Splendours of Chile

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Santiago via So Paulo

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Santiago, via So Paulo, with LATAM Airlines. (N)

Day 2: Santiago

Morning arrival. Transfer to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure. (N)

Day 3: Santiago

Morning tour of Santiago, including the cathedral, the historic main square, the central market and Sky Costanera, the tallest building in South America for views across the city and the Andes beyond. Afternoon drive into the countryside to the Undurraga vineyard for a tour and wine tasting. (B)

Day 4: Fly to Calama San Pedro de Atacama

Early morning flight to Calama and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama for 3 nights at the Hotel Altiplanico. Afternoon excursion to the Valley of the Moon to see the mesmerising change of colours at sunset. (B)

Day 5: Atacama desert

Full-day journey into the spectacular desert landscape. Visit the Atacama salt flats, where pink flamingoes may be seen, and stop at the small village of Toconao, with its white volcanic stone buildings. Continue to a traditional farm for lunch and visit Tebinquinche lagoon. (B, L)

Day 6: Atacama desert

Day at leisure. Alternatively, take an optional excursion to El Tatio geysers, the hot springs or the 17th-century fortress of Pukara de Quitor. (B)

Day 7: Fly to Puerto Montt via Santiago Puerto Varas

Fly to Puerto Montt via Santiago and transfer to the town of Puerto Varas, surrounded by shimmering lakes and perfectly conical snow-capped volcanoes. Stay 2 nights at the Cabana del Lago Hotel, set on the lake. (B)

Day 8: Chilean Lake District

Take a shared boat trip across Lake Todos los Santos to Peulla. (B)

Day 9: Fly to Punta Arenas Puerto Natales

Fly to Punta Arenas and continue to Puerto Natales, set amid jagged peaks and the glassy waters of Last Hope Sound. Stay overnight at the Hotel CostAustralis (fjord-view room). (B)

Day 10: Torres del Paine

Drive across the wilds of Patagonia to Torres del Paine National Park. Full-day shared tour taking in the dramatic scenery of granite peaks, emerald lakes, waterfalls and ancient lenga forests. Stay at Hotel Lago Grey for 2 nights in a Superior room with views of the glacier or Paine massif. (B, L)

Day 11: Torres del Paine

Morning shared boat excursion on Lake Grey for an up-close view of its striking bright-blue glacier. Afternoon at leisure or optional tours. (B)

Day 12: Punta Arenas

Drive to Punta Arenas, situated on the Magellan Strait and enjoy a short tour of the city on arrival. Transfer to the Cabo de Hornos Hotel for 1 night. (B, L)

Day 13: Fly to Santiago

Fly to Santiago and transfer to the Hotel Plaza San Francisco for an overnight stay. (B)

Day 14: Fly to London via So Paulo

Morning at leisure or optional tour of the Pre-Columbian Museum or Los Dominicos handicraft market. Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London, via So Paulo, with LATAM Airlines. (B)

Day 15: London

Arrive in London. (N)