Life-size Chile: from Patagonia to the Atacama

Welcome to Santiago de Chile ! Upon arrival, your private transfer will take you to your hotel, where you are warmly welcomed and settled in. By the time you drop off your luggage, you're ready to dive into the unique atmosphere of the capital, with urban excitement and Andean peaks in the background.

The afternoon opens with the Mercado Central, where the stalls are filled with an abundance of freshly caught fish and seafood. A marine smell wafts through the air, mingling with the voices of the merchants, and a familiar symphony echoes in the hustle and bustle of the market. Then, the path continues towards the historic center, where facades and cobblestones whisper the stories of Chile's past.

In the Plaza de Armas, the heart of Santiago beats to the rhythm of hurried steps, lively conversations under the arcades and the imposing gaze of the cathedral, a silent witness to the eras it has lived through. Nearby, the imposing silhouette of the La Moneda Palace recalls the country's decisive hours, while Casa Colorada reveals all the charm of the colonial era.

Departure by private transfer to the mythical port of Valparaíso, the Pearl of the Pacific, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. After a two-hour drive through the wine valleys, the city comes into view, perched on its hills bursting with color.

Accompanied by an English-speaking guide, you will immerse yourself in the bohemian soul of the coastal city: steep alleys, staircases adorned with flowers and murals tell the thrilling story of a maritime metropolis shaped by sailors and artists. From the peaks of the cerros, the gaze stretches to the horizon, embracing the immensity of the bay.

On the way back, a stop in Viña del Mar is a must. An elegant seaside resort, prized for its golden beaches and carefully maintained gardens, it invites you to stroll by the sea or take a gourmet break on the terrace, a last moment of sweetness before hitting the road again with your private driver.

Morning private transfer to Santiago airport for a two-hour flight to Puerto Montt, gateway to the Lakes and Volcanoes region. From the air, the first volcanic reliefs and the cerulean blue of the lakes already announce the scenery.

Upon arrival, a private vehicle awaits you to Puerto Varas, peacefully set on the shores of Lake Llanquihue. Here, the waters reflect the imposing silhouette of the Osorno volcano, a scene that changes with the light and the clouds.

At the end of the afternoon, Puerto Varas reveals its soft and warm atmosphere. At your side, your English-speaking guide, you will discover this lakeside town with Germanic accents and postcard-like looks. Stroll along the lake, where the picturesque alleys, lined with wooden houses with sloping roofs, draw a bucolic picture.

Immerse yourself in the magical world of the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, accompanied by a local English-speaking expert.

Hop aboard the cable car to transport you to the peaks of the Osorno volcano, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of Lake Todos Los Santos. Its tinted waters, framed by wooded hills, are overlooked by the snow-capped peaks of volcanoes.

On the way down, a break is necessary at the Petrohué Falls, where the water rushes forcefully through the volcanic land.

Explore the charming little towns of Frutillar and Puerto Octay, nestled on the shores of Lake Llanquihue. Led by your English-speaking guide, you will be transported to another time, to the heart of these villages with Bavarian-style houses, where each alley tells a story. The atmosphere is peaceful, perfect for admiring the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.

In the early afternoon, private transfer to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas, followed by a second one to your hotel on arrival. A moment of tranquility and calm before the next stage of your adventure.

The crisp Patagonian air sets the tone from the morning for the many discoveries of this day! Step back in time with your English-speaking guide and discover the fascinating history of the city and its port, the southernmost on the South American continent.

In the afternoon, still accompanied by your guide, head to the Fuerte Bulnes, built in 1843 in the Estrecho de Magallanes Park, at the end of the world. This fort, built in response to European expeditions that traveled through the region, has become a symbol of Chile's assertiveness in this remote area. Formerly a refuge for up to 320 inhabitants living in extreme conditions, it was abandoned in 1848 in favour of Punta Arenas, a little further north. The site is an excellent introduction to the natural and human history of the Strait of Magellan, from melting glaciers to the complex relationships between native populations and settlers.

A real journey back in time, to the end of the world, where the Patagonian wind still whispers the legends of the strait.

At the first light of dawn, head north towards Puerto Natales, a 3-hour private transfer through the endless landscapes of Patagonia. Each turn reveals a new backdrop, between mountains and desert expanses populated by rheas. On the way, a break in a typical estancia will allow you to enjoy a lunch with the authentic flavors of the region.

In Puerto Natales, a local and English-speaking expert will take you to the heart of this small town with its quiet charm. A total immersion in the local atmosphere, where time seems to slow down and the horizon is lost in breathtaking panoramas.

Early departure with your English-speaking guide to the Torres del Paine National Park, a true wonder of nature classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978. Here, the mountains are impressive and dominate a scenery sculpted by wind and ice: turquoise lakes, towering glaciers, roaring waterfalls and rivers winding through the steppe.

All along the route, the fauna is revealed at the stops, each offering a unique moment of contemplation. Many winged creatures cross your path, including flamingos, black-necked swans, torrent merganettes and Andean condors. On the trails, guanacos, Magellanic fox and other mammals, curious but not shy, move freely in this preserved environment.

If the skies are clear, embark on an unforgettable cruise on Lake Grey. Sail between the floating icebergs, a bright blue, before approaching the eponymous glacier. This imposing mass of ice, 4 km wide, stands at the end of the lake. A hypnotic spectacle for the eyes and the heart.

The Patagonian adventure is coming to an end. A private driver takes you to the airport, where a final look at the snow-capped peaks of the Torres del Paine accompanies the departure to Santiago.

A brief stopover in the capital Santiago allows us to acclimatize to the radical change that awaits us: heading north, towards the legendary lands of the Atacama Desert.

At first light, you leave your accommodation by private transfer to reach the airport and board a flight to Calama. Upon arrival, a private transfer guides you through the mineral landscapes to San Pedro de Atacama, a village nestled at the foot of the Andes. This small Chilean oasis, cradle of ancient civilizations, will welcome you in a unique atmosphere.

In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the narrow streets of the village at your own pace. The adobe constructions and the eighteenth-century church, famous for its cactus wood roof, reveal all the history and beauty of the area.

As soon as night falls, the sky lights up. Far from any light pollution, San Pedro de Atacama offers a celestial spectacle of rare intensity. Join a French-speaking astronomer as a group for a magical night excursion, where the sky, clear and dotted with stars, is transformed into a cosmic theater.

Set off at dawn for an unforgettable immersion alongside your English-speaking guide to discover the Valley of the Moon.

This mineral décor, sculpted by millennia of erosion, evokes a landscape from another planet. Glistening salt cliffs, towering dunes and rock formations with strange silhouettes follow one another. From the top of the Great Dune, the view stretches over an ocean of ochre and silver reliefs, while the natural amphitheater of the valley resonates with the silence of the desert. As the day progresses, the light transforms the landscape, sublimating every corner of this mineral sanctuary before a flamboyant sunset over the ridges.

On the way to the Salar de Atacama, the largest in Chile, always with your English-speaking guide. The first stop leads to the Chaxa lagoon, a body of water where 3 species of flamingos evolve peacefully. The silence of the desert is interrupted by the gentle lapping of the water and the cackling of these fascinating pink creatures.

The adventure continues in the heart of the Salar, an infinite white ocean where the salt is transformed into a mirror of the sky. Then, it's off to the pre-Hispanic village of Socaire, where the irrigation terraces bear witness to the ingenuity of the ancient inhabitants. Higher up, at an altitude of more than 4300 metres, the Miscanti and Miñiques lakes are revealed in the heart of the Los Flamencos National Reserve.

Continuing on your way, the village of Toconao, with its volcanic stone houses, invites you to take a historical break before continuing to the arid but equally breathtaking landscapes of Piedras Rojas and Aguas Calientes.

Early in the morning, you leave with your English-speaking guide for the Geysers del Tatio, located at 4,300 meters above sea level. On the horizon, a haunting spectacle unfolds in the cool of the morning, with numerous fumaroles of sulfur water vapor rising from the geysers. In this universe, enjoy a breakfast on site, before treating yourself to a moment of relaxation in the natural thermal pool, warmed by the geothermal waters.

Along the way, both on the way there and back, you will encounter the local fauna: viscachas, these emblematic Andean rodents, vicuñas and their precious wool, as well as their cousins the guanacos and llamas. You will also be able to observe many wild donkeys and, with a bit of luck, see the Puna rhea.

A must-see is the remote village of Caspana, nestled in the hollow of a still fertile valley. Its liparite stone houses and straw and mud roofs bear witness to a bygone era, while this haven of peace at an altitude of 3,305 meters seems frozen in time. Lunch is taken in the typical village of Chiu Chiu, the former nerve center of Atacamean trade, before driving along the fertile valley of the Rio Loa, to the Pukará de Lasana. This 12th century fortified village, perched on a promontory, preserves the traces of a thousand-year-old history.

The Andean journey ends at the end of the afternoon. Head to Calama Airport for a flight to Santiago, where a private transfer will take you to your hotel.

A last breakfast with Chilean flavors, before your private driver takes you to Arturo Merino Benítez Airport.

The suitcases are closing on two weeks of adventures, between the ice of Patagonia and the Atacama Desert. Pictures in your head, stories to tell, and the sweet certainty that Chile will be able to call its travelers back to its exceptional lands.