Torres Del Paine & Chile Wine

Welcome to Santiago, the capital and largest city of Chile as well as one of the biggest cities in the Americas. It is situated smack bang in the center of Santiago Metropolitan Region, which is Chile’s most densely populated region, with a population of 7 million. Filling the country’s central valley, most of the city lies between 500–650 m (1,600–2,100 ft) above sea level. Santiago was founded in 1541 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia, Santiago is rare among South American capital cities in that it has served as the capital city since the colonial occupation.

Downtown and central Santiago is largely made-up of 19th-century neoclassical architecture and winding side-streets, but has smatterings of art-deco and neo-gothic architecture, amongst others. Like many cities in along the Western confines of the continent, Santiago is surrounded by hills as the Andes begin to rise behind it. The main river in the city is the fast-flowing Mapocho River, and Santiago is known in South America for being modern, organized, and very safe, as well as a clean, prosperous city with important financial and industrial clout in South America.

Upon arrival in Chile, you will be picked up at the airport and taken to your hotel.

Meals (x)

On today’s excursion, we explore the historical and modern sights of Santiago de Chile. We start our trip at the main avenue, the Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins, and head to La Moneda, the Government Palace, where we will learn about the historical and contemporary role it plays in Chilean life.

From there we take a walk through the pedestrian streets of Huérfanos and Ahumada, where the main commercial activity of the city is concentrated. Afterward, we visit the famous main square of the city, the Plaza de Armas, around which are several important historical buildings, including the Metropolitan Cathedral. From there we continue our trip on to Santa Lucia hill, the mount upon which the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. It is a lone steep rock, covered in vegetation and a great vantage point for viewing the city.

Moving on, we cross the Mapocho River to get to Bellavista, the cultural and artistic neighborhood of Santiago and home to many artists, actors, and young bohemian people. Bellavista lies at the foot of the San Cristóbal Hill, the highest in town, situated in the middle of the Metropolitan Park. We venture up the hill to explore the surrounding areas all the while enjoying beautiful panoramic views of the city. Finally, we visit Providencia with its top restaurants, elegant shops, and modern high-rise buildings. After this amazing tour, we will call it a day and return to the hotel.

Meals (B)

Today, wake early for a transfer to the airport in Santiago, and a flight to Punta Arenas.

After arrival to Punta Arenas, we will be picked up and whisked away to explore the cultural and natural wonders of one of the most southerly cities on the continent. We learn about its history and follow the footprints of brave polar explorers who preceded us many years before, with these immigrants being an important part of the development of the area. The first European to visit the area where the city is located was Juan Ladrillero, a Spanish explorer who was looking for the Strait of Magellan’s western passage in 1557. A host of European settlers followed from countries such as Germany, Britain, Croatia, Greece, Italy, and of course Spain.

We will also visit a variety of monuments and points of interest including the main square, the navy and maritime museum, the famous Roca Street, the Nao Victoria Museum, the Patagonian Institute, and of course the city’s coastline. After our city tour,  we will then be transferred to Puerto Natales, which is roughly a 3-hour drive, where we will spend the night in warmth and comfort.

Meals (B)

Today we will head to the Torres del Paine National Park- an official National Park of Chile. The area encompasses mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers in southern Chilean Patagonia. The Cordillera del Paine, a range of rugged mountain peaks that stretch out into the crisp cool air is the centerpiece of the park. It lies in a transition area between the Magellanic subpolar forests and the Patagonian Steppes and is located 112 km (70 mi) north of Puerto Natales.

Along the way, we will stop to visit the Mylodon Cave, a large, impressive cave system where well-preserved fossils of a giant ground sloth some 12,000 years old were recovered. The cave system acted as home to the Mylodon up to approximately 5,000 years ago, and subsequently other animals, such as the “Dwarf Horse” Hippidion, the saber-toothed cat Smilodon, and the litoptern Macrauchenia. Human remains have also been found there confirming that early humans periodically used the cave for shelter.

From here, depending on the path we take, we will pass the Amarga Lagoon or Toro Lake. As we make our way through the Pampa steppes we will have the opportunity to look for local wildlife of the region including rheas, guanacos, foxes, black-necked swans, condors, and eagles. We will also observe the beautiful views of the Paine Massif, Almirante Nieto, and Torres del Paine.

Meals (B, L)

Today we have a full day of excursions ahead of us, and after a hearty breakfast, we head back to the Torres del Paine National Park.

Today’s adventure is focusing on the natural beauty and geographical formations of the area, as well as the flora and fauna of the national park. Our first stop is Lake Pehoé, a beautiful turquoise lake set against the glacial mountains of the national park. The lake is fed mainly by the Paine River which passes first through the Nordenskjöld Lake, but it also counts upon the waters of the outlet of Skottsberg Lake as a tributary.

From there we visit the aforementioned Lake Nordenskjöld, named after the Swede Otto Nordenskiöld who discovered the lake at the beginning of the 20th century. The outfall of Nordenskjöld Lake consists of a waterfall known as Salto Grande. At this western end of the lake on the southern side is an abundance of wildlife including wild grazing guanaco.

Our last stop is at the Salto Grande waterfall, but first, we pay a visit to the one last lake and the third one in this impressive network, Lake Sarmiento. Lake Sarmiento is home to a rare phenomenon known as Thrombolites. These are fossilized bacteria, which group together to look like fossilized algae or volcanic pumice, and are one of the few things that are able to survive in the alkaline waters of Lake Sarmiento. We end with a walk to the Salto Grande waterfall and are rewarded with spectacular views of Paine Mountain and the Torres del Paine peaks. We head back to Puerto Natales and the comfort of your hotel.

Meals (B)

Today, after a hearty breakfast, we transfer you to the airport and your flight to your next destination, Viña Matetic.

Located in the Rosario Valley, and situated between the coastal valleys of Casablanca and San Antonio, the vineyards were planted in 1999, on the hillsides of this beautiful area, and the vineyard is one of the pioneers of cool-climate Syrah production in Chile.

After settling into our rooms, we take a tour of the property and in particular the vineyard. We learn all about the process of winemaking, from vine to bottle, and of course, partake in a tasting session of the fantastic organic gourmet wines that have catapulted this vineyard into one of the most celebrated in Chile in such a short space of time. The vineyard tour includes a detailed education on how the wines are made and the subtle differences that can be so key when trying to produce a glass of fine wine. 

Meals (B, D)

Today we have a delicious breakfast and have the day free to enjoy the facilities of the vineyard, and of course the beautiful pool.

One of the most beautiful things about staying in a vineyard is the fantastic calm that you experience. That, and of course the fact that you are in a place that makes wine! There are other wine tours that are offered on an a la carte basis, and no one should miss out on the fantastic chocolate experience offered.

In the evening we convene for a farewell dinner.

Meals (B, D)

Today we have a final breakfast, followed by a comfortable transfer to the airport in Santiago, and on your next destination!

Meals (B)