BEST OF CHILE

SANTIAGO – PUERTO VARAS – PUNTA ARENAS – NATIONAL PARK TORRES DEL PAINE – SANTIAGO

TRAVEL PERU SEAT-IN-COACH TOUR

 

Chile has many different adventures to offer tourists: star gazing in the driest desert in the world, millennial glaciers in the southernmost part of the country, enchanted forests, and lakes located at the foot of massive volcanoes. It has islands full of legends, winemaking traditions, great challenges to be overcome, and the modern and accessible city of Santiago.

However, there is something about Chile that has not been said yet, its wide-open natural landscapes give you that feeling of being alive. Here you can get in touch with nature and explore pristine areas. The people of Chile will also pleasantly surprise you with their kindness, openness, and hospitality. This will be a new experience where you will feel at peace.

Day 01 – Thursday                                                                           Santiago / Approx.  59 km

  • Transfer airport – hotel
  • Half day city tour Santiago (4h)

Arrival at the airport of Santiago de Chile and transfer to your hotel.

Santiago de Chile - Dynamic and cosmopolitan Santiago is a vital and versatile city. Home to many events showcasing the very best of Chilean culture, it also hosts superb international festivals of sound, flavour, and colour. The Chilean capital breathes new life into all its visitors! The city’s diversity shines through in its many contrasting neighborhoods. Set out to explore the city streets and you will discover beautiful and original art galleries, design shops and handicraft markets, as well as a great selection of restaurants, bars, and cafes.

Night owls can enjoy a taste of lively Latino nightlife in hip Bellavista! Visit downtown Santiago to get a real feel for the city. Learn more about the country with its many fine museums or wander around the famous Central Market – a gourmet’s delight. Fans of the great outdoors can head for the hills that surround the city and marvel at panoramic views of Santiago with the magnificent Andes as a backdrop. Take the opportunity to grab a picnic and visit one of the cities many parks.
You will find first-rate shopping opportunities in the stylish Alonso de Córdoba neighborhood and in the city’s many modern malls.

Santiago de Chile is a city of contrasts with traces of its colonial past mixed with the ultramodern, high-rise buildings of the financial center; Chile’s capital will surprise you. This tour offers you the opportunity to see this eclectic mix for yourself. The tour begins by heading south through the downtown area in order to arrive to the heart of the city. From here you head along the famous Alameda, Santiago’s colourful main avenue, where you’ll see some important iconic constructions such as the Chilean University, San Francisco Church and the Santa Lucia Hill, site of Santiago’s foundation in 1541. Then you continue towards the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral. Very close from here is the famous Central Market, which is the main market for fresh fish and seafood, this is an interesting building, dating back to the end of the 19th century: It is a steel construction, built in London and brought to Chile by ship. Afterwards, you continue the tour crossing the Mapocho River to reach the bohemian Bellavista district which is on the way to the Hill of San Cristobal. From one of the hill’s viewpoints, you will have the finest views of Santiago and the Andes Mountains. To round off the tour, you will pass through the modern residential areas of the city with their daring architecture to return to your hotel.

**Remark: Saturdays and Sundays San Cristobal Hill is closed to vehicles from 08:00 to 14:00 hrs. For city tours that take place in the morning the Santa Lucia´s Hill will be visited instead.

Standard:

Overnight at Hotel MR. Express 3* (local category 3*) or similar (standard room) 

Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Marina Las Condes 4* (local category 4*) or similar (standard room)

Day 02 – Friday                                                                                                              Santiago

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Day free at leisure

Day free for leisure – the following optional tours can be booked through our local TRAVEL PERU office:

Optional: Full day excursion to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar

The tour leaves Santiago traveling in a western direction. Arriving in Valparaiso, you pass by the main square where you can view the monument honouring the Naval Battle fought in 1879. Drive towards the southern side of the city and observe the old funiculars whilst you drive up a local hillside for a spectacular view of the bay and downtown Valparaiso.

After travel to the lower level of the city through the commercial heart of the port, where you’ll take the coastal highway that links Valparaiso with the city resort of Viña del Mar. Arrive to the Concón beach and enjoy the different fish stands displaying a great variety of seafood. Summer homes and restaurants are all spread out along the coast. Afterwards, visit the main square, Plaza Vergara and the shopping avenue before returning to Santiago.

Optional: Wine pairing at Vinolia (3 hours)

We invite you to discover the secrets of the Chilean wine without leaving Santiago!

We will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Vinolia: “The wine adventure”, where in the “Sensory exploration room” you can discover 48 aromas associated with wine, in a setting that also recreates sounds and images and gives a sense of being in a vineyard.

The visit continues in the cinema room with a virtual panoramic flight that shows you the Casablanca, Maipo and the Colchagua Valley on a giant screen. Five wineries have been chosen in accordance with the quality and prestige of their wines.

As you watch the video, you will taste five superior-quality wines, one from each winery, as the winemaker leads the tasting on screen and reveals the secrets behind each label. The tasting is accompanied by a selection of cheeses and dried fruits.

Once the tour has finished, visitors are free to continue enjoying their visit in the Emporium of the Wine & Appetizers at their leisure. Afterwards return to your hotel.

**Remark: The transfers hotel/Vinolia/hotel are on private basis with English speaking guide (who will assist you until the Sensory exploration room only). The visit at Vinolia is together with other international travelers. The film shown during the wine taste is in Spanish with English subtitles. The winemakers only speak Spanish.  

Standard:

Overnight at Hotel MR. Express 3* (local category 3*) or similar (standard room)

Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Marina Las Condes 4* (local category 4*) or similar (standard room)

Day 03 – Saturday                         Santiago – Puerto Montt – Puerto Varas /Approx. 47 km

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Transfer hotel – airport
  • Flight Santiago – Puerto Montt (not included)
  • Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport – hotel Puerto Varas

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Puerto Montt (not included). Arrival and transfer to the hotel in Puerto Varas, situated some 12 miles away.

Puerto Varas - The “city of roses" overlooks Lago Llanquihue, one of Chile's largest lakes where the reflection of the eternally snow covered Osorno Volcano is mirrored in the clear waters. You drive along the “Costanera” (coastal road) and see Puerto Varas’ main square with its gardens and the monument in honour of Vicente Perez Rosales, the region’s founding father.

The rest of the day at leisure.

Standard:

Overnight at Hotel Cabaña del Lago 4* (local category 4*) or similar (standard room)

Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Cabaña del Lago 4* (local category 4*) or similar (superior room)

Day 04 – Sunday                                                                      Puerto Varas / Approx. 310 km

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Full day Excursion to Petrohué, Todos Los Santos Lake, Peulla - on shared basis

You cannot leave Chile without sailing on the wonderful Todos los Santos Lake, with its emerald-coloured waters and its surrounding forests. First, visit the world renowned Petrohué Waterfalls, that flow into a river that runs through beautiful rock formations. Also discover Peulla, a small ecological village of 120 inhabitants, which is on the route of the famous Andean Crossing.

After visiting the Petrohué Waterfalls, enjoy a two-hour boat trip on Todos los Santos Lake, taking in the views of the majestic OsornoPuntiagudo and Tronador volcanoes. However, the adventure does not end when you arrive at Peulla, you can either relax and explore on your own or for an extra cost (payment made when there) choose a large variety of activities, such as horse riding, 4x4 safari and others, all in a stunning setting that will take your breath away. Afterwards you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Standard:

Overnight at Hotel Cabaña del Lago 4* (local category 4*) or similar (standard room)

Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Cabaña del Lago 4* (local category 4*) or similar (superior room)

Day 05 – Monday                                                                                                    Puerto Varas

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Day free at leisure

Full day at leisure. The following optional tour can be booked at our local TRAVEL PERU-office:

Optional: Full Day Excursion Chiloe, Castro y Dalcahue - on shared basis

A full day tour leaving from Puerto Varas and visiting the northern part of the mythical island of Chiloé, with its stilted houses, its markets and its churches declared as World Heritage sites by Unesco.  In order to delve into the Chilote world, we begin our day by taking a boat ride down the Chacao canal for about 30 minutes. Spot a wide variety of birds, before arriving to the village of Chacao with its square and church. Continue onto Castro to stop for lunch (lunch not included). After visit the stilted houses of Rio Gamboa, the square and its church, which were declared a Unesco World Heritage site. Visit the recently restored Nercón Church (1890), which is a national monument and is also on Unesco protected list. The day continues to Dalcahue, where we stop on the waterfront to take in the wonderful natural landscape and visit the local artisan market, museum, and church. Afterwards return to your hotel.

Standard:

Overnight at Hotel Cabaña del Lago 4* (local category 4*) or similar (standard room)

Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Cabaña del Lago 4* (local category 4*) or similar (superior room)

Day 06 – Tuesday                  Puerto Varas – Puerto Montt – Punta Arenas/ Approx. 90 km

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Transfer hotel Puerto Varas – airport Puerto Montt with city tour in Puerto Montt en route (2h, 30min)
  • Flight Puerto Montt - Punta Arenas (not included)
  • Transfer airport – hotel Punta Arenas

Transfer from the Hotel in Puerto Varas to the airport in Puerto Montt. On route, sightseeing tour of Puerto Montt, which wasfounded by German settlers in 1852 and whose influence remains in the style of the wooden houses. Pass along the Costanera Avenue and continue to the observation point for a beautiful view of the city, Reloncavi Bay and Tenglo Island. Afterwards, you will pass through the town’s centre with its typical square and the cathedral, which is the oldest building in the region. Visit Angelmó, the traditional fish and seafood market in the port, before being transferred to the local airport.

Flight to Punta Arenas. Arrival at the airport of Punta Arenas and transfer to your hotel.

Standard:

Overnight at Diego de Almagro Punta Arenas 3* (local category 3*) or similar (standard room)

Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Cabo de Hornos 4* (local category 4*) or similar (standard room)

Day 07 – Wednesday        Punta Arenas – Torres del Paine National Park/ Approx. 364 km

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Transfer hotel Punta Arenas – Torres del Paine National Park – on shared basis
  • Visit of the Cerro Negro Ranch

Today starts the All-Inclusive package in Torres del Paine National Park! The hotel Las Torres, with its All-Inclusive program, allows you to enjoy the park from the hotel, which is located on a private ranch inside one of the most beautiful and moving places on the planet. 

The package starts with a transfer on shared basis from your hotel in Punta Arenas to the airport, where additional passengers will be picked-up. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Cerro Negro Ranch.

**Remark: the transfer hotel – airport takes place together with other passengers along with English speaking assistance (on the way to the airport additional guests will be picked-up from different hotels). From the airport to the ranch the transfer takes place with a Spanish speaking driver only. The exact pick-up time at the hotel in Punta Arenas will be confirmed the day before.

The Cerro Negro Ranch is a typical Patagonia ranch, where the guests get the chance to enjoy an authentic sheepdog and sheep shearing show. Afterwards, Patagonian lamb will be served for lunch before continuing our visit to the Torres del Paine National Park.

**Remark: The activities in the ranch take place with English speaking assistance. 

Transfer to hotel Las Torres around 16:00. Dinner at the hotel.

The package at hotel Las Torres includes:

    • All meals
    • Open Bar (does not include premium spirits)
    • All excursions inside the National Park
    • Bilingual guides in Spanish/ English
    • WI-FI (only in common areas)
  • Accommodation in the mentioned room category
  • 20% discount in the Spa

The package does not include:

  • Premium wines, liquors & beers
  • Laundry
  • Tips
  • Phone calls
  • Unscheduled meals
  • Travel insurance

Standard & Superior:

Dinner and overnight at Hotel las Torres 4* (local category 4*) or similar (superior room)

Day 08 – Thursday                                                                    Torres del Paine National Park

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • All inclusive package - on shared basis

Today you will be able to choose from the many excursions that the hotel Las Torres offers.

The hotel has a large menu of excursions that are available daily, including hiking, horseback riding and boat navigations. Thehotel personnel will be available to provide all information needed for your excursions and make your journey an unforgettable experience.

**Remark: All excursions are shared with other guests of the hotel. All excursions are subject to changes and may vary due to climatic conditions depending on the day.

Standard & Superior:

Dinner and overnight at Hotel las Torres 4* (local category 4*) or similar (superior room)

Day 09 – Friday                                                                         Torres del Paine National Park

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • All inclusive package - on shared basis

Enjoy the all-inclusive program package at the Hotel las Torres.

Standard & Superior:

Dinner and overnight at Hotel las Torres 4* (local category 4*) or similar (superior room)

Day 10 – Saturday Torres del Paine - Punta Arenas – Santiago de Chile / Approx. 370 km

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Transfer hotel – airport Punta Arenas (5h) – on shared basis, without guide
  • Flight Punta Arenas – Santiago de Chile (not included)
  • Transfer airport - hotel 

Transfer from the Hotel las Torres to the Punta Arenas airport.

**Remark: the transfer takes place together with other passengers with a Spanish-speaking driver (no guide)

Arrival in Santiago and transfer to your hotel.

Standard:

Overnight at Hotel MR. Express 3* (local category 3*) or similar (standard room)

Superior:

Overnight at Hotel Marina Las Condes 4* (local category 4*) or similar (standard room)

Day 11 – Sunday                                                                   Santiago de Chile /Approx. 25km

  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Transfer hotel – airport

Transfer to Santiago airport and return flight home.

End of Services

For a more intense travel experience TRAVEL PERU offers individual extensions to different regions. Please request program and price information.

General Conditions

 

  1. Departure is guaranteed with a minimum of 02 participants. The operation of the tour can only be guaranteed by the end of the free cancellation deadline of the land services, which is 55 days prior to departure (release).
  2. The transfers on arrival and departure day are included in the roundtrip rate from 02 persons on; in case 01 pax arrives/departs separately, surcharges for extra transfers will apply.
  3. All transfers and excursions are on TRAVEL PERU-seat-in-service and include local English-speaking guides (changing in each area), except of the following non-TRAVEL PERU-exclusive services:
  • Day 4: Excursion to Petrohue, Todos los Santos Lake and Peulla shared with other guests.
  • Day 7: Transfer Punta Arenas – Torres del Paine National Park shared with other guests, partly only with Spanish speaking driver.
  • Day 7-10: Excursions at Hotel las Torres shared with other guests of the hotel.
  • Day 10: Transfer hotel Las Torres - Punta Arenas with Spanish speaking driver

Transfers and excursions are provided together for passengers of both hotel categories: standard and superior.

  1. The small group guarantee of max. 12 participants cannot be ensured for services on regular seat-in-basis (non-TRAVEL PERU-exclusive services).
  2. Full payment of program 60 days prior to arrival, any internal flights booked to be paid in full upon flights being confirmed/ reserved.
  3. Cancellation Policy:
  • Until 55 days prior departure no cancellation fee.
  • From 54 until 31 days prior departure maximum 50% cancellation fee.
  • From 30 until 20 days prior departure maximum 80% cancellation fee.
  • From 19 days prior departure 95% cancellation fee.

Cancellation fees for flights are subject to separate cancellation conditions depending on the Airline. For some airlines cancellation fees will apply already 60 days before arrival.

  1. Covid19:
  • TRAVEL PERU is not responsible for any Health Protocols and other requirements inflicted for both entry and departure ex/to any country within South America. Guests shall contact the corresponding embassies in their countries to check about any limitations or required Health controls when entering or departing each destination.
  • In case your booking is suffering changes due to protocols implemented by the government, your TRAVEL PERU contact will advise you latest at the time of reconfirmation of the booking.
  • In case a guest tests positive while traveling in South America, he/she will be obliged to follow each country's and hotel's protocol regarding quarantine and follow-up testing. As some hotels refuse to host guests who tested positive for Covid19, hotel changes might be necessary. Any extra costs resulting from Covid19 related quarantine or re-routing of the guest need to be paid directly by the guest or her/his insurance. TRAVEL PERU will assist throughout the stay.
  • In the unlikely event that traveling will be made impossible due to government regulations such as closed borders in either the country of origin of the guest or the destination, TRAVEL PERU will be refunding the cost of the trip.
  • In case a guest tests positive for Covid19 before traveling to South America and provides a copy of the positive test results, TRAVEL PERU will be refunding the cost of the trip.
  • Exceptions might apply for air tickets issued through TRAVEL PERU, which is subject to the regulations and policies of the Airline.
  • Refunds will be done once suppliers refunded any advance payments to our bank account.
  • We strongly suggest all guests planning to come to South America purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering Covid19 related costs.
  1. In case of early transfers breakfast at the hotel cannot be guaranteed. If a dinner is included in the program, it cannot be guaranteed in case of unforeseen late arrivals.
  2. The mentioned kilometers do not include the distances covered by airplane, boat or on trekking excursions.
  3. TRAVEL PERU is not responsible for any belongings of the passengers carried during any services rendered by TRAVEL PERU, such as transfers or tours.
  4. For the internal flights as shown in this program, TRAVEL PERU can offer this service and book/ reserve all your flights. If you require this service, TRAVEL PERU will book/reserve your flights and invoice you for the total amount. If you wish to book and reserve your flights directly yourselves, TRAVEL PERU will provide all the carriers and flight information necessary, so you can book. This will ensure that hopefully the whole group will travel together on the same flights.
  5. Our prices include taxes, entrance fees, tax & service charge in the hotels and the obligatory luggage fees at the airports and in the hotels. Meals are included as and when mentioned in our program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
  6. Our prices do not include: airport taxes, airfares, personal expenses, extras in the hotels and tips.
  7. TRAVEL PERU has the right to sell this tour to other clients without any exception.
  8. The above-mentioned rates for pre- and post-nights at the group hotels are subject to availability and valid for max. 3 nights. From the 4th night on, a higher rate could apply.
  9. Optional tours can only be booked through our local TRAVEL PERU-office or TRAVEL PERU-guides. TRAVEL PERU cannot be held responsible for tours booked via any other supplier. Tours have to be paid on the spot. Payment by credit card is not always accepted.
  10. Flights not booked via TRAVEL PERU can only be reconfirmed by TRAVEL PERU with the correct flight bookings.
  11. For group flight reservations in general, no seat assignments can be made in advance so that preferred seating cannot be guaranteed. Groups are checked in at the airport and this is when the seats are distributed by the airlin
  12. 8 weeks prior to arrival a complete passenger list including names, passport number, nationality and date of birth is required.
  13. Rates for hotel services in Chile are based on bookings made by non-resident foreign visitors. For nationals or foreign residents in Chile, rates are not valid and a surcharge of 19% local tax applies on all hotel services.

Important: Cancellation charges for hotel services may increase to 119% of the sales rate in case of no-show or last-minute cancellation. In such cases the 19% local tax (IVA), from which tourists are exonerated upon presentation of their passport during Check-in, will be charged in addition to our quoted hotel rates.

  1. Visitors entering with passports from Australia, Albania or Mexico have to pay a reciprocity fee when entering Chile through the international airport in Santiago. The amount varies due to the country of origin and is subject to change.
  2. Since the 9th of May 2020, Australians can enter Chile with an electronic visa. All the necessary information and the required documents can be found on the website https://serviciosconsulares.cl/. To file the application for the electronic visa, visit the website https://tramites.minrel.gov.cl/
  3. Please inquire at the competent authorities about the actual entry permit, validity of passports and the vaccination regulations.
  4. Our general conditions apply.
  5. TRAVEL PERU liability will be limited to the reimbursement of services supplied for failure of services contracted by us. TRAVEL PERU cannot be held liable for any injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity occasioned by air-carriers or third-party suppliers and by natural phenomena, sickness, war, quarantine, strike, or any other kind of force major or by attendance to Federal Police, customs and Health Authorities regulations.

Conditions of Payment:

Unless otherwise agreed, the full payment is due 60 days prior to arrival.

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