Holly and Blaine Murphy
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
ARRIVAL IN SANTIAGO
Arrive to Santiago, where a guide will be waiting to greet you and transfer to the hotel. Today we will have a whole day to get to know Chilean culture and traditions. First of all, visit the Aquitania winery in the Maipo Valley. It is family owned boutique winery where we will enjoy the Premium wines. We continue with an original city tour focusing on Chilean culture, flavor and traditions. Walk over the colorful Central Market where fruits, vegetables and spices from the whole country are offered. Lunch will be here at the market, like the Chileans do.
After that, visit the museum of Pablo Neruda, a Nobel Price winner and politician before the era of the Pinochet dictatorship in the 70s. In the evening we continue to a typical Chilean restaurant and pub known for its colorful bohemian nightlife. Then, participate in a Cueca class. Cueca is the unique Chilean National dance inspired by a chicken conquering a hen.
Overnight Singular Boutique Hotel
Day 2
FLIGHT TO THE ARAUCANIA REGION, FOREST TREKKING
We will be picked up after breakfast in order to drive to the airport and take our flight to Temuco, the capital of the Araucanía region, famous for their beautiful and imposing woods. After the transfer to Pucón at the foot of the Villarica Volcano, pass through forests of Araucarian trees during a hike on the Chinay Trail. The trail starts at an impressive coihue, araucaria and lengas forest. On some stretches, you’ll walk alongside the waters of the melting Pichillancahue Glacier.
Finally, reach the edge of the woods, where we have a 360 degree view of the Villarrica and Llaima volcanoes to the North and the Quetrupillán, Lanin and Mocho–Choshuenco volcanoes to the South. Here we can fully appreciate the vigor of the araucaria species at its finest.
Overnight Hotel Vira Vira
Day 3
ARAUCANIA REGION: VOLCANO AND HOT SPRINGS
Today, choose from a number of excursions. Day trips through national parks, volcanoes, lakes, rivers, forests & thermal baths are available through the Hotel Vira Vira.
The 9340-foot-tall Villarrica volcano or Rucapillan is a perfectly cone-shaped stratovolcano, with an open crater and a pool of boiling lava on top. This is what makes climbing the Villarrica volcano one of the most original and amazing activities. From the top we can see the mountain chains, its volcanoes and countless lakes that make up the landscape of the Araucanía.
In order to relax tired muscles there is nothing like enjoying the warmth of a natural thermal baths below the southern stars and surrounded by native vegetation. Go deep into the Andes towards the Panqui area, surrounded by vegetation and native forests. Accompanied by streams, in the heart of the forest and in the ideal temperature for a relaxing thermal bath, we will find these beautiful natural pools: the perfect place to relax and enjoy the contact with nature.
Overnight Hotel Vira Vira
Day 4
DRIVE TO PUERTO VARAS: LAKES DISTRICT
Depart towards the marina of Pucón from where we take a sailing yacht to enjoy the views on the volcanoes and into the Andes Cordillera. No previous sailing experience is necessary. It is a quiet ride that starts at “La Poza” in Pucón and leads to the tip of the Mallolafquen Peninsula, so as to get a panoramic view of the lake and the mountains surrounding Pucón city. We also enjoy the best view of the Villarrica volcano that we share with nature and the recurrent inhabitants of this environment: wild ducks, kingfishers, coots and herons that watch us pass by from the lake’s shore.
Afterwards we will take our private transfer with an English-speaking guide towards Puerto Varas in the Lakes Region. Take a detour from Osorno and ride directly towards the Llanquihue Lake. In Puerto Octay, have lunch in the well-known restaurant Espantapajaro, with views on the lake and the volcanoes.
Continue along the shore of the lake and visit Frutillar Bajo, a small village directly at the coast of the lake with one of the most modern theaters built within the lake. Arrive to Puerto Varas. Tonight’s hotel is located at the coast of Llanquihue Lake with views of the volcanoes Calbuco and Osorno. A former mansion, Quincho Country Home has only four rooms and is located a couple of kilometers outside of Puerto Varas, far away from the turmoil of the numerous hotels, agencies, restaurants and pubs.
Overnight Quincho Country Home
Day 5
PUELO VALLEY AND TAGUA TAGUA WATERFALLS
You will be picked up at our hotel by our licensed helicopter in order to fly south into the remote Puelo Valley. Fly over one of South America’s biggest lakes (the Llanquihue Lake), unexplored forests and the northernmost fjord.
Tonight’s hotel is a special place accessible only by boat or by helicopter. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink and begin a kayak trip onto the Tagua Tagua Lake. Paddle across this beautiful lake surrounded by big mountains. Then, on the other side of shore, a big waterfall falls straight into the lake. In the afternoon, relaxed in a heated wooden hot tub to enjoy the sounds of nature.
Overnight Puelo Mitico Lodge
Day 6
PUELO RIVER BASIN ON HORSEBACK
From the lodge, meet a local guide who will be waiting with horses for a beautiful ride (5 hours approx) that runs through the Puelo River basin. At the end of the trail, arrive at a family farm and enjoy a typical Patagonian barbecue. After lunch and a rest, head back to the lodge by the same route.
Overnight Puelo Mitico Lodge
Day 7
FLIGHT TO TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast we will take our transfer to the airport of Puerto Montt. En route, visit the tiny park Lahuen Ñadi to check out the Alerce Patagonico (Fitzroya tree) and other native trees of Patagonia. From Puerto Montt, take a short flight to Punta Arenas, where you’ll be driven to the Awasi Patagonia Hotel. Awasi Patagonia is in a private reserve with impressive views of the Torres del Paine and Lake Sarmiento. A thick native forest of Lenga and Ñire trees protects the chosen location from the strong Patagonian winds. The native fauna remains protected in these forests where herds of guanaco, nandu, foxes, condors and the occasional puma can be spotted. Awasi Patagonia’s strategic location allows you to enjoy the Torres del Paine National Park from the intimacy of a private reserve.
To stretch your legs, set out on an excursion directly from the hotel by foot. Climb the Contrera Mountain and marvel at the immensity of the Patagonian landscape that we can see from the peak. Experience the strength of the Patagonian winds, as well as sightings of regal condors and eagles overseeing their domain.
Overnight Hotel Awasi Patagonia Hotel
Day 8
TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK
The concept of Awasi is to deliver a 100% personalized service. Meet your private guide and plan which excursions to undertake during our stay, with the help of the excursion menu, a map and the weather forecast.
One of the most impressive views in the park offers the Valle Francés. The Valle del Francés, or Frenchman’s Valley, is what many people consider the best section of the “W” circuit. Climb steep moraines and witness roaring ice breaking off the Francés glacier. A little farther up, imposing peaks and immense granite rock faces come into view while providing a 360-degree view of the heart of the Paine massif. This excursion is long, and requires taking a catamaran ride across Lake Pehoé that presents a lovely view of the massif.
Overnight Hotel Awasi Patagonia Hotel
Day 9
TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK
The best and the most authentic way to get to know Patagonia is by horseback. Trot along the northeast sector of the estancia that houses a private reserve and marvel at the beauty of the scenery surrounding the area. If the weather permits, apart from admiring the Las Chinas Falls we can enjoy privileged views such as Laguna Azul with the Torres del Paine in the background, or Lake Sarmiento with the extensive pampas surrounding it, a truly unforgettable spectacle.
Overnight Hotel Awasi Patagonia Hotel
Day 10
Departure
After breakfast and before our program ends, there might be still some time to do a half-day bird-watching excursion. Our guide will help to find magnificent specimens so that we can capture, with our eyes or the camera, the fauna that this incredible national park has to offer. Afterwards we will be taken to the airport of Punta Arenas to fly onward.
