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. Discover Chile’s capital city which combines colonial buildings with ultramodern architecture. Start your tour downtown on the “Alameda”, a colorful main avenue with important buildings like the Chilean University, the San Francisco Church, and the Santa Lucia Hill where Santiago was founded in 1541. Continue towards the “Plaza de Armas” and visit the central market. Next, go to the “Bellavista” bohemian district. When you arrive at “San Cristóbal Hill”, appreciate the finest panoramic views of Santiago and the Andes Mountains. End your tour admiring the daring architecture in the modern residential areas as you drive back to your hotel.

After this amazing tour, we will call it a day and return to the hotel.

Meals (B)

Today, early transfer to Santiago airport, and a flight to Punta Arenas.

After arrival at 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.

On this tour, you will visit the viewpoints Los Cuernos and Lago Pehoe, the spectacular Salto Grande (“Big Waterfall”) the Administration of the Park (Conaf), and the viewpoint of Lago Grey, which allows a marvelous view of the Grey Glacier. Have a glimpse of the park’s fauna seeing herds of guanacos, foxes, swans, and several small-sized birds.

Meals (B, L, D)

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.

The morning will begin with a trekking excursion and you will see the most beautiful and impressive parts of Torres del Paine National Park. Observing magnificent scenes, you will pass through the most iconic places in the park, we will be able to take beautiful photos and live this great experience for a lifetime. You will have your energy renewed and then return to Puerto Natales, to spend the night.

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, to your next destination!

Meals (B)