Chile on a Budget

Day 1 - Day of Arrival

International flight from London Heathrow to Santiago. On arrival you will be met and transferred privately to your hotel (approx. 30 minutes).

The afternoon is free for you to relax after the flight or for sightseeing. Santiago is Chile’s capital and largest city. It sits in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coastal Range. Although it may not have the striking qualities of Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires, it quickly proves itself to be a pleasant and entertaining city. A notable place of interest is the Plaza de Armas which is located in the heart of the old colonial city and which is home to 2 neoclassical landmarks: the early-19th-century Royal Court Palace, which houses the National History Museum, and the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral. Lastarria is a barrio brimming with history, surrounded by the best museums, galleries, trendy shops, antique stores, cinemas, theatres and innovative restaurants. Providencia is a district in Chile's capital city, Santiago. Its northern edge includes Santiago Metropolitan Park, which has trails and a funicular up San Cristóbal Hill. At the top is a huge Virgin Mary statue and views over the city. The park also has a Japanese garden and the National Zoo. Elsewhere in the neighbourhood, the Sculpture Park by the Mapocho River has art installations by prominent Chilean artists.

Overnight at Hotel Bonaparte.

Santiago, Chile

Day 2 - Flight to Calama

This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred back to Santiago Airport for your onward flight to the Atacama Desert. Upon arrival in Calama, you will take a shared shuttle transfer to San Pedro de Atacama (approx. 1 ½ hours).

San Pedro is a charming oasis at the north end of the Salar de Atacama. This little adobe town is the number one destination for Chilean and foreign visitors. However, despite the fact that the bars and restaurants are busy at certain times of the year, there always seems to be a relaxed atmosphere around town. The Atacama Desert is renowned for being one of the driest places in the world - in certain parts no measurable rainfall has ever been recorded.

Overnight at the Kimal Hotel.

Kimal Hotel, Northern Chile

Day 3 - Salt Flats

This morning is free to relax and acclimatise to the increase in altitude. The town of San Pedro de Atacama is situated at 2,048 metres above sea level. In the afternoon you will have a shared excursion to the Salt Flats of Atacama, frequented by the area’s flamingo population. On route you will stop at the small town of Toconao. Toconao is located about 30 kilometres from San Pedro de Atacama where you will be able to appreciate the architecture of the town church and its bell tower. Afterwards, you will visit the largest salt flat in Chile: Salar de Atacama, where you will find Los Flamencos National Reserve. You will then continue on to Chaxa Lagoon and be able to observe the three different species of flamingos and other animals inhabiting the salt deposit lagoons. Finally, enjoy the sunset at the salt flat whilst being amazed by the impressive ever-changing colours of the landscape that surrounds you.

Overnight at the Kimal Hotel.

Salt flats of Atacama, Chile

Day 4 - Tatio Geysers

Before dawn breaks you will depart from San Pedro and head north to the famous El Tatio Geysers - a geothermal field flanked by soaring peaks located at 4,320 meters above mean sea level. Its name comes from the Quechua word for oven and it is among the highest-elevation geyser fields in the world. There are over 80 active geysers, making it the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere and the third largest in the world. Its geysers erupt to an average height of about 75 centimetres, with the highest eruption observed being around 6 metres. Later you will visit Machuca, a former settlement in order to learn about some local traditions and handicrafts. This shared excursion returns to your hotel mid to late afternoon.

Overnight at the Kimal Hotel.

Tatio geysers

Day 5 to 7 - The Lake District

This morning a shared shuttle will collect you from your hotel for the drive back to Calama Airport. Here you will take an internal flight to Puerto Montt via Santiago (approx. 5 hours in total). On arrival you will be transferred privately to your hotel in Puerto Varas (approx. 30 minutes).

The following days are free to explore independently, with plenty of things to see and do. Puerto Montt is the capital of the lake district and the gateway to the rest of the region. From here it is possible to cruise through the Andes to Bariloche in Argentina via a series of ferries and short bus trips. Puerto Varas, just 20km from Puerto Montt sits on the southwest banks of the expansive Lake Llanquihue, which offers commanding views of snow-capped Osorno Volcano and Calbuco Volcano. Traditional German-style architecture characterises the town, reflecting its colonial past. Vicente Pérez Rosales national park was created in 1926, and as such, it is the oldest park in the country. It has a surface area of 251,000 hectares and is situated in one of the most privileged zones in the country. Its most important attractions are its volcanoes and mountains, great forests of native trees, and one of the most beautiful and virgin lakes in the south of Chile: the lake Todos Los Santos. This diverse landscape and the dominant presence of its volcanoes, has turned this park into one of the principal destinations in the region of Los Lagos. Within its limits, visitors can not only observe the incredible landscape, but also walk and observe the flora and fauna, enjoy thermal baths, ski, take a boat ride and go fishing, amongst many other activities.

Overnight at the Cabanas del Lago Hotel.

Cabanas del Lago Hotel, Southern Lake District

Day 8 - Punta Arenas & Puerto Natales

After breakfast you will be transferred privately back to Puerto Montt Airport to catch a flight to Punta Arenas. Here you will take a shared shuttle service to Puerto Natales (3 hours). On arrival you will be met and transferred privately to your hotel.

Puerto Natales is a port city on the Señoret Channel in Chile’s southern Patagonia. It’s 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.

Overnight at the Indigo Hotel & Spa.

Indigo Hotel and Spa, Patagonia, Chile

Day 9 - Torres del Paine

Today you will visit the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park for a full day shared excursion. No other park in South America can boast the amazing combination of breath-taking scenery, wildlife and interesting hiking trails. As a result, during the peak summer months, it can get a little crowded. However, to put it into perspective, it receives fewer visitors in a year than Yellowstone does in a single day! Wildlife in the park includes some 25 species of mammals, most notably pumas, guanacos and foxes. There are over 115 species of resident and migratory bird species including flamingos, coots, geese, raptors and the nandu (South American ostrich).

Overnight at the Indigo Hotel & Spa.

Torres del Paine, Chile

Day 10 - Serrano & Balmaceda Glaciers

After breakfast, depart for a full day shared excursion to the Serrano and Balmaceda glaciers. This full day tour will take you on a cruise through Ultima Esperanza Fjord in order to explore the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers. During the trip you can admire the Patagonian landscape including craggy peaks and waterfalls as well as the local wildlife of cormorants and sea elephants.

Overnight at the Indigo Hotel & Spa.

Glaciers, Chile

Day 11 - Flight to Santiago

After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Puerto Natales bus station for a shared transfer to Punta Arenas. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the airport for your flight to Santiago. Here you will be transferred privately to your city hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Bonaparte.

Santiago, Chile

Day 12 - Day of Departure

The morning is free to enjoy your last day in Chile or simply relax at your hotel after an action-packed itinerary. Mid-Afternoon you will be transferred privately back to Santiago Airport for your return flight home to UK.