Project Chile: 
PRE TOUR Chilean Patagonia Extension
(LIMITED AVAILABILITY)

Day 1 (18 September 2024) - Arrive into Santiago

Arrive in Santiago for an overnight stay. Santiago, Chile’s capital, and largest city, sits in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coast Range. It is a wonderful place for strolling, and each neighbourhood has its unique flavour and tone.

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Day 2 (19 September 2024) - Fly south to Punta Arenas in deep Patagonia (B)

Today fly to Punta Arenas for an overnight stay and join an afternoon city tour. Punta Arenas is a city near the tip of Chile's southernmost Patagonia region. Located on the Strait of Magellan, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, it's often used as base for excursions to the surrounding wilderness and Antarctica. The Plaza Muñoz Gamero has a memorial to explorer Ferdinand Magellan, and the Museo Nao Victoria features a replica of one of his galleons.

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Day 3 (20 September 2024) - Travel to Puerto Natales with condor viewing en route (B)

Today we travel to Puerto Natales our base for the next two nights, with a chance to view condors en route. Puerto Natales is a port city on the Señoret Channel and is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park to the northwest, and the port for boats touring the Patagonian fjords. The Municipal Historical Museum in the city centre exhibits artifacts from the region’s indigenous population. To the north is the vast Mylodon Cave, once inhabited by prehistoric, sloth-like mylodons.

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Day 4 (21 September 2024) - Full day Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier sightseeing (B, L)

Today we take a boat trip to visit Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers. Almost untouched by man, the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers are part of the Patagonian ice fields, in the southern part of Torres del Paine National Park. Sail through the 'Ultima Esperanza Fjord' from Puerto Natales on this boat trip. Surrounded by pine trees, Serrano Glacier transcends deeply into a lagoon and changes colour depending on the light. The astonishing Balmaceda glacier is found in Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. Overnight in Puerto Natales.

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Day 5 (22 September 2024) - Visit Torres del Paine and Milodon Cave (B, L)

Today join a full day of sightseeing tour to Torres del Paine, including a visit to the Milodon Cave. This full day excursion through the National Park will provide wonderful views onto the Torres Massif and its jagged peaks. Some short hikes enable visitors to reach the most beautiful viewpoints in the park, and to become acquainted with the wealth of flora and fauna found in the area. Overnight just outside the park.

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Day 6 (23 September 2024) - Lake Grey boat trip and trekking to Los Cuernos and Salto Grande (B, L)

Today we enjoy a full day of sightseeing. We start with a boat trip to *Grey Glacier, which is the largest glacier in Torres del Paine National Park. Pieces of ice both large and small regularly break off from this glacier, falling into the water with a crack and a splash, and floating away across the lake like fluorescent blue icebergs. This afternoon join one of the classic hikes in the heart of the park. The terrain is fairly flat with only one steep part, and you will always see the 'Cuernos' (horns) of Paine in front of you. Visit 'Salto Grande' (Big Waterfall) and continue along the shores of Lake Nordenskjöld before returning to the start point. Overnight just outside the park.

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Day 7 (24 September 2024) - Transfer to Punta Arenas visiting Estancia Rio Penitente en route (B, L)

Today return to Punta Arenas for a last overnight in Patagonia. Visit Estancia Rio Penitente en route for lunch and witness Patagonia’s history and traditions. For 120 years this estancia has been in the hands of the descendants of pioneer Alexander Morrison, who founded the manor in 1891. Few things have changed since then and the spirit of a typical Patagonian farm from the 19th century is still alive in Estancia Penitente. After a hearty welcome experience, the art of sheep shearing before being served with a delicious typical barbecue 'al palo' (on a stick).

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Day 8 (25 September 2024) - Return flight to Santiago (B)

Today join your return flight to Santiago for a two-night stay.

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Day 9 (26 September 2024) - Day at leisure with optional excursions available (B)

Spend time today exploring Santiago with a full day optional excursion available to the two Pacific towns of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. Valparaiso is the regional capital, and it is recognised for its historic centre which is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Viña del Mar is known as the Garden City for its great quantity of parks and green areas.

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Day 10 (27 September 2024) - Join Day 1 of the Easter Island eclipse tour (B)

Today is day 1 of the Easter Island eclipse tour. Spend the day at leisure in the city of perhaps join an optional excursion to visit some of the famous wineries in the area.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN MY TOUR?

Tour Price GB£5,275 / US$6,595 per person*

*Please note these costings are based on original costings from June 2021 which were updated in October 2023 and are subject to change. Tours are costed on a USD rate of 1.25.

 

• The price is for the tour from hotel check-in on Day 1 to your hotel check-out on Day 10.

• Bed and breakfast accommodation is provided in hotels throughout the tour and all transfers, transportation, flights, and local excursions as outlined in the itinerary (if applicable) are included. Other meals are not included unless stated within the day-by-day itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) and some excursions are offered on an optional basis closer to the tour departure date (the word 'optional' is used to describe these).

• Accommodation is provided in twin or double bed hotel rooms with a private bathroom. We are usually able to arrange shared accommodation with a person of the same gender - this is known as 'twin share' accommodation.

• A limited number of rooms for sole occupancy are available at a single room supplement of GB£1,065 / US$1,325.

• Flight packages from London and the US are available via our flight partner Star Travel, or you can arrange your own International flights if you prefer.  Please ask us for a quote.

• Current return air fares from London to Santiago (return) are between about GB£860 and GB£1,500 and from the US about US$750 to US$1,850 (depending on the departure point within the US).

• Arrival and Departure airport transfers and assistance will be offered closer to the tour departure at additional cost.  If you are arranging your own airport transfers, then the tour starts at the hotel after check in (from 3pm) on Day 1 and services end at the hotel after check out (from 10am) on the final day of your tour.  Authorised taxis are readily available at Santiago Airport and information is available via the following link - https://nuevopudahuel.cl/services/official-black-and-yellow-taxi?language=en

• You will find further details about what to expect on the Project Chile FAQ page here.