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CHILE EXPLORER Highlighting Santiago Scenic Lake District and Explora in Paine Towers National Park 12 Days

Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Friday

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

Day 1 - Depart Miami:  Evening departure on overnight flight.

Day 2 - Arrive Santiago:  Morning arrival with meeting and transfer to Ritz Carlton for immediate check-in and two night stay.  Afternoon visit to the main points of interest in Santiago including the Pre-Columbian Museum, a drive up Cerro San Cristobal for a bird's eye panoramic view of the city and wine tasting at the Wine House. (B)

Day 3 - Santiago:  Full day excursion to the Pacific seaside to visit Isla Negra, the eclectic home/museum of the Nobel winning poet Pablo Neruda, and then drive up the coast to Vina del Mar and its twin city, Valparaiso, Chile's main seaport, to visit the main points of interest.  A stop for lunch is made (cost of lunch is not included).  Late afternoon return to Santiago. (B)

Day 4 - Santiago - Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas:  Transfer for morning flight south along the Andes to Puerto Montt, gateway to the scenic Lake District.  Meeting upon arrival and visit the main points of interest in Puerto Montt including Angelmo's fish market and colorful handicraft market.  Then transfer 40 minutes north to Puerto Varas, on the shores of Lake Llanquihue with snow-capped Osorno Volcano as a backdrop.  You'll stay two nights at Hotel AWA. (B)

Day 5 - Puerto Varas:  Spend the day exploring this side of the Lake District.  Visit the highlights of Puerto Varas, often called The City of Roses.  Enjoy a drive along scenic Lake Llanquihue with a visit to the monument to the first settlers en route to Frutillar where you will visit this picturesque city and its small but excellent museum. Frutillar was settled by the Germans and has a distinct alpine atmosphere.  Then continue on to Octay on the Centinela Peninsula.  Lunch is included en route today. (B/L)

Day 6 - Puerto Varas - Puerto Montt - Punta Arenas - Paine Towers National Park:  Morning transfer to Puerto Montt for flight south along the Andes to Punta Arenas where you will be met by the staff of Explora for five hour transfer to Paine Towers National Park, one of the icons of Patagonia, and without a doubt, one of the most spectacular mountain areas on earth.  In the center of the park is a granite massif from which rise the Torres (Towers) and the Cuernos (Horns) of Paine, oddly shaped peaks of over 2,600 meters.  There are 15 peaks in the park above 2000 meters, the highest of which is Cerro Paine Grande.  The valleys are filled with beautiful lakes and the enormous Campo de Hielo Sur icecap gives the park four main glaciers: Grey, Dickson, Zapata and Tyndall.  Two other glaciers descend from the west side of the central massif.  There is an abundance of wildlife in the park ( 105 species of birds, 25 species of mammals and over 200 species of plants) due to a micro-climate especially favorable to plants and wildlife.  You'll spend four nights stay at the Hotel Explora, with a privileged setting at Salto Chico with views to the Cuernos across the lake. (B/L/D)

Please NOTE:  During your stay you will enjoy all meals, an open bar and a daily menu of excursions. Each night the resident guides will discuss the options for activities the next day.  They range from half day easy excursions to full day difficult excursions and include walks, hikes, treks, horseback riding and motor launch excursions.  The excursions are designed to give you ample time to explore the beauties of the park.  Explora also has its own stables and offers a variety of horseback excursions in the park.

Day 7 - Paine Towers National Park:  Today enjoy excursions as offered by the Hotel Explora. (B/L/D)

Day 8 - Paine Towers National Park:  Once again, enjoy excursions as offered by the hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 9 - Paine Towers National Park:  Once again, enjoy excursions as offered by the hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 10 - Paine Towers National Park - Punta Arenas - Santiago:  Morning departure by Hotel Explora van for five hour drive south along the rolling steppes of Patagonia to Punta Arenas airport where you catch your flight north along the Andes to Santiago.  Meeting and transfer to the Ritz Carlton for overnight stay with Breakfast included. (B)

Day 11 - Santiago and Depart to USA:  Enjoy a lazy morning.  Check-out midday and transfer to the Santa Rita Winery  for lunch and a visit to the winery and the small but excellent museum.  At the appropriate time, transfer back to the Santiago airport to check-in for your international departure flight. (B/L)

Day 12 - Arrive USA:  Morning arrival in the USA.  Clear customs and immigrations and make connections to your home city.

PLEASE NOTE - IMPORTANT:
The following Payment, Change and Cancellation Policies are for general information only.
This is a sample program which will be customized to fit your Trip Wishes, Travel Style and Parameters.
Your personal customized program will carry Terms & Conditions specifically applicable to your program's inclusions
and will be the governing Terms & Conditions.