9-Nights Chilean Contrasts: Atacama Desert & Patagonia from $3,717

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago de Chile

Transfer: Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airportto Santiago de Chile - City Centre

Hotel: Cumbres Lastarria Hotel (4 Star Rating)

Exhibiting creative architecture as well as a modern and eclectic environment Hotel Cumbres Lastarria provides its guests with a close connection to the surrounding neighborhood, urban life and culture. The hotel boasts 70 rooms composed of 27 standard rooms, 40 superior rooms, and two suites. All rooms are equipped with independent heating and air conditioning systems, mini bar (hotel stay per room includes two mineral waters, two waters without gas, two flavored waters), TV, cable, Wi-Fi, safebox and a coffee pot. The hotel includes two restaurants (one with international cuisine, and the other known for its Tapas and cocktails), a fitness room, a pool, and reserved parking.

Transfer: Santiago de Chile - City Centre to Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airport

Transfer: Calama Airportto San Pedro de Atacama

Hotel: La Casa de Don Tomas El Refugio (3 Star Rating)

La Casa de Don Tomas El Refugio is located peacefully within a 10-hectare lot, just 5 walking minutes away from its sister hotel 'La Casa de Don Tomas'. It is made up of 4 units of 8 rooms each, with 16 rooms facing the north-east and 16 rooms facing the east. All rooms have independent access from an exterior corridor and are of approximately 30 square meters with a bathroom overlooking the interior garden, as well as telephone, free internet, and safe. All the furniture is made of lenga wood, and the outdoor deck chairs are made of wicker. The hotel has a lobby, reception, restaurant, parking and a large terrace on the second floor with a magnificent and peaceful view of San Pedro.

The Atacama Desert is internationally renowned for its astrological observations thanks to its clear skies and low humidity. This excursion will take you on a 2-3 hour tour to appreciate the beautiful stars and planets above. The evening begins as you are picked up at your hotel and travel to a location that has been handpicked for its astronomical viewpoint. There, in the open-air, with the use of tripod telescopes you will be able to observe the night sky and discover a variety of constellations and planets while enjoying a lovely aperitif. This is an "out of the world" experience!

Today you will visit the picturesque Toconao, a small town nestled 30 km (roughly 18 miles) from San Pedro de Atacama where you will be able to appreciate the amazing architecture of the town church and its bell tower. Besides, in this very same place you can find beautiful handmade crafts. You will also have the chance to hike around the beautiful fruit gardens boasted in this little town. After this, you will visit the largest salt flat in Chile: Salar de Atacama, where you will find Los Flamencos National Reserve. Afterwards you will continue to Chaxa lagoon and you will be able to observe the three different species of flamingos and other animals inhabiting the salt deposit lagoons. Finally you will enjoy the sunset at the salt flat with a delicious cocktail while being amazed by the impressive ever-changing colors of the landscape that surrounds you.

Before dawn breaks, you will depart from San Pedro and head north to the famous El Tatio Geysers. You will travel roughly 100 km (60 miles) to the highlands towards the Andes until you reach the Geysers del Tatio geothermal field, the highest in the world, at an altitude of nearly 4,300 meters (roughly 14,100 feet) above sea level. After 90 minutes of travel, you will reach the moment of manifestation. Here, you are invited to walk along a marked path to observe the eruptions of boiling water that has made the Taito Geyser world-famous. On the way back, enjoy the beauty of the landscape, learning about the native flora and fauna. Before long, you’ll be on your way back to your accommodations.

Transfer: San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport

Transfer: Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airportto Santiago de Chile - City Centre

Hotel: Cumbres Lastarria Hotel (4 Star Rating)

Exhibiting creative architecture as well as a modern and eclectic environment Hotel Cumbres Lastarria provides its guests with a close connection to the surrounding neighborhood, urban life and culture. The hotel boasts 70 rooms composed of 27 standard rooms, 40 superior rooms, and two suites. All rooms are equipped with independent heating and air conditioning systems, mini bar (hotel stay per room includes two mineral waters, two waters without gas, two flavored waters), TV, cable, Wi-Fi, safebox and a coffee pot. The hotel includes two restaurants (one with international cuisine, and the other known for its Tapas and cocktails), a fitness room, a pool, and reserved parking.

On this wonderful tour, you will experience Santiago guided by your senses. During your first stop, visit the historic Santa Lucía Hill, which is a lone steep rock that is adorned with wonderful facades, fountains, stairways and where the city was founded in 1541. From there, continue to the París-Londres neighbourhood where you will find examples of famous European architecture within the areas surrounding buildings. A little later, get to know the unique culture of Santiago by sipping coffee at one of the notorious “café con piernas”. From there, you will visit some of the most popular streets of the city, filled with history and home to bustling commerce. Later, head towards the Central Market known for its cuisine and exotic fish stores. You will also experience the Vega Chica Market, which boasts some of the best flavours, scents and colours of this metropolis. It is here that you will try one of Chile's traditional drinks known as Cola de Mono. Winding down, your final stops will be to a renowned flower market filled with colorful displays and beautiful scents, followed by a tour of the cultural Lastarria Neighbourhood, where you will find sights and sounds unique to this amazing city. Soon after, you will be returned to your hotel in Santiago.

This excursion will take place south of Santiago, in the heart of an area called Maipo Alto, which you will be privately transferred to in the morning. In this wonderful corner of Chile, you will find the Pérez Cruz Vineyard, a place full of history as well as excellent vines. Specially designed to merge with the surrounding landscape, the cellars stand out not only for the quality of the wines but also for their architecture. Here you will find 550 hectares of magnificent grapevines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cot, Carménère, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot. All of these come from this small yet prodigious production, which in 1993 evolved into a wine making project that has earned a fair deal of prestige. The estate is owned by the Pérez Cruz family, who show great dedication to viniculture, participating actively in the production to assure that traditions, quality, and care for the environment meet the highest of standards. Following your tour of the vineyard, which will be paired with two wine tastings, you will be returned to your hotel in Santiago.

Transfer: Santiago de Chile - City Centre to Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airport

Transfer: TENIENTEto Puerto Natales

Hotel: Weskar Patagonian Lodge (3 Star Rating)

Weskar Patagonia is situated 3 km (2 miles) north of Puerto Natales, right next to the sea. By using natural materials such as wood or wool, the lodge offers its guests ultimate relaxation and comfort. The accommodation features 21 comfortable rooms with incredible views of the surrounding landscapes. In addition, the hotel includes services such as free Wi-Fi in common areas, a cozy fireplace, reading area, small gift shop and private parking. The hotel’s own restaurant Enoo serves delicious Patagonian dishes as well as regional beer, Chilean wine or homemade pisco sour.

Today you will be picked up from your hotel in Puerto Natales and begin this shared excursion to Torres del Paine. Along the way, you will visit the Mylodón Cave, located about 30 minutes away from the town. A German explorer discovered this cave in 1895, and inside, he found a piece of hide from a prehistoric animal called a Mylodón, and estimated to be roughly 10,000 years old. After visiting this natural monument, you will continue toward the Village of Cerro Castillo, heart of the sheep farming business in the area. Continuing further on the road you will soon spot the mountains of the Paine Massif (if the weather is favorable) including the famous Torres del Paine and the spectacular Cuernos del Paine. Before reaching the entrance of the park, you will be able to see Sarmiento Lake and the Amarga Lagoon. This is also the best place to observe park wildlife in large numbers and close to the road. Later, you will move on to the central area of the park to enjoy views of the Nördenskjold and Pehoe lakes. In this area you will also be able to enjoy magnificent views of the Salto Grande waterfall. Afterwards, you will take a break and have lunch before hiking for about an hour to reach Grey Lake. Here you will be witness of the many icebergs that come from the Grey Glacier, evidence of the last ice age here in Patagonia. After visiting this area you will drive back to the town and return to your hotel.

Early in the morning you will arrive at the agency and then go to Puerto Bories to begin this beautiful journey through the world of the Patagonian fjords, where you will be able to appreciate the native flora and fauna and visit ancient glaciers. You will sail towards the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, through the Fjord of Last Hope, where you will also see beautiful mountains, waterfalls, ranches and Patagonian birds. In the afternoon, after visiting the majestic Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers, you will return to Estancia Perales, where you can enjoy a whiskey with ancient ice, as well as a delicious lunch with a typical local dish, a Magellanic lamb barbecue with delicious sides (or a vegetarian alternative). At the end of the afternoon, after enjoying this beautiful and memorable day, you will be returned to Puerto Natales where you can enjoy the late afternoon and evening at leisure.

Transfer: Puerto Natales to TENIENTE