Compare Patagonia Explorer: The Best of Chile by Odysseys Unlimited vs Best of Chile from Atacama to Patagonia 2023 Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 15 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 5,897 | $ 7,196 |
| Price Per Day | $ 393 | $ 654 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
12 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches and 8 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
Join us in Patagonia, Chile’s unspoiled wilderness at land’s end, where we explore by land and sea; where the signature Torres del Paine preside over the rugged plains and ice-blue glaciers speckle the sea. Add Santiago and the Lake District, and it’s all Chile, all the time, as our small group tours the length and breadth of this South American gem. |
Journey across Chile on an immersive 11-Day adventure, from Santiago set against the snow-capped Andes to the UNESCO protected sites of Valparaíso and the llama farms of Torres del Paine. Wine connoisseurs will be in their element at the Kingston Family Vineyard where a private Casablanca Valley Wine Tasting uncorks the finest local tipples—including regional Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In Torres del Paine, join the Patagonia Ranch cultural experience and see the world through the eyes of your local baqueano guides—the cowboy descendants of horsemen who came to work the ranches over a century ago. In Atacama, journey 14,000 feet up into the Andes for a dip in the Puritama Hot Springs before an evening of stargazing under the crystal-clear skies of the Chilean desert. |
Day 1
Depart for Puerto Montt, Chile
Day 2: Arrive Puerto Montt/Puerto Varas
Meals: Dinner
Upon arrival in Chile’s Lake District, we transfer to our hotel in Puerto Varas. The afternoon is at leisure; tonight we meet our fellow travelers and Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director at a briefing about the journey ahead, followed by a welcome dinner.
Day 3: Vicente Rosales National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today we set out on a full-day excursion through stunning Vicente Rosales National Park, set almost entirely in the Andes and covering nearly 1,000 square miles. We see the Petrohué Waterfalls, where surging whitewater plunges over black volcanic rock, and regal Osorno Volcano in the distance, a snowcapped cone that has been compared to Japan’s Mount Fuji. This afternoon we travel to a ranch in the nearby town of Alerce to meet Chilean cowboys and watch as they demonstrate their rodeo skills. Tonight we enjoy a traditional asado-style barbecue dinner at the ranch.
Day 4: Puerto Varas/Calbuco
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
We travel this morning to the small lakeside town of Calbuco, situated on an island in one of southern Chile’s many fjords. We see a mussel fishery then enjoy a small group highlight as we have lunch prepared by a local fisherman’s family.
Day 5: Puerto Varas/Punta Arenas
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
We transfer to the airport today for the two-hour flight to Punta Arenas, capital of Chile’s southernmost Magallanes Region. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel, where we dine tonight.
Day 6: Punta Arenas
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
We get a close-up view of Patagonian Chile today on our excursion to a working estancia (ranch). We visit with the local cowboys who work here and watch a sheepdog exercise to see how these amazing animals perform their important job of herding. We also see a sheep-shearing demonstration and learn how the wool is processed. Then we enjoy a traditional Patagonian asado lunch at the ranch before our return to Punta Arenas, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 7: Magdalena Island/Puerto Natales
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
On our day cruise through the storied Strait of Magellan today, we have the opportunity to see for ourselves an animal that most people have only seen in captivity: the Magellanic penguin, the two-foot tall flightless bird that numbers among the millions along the southern tip of South America. We cruise to tiny Magdalena Island, home to a colony of more than 120,000 penguins that coexist peacefully with cormorants, sea lions, and other species. We return to Punta Arenas in time for lunch before continuing our journey northward by coach to Puerto Natales, gateway to Torres del Paine National Park on the shores of Ultima Esperanza Sound.
Day 8: Serrano and Balmaceda Glaciers
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
We experience southern Chile’s glacier region on today’s excursion. Our day cruise takes us through more stunning Patagonian scenery, as we navigate between snow-capped mountains and walls of ice to reach the massive glaciers, where we enjoy fabulous views and photo opportunities. We watch as the ice seems to tumble down the mountainsides and into the bays below (and in fact often does, in a process called calving). Then we enjoy lunch at a local estancia as we return to Puerto Natales. Dinner tonight is on our own.
Day 9: Puerto Natales/Torres del Paine
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
This morning we make the two-hour drive north into Torres del Paine, a breathtaking 700-square-mile national park and UNESCO reserve. After reaching our hotel and having lunch together, we set out on a short hike; the rugged beauty of our surroundings gives us a preview of what’s in store over the next two days. Tonight we dine together at our hotel, as we will throughout our stay here.
Day 10: Torres del Paine National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today marks our first full day in Torres del Paine, one of the most unspoiled and beautiful nature preserves on Earth. We spend the day exploring this unparalleled landscape of jagged peaks, ice-blue glaciers, turquoise lakes, rushing rivers, and thunderous waterfalls. We also visit magnificent Lago Grey, which is fed by the glacier of the same name in the Southern Patagonia Ice Field.
Day 11: Torres del Paine National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Our second day of exploration in the park features Laguna Amarga, Laguna Azul, and Cascade Rio Paine, along with resident wildlife.
Day 12: Torres del Paine/Santiago
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
We trade our natural surroundings for the bustling urban heart of Chile today, as we travel by coach to Punta Arenas then board a 3.5-hour flight to the Chilean capital of Santiago. We reach our hotel early this evening; dinner tonight is on our own in this cosmopolitan city with a lively culinary scene.
Day 13: Santiago
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
This morning we get acquainted with Santiago on a panoramic city tour. Chile’s largest city and the capital since colonial times, Santiago boasts an impressive diversity of architecture, a view of the majestic Andes, and a vibrant cultural atmosphere. After time for lunch on our own, we visit one of the many wineries that surround the city for a tour and tasting. Tonight we celebrate our Patagonian sojourn over a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 14: Santiago/Depart for U.S.
Meals: Breakfast
After a morning at leisure, this afternoon we visit Bellavista, Santiago’s colorful bohemian barrio where poet Pablo Neruda once lived. There’s time to explore on our own before we transfer to the airport for our overnight flights to the U.S.
Day 15: Arrive U.S.
We arrive in the U.S. this morning and connect with our return flights home.
Day 1: Arrive in Santiago
Welcome to Santiago. A picturesque city back dropped by the spectacular, snow-capped Andes, it offers a metropolitan world of museums, top restaurants and historic finds. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening meet your Travel Director and fellow guests at the hotel and enjoy a Welcome Dinner.
Day 2: Valparaiso and the Casablanca Wine Country
Begin your day with a visit to the coastal city of Valparaiso. Explore the UNESCO protected site with a Local Expert as you discover its church-dotted hillsides and unique ampitheatre-like layout.After lunch, visit the Kingston Family Vineyard for a private wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley. Recognised as one of the best wineries in Chile, its varieties have been featured on the wine lists of top restaurants including Aureole in New York.The evening is yours at leisure to relax or have a night out on the town.
Day 3: On to Atacama
Take a transfer to the airport for your flight to Calama, a city based in the Atacama Desert. On arrival you'll head to San Pedro.You’ll then be driven to the Moon Valley for a guided visit. A nod to its name, this moon-like area is made up of dunes, caves and caverns. Learn more about its history and the land formations from a Local Expert.
Day 4: Explore Atacama
This morning, take a guided visit to the Atacama Geysers known as El Tatio Geysers, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Located in the Andes Mountains, you'll be 14,170 feet (4,230 metres) above sea level. Enjoy a visit to the Puritama Hotsprings before taking a scenic drive back to your hotel.
Day 5: Atacama Salt Flats
Explore the Atacama Salt Flats, the largest in Chile. One of the driest parts of the world, the area stretches for over 40,000 square miles (103,600 kilometres). Keep your eyes open for species of wild birds including the Andean and James flamingos on the shores of the Chaxa, Miscanti and Minque Lagoons. This afternoon, make your way to Toconao, a traditional colonial village known for is volcanic rock architecture. Take a stroll through the main square and visit the handicraft stands that sell alpaca textiles.
Day 6: Atacama to Santiago
Wake up for your transfer and flight back to Santiago.Enjoy lunch at El Galeon restaurant, located in the heart of the Central Market.Continue to the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral, traveling to the heart of the city along the famous Alameda, Santiago's vibrant main avenue. Continue your tour by crossing the Mapocho River to reach the bohemian Bellavista district on your way to the San Cristobal Hill.
Day 7: On to Puerto Natales
Fly to Punta Arenas where you'll then drive to Puerto Natales, a port city, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and starting point for explorers in search of the Patagonian fjords. This afternoon, you’ll have leisure time in the day to rest and rejuvenate before heading to dinner.Famous for its spiced meat and seafood dishes, tonight's meal will have you savouring typical Patagonian dishes.
Day 8: Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Excursion
Wake for a scenic breakfast before starting your day. Torres del Paine National Park boasts jaw-dropping landscapes filled with turquoise lagoons, glaciers, and towering granite horns. Head out on a Balmaceda & Serrano Glacier Cruise to view these majestic ice formations. On return, the rest of your day is at leisure.
Day 9: Torres del Paine National Park
Join your local expert on an excursion of the Torres del Paine National Park. Situated in Chile's Patagonia region, this park is famous for its glaciers, grasslands, imposing mountains and the three granite towers it is named after.This afternoon, explore Torres del Paine with Insight Choice. Choose to join a Patagonian Ranch Cultural Experience and learn about the baqueano (cowboy) way of life. During your time with them, you will learn about their special clothing, saddles and other horse tack. You'll also be shown how to properly saddle a horse, nail a horseshoe and of course how to ride. Alternatively, choose to join a tour of the region's oldest gardens at Resrva Cerro Paine which produces seasonal fruits and vegetables using bio-intensive sustainable methods.Tonight, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you enjoy dinner at your hotel. All the ingredients are produced onsite utilizing sustainable farming techniques.
Day 10: Sightseeing in Torres del Paine
Today you'll spend the day sightseeing in Torres del Paine as you keep a look out for the park's guanacos, a rare creature similar to the llama, as well as Andean condors. Witness the sharp peaks of Cuernos del Paine and marvel at the emerald waters of the park’s lakes. These include Dickson Lake, Lake Pehoé, Sarmiento Lake, Del Toro Lake and Nordenskjöld Lake.After a day exploring, join your Travel Director and new friends as you toast to your travels at a Celebration Dinner with wine.
Day 11: Back to Santiago
It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your trip comes to an end. Head to Punta Arenas where you'll fly to Santiago International Airport for your flight home.
