Classic Chile  

Chile, 13 Nights

Day 1 - London/Santiago
Fly from London with British Airways or Iberia to Madrid then connect with the LAN Airlines overnight flight to Santiago de Chile.

Day 2 - Santiago
Arrive in Santiago and transfer to the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Afternoon at leisure to explore this cosmopolitan city, set within the fertile plains of the Central Valley between the snowcapped Andes Mountains in the east and the Pacific coastline to the west.

Day 3 - Santiago/Atacama
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Calama in the Atacama Desert. Calama is your gateway to the geological and archaeological wonders of the central desert. It is the world's driest landscape, cut off from storm systems by high-pressure air currents and by Chile's twin mountain ranges, and where rain has not fallen since the days of Spanish rule. Transfer to the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. Three nights at Awasi Lodge.

Days 4 and 5 - Atacama
A full two days of adventure with your private, experienced Awasi guide lie ahead. Among many options are archaeological sites, thermal springs, dramatic lunar landscapes, cultural visits and spectacular salt flats. There is also hiking and climbing, as well as opportunities for cycling and horse riding. Awasi operate their excursions using a modern fleet of four-wheel drive vehicles equipped with both communication and GPS systems.

Day 6 - Atacama/Wine Country
Fly from Calama to Santiago and transfer to the celebrated wine growing valley of Colchagua visiting the sensational Altaïr Vineyard for lunch and tasting en route. The Colchagua Valley is still largely unknown outside Chile, but each year it is gaining more recognition in the wine world for its excellent red wines. Enjoy two nights at Clos Apalta Lodge, part of the revolutionary Casa Lapostolle Winery. Stay in one of the secluded 'casitas', set amongst the forested hills above the vineyard. Clos Apalta Lodge is closed from 15th June to 14th September and will be replaced by Casa Silva and a visit to the Montes Vineyard the following morning.

Day 7 - Wine Country
Morning tour of the Casa Lapostolle Winery which is 100% gravity-fed, before lunch is served at the vineyard restaurant 'El Parron'. Enjoy an afternoon visit to the fascinating private Museum of Colchagua, considered to be the largest private museum in the country. Owned by the Cardoen Foundation, the collection is organised into different sections including local folklore, the huaso (cowboy) culture and wine making. Evening insider access visit to the House of Spirits, offering an array of artesanal fruit liqueurs made on the premises. On Saturdays we are able to include a trip on the Wine Train, the only working steam train in the country.

Day 8 - Wine Country/Torres del Paine
Transfer to Santiago for the flight south to Punta Arenas. From here, head north on the five-hour drive to Torres del Paine National Park. Your home for the next four nights is the world-renowned explora Patagonia Hotel.

Days 9 to 11 - Torres del Paine
Experienced guides will introduce you to the dramatic sights and sounds of the Torres del Paine National Park: the ice-washed light of valleys and lakes changing hue through the long days of the Austral summer and sheer granite mountains carved by glaciers and sculpted by Austral winds. Group activities are included in your stay and the choice to explore this beautiful park on foot, by boat, by horse or by mountain bike is yours.

Day 12 - Torres del Paine/Santiago
Transfer to Punta Arenas for the afternoon flight to Santiago. Arrival transfer to the Ritz Carlton Hotel where the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Day 13 - Santiago/London
Return flight with LAN Airlines via Madrid to London Heathrow, arriving day 14. You may opt to extend your Chilean adventure with a tour of the Lake District region or even Easter Island.

At A&K all of our journeys are individually tailored to suit your needs and timescale. However, as a guide, a 13 day journey in Chile will cost from £6,695 per person based on two adults sharing with flights from the UK and subject to availability.

Click here to download our Classic Chile itinerary