Winter adventure at the end of the world

Welcome to Santiago, your winter adventure starts now!

As soon as you arrive at the airport, your private driver will take you to your hotel. After settling in, you will discover the capital in the company of an English-speaking guide. In winter, Santiago stretches out at the foot of the Andes Mountains, its snow-capped peaks contrasting with the modernity of the city.

Your tour begins in the historic center, where you will walk through the Plaza de Armas and admire its emblematic monuments: La Moneda, the seat of government, the Casa Colorada and the San Francisco Church, the oldest building in the city. You then climb to Santa Lucía Park, perched on a hill, to enjoy a breathtaking view of the metropolis. A visit to the central market immerses you in the local effervescence, ideal for tasting Chilean specialties, especially seafood.

For your evening, several atmospheres are available to you: the bohemian district of Bellavista and its lively bars, the gourmet restaurants of Lastarria or the trendy and intimate atmosphere of the Italia district.

Early in the morning, private transfer to Santiago airport for a flight to the north of the country. Upon arrival, you'll pick up your rental car before crossing the desert to San Pedro de Atacama.

In the afternoon, stroll through the alleys of this adobe village, the beating heart of Atacamean culture. Explore its historic church, archaeological museum, and the Pukará de Quitor Fortress, a testament to the region's pre-Columbian past.

In the evening, let yourself be amazed by a unique astronomical observation. Accompanied by a specialist, you will observe the constellations and nebulae through state-of-the-art telescopes, enjoying one of the purest skies in the world, far from any light pollution.

Early departure for the Arcoíris Valley, where the flamboyantly coloured mountains offer a superb spectacle. On the way, stop at the site of Yerbas Buenas, renowned for its thousand-year-old petroglyphs, vestiges of the Atacameña culture.

In the afternoon, head for the Valley of the Moon. You explore this lunar setting sculpted by wind and time, where salt and sand mingle in spectacular geological formations. From the rolling dunes to the natural stone statues, every corner reveals a singular beauty.

Departure for an immersion in the Altiplano, with a drive to the largest salt flats in Chile. First stop in Toconao, a charming village built of white volcanic stone. You continue to the Chaxa lagoon, a flamingo sanctuary where three species coexist: Andean flamingos, James flamingos and Chilean flamingos.

The route continues with a stop in the village of Socaire, renowned for its terraced crops, before reaching the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, located at an altitude of more than 4,300 metres, within the Los Flamencos National Reserve.

In the afternoon, head south towards the Argentine border to admire the contrasting landscapes of Piedras Rojas and Aguas Calientes, true jewels of the desert.

A day of exploration through the spectacular expanses of the Altiplano. You take the Paso de Jama International Route to Argentina.

The first stop is in front of the monumental Licancábur volcano, before continuing to the Quepiaco lagoon, a haven of biodiversity. Further on, you discover the mysterious rock formations of La Pacana, sculpted by millennia of erosion. Your adventure continues with the discovery of the Salars de Aguas Calientes, Tara and Quisquiro, with superb panoramas to admire from their natural viewpoints.

Departure before dawn to reach the spectacular site of the Tatio geysers, located at 4,300 meters above sea level. You witness an impressive ballet of fumaroles and jets of steam at sunrise, a unique natural spectacle. Breakfast is served on site and guests can relax in the nearby hot springs.

On the way back, observe the local wildlife: viscachas, vicuñas, guanacos, llamas, gray foxes, and rheas. You then drive through the valley to the village of Caspana, with its traditional stone houses and thatched roofs. The last stop is Chiu Chiu, the region's former trading centre, before reaching the Pukará de Lasana, a pre-Inca fortress from the twelfth century.

In the afternoon, the vehicle was returned to Calama airport, before taking a flight to Santiago.

Early in the morning, fly south to Punta Arenas, with the return of your rental vehicle, in an atmosphere that is already reminiscent of the polar countries.

This maritime city, one of the southernmost in mainland South America, can be visited at your own pace. Considered a passage to Antarctica, it reveals a rich history of expeditions and naval trade. Its avenues bear the imprint of a unique heritage, blending colonial influences with the traditions of the sailors who faced the icy waters of the Strait of Magellan.

You take the road in the morning to reach Fort Bulnes. Accompanied by a guide, you'll learn how glaciers sculpted these landscapes and the complex relationships between indigenous people and settlers. This tour provides a better understanding of this legendary land.

After a brief rest at the hotel, you drive north to Puerto Natales. This port city welcomes you with its brightly coloured houses, cobbled streets and tranquil atmosphere. The main museum, retracing the local history, deserves your attention to deepen your immersion.

A guided boat trip awaits you through the Seno Última Esperanza fjord to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers.

Along the steep shores, local wildlife can be seen in abundance: cormorants nesting on the cliffs, sea lions basking on the rocks and condors soaring above the peaks. A first stop allows you to access the Serrano Glacier. A brief hike reveals the subtle hues of the ice blending with the waters of the fjord.

On the way back, a stop at an estancia offers you a typical meal: lamb prepared over a wood fire, with various alternatives to satisfy all culinary preferences.

You leave in the morning for the Laguna Sofía, just 25 km north of Puerto Natales. A hike takes you to Cerro Benítez, which rises to an altitude of 550 metres.

The ascent passes through a forest of white beech trees and guides you to a plateau with spectacular views of the fjords and lagoon. The rock walls of the summit often serve as a refuge for condors, which can be observed in their natural environment.

A day of exploration awaits in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, which you cross from east to west. Classified as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, this park is famous for its remarkable biodiversity and imposing granite formations, whose snow-capped peaks stand out against the horizon.

You can take full advantage of the many viewpoints and paths offered by the park. The trails wind through white-blanketed landscapes, where you can see the herds of guanacos, Darwin's rheas and other mammals that have been roaming peacefully in this protected reserve for several decades.

In the afternoon, you have plenty of time to explore more of these wild lands or take a break from the icy vistas of the park.

A cruise of a few hours on Lake Grey takes you to meet its imposing glacier, one of the largest on the planet. Aboard a boat, you glide over the milky waters of the lake, bordered by snow-capped mountains. Winter envelops the landscape in a deep silence, disturbed only by the cracking of the ice. During the crossing, accompanied by your guide, you will see huge icebergs with bluish reflections drifting slowly, detached from the glacier whose imposing mass extends over nearly four kilometers in width and plunges to a depth of more than 600 meters. The biting cold and crystal clear air add to the grandeur of the show, reinforcing the feeling of exploration in glacial territory.

In the afternoon, you will explore the park's trails, winding through its frosty landscapes.

After breakfast, the road back to Puerto Natales opens up before you, with a planned stop at the Milodón Cave, renowned for the discovery of the remains of this emblematic prehistoric animal of Patagonia.

You are then free to enjoy this charming port city and its museums.

Early in the morning, you depart for Punta Arenas to return your vehicle, then fly to the Chilean capital, where a private transfer awaits you to take you to your hotel.

You have free time to continue exploring the city and its monuments, enjoy a last pisco sour on the terrace, or do your souvenir shopping.

After a final Chilean breakfast, a private driver will take you to Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, according to your flight schedule.

These fifteen days through extreme landscapes have made you touch the wild soul of Chile, a land of extremes where arid deserts, thousand-year-old glaciers and primary forests coexist in a harmony that defies imagination.