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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrive in Santiago
Arrive in Santiago today, Chile's cosmopolitan capital city. You will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in set in the bohemian Lastarria neighbourhood. A private guided tour this afternoon will give you an introduction to the city where a neoclassical cathedral sits alongside glittering skyscrapers in the Plaza de Armas, and glimpses of the volcanoes beyond can be enjoyed from the top of Cerro San Cristobal.
Overnight: The Singular Santiago
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Day 2 Travel to the Atacama Desert
This morning you will take a flight north to Calama, gateway to the Atacama Desert. A transfer takes you on to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama, where you will have a free afternoon to relax by the pool or to explore the atmospheric desert town of San Pedro. Your hotel is just a five minute walk from the centre of town, where many hours can be whiled away exploring the narrow streets lined with adobe buildings and handicraft shops, or taking in a memorable sunset over a pisco sour in the main square.
Option: upgrade your accommodation to stay in one of the region's all-inclusive luxury lodges on the outer edges of San Pedro, such as Tierra Atacama. All your meals and a wide range of activities are included during your stay, and an extensive spa boasts views of the Licancabur volcano.
Overnight: Hotel Desertica
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Day 3 Valley of the Moon and the Atacama Salt Flats
Set out this morning for a full day of explorations, taking in some of the most dramatic areas of the Atacama. You will first visit the Valley of the Moon, where towering red cliffs and curious rock formations punctuate vast expanses of desert. Gentle hikes across enormous dunes and towering outcrops take you to some of the most spectacular viewpoints in the valley. After time to recover and refuel back at the hotel, another adventure awaits; this time to the Atacama Salt Flats. Here an enormous salt lake of over 1800 square miles stretches out to a backdrop of volcanic peaks. Your guide will explain how the geological and climatic conditions have formed these striking landscapes, and will take you to the best viewpoints of the lagoons, where large groups of flamingos can often be seen.
Option : discover why the night skies over the Atacama are some of the best in the world for astronomy on an evening tour into the desert, where you will go star gazing following the ancient methods of the Atacama's indigenous peoples.
Overnight: Hotel Desertica
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Day 4 Free time in the Atacama Desert
Enjoy a free day in the Atacama for you to further explore at your own pace and arrange activities that best suit your interests. A full-day tour to El Tatio geysers is a popular activity with those seeking a deeper immersion into the dramatic landscapes and geology of the Atacama. The rich culture of the Atacama Desert is another draw, and tours can be arranged to Quitor Pukara, where the remains of pre-Columbian fortress can be visited, continuing on to the town of Tulor which was one of the earliest settlements in the desert. Adventure lovers, meanwhile, will delight in the opportunity to go mountain biking through volcanic valleys to turquoise lakes or in taking to another saddle for a riding excursion to Death Valley.
Option : gain an entirely different perspective of the Atacama Desert as you take to the skies on a dawn hot air balloon ride, offering a truly memorable panorama of volcanoes, rock formations and lunar valleys.
Overnight: Hotel Desertica
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Day 5 Vineyards of the Central Valley
Leaving the Atacama behind today you will take a morning flight back to Santiago. Here you will be met and driven straight out to your relaxing vineyard hotel set in a tranquil valley, less than one hour away from the airport. Highly acclaimed in the wine community, the organic wines produced at Matetic Vineyards win regular awards, and the attached La Casona Hotel occupies a charming a colonial house surrounded by vines and views of the Rosario Valley. Later this afternoon, a guided tour of the bodega gives you an insight into the biodynamic wine production at Matetic, as well as the opportunity to sample some signature wines.
Overnight: La Casona at Matetic Vineyards
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Day 6 Travel to Patagonia
Today you will fly south from Santiago to Punta Arenas, one of the gateway cities for adventures into the heart of Chilean Patagonia. You will be met at the airport to continue your journey by road with the other guests of your lodge, observing the landscape change from vast expanses of Patagonian steppe to the lush areas of native forest and towering granite cliffs as get you get ever closer to Torres del Paine. Your accommodation for the coming days is one of the luxurious yurts at Patagonia Camp, a wildlife haven located on the edge of the Torres del Paine National Park and overlooking the shimmering turquoise waters of Lake Toro. A delicious dinner of fine Chilean cuisine and wine awaits before you settle in to your first night under canvas.
Overnight: Patagonia Camp
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Day 7 Activities in Southern Patagonia & Torres del Paine
A wide range of activities are included during your stay at Patagonia Camp, and a team of expert guides will discuss the options with you each evening. The setting of the Patagonia Camp in a vast nature reserve opens up a wealth of opportunities, from kayaking on the waters of Lake Toro or hiking through forested trails to deserted waterfalls where you will encounter no other visitors, allowing you to capture an experience of Patagonia that is entirely your own. Venturing into the Torres del Paine National Park itself is usually a must at least once during your stay however, where you can trek to the famed base of the ‘towers’, embark upon an adventure through the French Valley or hike to a viewpoint over the Grey Glacier.
Overnight: Patagonia Camp
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Day 8 Further activities in Southern Patagonia & Torres del Paine
Enjoy another day of activities in Chilean Patagonia. While trekking is what takes many people to this spectacular region, you by no means have to be an experienced hiker to see all that Torres del Paine has to offer. Gentler excursions can be arranged which involve shorter walks through areas of grazing vicuñas, punctuated by relaxing lakeside picnics, and with vehicle transfers taking different routes in and out of the park to ensure you get to see some of the most dramatic viewpoints. You could also explore the cave complex at Mylodon, where the fossils of prehistoric animals have been found.
Overnight: Patagonia Camp
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Day 9 Cross the border to Argentina
After breakfast this morning you will depart Patagonia Camp on a shared transfer to the Argentinian border. Though you are bidding farewell to Chile, you remain in Patagonia, meaning your travels today will be gloriously scenic. After border crossing formalities your journey continues north into Argentina through barren Patagonian wilderness until you begin your approach to El Calafate and your hotel located just a short walk from the centre of town. The remainder of the day is free for you to settle into your surroundings and perhaps stroll into town to explore the wealth of cafes, bars and restaurants serving regional Patagonian specialities.
Option : set out on the 'Nativos' tour later this afternoon which offers a fascinating insight into the expeditions of the region's first European settlers, and their encounters with the indigenous Tehuelche population. Remarkable stories are recounted as you travel past lakes and mountains in a 4x4, retracing the steps of the early explorers.
Overnight: Esplendor by Wyndham El Calafate
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Day 10 Perito Moreno Glacier
Today you will embark upon a full-day tour to one of Argentinian Patagonia's most spectacular sights, the Perito Moreno Glacier. You will be driven the 50-mile route out to the western end of the Magellan Peninsula, taking in the enchanting passing scenery of lakes, forests and snow-capped mountains. Arriving at Perito Moreno, the experience of the glacier is a true assault on the senses as you glimpse the vivid blue of the ice standing out against the milky waters of the lake, hear the occasional thunder-like rumbles of the calving of the glacier and feel the biting Patagonian wind on your face as you explore the network of walkways and viewpoints over the glacier.
Option: before returning to El Calafate, you may wish to add on a one-hour boat ride that takes you right to the front of the southern face of the Perito Moreno glacier.
Overnight: Esplendor by Wyndham El Calafate
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Day 11 Travel to Buenos Aires
Leaving Patagonia behind today, you will fly north to Buenos Aires, where the milder climate and the buzz of the city feels a world away from the wilderness surroundings of the previous days. A private driver will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your hotel in the stylish Recoleta district. After time to freshen up after the flight, you may wish to set out to explore the nearby attractions; the Recoleta Cemetery is just a 10-minute walk from your hotel, and here you can discover the elaborate monuments to some of the city's most notable residents, as well as the tomb of Eva Perón.
Overnight: Serena Hotel Buenos Aires
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Day 12 Tour of Buenos Aires
You will be met by your private guide this morning for a fascinating tour of Buenos Aires, one of South America’s most atmospheric and sophisticated cities. Discover the history of the Plaza de Mayo and the 'Pink Palace', where Juan and 'Evita' Perón made their rousing speeches, before travelling on to the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo, where artisan and antique shops line the cobbled streets. Continue south to La Boca where houses are painted in the brightest shades of red, yellow and blue, and tango dancers in the street are a common sight. Your tour concludes in the regenerated port area of Puerto Madero, home to some fine bars and restaurants and where you may like to remain for lunch, with the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Option: tonight, gain a deeper insight into the unique culture of Buenos Aires on our specially curated 'closed door' gourmet dinner and tango evening in a local home.
Overnight: Serena Hotel Buenos Aires
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Day 13 Free time in Buenos Aires
Today is free for you to further explore Argentina’s enchanting capital city at your own pace. One of the joys of a free day in the city is having time to meander through bohemian neighbourhoods such as Palermo Soho, exploring colourful boutiques and stopping in cafes to watch the locals refuel on their favourite morning treat of strong coffee and media luna pastries. Another relaxing pastime for locals in the city that you may wish to replicate is taking a gentle river cruise to Tigre, or you could even embrace Argentine culture yet further with a spot of polo at a nearby ranch.
Option : cross the River Plate into Uruguay for the chance to explore the historic fortress town of Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, take to the waters of the Paraná Delta for a scenic cruise on a traditional river boat.
Overnight: Serena Hotel Buenos Aires
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Day 14 Depart
You will be collected from your hotel and transferred privately to the airport in time for your flight home.
Option : extend your South American discovery with a visit to the mighty Iguazu Falls, just a short flight from Buenos Aires.
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Depart
