Captivating Chile.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: From our launching point in the city of Santiago, snowcapped Andes dwarf the manmade skyscrapers where we begin our guided walk in the historic center. Soak in visions of Spanish Colonial architecture before we head to nearby Maipo Valley, one of the richest growing areas in Chile’s wine region. A lavish lunch complete with wine pairings awaits at the Santa Rita Estate, a national monument with more than 200 years of history. We’ll stretch our legs during a leisurely walk in the vineyards, followed by a tour of the winery, taking us through the process from growing grapes to bottling varietals. Back in Santiago, a quick stroll from our hotel offers a glimpse of the city’s nightlife and some of the best restaurants in the region.
Day 2: A morning flight takes us south to Puerto Montt, the gateway to Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. From rainforests and jagged mountains, the varied terrain fades into fields of black volcanic ash and the raging Petrohué Falls where whitewater plunges through narrow channels. We’ll trek across black lava sands near Todos los Santos Lake in our approach to photo-worthy Osorno Volcano. The upper slopes of its steep-sided cone are covered in glaciers, and the reflections of Osorno on the sapphire surface of Llanquihue Lake are simply mesmerizing. At night, we’ll gather for friendship and the day’s catch at one of the city’s finest seafood restaurants.
Day 3: Chiloé — South America’s second-largest island — is a world unto itself. Arrive via ferry ride across Chacao Channel, home to sea lions and sea birds. The wildlife continues during our beach walk at Islotes de Puñihuil where we’ll visit the breeding site of endangered Humboldt and Magellanic penguins. Midday, we’ll participate in a curanto – a seafood and meat feast cooked in a covered pit. This luau-like tradition is a culinary highlight with steamed mussels, smoked pork, and some 150 kinds of native potatoes. Afterward, we’ll ferry back to the mainland where dinner is traveler’s choice, if you still have room!
Day 4: There’s seafood, and then there’s seafood from Angelmo Market where you’ll find live sea urchins, giant barnacles, and hundreds of types of fish sold fresh, smoked, or dried. From empanadas to native knits, this waterside market in Puerto Montt is a great place to stroll, talk to locals, and photograph Chile’s vibrancy. You’ll have a chance to put together your own lunch from the irresistible local specialties. From there, buckle up for our flight to Punta Arenas, the gateway to Patagonia. Our final destination of the day is Puerto Natales, a former sheep port where our luxury eco-resort is just minutes away. Upon arrival, we’ll drive to Puerto Natales and enjoy dinner of beef, lamb, and vegetables grown on-site.
Day 5: Power up with a hearty breakfast before exploring the wilds of Patagonia at Torres del Paine. It’s here where you’ll see Chile’s signature spikey “towers” of granite glaciers, and areas of the park declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. From the picturesque Sierra del Toro trail, inhale visions of pampas, Magellanic forests, waterfalls, glaciers, and snowcapped Campo de Hielo Sur (the Southern Ice Field). This natural habitat is refuge to the guanaco, long-legged rheas, endangered Andean deer, and the Andean condor. Break for lunch-with-a-view as we picnic near the majestic snowcapped mountains. Back at the hotel, you’ll have free time to soak in the heated infinity pool or get pampered at the spa.
Day 6: From landscape to locals, we’ll embark on our day at a working estancia — a vast ranch where the sheep, cattle, and horses drastically outnumber the gauchos who tend to them. Get an inside look at life on the pampas, and climb into the saddle for a guided horseback tour, or explore the ranch by foot. Either way, you’ll see how the gauchos shear their sheep, shepherd their dogs, and control their flocks. Capture the rustic, rugged spirit of the day with a gaucho barbecue, complete with succulent lamb grilled over an open fire.
Day 7: Start your day in nature at Torres del Paine park, where we’ll visit Laguna Amarga, known for its intensely turquoise waters. Stroll to Salto Grande waterfall and the nearby calved ice floes blanketing the lake fed by Grey Glacier. With an experienced captain at the helm, we’ll cruise toward the sheer face of the glacier by boat where you can admire the awesome scale and power of nature. Lounge on the deck—maybe with a pisco sour chilled by glacial ice—and take it all in before our celebratory farewell dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.
Day 8: This morning, we’ll drive to Punta Arenas with time for a guided visit and lunch. An afternoon flight gets us to Santiago to make late-day connections for return flights home.
Welcome Back to Adventure.
8-Days & 7-Nights
Most travelers visit Chile to experience the variety of nature— the stratospheric Andes, the vineyard-knit valleys, the snow-capped glaciers. On this trip, we'll go beyond the raw wilderness and expansive pampas to immerse you in Chile’s adventure and local culture.
You’ll meet the urbanites of Santiago, the vintners of the Maipo Valley wineries, the hardy islanders of Chiloé, and the gauchos who ride the pampas. You’ll walk volcanic slopes, picnic on mountain tops, and boat across glacier lakes. From north to south, mountain to seashore, you’ll experience a curated adventure to this vast and varied country.
$5,695* per person
Your Experience Includes:
7-night accommodations at Singular Santiago (1 night), Hotel Cumbres Puerto Varas (2 nights), and Remota Patagonia (4 nights)
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners, and wine
Gratuities for hotels, meals, and baggage
Invisible check-in
Full-time experienced guides
Admission to scheduled events
Ground transportation
Because Adventure Matters.
jeff@jefflavender.com | +1 310.774.7611
This experience is brought to you in partnership with Classic Journeys.