Essential Chile: Santiago - Atacama - Valparaiso Tour (133719),Holiday Packages to Valparaiso, Santiago

Package Overview

Explore Santiago with its delicious food & wine, before flying to the amazing Atacama Desert, with its salt flats, geysers and moon valley landscapes. Take in the dramatic desert landscapes and enjoy star gazing in spectacularly clear night skies. End your holiday relaxing in the historic port city of Valparaiso. English speaking guides, all transfers & specified excursions included.

HIGHLIGHTS

Santiago • City Tour • San Pedro • Atacama Desert
• El Tatio Geysers • Atacama Salt Flats • Moon Valley • Star Gazing
• Altiplanic Lagoons • Valparaiso

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Day wise Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival

You will be met at Santiago Airport and transferred into the capital of Santiago de Chile.

Check into your hotel in this sophisticated and cosmopolitan city, situated in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes Mountains and the beautiful Chilean Coastal Range.
Day 2 : Santiago

After a morning at leisure, this afternoon enjoy a half day private tour of the modern city of Santiago.

We start in the downtown area of this relatively compact city, where modern buildings have transformed the landscape, and visit Santa Lucia Hill where the city of Santiago was founded in 1541.

We continue to the Plaza de Armas in the heart of the old colonial city and bustling Ahumada Boulevard with its many shops, street performers and vendors. Here you will be able to see some beautiful neo-classical buildings – including the 18th century Cathedral of Santiago and the early 19th century Royal Court Palace, which now houses the National History Museum. Also enjoy outside views of the Municipal Offices, the Post Office and the current Presidential Palace, La Moneda. You will have the opportunity to taste a ‘Pisco Sour’, see local handcrafts and walk through some of the more traditional streets of the city, before being dropped off at your hotel.

Note: Most museums are closed on Mondays.
Day 3 : Santiago

Today is free to explore the modern city of Santiago independently.

We suggest you take the Hop Off Bus which stops at all the key attractions, including the cable car up to the enormous Metropolitan Park. At over 750 hectares, this beautiful urban park is the largest in South America - covering San Cristóbal Hill as well as the Chacarillas and Los Gemelos hills. Afterwards take the funicular back down to the city.

You can visit the Pre-Colombian Museum and it is also fun to watch the changing of the guards in front of the La Moneda Presidential Palace, which takes place at 10 am every second day.
Day 4 : San Pedro De Atacama

Transfer to Santiago Airport for your onward flight.

You will be met at Calama Airport and transferred 1.5-hours across the copper-rich plains of the desert and through the Salt Mountains to the small town of San Pedro de Atacama.

Extending for over 600 miles (1,000 km), this enormous plateau of salt lakes, sand, larva and stony terrain is situated between two high mountain ranges - the Andes to the east and the Chilean Coastal Range to the west. As a result, the Atacama receives virtually no rain whatsoever - making it the driest and oldest desert in the world, with landscapes that will take your breath away.

After checking into your hotel, in the afternoon head out on a shared excursion and drive 20-minutes back to the Salt Mountains (Cordillera de la Sal) situated in the National Flamingo Reserve. Here we walk for 20-minutes each way (the last section is quite steep) to view the dramatic lunar landscapes of Moon Valley, with many natural mineral sculptures formed by wind erosion. We also walk 10-minutes each way to see some unusual sculptured salt formations and a small cave.

At the end of the day enjoy a magical sunset at Kari Viewpoint, one of the highest points in the Salt Mountains that overlooks the dunes of Death Valley favoured by sand boarders. Seeing the colours of the hills changing as the sun sets, will be a memory that will last a lifetime.

Note: Your driver from Calama will only speak Spanish.
Day 5 : Atacama Salt Flats

Today enjoy a full day shared tour to the crystalline Atacama Salt Flats (Salar de Atacama), the largest in Chile and the third largest in the world.

We drive 1-hour to these astonishing salt flats, surrounded by the Andes to the east and the Cordillera de Domeyko to the west. Small lagoons have formed where water has broken through the crusted salt, with no drainage outlets and one of the largest lithium reserves in the world. We visit Chaxa Lagoon in the National Flamingo Reserve, where you can photograph this magnificent scenery and hope to see three different species of flamingo - Chilean, Andean & James’s - as well as other waterbirds that nest and feed on these mineral-rich waters, such as the puna plover and red-gartered coot. Most activity occurs at sunrise, when you may see a pinkish hue rising over the horizon. As the air warms up, this dissipates as the birds take flight over the lake.

We then venture higher into the Andes, to view the amazingly landscapes and dramatic blue waters of Meñique and Miscanti - two Altiplanic lagoons located at over 14,000 ft (4,300 m) at the foot of impressive volcanoes that were formed when these mountains rose from the sea. Take in the varying landscapes as we drive to these lagoons, travelling through stunning and ever changing scenery. You may see wild vicuña and rhea along the way, as well as some birds on the lakes. On arrival enjoy a 20-minute walk down to one of the lakes, where you can observe the birds and any wildlife.

On the return journey we stop at the small village of Socaire, where you can observe local life and visit their small traditional church. We can also stop in the picturesque local village of Toconao, with its main square and classic Atacamenian bell tower built in 1750 from cactus wood, mud and straw. Here we visit the small church of San Lucas, before returning to San Pedro. Lunch is included today.

Note: Please be aware the Altiplanic Lagoons are at high altitude, so this excursion should not be undertaken by anyone with a heart condition. Dress warmly with thermal clothing, warm jacket, fleece, beanie, scarf and glovers - as the outdoor temperature at the lagoons will be very cold.
Day 6 : El Tatio Geysers

Depart before dawn today on a 6.5-hour shared excursion to the El Tatio Geysers, the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere and the third largest in the world.

We drive 2.5-hours to this astonishing geothermal field situated at over 14,000 ft (4,300 m) above sea level, with geysers that have steam fumaroles that can easily reach over 33 ft (10 m). We arrive at sunrise when these columns of steam condense in the cold air, set against a backdrop of the imposing Andes with its multiple colours. Walk around the geyser field before these steam plumes disappear as the air warms up, followed by a picnic breakfast. If you are brave, take your swimming costume for a quick dip in the hot geyser pool - but be warned, the surrounding temperature will be below freezing when you emerge!

On the way back to San Pedro, enjoy spectacular views of the Torcopuri y Sairecabur Volcanoes and the Putana Wetlands, where we make a short stop. Here you can see several species of birds that live in these high altitude wetlands that freeze overnight - including the Giant coot, Andean flamingo, Chilean flamingo, Andean goose and a variety of coots, teals, gulls and ducks. You may also see vicuña (an elegant wild camelid) or rhea (a small ostrich), both of which have adapted to live in these harsh conditions, or even a viscacha (a rodent that looks like a long-tailed rabbit). Our final stop is at the small village of Machuca, where you can see how the local pleople live and view the Altiplanic architecture of their small St. James Church.

Note: Please be aware the El Tatio Geysers are at high altitude, so this excursion should not be undertaken by anyone with a heart condition. Dress warmly with thermal clothing, warm jacket, fleece, beanie, scarf and glovers - as the temperature at the geysers will be below freezing at dawn.
Day 7 : Valparaiso

Transfer 1.5-hours to Calama Airport for your onward flight.

Note: Your driver will only speak Spanish.

You will be met at Santiago Airport and transferred 1.5-hours to the historic seaport of Valparaiso.

Check into your hotel in Valparaiso, the second largest city in the country and home to the Chilean Parliament (the Congress of Chile). Prior to the opening of the Panama Canal, this cosmopolitan city was the most important Pacific seaport on the crucial trade route that linked the American west coast with Europe, via the Strait of Magellan.

Note: Your airport driver will only speak Spanish.
Day 8 : Valparaiso

This morning enjoy a 3-hour private Walking Tour of the lively and chaotic city of Valparaiso, with its quirky and eclectic architecture, many parks, historic monuments, bars and restaurants.

The homes around this natural harbour were built over 42 steep hills, two of which - Alegre ('Happy') and Concepcion - are now UNESCO World Heritage sites Their many stairways, colourful houses, old funicular elevators and trolleybuses are a real feature - as is the amazing graffiti you will find everywhere. The most important square is Plaza Sotomayor, which is situated on the sea shore.

Your afternoon is free to explore more of Valparaiso independently.
Day 9 : Alegre

Another day to enjoy the vibrant city of Valparaiso, with its amazing colourful graffiti art that can be found on almost every street.

Explore on foot the many promenades and staircases of its two famous hills - Alegre ('Happy') and Concepcion - using the old funiculars and trolleybuses. You can take a taxi to La Sebastiana Museum, the hilltop house of Nobel prize winning poet Pablo Neruda, which features many of his personal effects and has stunning views over the city. Also be sure to take in the views from the 21 May Lookout, reached by funicular. You can also visit the Naval Museum, take a boat ride on the bay, or take a day tour to the winelands of the Casablanca Valley.

After a day of taking in the street life, you will be spoilt for choice as you relax in one of the city's numerous restaurants and bars.
Day 10 : Departure

Transfer 1.5-hours to Santiago Airport for your flight home.

Note: Your airport driver will only speak Spanish.

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Inclusions

Hotel
Sightseeing

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Price & Rates

No of pax	Age Limit	Price per pax (Rs)
Adult	Above 12 years	$ 1889 / Adult

* Mentioned prices may vary depending upon date of travel, hotel availability, surge pricing and seasonal rush.

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Package Start From

Valparaiso, Chile, South America

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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