Itinerary
Overview:
Chile Lakes & Glaciers (Suggested Holiday)
Day 1 - 2 Arrive in Santiago, Chile & sightseeing tour
Day 3 - 4 Travel to Patagonia & sightseeing tours in Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales
Day 5 - 6 Visit Torres del Paine National Park, including the Grey River area
Day 7 Cross the border from Chile to Argentina and stay in the beautiful town of El Calafate
Day 8 Visit the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier
Day 9 Depart from El Calafate for your onward journey / next adventure!
Days 1-2 :
Santiago
Day 1: Arrival Santiago
Arriving into Santiago, Chile you will be amazed at the impressive high-rise architecture and modern city life. Located in the center of the Chile it is a main gateway to many South American attractions. As with any capital city, it is loud and full of bustle but don’t be put off, this is a city of culture and character aplenty, and home to over 5million people so you should be able to find everything you need in this modern day city. The hotels we have selected in this package are centrally located and close to some fantastic Chilean cuisine, don’t forget to try out the wine from this region.
Day 10: Santiago half day tour
To understanding and appreciate this underestimated city we have included a morning city tour of Santiago. The tour includes the Bernardo O Higgins Avenue running east west and dividing the city into two main parts; the providencia district and its commercial center Balmaceda park, San Cristobal hill and the metropolitan park, the forestal park. You will also visit the fine art museum, Plaza de Armas with the Cathedral and Town Hall. Further down is the oldest part of the city with uniquely constructed mansions. On the way we will include the exclusive Union Club, the National Library and the central Santa Lucia hill.
Days 3-4:
Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales
Day 3: Santiago to Punta Arenas
After breakfast your guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas (flight not included) When you fly into Patagonia you are instantly rewarded with the sheer beauty of this region, from snowcapped mountain ranges, ice field, lakes and rivers are only a few elements of this stunning backdrop. Once you have landed you are transferred to your hotel. Your city tour of Punta Arenas includes passing the Muñoz Gamero Square to continue to the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum which is home to a permanent and comprehensive exhibit on the local indigenous population. Later on we visit the Patagonian Institute (open-air museum) and the botanical garden, which features examples of the region's sparse vegetation. After this we have saved the best till last with traveling up the top of the hill known as the "Cerro de la Cruz," for the most spectacular view of the city backed by the Strait of Magellan. After this view you are taken back your hotel for the remainder of the evening at leisure. [B]
Day 4: Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales
It’s an early start today as you check out of your hotel and transfer from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales. Once you arrive into Puerto Natales and have checked into your hotel we have included another half day tour to get your better acquainted with this area.
This afternoon we have included a half day tour to Milodon Cave this is where the remains of a prehistoric animal were found in the last century. The impressive Andean Massif whose peaks impress all those who visit the park, is surrounded by glaciers such as the Grey glacier, waterfalls, lakes and lagoons such as Pehoe which together with a wide variety of flora and fauna make this one of the best known places in the world for its rich natural beauty. Upon arrival back to your hotel you have the remainder of the evening at leisure. [B]
5-6 :
Puerto Natales, Torres Del Paine NP
Day 5: Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine
This morning you will be transferred from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine which is approximately 115kms. As you have had two on the go days once you arrive at your hotel and have checked in the remainder of the day is at leisure which gives you the chance to soak up the atmosphere Patagonia has to offer and prepare for tomorrows adventure. [B]
Day 6: Torres Del Paine
Torres del Paine is with no doubt one of the most spectacular National Parks in the country and is appointed by UNESCO as a world Biosphere Reserve in 1978 as it has a huge variety of plants and animals in the area. To show you just how magical this area is we have included a full day tour of Torres del Paine, you will be able to admire the beauty of the scenery reflected on the colorful water of Figueroa and Sarmiento Lakes and the typical mountains and heights of the Paine Mountain range formed by Paine Towers, Big Paine, Almirante Nieto Mountain, Indian Head and others. Visit the Waterfalls such as big waterfalls and Paine River, after this we arrive at Hosteria Pehoé located on an island in the middle of the Lake Pehoé , we have our lunch stop (box lunch). Then this afternoon we take an excursion to the Grey lake area, visiting a small waterfall, Paine River, Toro Lake, Sarmiento and Grey Rivers. Once at Grey Lake you will be able to admire huge blocks of ice floating everywhere. These blocks detach from the glacier. The colors of the floating ice blocks will provide the masterly touch to the beautiful scenery created by nature. Once you have returned back to your hotel the remainder of the evening is at your own leisure. [B,L]
7-9:
Torres Del Paine NP, El Calafate
Day 7: Torres Del Paine to El Calafate
This morning your journey continues over to Argentina with a private transfer to El Calafate. This journey is about 3.5hours hence why a we have used a private transfer to make it more comfortable to you and so you can stop as many times as you want along the way (there are some great picture opportunities en route to El Calafate). Once you arrive into El Calafate you will have the remainder of the day at leisure. This city is renowned for the Moreno glacier (which you will see on day6). But this town is has some breath-taking scenery, cultural settings and a great area to have a wonder around and take in the scenery. [B]
Day 8: El Calafate & Perito Moreno Glacier
The Perito Moreno glacier is the most fascinating glacier you will ever come across, we have included a full day tour which takes you out to this enormous glacier where you can just stand meters away and hear the ice cracking – hopefully you will be able to see the ice crack and a section of the ice shelf fall down into the water. Travelling down to the Perito Moreno glacier we travel into the Patagonian range bordering the southern arm of the Argentinean lake, covering a distance of 80km between El Calafate and the Glacier. We then start traveling down the catwalks and over the slopes to admire this natural wonder. We return to El Calafate late in the afternoon where you can enjoy your last night in El Calafate at your own leisure. [B]
Day 9: Depart El Calafate
After breakfast your journey through the Chilian landscape concludes with a departure transfer to the airport of El Calafate in Argentina.
We suggest adding Travel Modules for the chocolate heaven town of Bariloche, the wine region of Mendoza or the cultural tango city of Buenos Aires!
Pricing:
3 star from: $ 3595.00*
4 star from: $ 3995.00*
5 star from: $ 4395.00^
*based on Seat in Coach Transfer and Tours (SIC), Private Transfers and Tours available upon request
^based on Private Transfers and Tours where available, when no 5* is available and the best available Hotel is used.
Inclusions:
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Arrival & Departure transfers Santiago
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2 nights Santiago in the hotel standard of your choice 3 to 5*
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Half day Santiago city tour
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Arrival transfer Punta Arenas
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1 night Punta Arenas in the hotel standard of your choice 3 to 5*
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Transfer Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales
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Half day tour Puerto Natales
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1 night Puerto Natales in the hotel standard of your choice 3 to 5*
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Transfer Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine NP
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2 nights Torres del Paine NP in the hotel standard of your choice 3 to 5*
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Full day tour Torres del Paine NP
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Transfer Torres del Paine to El Calafate
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Arrival & Departure transfers El Calafate
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2 nights El Calafate in the hotel standard of your choice 3 to 5*
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Full day Perito Moreno glacier tour
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Breakfast daily
Not included:
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Flight Santiago to Punta Arenas
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National park entrance fees
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Items of personal nature
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Drink alcoholic and non-alcoholic
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Tips to Drivers, guides and Porters
Airfares:
Travel Just has competitive South America Flights to get you to the starting point of your chosen Holiday. Contact one of our Travel Specialists for a full quotation including airfares, stopovers and any additional travel you wish to organize.
Facts on Chile
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Population: 5.6Million
Official Languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani
Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP)
Country phone code: +56
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Capital city: Santiago
Electricity: 22ov
Time Zone: -4GMT (-3daylight savings)
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Climate:
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Santiago
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12
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Ave max Cº
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25
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Rainy days
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The high season in Chile is from December through to March. Because Chile is such a long country the climate can vary from each destination.
The Torres del Paine and Lakes district is best visited in summer (December to March). During winter time it is hard if not impossible to get around. During Autumn and Spring this is also nice weather to get around and not as busy as the summer months.
If you are keen on skiing then the best time to travel down the south of Chile is July through to late September where there are some amazing ski fiends.
The Atacama Desert can be explored all year, but summer days sizzle and nights are very cold at higher altitudes throughout the year. In the northern part, summer is the rainy season, which usually means an afternoon downpour.
Easter Island is cooler and quieter outside summer; March is an ideal time to visit.
Visa:
Australian passport holders do not require a tourist visa to enter Chile. You will however need to hold a valid Australian passport with a minimum of 6months validity when returning back to Australia, a return ticket and staying no longer that 90days in Chile.
For all other passport holders you will need to contact the Chilean embassy to check if you are required to have a Chilean visa or not.
If you are flying to the USA before or after your South American journey you will need to complete a Visa waiver form prior to departing Australia so you can enter the USA. The form will take up to 15minutes to complete and needs to be approved by the consulate otherwise you can be denied entry into the US
Local Currency
The local currency in Chile is the Chilean Peso (CLP; symbol CH$) = 100 centavos. The local symbol is $. Notes are in denominations of CH$20,000, 10,000, 5,00, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of CH$500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 although the $1 is no longer in circulation.
When receiving local currency, ask for small denominations, in smaller towns it’s hard to change large denominations for small purchases. The best places to exchange currency are the foreign exchange bureaus which generally give better exchange rates than the banks and are open longer hours. Don’t change money on the streets as counterfeits are a problem.
Safety in Chile
Chile is considered a safe country however it is becoming a popular travel destination so it always best to be wary of different situations and use common sense. If you are travelling by land expect delays as there are always road blocks. For the most up to date information on Chile safety visit Smart Traveller.