- Atacama & Altiplano
- Easter Island
- Santiago and Central Valley
- Lakes and Volcanoes District
- Patagonia
Fixed Departure Dates Programs > 14 Days
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FIXED DEPARTURE DATE TOUR 14 DAYS TOUR 1. - ITINERARY B = Breakfast BL = Box Lunch L = Lunch D = Dinner |
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DAY 01: SANTIAGO + CITY TOUR / L / or / D / |
Arrival at Arturo Merino Benítez airport in Santiago. Transfer to Hotel Torremayor or similar 4* www.hoteltorremayor.cl PM we will pick up from your hotel and start your adventure in the oldest area in Santiago called Barrio Concha y Toro. Its architecture reminds our guests of the European neighborhoods. Its buildings were raised at the end of the XIX th. century and beginning of the XX th. century. Then we will drive on through cobble stone streets toward a beautiful private club called “Club Hípico de Santiago” inaugurated in 1870. The building, projected and raised in 1918 by he architect Joshua Smith, is inspired on the French racetrack of Long Champs. French Baroque-style boulevards and gardens are integrated into the construction through terraces and perrons. The magnificent tribunes are covered by canopy. Besides its architectural beauty, the show of the horse races is increased by the imposing view of the mountain range. After that, we will get into the neighborhood “República” dating from 1872. Along with the neighborhood of Dieciocho Street, it was one of the areas populated by the richest families of that time. República was the most elegant street; both because of the great quality of the houses build in it as well as for its urbanization that included Santiago’s first asphalt, beacons and a row of oriental banana trees. Leaving behind the old area, we will arrive to the civic area, Presidential Palace La Moneda and Plaza de La Constitución. It is the Government of Chile’s presidential headquarters. Of a neoclassical style its construction began in 1784 by the Italian architect Joaquin Toesca. It was inaugurated in 1805 and it harbored the Real Casa de Moneda, or mint, from which it receives its current name. In 1846, a portion of the building was enabled for the president’s residence until 1922 when it begun entirely to be used as the headquarters of the Government of Chile. We will visit the interior gardens. We drive to Plaza de Armas. It is the basis of Santiago’s urban conformation, since it constitutes the quadrilateral starting point from which the original design of the city was traced when the Spanish conqueror don Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541. From then on it has been the political, economic and religious center of the city. It harbors the main buildings such as the Cathedral, the Palacio de La Real Audiencia (Royal Court of Justice) and the Post Office Headquarters among others. Its name, literally translated as the Weaponry Square, is due to the military exercises carried out there during the period of the Spanish Conquest. The Cathedral is the fifth one built in the same place. The first one built between 1566 and 1600, but then continuous earthquakes destroyed it several times. The current building construction began 1748 and the architect Joaquin Toesca was designated in 1780 to finish the work. Toesca gave the current building its neoclassical style. Our last visit is to the Cerro San Cristóbal (San Cristóbal hill). On the summit of Cerro San Cristóbal, there is the Virgin Mary monument whose image was copied from the Virgin that is in the Spanish Square in Rome. The Chilean statue was installed 884 m.a.s.l. and can be seen from different points of the capital. You will have a magnificent sight all over Santiago. Return to the Hotel. Optionals: Lunch at Mercado Municipal with fish and seafood. Parrillada dinner with Chilean folk music and dances. |
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DAY 02: INDOMITA WINERY -VALPARAISO AND VIÑA DEL MAR / B / L / |
We created this program to familiarize people with the life of this great Port City. This “walking tour” visits the hills, elevators and pedestrian streets of Valparaiso. We’ll enjoy a boat trip around the bay and then have lunch in a typical restaurant (fish and shellfish). Later we’ll go to visit the “Garden City” of Viña del Mar.We start our day trip to Valparaiso early in the morning from your hotel and take the highway number 68 to our main port in Chile. After crossing Lo Prado tunnel, we reach Curacaví Valley. We will see small farms dedicated to agriculture. After the second tunnel, Zapata, we reach the wineries of Casablanca Valley. The fresh early morning dew and the influence of the Pacific Ocean have transformed this valley in one of the most outstanding white wine winery zones in Chile. We will visit Indómita winery located on a hill with a fantastic view on Casablanca Valley. A guide will explain the wine production at Indómita. After the tour, we will taste some of the Indómita white and red wines. We arrive in Valparaiso with its 48 picturesque hills. We will ascend Cerro Concepción with the oldest elevator of city, Turri elevator build in 1883. We will walk along Atkinson and Brighton Promenade with a fantastic view on Valparaiso harbor. The housing area in Cerro Concepción was the typical neighborhood of English and German traders and merchants. We will also see the Lutheran and Anglican Church of the suburb. At Cerro Artillería we will have a magnificent view on Valparaiso harbor and Viña del Mar. After a short drive, we reach Plaza Sotomayor (Sotomayor Square) with the monument to Chilean Navy Heroes. At Muelle Prat we will take a boat ride in the harbor. After the boat ride, fish and seafood lunch with panoramic view on the harbor, or along the Pacific coast line near to Viña del Mar. We end the tour at approximately 5.30 pm. and drive back to Santiago to your hotel. Arrival between 7 and 7.30 pm. End of services. |
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DAY 03: CALAMA – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - VALLE DE MARTE – VALLE DE LA LUNA / B / VC / |
Very early in the morning transfer to the airport and take the flight to Calama.Reception in Calama airport and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. On the route to San Pedro we will stop at the Cordillera de La Sal (Salt Mountain) at a lookout point. Salt Mountain is a spectacular geological phenomenon. Composed of big salt deposits, gypsum and red clay earth, the Cordillera de La Sal offers rugged scenery rich in natural sculptures. Arriving in San Pedro, check in at the hotel Casa de Don Tomas or similar www.dontomas.cl After picking you up at the hotel around 4.30 pm, we will take the route to Calama to Valle de La Muerte or Valle de Marte (Valley of Mars). Surrounded by red-brown hills of peculiar morphology, it is also a part of the Cordillera de La Sal (Salt Mountains). We will have a short hike walking between attractive geological forms; beautiful dunes appear interrupted by sharpened hills rich in crystallized gypsum. This scenery recreates a planetary image, and during dawn and twilight hours, everything ignites in an orange tone. Drive to Valle de La Luna situated in the middle of the Cordillera de La Sal. It is a valley of statuesque, rocky formations. Salt emerges to the surface, covering the surface with a dry, whitish layer that gives the place a lunar aspect. In the Valle de La Luna, we visit the statues of salt called “Las Tres Marias“ , the salt mine, the salt caves and we will walk up by the sand dunes of the area until we reach the summit of the Big Dune. There you will see the whole valley at the sunset, while a spectacular change of colors happens in front of your eyes. After sundown, you will enjoy a VIP cocktail under the stars. Our guide will explain and show you the star constellations of the southern hemisphere. Transfer back to your hotel. |
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DAY 04: ARCHEOLOGIC TOUR – ATACAMA SALT LAKE / B / D / |
We depart from our hotel at 09.00 Hs to visit the Pukará of Quitor 3 km north of San Pedro. This fortified village was constructed during the last stage of San Pedro cultural development, between 1000 and 1500 A.D. It was constructed in order to protect the inhabitants and goods of the area against the constant attacks of neighboring groups. With Pedro de Valdivia’s arrival in 1540, the first battle between the Spanish conquistadors and Atacameños occurred. This battle was famous for the brutality of the conquistadors, who, after knocking down the defenses of Pukará and defeating the Atacameño resistance, took the leaders captive and decapitated them.The walls of the central part of Pukará have been reconstructed, so that you can imagine what the settlement was originally like. Following the course of the San Pedro River we continue to Catarpe Valley, where the moisture creates green grassland and fields that surround the river. “Colas de Zorro” (fox tails) and other varieties of flora and wild fauna of the desert are abundant in the area. The hillsides form a canon, and we will walk to the “Quebrada Del Diablo” Devil´s Gorge. We continue and visit the ancient Chapel of San Isidro and the Ruins of Catarpe, an ancient Inca wayside inn. We continue our archeological tour to the Ruins of Tulor. It was constructed at the beginning of the Christian age .This settlement is a clear example of how the sedentary live arose in this area, with a highly developed level of ceramics, textiles, metallic tools, agriculture and livestock. Return to San Pedro. Later we’ll start to visit the town of Toconao, a 600 inhabitants town who make their living through agriculture and handcrafts. We will look at typical handcrafts made of llama wool, cactus wood, volcanic rock and alpaca wool. We will visit the Tower of San Lucas, which is a National Monument and symbol of the town. The houses of Toconao are constructed mostly from liparita, a very white stone extracted from the nearby quarry. We continue the trip to see the Salar de Atacama (salt lake) and enter the National Flamingo Reserve at Chaxa Lagoon sector. This National Reserve is formed by a gigantic depression of more than 3.500 km2, located 2.300 m.a.s.l. The Salar is the biggest salt field in Chile and its large quantities of salt make the surface white and rough. The dryness and altitude of the salt field allow an excellent panoramic view of the area. The bottom of the salt field is composed of an enormous lake, which receives water from mountain rivers and melting snow. As it has no runoff, several small lagoons have formed, where we can observe the three types of flamingos living in the area, the English, the Andean and the Chilean. Return to San Pedro, dinner at typical restaurant. Overnight. |
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DAY 05: FD EL TATIO GEYSERS AND ALTIPLANO VILLAGES - SANTIAGO / B / L / |
We leave the hotel at 04.00 am to arrive at 07.00 am. at the Tatio Geysers at 4.320 m.a.s.l. The geysers are located 90 Km. to the northwest of San Pedro. They are shaped by a series of fumaroles that erupts water and steam of volcanic origin. We will see this spectacle at dawn in its entire splendor. We have breakfast with boiled eggs at the geysers. You may also take a bath at one of the many hot springs around the area.After Tatio, we visit the old village of Caspana and its church. Caspana lies in a fertile valley in a deep gorge. Caspana has a large cultivated area of approximate 46 ha. in terraced style (Inca style) and extensive fields of flowers and vegetables in the riverbeds. All this makes Caspana a mystical Andean village. Here we will have lunch. We continue to Pukara de Lasana. Managing to shelter about 1.000 persons, this fortress dates from the 12th. Century. It as constructed entirely from irregular stones, high up on the edge of a cliff on the Loa River. This fortress is a very narrow conglomerate of alleys that join together approximately 110 buildings with rectangular and circular rooms through small rectangular or square doors and some small windows. On our way to Chiu-Chiu, we will visit the petroglyphs, sculpted in liparita stone panels. In these petroglyphs there are images of camelid herds and shepherds who guide them. There are also geometric drawings in the shape of the sun, animals such as ostriches, lizards, toads, and snakes, and human figures dressed in ritual and/or daily costumes. Our last visit is the town of Chiu-Chiu and its church. It has invaluable historical wealth, evident in its many archaeological artifacts. This trip ends in Calama Airport in time for your flight to Santiago. Arrival in Santiago and Transfer to Hotel Torremayor or similar. |
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DAY 06: TEMUCO CITY TOUR – MAPUCHE CITY MARKET - EXCURSION ÑIELOL HILL / B / L / |
Transfer out to airport. Flight to Temuco, the capital city of the Mapuche Land. Transfer to Hotel La Frontera 4* or Don Eduardo. The city tour starts with a visit to the main square of the city, Plaza Aníbal Pinto. Here we find a monument in honor to the Mapuche people and the Spanish conquerors. Then we head off to visit the Pablo Neruda Railroad Museum that houses 14 steam locomotives, followed by visiting the Regional Museum of La Araucanía where we’ll learn about the local history and ethnic groups that populated this area. We continue exploring the main streets of Temuco’s downtown until we arrive to the entry of Cerro Ñielol. This natural monument is the only wild protected area in Chile that is located within a city. We'll visit the Ñielol Hill walking through its trails, discovering the native vegetation, flowers and birds. After 30 minutes we’ll arrive at the top of the hill to enjoy a splendid view of the city of Temuco from a look-out-point. Carrying on our stroll, we pass by the place where both Spanish and Mapuche once signed a peace treaty and today we find four big wooden totems facing the point of sunset. We continue on with the tour, visiting the Environmental Interpretation Center where we'll take a look at a model illustrating the entire 9th Region of ¨La Araucanía¨ with its national parks, volcanoes, and lakes. Likewise, there is an interesting display of various native animals (desiccated) as well as some didactic information about the volcanic activity of the area. The best place to find products and handcrafts of the Mapuche is the Municipal Market, so we’ll visit its shops and have lunch enjoying the specialties of the region. In the afternoon we’ll conclude the tour visiting a Mapuche farm located only 30 minutes drive from the city, where we’ll learn a bit more about their culture, beliefs and traditions. Return to hotel or to meeting point. |
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DAY 07: CONGUILLIO NATIONAL PARK / B / BL / |
Departing from Temuco, we’ll drive about 2 ½ hours passing through old-fashioned little towns like Cunco and Melipeuco until we’ll get to the Conguillío National Park, one of the most attractive and outstanding parks of the Lakes & Volcanoes District. This well-conserved territory lies from 900 to 3.125 meters high (2.953 to 10.253 feet) covering an area of 60.832 hectares (150.320 acres). While we visit the park you will witness how the Llaima volcano has permanently shaped the landscape of the area with its eruptions and you’ll have the fantastic opportunity to walk on the lava flows that once came from the heart of the earth. We'll also visit the Truful-Truful Falls and the pristine Arco Iris (Rainbow) Lagoon with its clear waters that reflect stunning colors. Then we’ll have a box-lunch at Playa Linda located at the shores of Conguillío Lake (nice beach); followed by hiking along the Sierra Nevada trail (2 ½ hours round trip) surrounded by native trees, including ancient monkey-puzzle tree or araucarias (Araucaria araucana), raulí (Nothofagus alpina) and coigüe (Nothofagus dombeyi). Normally, it takes about 1 ½ hours to get to the second look-out point which is overlooking the majestic lake Conguillío and the Sierra Nevada Range. We'll also be able to spot endemic birds such as the Magellan woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus), which we will see searching the tree trunks for insects, as well as we hear and possibly watch the Chucao tapaculo (Selorchilis rubecula) and the noisy Slender-billed parakeet (Enicognatus leptorhynchus). After spending some time taking pictures and enjoying the amazing view, we'll hike back to the bottom of the trail and then get in the minibuses to drive to the Park Information Center, where we'll learn about the different fauna, trees, and other interesting aspects of the sector. After that visit we’ll commence our return to Pucón, driving 2 ½ hours approximately. Check in Hotel Apart del Volcán or Araucarias www.aparthoteldelvolcan.cl and www.araucarias.cl |
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DAY 08: FD EXCURSION VALDIVIA + HIKING IN PUNTA CURIÑANCO / B / L / |
Departing from Pucón, we’ll take about 2¾ hours to get to Valdivia, arriving to the “river city” before noon. During the morning we visit the multicolor Feria Fluvial (river market), a produce & seafood street market where you can get familiar with the daily life of the city. Great South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) co-exist with the local vendors along with pelicans, seagulls and cormorants on the shores of the river. Then we’ll drive toward the village of Niebla on the Pacific coast, visiting the fishermen’s cove of Los Molinos. Here we’ll enjoy fresh fish and seafood for lunch, the chef’s specialty. In the afternoon we will travel across a beautiful country-side road by the Pacific Ocean, until arriving at Punta Curiñanco, a protected reserve by CODEFF (a Chilean organization for native flora and fauna protection). The protected area covers 80.92 hectares (200 acres) of land and maintains a unique evergreen forest of 250 year-old Olivillo costero trees (Aetoxicum punctatum). The area has been recognized by the World Wildlife Fund and the World Bank as one of the 200 ecosystems with such rich biodiversity in the world. The hike takes a total of about 3 hours and ranges between easy and medium trails passing through rainforest and beautiful coastal cliffs; the flora is mostly native trees, huge ferns, vines and shrubs with fruits that are ripe and ready to eat during summertime. In the reserve, the presence of birds like the black vulture (Coragyps atratus), thorn-tailed rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda), magellan woodpecker (Campephilus magellanicus), and chucao tapaculo (Selorchilis rubecula) are commonly present. By the coast we can see the brown-hooded gull (Larus maculipennis) and some cormorants like the red-legged (Phalacrocorax gaimardi) and the neotropic (Phalacrocorax brasilianus). If we are lucky, we can spot the chungungo (Lontra felina), a marine feline that swims next to rocks covered by cochayuyos (seaweed) in search of its food. Finally, on the way back to Valdivia, we will visit the Kunstmann brewery to enjoy a cold beer and reflect on our experiences of the day. Check-in Hotel Isla Teja, near by the universities botanic park. www.hotelislateja.cl |
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DAY 09: V. PEREZ R. NATIONAL PARK, PETROHUE FALLS AND LAKE TODOS LOS SANTOS / B / L / |
We depart Valdivia early in the morning to visit the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, the very first wild protected area in Chile. The park covers a territory of nearly 627 thousand acres with extraordinary landscapes that include native forests, mountains and volcanoes with snow-capped peaks. On the way out from Puerto Varas, we’ll travel alongside the Llanquihue Lake toward the village of Ensenada, (lunch) where we head southeast after lunch and arrive at the entrance of the park (1½-hour drive). Here we head off by foot on a trail that after only 10 minutes will take us to the powerful Petrohue Falls with their turquoise waters; there are three beautiful waterfalls that make their way through solid basaltic rocks that once came from the depths of the earth. If the weather permits, we will have a magnificent view of the Osorno Volcano (2652 m / 8,700 ft) with its rounded top; the volcano seems to be so close that it becomes the perfect backdrop for such an idyllic landscape. After a few minutes of wandering around the picture-perfect surroundings and taking photos, we’ll walk for 20 minutes through an easy and even trail called Los Enamorados (the lovers), passing by the shores of the river Petrohué and the pristine native forest. If we are lucky, we can spot the ringed kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata stellata) that can be seen perched on a branch looking for fish in the clear-water ponds. Then we go back to the vehicles and head to the amazingly gorgeous Todos Los Santos Lake (all the saints) where we spend some more time enjoying the scenery. Drive to Puerto Varas. Check in Hotel Bellavista 4* www.hotelbellavista.cl |
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DAY 10: PUERTO MONTT - PUNTA ARENAS - PUERTO NATALES / B / D / |
The passengers are greeted at President Ibañez Airport, Punta Arenas.Depart to Puerto Natales driving on the North route on the typical Magellan steppe where the visitor will be able to observe ovine and bovine cattle pasturing. If lucky you might be able to see the duty of driving cattle performed by the shepherd and especially by his dogs. Ostriches, bandurrias and other small birds will delight the passenger on his journey. Approximately 65 Kms. Northwest of Punta Arenas the visitor can fin this picturesque spot where every year hundred of penguins come to nest. After driving a few kilometers on Route 9, the vehicle go West on the road to Kon Aiken cattle settlement. From there take the route to Pecket Mine until reaching the shores of Otway Cove where penguins colonies are found. Being a protected area to maintain species from mankind destruction, thousands of penguins can be seen out of their nests and at the sea shore. Young penguins can also be observed in their nests in holes made in sand. The rich fauna of the Region can be enjoyed during the journey, like wild gooses, American Ostriches and a great variety of sea birds. On the afternoon we’ll arrive at Puerto Natales, picturesque town by the shores of Ultima Esperanza Cove. Transfer to the Hotel Cisne de Cuello Negro. www.pehoe.cl |
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DAY 11: FD PUERTO NATALES - TORRES DEL PAINE PARK – MILODON CAVE – LAKES / B / D / |
Depart towards Torres Del Paine Park. Visit the Milodon Cave where remains where found of an herbivorous animal that lived in it over 12.000 years ago.Departure to Pehoe Inn, located on an island in Pehoe Lake facing the famous Paine Horns. On the way, the visitors will be able to admire the beauty of the scenery reflected on the colorful water of Figueroa and Sarmiento Lakes. The visit Laguna Amarga area, from where the passengers will be able to admire the imposing majesty of the Paine Towers, famous rocky formation that gives the name to the National Park. Dinner and lodging at Pehoe Inn. www.pehoe.cl |
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DAY 12: FD TORRES DEL PAINE PARK – GREY LAKE AREA – LAGUNA AMARGA / B / BL / D / |
Excursion to the Grey Lake area, where huge icebergs that detach from a glacier of the same name can be admired. The colours of the floating ice blocks will provide the masterly touch to the beautiful scenery created by nature. On the way to Grey Lake we will visit Small Waterfall, Paine River, Toro Lake, Sarmiento and Grey River, all of which are places of abundant sport fishery.In the afternoon the passengers will visit Laguna Amarga area from where the passengers will be able to admire the imposing majesty of the Paine Towers, famous rocky formation that gives the name to the National Park. During the journey and after other walks, the visitor will be able to see the Big Waterfall and Paine River, together with its abundant fauna as American ostriches, foxes, skunks, black necked swans, flamingos, condors and eagles. Also groups of guanacos will be able to be photographed by the visitor. Return to Pehoe Inn to enjoy dinner and lodging. |
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DAY 13: TORRES DEL PAINE - PUNTA ARENAS - SANTIAGO |
Early in the morning drive from NP Torres del Paine to Punta Arenas and start the city tour (depending on departure time of your flight to Santiago).The first place to visit is the Cross Hill where you get a panoramic view of the City of Punta Arenas and the Strait of Magellan, and in the back Tierra del Fuego (Fire Land) Island. Afterwards the visitor will drive on its avenues and through downtown Punta Arenas, where they will be able to appreciate its characteristics European construction style of the 19th century. Squares will be visited where over 30 monuments have been placed to symbolize the rich history of this southern city. In contrast with the style of construction, the Free Zone district located 2 kms. North of downtown Punta Arenas will be visited. Here the visitor will be able to buy souvenirs from the Region in one if its hundred stores. The City Tour will be completed after visiting the Maggiorino Borgatello Salesian Museum, place where a rich variety of fauna and flora samples of the Chilean Patagonia have been preserved. Also the visitor will be able to see vestige of the first inhabitants that populated this Region like the Yagan, Ona and Alacalufe Indians. All of the above will give the visitor a very good knowledge of the city and its inhabitants. End of city Tour. Drive to the airport. Flight to Santiago. Transfer to Hotel Torremayor or similar. |
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DAY 14: SANTIAGO – AIRPORT 3. - THE PROGRAM INCLUDES: •All transfers and sightseeing tours in private transportation 4. - NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM: 5. - FIXED DATES 6. - HOTELS 7. - VEHICLES 8. - ITINERARY MODIFICATIONS 9. - PHISYCAL DEMANDS |
Ecotours - CHILE
Ecotourism Tour Operator.
Hernando de Aguirre 128 OF 904, Providencia, Santiago,
Phone (56 - 2) 8236219
Phone (56 - 9) 84590631
E - mail: info@ecotours.cl
Diseño de páginas web por Simpleweb.cl
Ecotourism Tour Operator.
Hernando de Aguirre 128 OF 904, Providencia, Santiago,
Phone (56 - 2) 8236219
Phone (56 - 9) 84590631
E - mail: info@ecotours.cl
Diseño de páginas web por Simpleweb.cl