride before heading to Santiago, a vibrant city of history and modernity. Explore the colorful streets of Valparaiso, then journey to Patagonia's Torres del Paine National Park, where towering granite peaks and turquoise lakes create a breathtaking backdrop for thrilling hikes and wildlife encounters. Conclude your adventure in the renowned Colchagua Valley, indulging in world-class wines and scenic landscapes.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
- • Iconic Chile means iconic accommodations: experience exclusive five-star accommodations, each offering unique luxury and breathtaking views.
• Experience an exhilarating trek on the magnificent Grey Glacier, exploring its blue-hued tunnels, lagoons, and ice formations.
• Witness the Andean sunrise as you float above the Andes Mountains and the Atacama Salt Flats in a hot air balloon!
SPECIAL OFFER
Rates:
From $17,995 per person
Custom dates to fit your schedule.
We recommend traveling from October to March. Spring and summer bring warm days to Patagonia, perfect for trekking among glaciers and dramatic peaks. The Atacama Desert showcases clear skies and temperate weather, ideal for stargazing and geyser exploration. Meanwhile, Chile’s wine regions thrive with vineyard activity, making this a prime time for tastings amid scenic landscapes.
Inquire with your preferred dates.
Custom dates to fit your schedule;
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Departures:
Trip Sustainability Awards
CARBON
Fantastic advances in minimizing carbon footprints at locations.
ENERGY
On the East African Energy Renewal Board
EDUCATION
Runs local educational facilities for children.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive to Atacama
Upon your arrival at Calama airport, you are met by the representative from Awasi for a one-and-a-half-hour transfer to the hotel, Awasi Atacama, in San Pedro.
San Pedro
The quaint oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama sits in the driest desert in the world and is the main base for explorations in the area. Ancient cultures and travelers from all over the world intermingle in this age-old town with dirt roads and adobe homes. The streets have a pleasant, artistic, bohemian vibe, and the adobe buildings maintain a certain charm and unique character. San Pedro is the starting point for fascinating tours that explore the region’s plentiful attractions: active geysers, lagoons renowned for their intense colors, and breathtaking salt flats that will astound you.
Accommodations: Awasi Atacama
Nestled in the heart of San Pedro de Atacama, Awasi is an exclusive boutique property in the Atacama Desert. Each of the 12 spacious cottages features a private patio, outdoor shower and a solarium. The special attention to detail on the design of the hotel uses stone, wood and adobe to blend in with the stunning surrounding environment. The lodge and their guides aim to make your stay unforgettable with a diverse range of excursions to experience the local area.
After days spent exploring the impressive natural scenery of the Atacama Desert, return to Awasi Atacama for a swim in the pool, a drink by the fire pit and long evening meals in our Relais Chateaux restaurant.
Day 2: Explore Atacama
You have 2 full days in Atacama to explore the stunning scenery and the sites of pre-Columbian cultures. Take advantage of the daily private activities available to you that are included with your stay. Your designated guide will brief you about all the different options and will assist you to choose the best activities according to your interests and physical conditions.
Activities are provided in private 4WD vehicles, trek on foot and mountain bike with the assistance of your guide.
Day 3: Hot Air Balloon Adventure
Today's highlight is a stunning air ballooning tour that begins with a short transfer to the launch site just before sunrise. After a safety briefing and introduction, a hot drink will be served meanwhile the balloons are inflated which takes only a few minutes. Once ready, guests are invited to climb aboard and start this early adventure to witness the Andean sunrise and fly for approx. 1 hour. The views of the Andes Mountains, the Salt Mountains, and the Atacama Salt Flats are spectacular!
Day 4: Santiago
At a pre-arranged time, transfer to Calama airport to board your flight to Santiago. Pick-up time will be advised locally.
Santiago
Dynamic and cosmopolitan Santiago is a vital and versatile city. It has become one of Latin America’s most modern cities in recent years. With its many museums, events, theaters, and other entertainment and cultural opportunities, it is not only the political but also the cultural center of the country. Its central location makes it a great base for visiting other areas: it is possible to ski in the nearby Andes and later be on the beach in the same day. The city’s diversity shines through in its many contrasting neighborhoods. Set out to explore the city streets and you’ll discover beautiful and original art galleries, design shops and handicraft markets, as well as a great selection of restaurants, bars and cafes.
Upon arrival at Santiago airport, and after you collect your luggage, continue to the arrival area. Right after you exit, your guide will contact and escort you on a private transfer to your hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Santiago.
Guided Santiago Adventure
In the afternoon, your guide will be waiting for you in the lobby of your hotel, to lead you to experience one of the most developed cities in South America. Santiago combines the urban and the classic, in both its architecture and atmosphere. This heritage comes to life through iconic city sights such as the Moneda Presidential Palace, designed by the Italian designer, Joaquin Toesca. From 1845 to 1958 the building actually served as a presidential residence. What were once grand living quarters are now the offices of Cabinet ministers. The Plaza de Armas is the city's most famous square, surrounded by important and beautiful buildings such as the Cathedral and Central Post Office. A few blocks away you'll find the Pre-Columbian Museum with over 700 exhibits of pre-hispanic artwork and relics from diverse cultures including the Mayans, Aztecs and the Mapuches - from the south of Chile.
One of the most important parts of the city is San Cristobal Hill. The hill is recognized as one of the largest urban parks in Santiago, topped by a stunning 72-foot-tall statue of the Virgin Mary. This tour shows you the different contrasts of the city, taking you on a trip through the Santiago of yesteryear to the modern metropolis it is today.
Private Chilean Cooking Class
Tonight, enjoy a culinary experience that invites the lovers of dining and wine to develop their senses in South American gastronomy, specifically discovering the different flavors of Chilean cuisine. The chef will be waiting for you with all the fresh and typical ingredients for a private cooking class.
After a welcome cocktail, the Chef will teach you the techniques for each dish, tasting the flavors and aromas of every ingredient. The highlight will be preparing the main course, following the chef’s instructions. Cooking is a mixture of passion, sweat, tears and happiness and this experience will be the moment to show you the world of Chilean cuisine.
Accommodations: The Ritz-Carlton Santiago
Nestled between the Santiago skyline, with its skyscrapers and neoclassical landmarks, and the snow-capped Andes Mountains, The Ritz-Carlton Santiago is a sophisticated retreat in the heart of El Golf, one of Santiago's most prestigious neighborhoods. Enjoy the impeccable service and unforgettable experiences such as the soothing spa at the hotel's rooftop Health and Fitness Center or exquisite dining at one of the four distinctive restaurants.
Day 5: Day Trip to Valparaiso
After breakfast, your guide takes you on a full-day tour to the Pacific Coast. Be amazed by the colorful port city of Valparaiso, famous for its stacked hills and winding stairs with incredible street art. This UNESCO World Heritage city takes you back in time as you climb the winding stone stairs or head up in one of the famous funiculars. The hills are connected by an ingenious network of twisting streets, stairways, cable cars, flower-filled balconies and lookout platforms, a unique cityscape with spectacular views of the bay from which the city takes its name. Your city tour shows you downtown Valparaiso in the lower areas as well as the colorful hills, where you can truly appreciate the magic of the city and enjoy unforgettable sea views. Visit Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda's Valparaiso residence, "La Sebastiana".
Find a restaurant along the cobble streets; lunch is payable locally and your guide will provide recommendations.
In the afternoon, your specialized street art guide will take you to the most impressive murals and sites of graffiti and street art, mixing the history of the area with the impact caused by urban art. Finally, you will be provided with all the necessary tools so that you can live the experience of expressing your own creativity on the walls.
Return to Santiago in the late afternoon.
Note: La Sebastiana museum is closed on Monday & Tuesday. On those days, the tour will include a stop for a coffee or ice-cream at a local coffee shop.
Day 6: Patagonia
Your guide meets you in the lobby of the hotel and escorts you to your waiting vehicle for your direct transfer to Santiago's Arturo Merino Benitez airport. Upon arrival at the airport, your guide is on-hand to assist with check-in formalities.
Upon your arrival at the local airport, you are met by a representative of Tierra Patagonia for a transfer to the hotel.
Transfer time: 1.5 hrs from Puerto Natales airport or 4.5 hrs from Punta Arenas airport (Punta Arenas airport transfers at extra cost).
Torres del Paine National Park
Have you ever felt completely insignificant in comparison to nature? Well, get ready to feel precisely that way among the turquoise waters, glaciers and towering granite horns of the Torres del Paine National Park. The jaw-dropping landscapes of this eighth wonder of the world are humbling indeed. Immerse yourself in this vast national park; a backpack and comfortable shoes are all you require for a trekking adventure, the best possible way to explore this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Take full advantage of the 17 hours of daylight in summer and don’t miss out on sunrise, when the horns of the Torres del Paine massif glow purple and red. You can enjoy terrific wildlife-watching in Torres del Paine: see majestic condors wheeling in the pristine skies overhead. Look out for foxes, huemul or Andean deer and guanacos along the way, and if you lie in wait patiently, you might be lucky enough to spot the reclusive puma.
Accommodations: Tierra Patagonia
Tierra Patagonia sits on a headland where the South American plains meet Lake Sarmiento. Nestled on the hillside, the hotel is immersed in the surrounding landscape with the award-winning architecture complementing the flow of the geology in this privileged location. Gaze upon the magnificent views of the Torres del Paine National Park, declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. Inside the hotel, wood-clad walls emanate warmth, safety and protection – a cozy hideaway after a day spent discovering the amazing Patagonian outdoors. The furnishings and textiles within the hotel were hand-made by Chilean craftspeople, using natural materials from the region and inspired by the surrounding estancias as well as the native Tehuelche population. The ambience of Tierra Patagonia is casual and friendly, and the different spaces created by the designers allow you the choice to meet with fellow guests at the hotel or find a quiet corner to relax and get away from it all.
Day 7: Patagonia
Spend 3 full days at the hotel, taking advantage of the daily activities available for you. Every evening before dinner meet the guides who will share with you the activities scheduled for the following day, they will assist you to choose the best outing according to your interests and physical condition. Activities are shared with other hotel guests with English-speaking guides and include options to all levels.
Day 8: Patagonia
Continue exploring Torres del Paine National Park and surroundings.
Day 9: Grey Glacier
Today you will enjoy a very special activity: Ice Hiking on Grey Glacier. Pick-up at your hotel and transfer to Grey lake. One hour navigation from Hotel Lago Grey to Bigfoot Patagonia basecamp aboard Grey III Catamaran. The specialized guides will have an introductory chat explaining the route, the time the tour will take and also testing and adjusting the equipment correctly for each guest. Then, you go in a zodiac boat for 15 minutes until reaching the west side of the Grey Glacier.
On arrival, disembark on the island at the glacier and walk on it for about an hour until reaching the ice. Before walking onto the glacier, the guide will talk to you about the safety aspects explaining the techniques of displacement in the ice and the correct use of the equipment. Once the safety briefing is complete, you will begin the exploration of the Grey Glacier which will last approximately 3 hours. During this time, you will be able to observe cracks, rivers, lagoons and tunnels with their different tones of blue. After 3 hours on the glacier, return to the zodiac boat and ride back to the base camp. One hour navigation in this magic lake surrounded by ice bergs whilst you stand on deck sipping your pisco sour served with glacial ice!
Transfer back from Grey lake to your hotel.
Day 10: Wine Country
At the agreed time, you will be transferred to the airport. Pick-up time will be advised locally.
Upon arrival at Santiago Airport, you will be met by a local representative who will assist you escorting you on a private transfer to your hotel in the Wine Country.
The Colchagua Valley
The Colchagua Valley lies some 130 kilometers south of Santiago, limited to the east by the Andes, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. The influential cool Pacific breeze creates a terroir perfectly suited to producing full-bodied, lusty red wines. Colchagua is one of the country’s most famous valleys, set at the heart of the central valley, and is the icon of wine production in Chile.
Accommodations: Clos Apalta Residence
Clos Apalta Residence features ten bungalows nestled into the native forested hillside of the Apalta valley, providing serenity and privacy. Each Casita or Villa has a magnificent view of the valley and provides a secluded and peaceful environment that is harmonious with the local landscape. The terraces offer ideal settings for quiet contemplation or intimate meals.
Day 11: Wine Country
You will have a private tour tasting at Clos Apalta winery, up to the family's private cellar. Exploring nature is another possibility: in this vast 650-hectare estate, you can explore the organic and biodynamic vineyards via mountain biking or hiking the wild wooded Apalta slopes (self-guided routes). The view from the residence presents a fabulous way of admiring the wild beauty of the landscapes.
Day 12: Wine Country & Departure
Discover the secrets of the Colchagua Valley and its smaller side valleys, such as the Apalta Valley or the Millahue Valley, which give birth to the best nectars of Chile.
Wine Tasting & Farewell Lunch
The visit today will be at VIK Chile, an exclusive vineyard and resort set in the rolling hills of Millahue, around 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Santiago. Enjoy a tour and wine tasting in the modern winery with a viticulture specialist before heading to the restaurant, where the floor-to-ceiling windows draw your attention to the stunning views of the surrounding forests and valleys. The restaurant serves a mix of Chilean cuisine with an international twist, creating an authentic ambience in the refined rustic setting. Whether you sit indoors or enjoy the outdoor patio, you will feel as if you are a guest in the owner's home. Enjoy a delicious lunch before bidding farewell to Chile and the Wine Country.
Transfer to Santiago International Airport where your guide will assist you with check-in for your international departure flight.
Rates
Questions?
Unique to Wild Nectar, this itinerary includes Chile’s finest experiences combined with thoroughly stylish properties throughout. Gastronomy, wine, breathtaking landscapes, desert, mountains – it’s all here! Experience Chile’s multiple biospheres in style.
Joy Martinello, Founder
Questions?
What’s Included & Cancellation Policy:
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
Atacama: All-inclusive package, including accommodation, full board, open bar, private transfers and excursions (except hot air ballooning which is shared).
Santiago: Accommodation with breakfast, private transfers and excursions.
Patagonia: All-inclusive package, including accommodation, full board, open bar, shared transfers (from Puerto Natales airport) and excursions.
Wine Country: Accommodation with full board, private transfers and excursions.
Meals as per itinerary described above; Excursions and services as per itinerary; Entrance fees for scheduled sightseeing; Taxes and service charges - hotel taxes and service charges as imposed by the government are included for hotel services specified in the itinerary; 24-hour guest service.
NOT INCLUDED:
Air transportation and/or airport taxes, unless specified above; Tips for guides, drivers and hotel staff; Extras at hotels (laundry, telephone calls, tips, etc); Any other items not mentioned above including additional costs due to “Force Majeure” or circumstances out of this operator’s control.
