10-Days – Santiago, San Pedro De Atacama, Puerto Natales

Tour overview:

This 10 day tour of Chile is home to many events showcasing the very best of Chilean culture, it also hosts super international festivals of sound, flavor, and color. The tour continous from Santiago to Atacama where we will see impressive landscapes in the Moon Valley, and we will become acquainted with the traditions of the town of San Pedro de Atacama. In the Puerto Natales we will have the opportunity see forests, glacial valleys, mountain ranges, lakes and, if the weather is in our favor, condors along the way. We will also visit the viewpoints of Lake Nordenskjöld, Salto Grande, Pehoé, Puente Weber and Río Paine.

Day 1 - Arrive Santiago

Upon your arrival in Santiago you would be met and transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation in Santiago.

Day 2 - Santiago - Half day - Santiago city tour

Shared service with English-speaking guide.

This captivating half-day tour of Santiago de Chile is a perfect mélange of history, panoramic views, and cultural landmarks. Led by our knowledgeable guide, this immersive journey will reveal the essence of this beautiful city. Aboard the picturesque cable car, we will reach the top of the iconic Cerro San Cristóbal to enjoy Santiago's stunning views in all its splendor. We will continue the tour in the emblematic Main Square (Plaza de Armas), surrounded by architectural wonders such as the Cathedral and the Municipality, and then move to the Constitution Square (Plaza Constitución) that houses the famous Palacio de la Moneda (Palace of the Mint) - the presidential seat of the government. While we explore the city's most charming streets and neighborhoods full of history that coexists with the most modern side of Santiago, we will taste one of its most typical flavors, such as “mote con huesillo”, a sweet and refreshing drink. Finally (whenever time permits), we may extend our tour to go through the Paris-Londres neighborhood and enjoy the views of its streets and churches. As we move, we will observe Santiago's eastern part, where the exclusive neighborhoods of Providencia, Las Condes and Vitacura are located.

Accommodation in Santiago. Rest of the day at Leisure. (B)

Day 3 - Santiago / Calama - San Pedro De Atacama

You will be picked up by our staff to transfer you to Santiago Airport.

Upon your arrival to Calama, our staff will wait for you to take you to San Pedro de Atacama. After your arrival, prepare yourself to enjoy your first activity.

 Half Day Moon Valley, Ayllus & Tasting

Our senses will be activated today! We will have a privileged view of the Cordillera de la Sal, we will see impressive landscapes in the Moon Valley, and we will become acquainted with the traditions of the town of San Pedro de Atacama, its history, and its people. Our day will begin with a delicious breakfast outdoors. From there, we will be able to appreciate the Andes Mountain range and its runoff, to San Pedro, which make it a true oasis. In the middle of the Cordillera de la Sal, we will find the Moon Valley, with its rock formations that look like sculptures and the mantle of salt that covers it in white, hearing the crunch of salt underfoot. In addition, as we walk the trails to reach Tres Marías, the largest dune in the valley, we will have some photo ops that look like we are on the moon. To top off the day, while departing the mountain range, we can visit an ayllu, a traditional community, to try the typical flavors of the area or a traditional ceramics workshop, where in addition to learning about ancient techniques we can purchase some souvenirs. (B)

Day 4 - San Pedro De Atacama - Full day Excursion to Geyser del Tatio

With the sunrise we head towards one of the entries to the Andean highlands, passing through important altitude ecosystems of extremely rich biodiversity such as the wetlands of Machuca and Putana. We make a stop at Machuca, a little farmer´s village, to then continue towards an overwhelming spectacle of nature: the geyser field ´El Tatio´. Before returning to San Pedro we explore yet another mighty gift of the earth, known as the “Geyser Blanco” (White Geyser), where the ones who have the heart can get into the thermal waters in the middle of the river trough. (B)

Day 5 - San Pedro De Atacama - Half day Rainbow Valley and Yerbas Buenas

We will dedicate an afternoon to be fascinated by the ancient history of Antofagasta and the traces left by its ancient inhabitants. Beginning at Yerbas Buenas, we will find an overhang with cave paintings that we can observe up close and try to decipher. Due to its caves, this was a place of passage that gave shelter to people on the move and today, houses one of the most important groups of petroglyphs in the entire region. Appreciating the drawings closely, we will be able to notice that those who made them used different techniques, such as stone carving, dry engravings and paintings, for which they used earthy pigments, oil, or animal fat. We will climb up to 3,050 meters about sea level, to reach Rainbow Valley and learn why it has that curious name. As walk through the valley we will discover that its soils have a high content of certain minerals that give its different strata, impressive colors. We will walk to the Cascada Seca, which will allow us to imagine what this mythical place looked like millions of years ago. We will top off the day, enjoying the sunset over the Salt Mountain Range with a delicious aperitif. Rest of the day at Leisure .(B)

Day 6 - San Pedro De Atacama - Calama / Santiago

You will be transferred to Calama Airport (Only driver). Upon arrival, you will take a shuttle bus to go to the hotel near the airport area. (B)

Day 7 - Santiago / Punta Arenas / Puerto Natales

For Regular Services flights must arrive in Punta Arenas between 7:00 AM and 20:00 PM.

If you miss this schedule you will have to consider a private transfer with additional charges. Upon your arrival in Puerto Natales, we will take you to your hotel. Accommodation in Puerto Natales. (B)

Day 8 - Puerto Natales.

Today is a whole day to enjoy the two greatest natural attractions of Magallanes. Starting from Puerto Natales we will have the opportunity see forests, glacial valleys, mountain ranges, lakes and, if the weather is in our favor, condors along the way. A stop at the Sarmiento Lake viewpoint is the perfect opportunity to capture panoramic photos of the Torres del Paine Mountain range, the southern extension of the Andes Mountain range and Sarmiento Lake. Another impressive view is the one from the viewpoint of Laguna Amarga, flamingo|s favorite place. Once in Torres del Paine National Park, we will visit the viewpoints of Lake Nordenskjöld, Salto Grande, Pehoé, Puente Weber and Río Paine. At Lago Gray we will have time to explore the area on foot. Leaving the park is the Gray viewpoint, from where we can capture the majesty of the mountains, the immensity of Lake Toro and, if the weather permits, a section of the Gray glacier. The day continues with the arrival at the Cueva del Milodón Natural Monument, where we will not only be surprised by its fauna and flora, but also by its prehistoric past. (B, Box Lunch).

Day 9 - Puerto Natales

Day at leisure. (B)

Day 10 - Depart Puerto Natales

Today we will take you to Puerto Natales bus station. Where you will start your way back to Punta Arenas airport in public transportation (bus). 

Meals included: Breakfast