Day 1. Santiago

After your arrival into Santiago airport or at the end of your previous Chilean arrangements you will be met and transferred to your hotel of choice. From your hotel we take on a journey of exploration through the capital of Chile.

Santiago is a city of contrasts, with traditional areas, commercial centers and modern districts.

Our tour starts at the church of San Francisco, built between 1572 and 1618. We continue to the West, pass Club Hipico, one of the most beautiful in South America due to its architecture, and continue to the city-centre, passing the palace of Cousino Macul. We visit old and traditional neighborhoods where we are introduced to the life-style and daily life of Chile around 1900.

On our way to the Centrex of town we pass La Moneda, the seat of the government and the Presidential palace. We then visit the historical centrex of Santiago, including Plaza de Armas with the Cathedral, the Central post office and the National History Museum.

We then venture to Cerro Santa Lucia the sire on which Pedro Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541. Crossing Rio Mapocho, we pass through the bohemian quarter of Bellavista before ascending Cerro San Cristobal. From here we have a beautiful view of Santiago with the Andes as background.

We continue our journey through Providencia, a traditional area of Santiago with a bustling commercial and social life, including many restaurants, pubs and boutiques.

On our way back to our hotel we pass through the modern areas of Santiago containing the large commercial centers of Santa Maria de Manquehue, Vitacura and Las Condes before reaching the feet of the Andes where we find the more upscale residential areas with beautiful houses, big gardens, and private colleges.

(NOTE: The above city tour description is to be used as a guide only as actual sites visited may vary.)

We return to your hotel of choice in the early evening.

Day 2. Santiago - Valparaiso - Santiago

An early departure sees us head to the heart of the famous Chilean wine districts of Curacavi and Casablanca, a landscape back by the Andes mountains ranges and fertile farmlands famous for their orchards, citrus groves and grape plantations. Our final destination is Valparaiso; Chile's most important port city built on and around 42 hills.

We pass by Fisherman's Wharf, Sotomayor Square, O'Higgins Square and visit the monument honoring the Naval Battle fought in 1879 showing Arturo Prat and heroes of the Pacific war. The War of the Pacific, sometimes called the Saltpeter War in reference to its original cause, was fought between Chile and the joint forces of Bolivia and Peru, from 1879 to 1883. Chile gained substantial mineral-rich territory in the conflict, annexing both the Peruvian provinces of Tarapacn and Arica and the Bolivian province of Litoral, leaving Bolivia as a landlocked country.

We then drive towards the southern side of Valparaiso and take one of the old funiculars (cable cars) up the hillside, arriving at paseo "21 de Mayo" for a stunning view of the bay and Valparaiso itself. There is chance to visit "La Sebastiana"(entrance fee not included), one of the three houses owned by Nobel Price winner Pablo Neruda. Typical of many houses built on the steep slopes of the surrounding hills, La Sebastiana has three stories and is packed with memorabilia collected by Neruda from his world travels.

We continue along the coast to fashionable Vina del Mar, the "Garden City," where we pass by the unique "flower clock", drive on the palm-fringed avenues, visit the Centrex and the main square Plaza Vergara, the park with its amphitheater, the Fonck Museum of Natural History exhibiting six Moais from Easter Island, the Municipal Casino and the beautiful Rioja Palace, built at the beginning of this century by one of the silver barons of Chile.

We finish with a walk on the peninsula of Roca Oceanica, a rough promontory of rocks where the sea, on windy days and high tides, crashes fiercely against the coast. Lunch is at a see side restaurant (not included in tour price) before we return to Santiago in the late afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel of your choice. B

Overnight hotel of your choice.

Day 3. Santiago - Maipo Valley - Santiago

Chile is famous for the Andes, Patagonia, the altiplano, Patagonia, fjords, the Lake District. Chile is equally famous for its wines. Today it is all about wine.

In recent years, Chile's wines have gained worldwide popularity. This recent success is a result of over 400 years of wine-making traditions as well as the country's natural and conducive conditions that result in the quality of Chilean wines: climate, soils, and rootstock.

Chile's wine regions include eight separate valleys, each with its own characteristics and wines. The Maipo valley is Chile's most traditional wine region and producer of the country's finest Cabernets and Merlots.

We depart from your hotel in the morning and head towards the Maipo valley to Pirque. In one of Pirque's vineyards a bilingual guide will introduce you to the grapevines development, cultural and technological handling that goes towards a yield of the finest quality. After the tour you will be able to taste some of the wines or buy souvenirs in the vineyard's shop. After the tour finishes we have lunch in a local restaurant (not included in tour price) before heading to another vineyard where more wine can be sampled and more wine purchased to bring home. We return to Santiago in the early afternoon and watch as the wine sampling finally catches up!

Overnight at the hotel of your choice. B

Day 4. Onward Travel

Today you are transferred back to Santiago airport to connect with your onward journey. B

Additional nights are available on request.

Additional nights are available on request.

PRICES FROM:

Exchange rates differ from time to time. For the most up-to-date prices of this holiday idea please fill out our Latin America Travel Quote form.

NOTES:

• Chilean international departure tax $30 USD. This fee should be included in your international airfare
• US$132 reciprocity fee, payable in USD cash on arrival is charged. The receipt is regarded as a multiple entry visa and is valid until expiry of passport.
• Chilean domestic departure tax $10 USD
• Local currency is Pesos
• Time Zone: GMT/UTC -4
• Dialing Code: 56
• Electricity: 220V, 60Hz
• Weights & measures: Metric

HOTEL CHOICES:

Santiago: Hotel Presidente, Hotel Rugendas, Hotel Sheraton, Hotel Ritz Carlton

DEPARTURE:

Departs daily

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Arrival and departure transfers
• 3 nights accommodation at chosen hotel
• Santiago City Tour
• Valparaiso Tour
• Wine District wine sampling and tour
• All meals as listed B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

NOT INCLUDED

• Visa fees (if required)
• Passport & Visa Costs
• Vaccination Costs
• Personal Spending Money
• Meals where not listed
• Drinks
• International Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Airport departure taxes
• Border taxes or fees

Visas

At the time of booking we will advise you of any visas or other documentation that will be required prior to your arrival.

Costs relating to the issue of visas or related documentation are the responsibility of the traveller.

As visa requirements change it is your responsibility to ensure that the correct documentation and visas are obtained before traveling. Failure to do so may result in your not being able to join the trip.

For the latest information on visas please visit:

US Citizens
Canadian Citizens
Australian Citizens
General

Disclaimer:

Prices based on per person, twin/double share, unless otherwise noted, and pre-set group minimum numbers. Prices & itineraries are correct at the time of printing. Itineraries & prices may change due to currency fluctuations, local conditions or events outside the control of A.I and her local operators. Please see our booking terms & conditions for full details.

Equipment List / Check List:

• Travel documents: passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, voucher
• Health requirements arranged
• Money: travellers cheques/cash/credit card
• Money pouch
• First Aid kit
• Day pack to carry your personal needs during the day
• Alarm clock and torch/flashlight
• Mosquito repellent
• Refillable water bottle and plastic mug for train journeys
• Ear plugs can be useful if you are a light sleeper
• Walking shoes with a good grip
• Camera
• Wet Wipes (disinfectant hand tissues)

Please call us to inquire about departure dates.