DRAMATIC CONTRASTS OF CHILE (WINTER PROGRAMME)

Atacama Desert and Lake District

Journey overview

Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey through the

Atacama Desert, Santiago and Pucón, three of Chile’s most

contrasting landscapes. Your adventure kicks off in the desolate

Atacama Desert, the most arid desertscape in the world, and a

place of dramatic, exotic beauty. Explore San Pedro de

Atacama, a silent witness to the passage of time, considered to

be the archaeological capital of Chile. Observe strutting flurries

of flamingos in the shallows at the Los Flamencos National

Reserve salt flats, and marvel at the craggy terrain of Moon

Valley, a lunar landscape of exquisite rock formations.

The next leg of your adventure whisks you away to spellbinding

Santiago. Discover a heady mix of exclusive boutiques,

sprawling shopping centres, magnificent architecture,

theatres, art galleries, fine dining options, nightlife, and

bustling markets. Get acquainted with Santiago’s barrios and

explore Barrio Italia, famous for the creativity of its residents.

The captivating Barrio Lastarria alive with artists, musicians

and writers, and Barrio Bellavista boasting a bohemian, vibrant

ambiance.

Your journey culminates just outside the adventure capital of

Chile, Pucón. Offering the best in exciting exploits, dive into

myriad of 39 activities including rafting, hiking, skiing,

kayaking, horseback riding and fly-fishing. Relax in thermal

springs and marvel at gorgeous national parks. Discover the

fascinating Mapuche culture and explore the traditional

Mapuche way of life in this landscape where volcanoes,

mountains, and lakes create one of the most beautiful natural

landscapes Chile has to offer.

What we love about this journey

Sunsets at the magnificent Moon Valley

Captivating atmosphere of Santiago’s unique barrios

(neighbourhoods)

Breathtaking adventures around the Villarrica Volcano

Highlights of this adventure

Seemingly infinite starkness of the Atacama Desert

Visiting a Mapuche community and discovering their

connection with Mother Earth

A scenic river excursion, gliding along clear waters of

the Liucura River

Hit the slopes of the active Villarirca Volcano

Specially created for

Culture lovers

Adventure seekers

Nature enthusiasts

7 nights / 8 days

2 Guests

DAY PROGRAMME

1 Scheduled flight from Santiago International Airport to Calama International Airport

Transfer from Calama International Airport to Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa

Overnight: Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa

2 - 3 Enjoy 2 excursion days provided by Alto Atacama, whereby you can choose between a 1 full day activity

or 2 half day activities each day

All meals & drinks included

Overnight: Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa

4 Transfer from Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa to Calama International Airport

Scheduled flight from Calama International Airport to Santiago International Airport

Transfer from Santiago International Airport to The Singular Santiago

Afternoon activity: Sightseeing around Santiago

Overnight: The Singular Santiago

5 Transfer from The Singular Santiago to Santiago International Airport

Scheduled flight from Santiago International Airport to Temuco Airport

Transfer from Temuco Airport to &Beyond Vira Vira

Overnight: &Beyond Vira Vira

6 - 7 Enjoy 2 excursion days provided by Alto Atacama, whereby you can choose between a 1 full day activity

or 2 half day activities each day

All meals & drinks included

Overnight: &Beyond Vira Vira

8 Transfer from &Beyond Vira Vira to Temuco Airport

Scheduled flight from Temuco Airport to Santiago International Airport

Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa

Day 1

You will be welcomed by your local representative who will

assist you with your connecting flight to Calama.

Upon your arrival in Calama you will have a transfer to your

hotel in Atacama Desert.

Included: Dinner

Day 2 & 3

You will have two full days to enjoy the myriad excursions

available at Alto Atacama Desert Lodge, all tailor-made.

Excursions are provided on a shared basis (small groups of 8

hotel guests per vehicle) and are organized according to your

preferences and pace. The hotel guides will help you plan your

daily explorations and will accompany you during your stay. You

can choose between full or half-day trips, below some examples

of some of the many available options.

Tocanao/Atacama saltflats: On the way to the famous saltflats

of San Pedro de Atacama, you visit the lovely town of Tocanao

and the Valle Escondido de Kunza (the hidden valley) where you

visit the church and artisan market stalls in the central plaza.

From here, you continue our journey to the saltflats. On arrival,

there is a gentle 20-minute walk to the Laguna de Chaxa where

you can see wild flamingos and other birds native to the area.

Later, when the setting sun catches on the mountains and the

lagoons, you will see one of the most incredible sunsets the

world has to offer.

Sunset at Moon Valley: A 20-minute drive brings you to the

spectacular Moon Valley. This is one of the most famous

national parks in Chile and for good reason. The enormous sand

dunes and dramatic rock formations create a stunning lunar

landscape born of land lifts and centuries of erosion. The

sunsets here are extraordinary and no visit to San Pedro is

complete without an trip to the Moon Valley to watch the sun

go down.

Full-Day Tatio Geysers: You will leave the hotel before dawn

to arrive at the famous geysers at daybreak: the steam and

vapours are all the more impressive with the cold and the light

of the early morning. At the geyser field, you will also see

geysers thermal pools, mud fountains, colourful rock

formations, hot streams and flora and fauna. The return

journey is quite stunning with an abundance of wildlife and

beautifully contrasting landscapes.

Included: All meals

Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa

The luxurious Alto Atacama is blessed with the most spectacular

and private location, tucked away in a valley of serene beauty,

in the shadow of the Pukará de Quitor ruins and with the San

Pedro River winding its way discreetly alongside. The perfect

base for exploring the desert, cultural encounters, or simply

absorbing the breathtaking landscape.

Rooms are spacious and comfortable, all of them well equipped

to soothe your body after an action packed day. The decoration

is simple yet elegant, incorporating local crafts, and all rooms

have a private terrace where you can enjoy the colours of the

valley, take a nap, read a book or simply relax at the sight of

the hotel gardens. The definition of peacefulness aquires a new

meaning after a couple of nights here, Catarpe embraces Alto

Atacama with silence, we invite you to let silence embrace you.

The Singular Santiago

DAY 4

After your breakfast at Alto Atacama, you will have a transfer

from the hotel to Calama airport for your domestic flight to

Santiago. Upon arrival at the Chilean capital you will have a

private transfer to your hotel located in the Lastarria

neighbourhood.

In the afternoon, you will have an urban adventure, a city tour

exploring the ‘barrios’ of Santiago: this fascinating tour is an

exploration of Santiago’s thriving neighbourhoods. In Chile, the

term ‘barrio’ simply refers to a neighbourhood with a character

and identity of its own, and Santiago has plenty to choose from.

The downtown barrios of Brasil, Yungay, and Paris-Londres are

of huge historical, political, and cultural importance. The

revitalized Barrio Lastarria – perhaps the most fashionable area

in the city at present – is packed with cafés, boutique hotels,

small stores, and a lively restaurant scene. It is also home to

the iconic creations of architect Luciano Kulczewski. Across the

river, Barrio Bellavista is bohemian, sophisticated, tidy, and

chaotic all at once, and is regarded as a seat of political and

Cultural Revolution. Elsewhere, Barrio Italia is one of the true

gems of Santiago. Known for its design stores and antiques

restorers, it is also home to trendy cafés and a wide variety of

restaurants, from full-on vegan, Spanish and Italian, to gourmet

soup. Santiago’s barrios are not exclusive to the downtown

areas however. For example, the elegant Barrio El Golf is home

to embassies, multi-national companies, expats, and the

country’s most expensive real estate. This tour offers contrasts

galore and a unique insight into Santiago’s barrio life.

The Singular Santiago

The hotel’s design embraces the artistic heritage of the

neighbourhood. The interior of the hotel is a tribute to the

palaces of past centuries, setting the tone for the environment.

Hotel facilities include a spa, dining at the Singular Restaurant,

dazzling views and refreshing cocktails on the ninth floor

Singular Rooftop Bar, an elevated terrace with spectacular

views, an arboreal escape right alongside the hotel and a

rooftop swimming pool.

Situated just a few minutes away from the hotel is some of the

finest visual and performance art Chile has to offer at The

Museum of Fine Arts, The Museum of Visual Arts and the

Gabriela Mistral Center. Guest accommodations at The Singular

Santiago are an alluring blend of classic and contemporary,

offering modern comforts while exuding the charm of a bygone

era. The guest rooms and suites are equipped with safe deposit

boxes, refrigerator with soft drinks and wifi internet access.

Hotel Vira Vira

DAY 5

After your breakfast at The Singular, you will have a transfer to

Santiago airport for your flight to Temuco in the Chilean Lake

District. Upon your arrival at Temuco Airport, you will have a

direct transfer to andBeyond Vira Vira.

Included: lunch & dinner

Day 6 & 7

You will have two full days of activities, arranged by the hotel.

The area is a traveller’s dream when it comes to adventures

and choice of activities. The many surrounding natural parks,

the majestic volcano Villarrica with its unbelievable views,

water sports, horseback riding, and trekking in the foothills of

the Andes, are all a vital part of the experience at Vira Vira.

You are encouraged to explore a new adventure or experience

every day, with the aim of understanding the mystic ambiance

of these ancient Mapuche territories. The guides at Vira Vira

are passionate about their work, and about the excursions on

offer. With some thirty options available, choosing what to do

may seem daunting. That is where the role of your hosts and

guides become of paramount importance. Each day they will

make a series of options available, allowing you to pick and

choose according to your personal preferences, their level of

difficulty, or simply a natural or cultural focus.

Activities are centred on nature and adventure, with treks and

horseback rides of various durations. There are also

explorations of the nearby Villarrica volcano, visiting its

labyrinth of tunnels, or even reaching the summit. There are

also several cultural activities, aimed at revealing the secrets

of the region. Vira Vira also offers some wonderful experiences

at the hotel itself such as cooking, cheese-making, and even

spending a day in the organic garden. There are also more

relaxing activities. What better way to relax than sitting in a

hot pool of thermal spring water, glass of red wine in hand, and

looking out across a backdrop of mountains, forests, and

volcanoes?

Of course cuisine plays an important role in the Vira Vira

experience. The menu veers away from the typical

international offerings by blending Chilean and ancient

indigenous recipes, all created with the freshest seasonal

ingredients. Each day the chef prepares a selection of different

courses, carefully composed and lovingly arranged and paired

with the perfect wine for each dish.

andBeyond Vira Vira

Set in a marvelous native park and surrounded by stunning

Volcanoes (some active and some dormant) and right along the

shores of the peaceful Liucura river. Every day guests will meet

around the cozy fireplace or at the fruit bar with the team of

guides – who have a passion for the wildlife and fauna around

Pucón – to discuss and arrange the activities or excursions for

the next day. Pucón simply offers the best in adventure – if it is

to explore the many untouched natural parks by horse, to climb

with an experienced guide on top of the Volcano, to fight the

lively water on a kayak or enjoy a fun day river rafting in the

Trancura river – it will always be a fun and unforgettable

experience at andBeyond Vira Vira.

Departure

DAY 8

After your breakfast at Vira Vira, you will have a transfer to

Temuco airport for your domestic flight to Santiago. At your

arrival in Santiago, you will connect to your outbound flight

Validity: July 1st to September 30th 2020

Rate per person in a double room, shared basis:

Luxury Rate per person: USD 7,450 / total programme: USD 14,900

Classic Rate per person: USD 6,022 / total programme: USD 12,043

Domestic Air tickets: Quoted separately

Flights

DATE DETAILS

Day 1 Santiago International Airport to Calama International Airport

Day 4 Calama International Airport to Santiago International Airport

Day 5 Santiago International Airport to Temuco Airport

Day 8 Temuco Airport to Santiago International Airport

Transfers

DATE DETAILS

Day 1 Calama International Airport to Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa

Day 4 Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa to Calama International Airport

Day 4 Santiago International Airport to The Singular Santiago

Day 5 The Singular Santiago to Santiago International Airport

Day 5 Temuco Airport to andBeyond Vira Vira

Day 8 andBeyond Vira Vira to Temuco Airport

Accommodation

DATE DESTINATION ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

Day 1 to 4 San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Alto Atacama Desert Lodge & Spa 1x Tilo Suite (Luxury Rate)

Quitor Room (Classic Rate)

All meals and local brands of

drinks

Day 4 to 5 Santiago The Singular Santiago 1x Singular Room (Luxury Rate)

Lastarria Room (Classic Rate)

Breakfast

Day 5 to 8 Pucon Hotel Vira Vira 1x Villa (Luxury Rate)

Suite (Classic Rate)

All meals and local brands of

drinks

What’s included:

All nights of accommodation as mentioned in the program

Private transportation in Santiago, shared transportation in Atacama and at andBeyond Vira Vira

Tours as mentioned in the program with English speaking guides

Meals as indicated in the program

Local brands of drinks included at Alto Atacama and at andBeyond Vira Vira

Domestic Air tickets quoted separately

Taxes included, where applicable

What’s not included:

Early check-in or late check-out charges

Items of personal nature like laundry, phone calls, etc.

Any video/still camera fee during the trip

Tipping

Drinks

Excess of baggage

Insurance

Visa or reciprocity fee expenses

International Flight