Santiago with Wineries & Torres del Paine

• Day 1:

  Transfer from Santiago Airport to Hotel. This afternoon enjoy a Santiago Panoramic City Tour. Santiago de Chile is a mixture of modernity and history. This excursion gives a complete panoramic view of the city beginning downtown at Plaza de la Constitución and La Moneda Presidential Palace, the current seat of the government. Driving through downtown-populated streets, reach the important Plaza de Armas, heart of town since 1541. Around the square, there are located some important historical buildings such as the Central Post Office, the Cathedral, the City Hall and the National Historical Museum. Then pass by the Fine Arts Museum, a French Style building inaugurated in 1910 in the heart of Parque Forestal. Crossing the Mapocho River, reach the Bellavista bohemian neighborhood and drive up to a viewpoint at the San Cristobal hill, a spur of the Andes Mountain marching into the city. With 340 m (1115 ft) over the Plaza de Armas, it offers a wide panoramic view over Santiago. At the summit, a 36 m (118 ft) tall statue of the Virgin looks down the city since 1908. Finally, drive down the hill to visit uptown Santiago passing by some modern residential neighbourhoods as Pedro de Valdivia Norte, Las Condes, and Vitacura. Return to the hotel.

• Day 2:

  Enjoy breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Only 75 miles from Santiago, visit 2 important cities, Viña del Mar, Chile's premier beach resort, and Valparaiso city port declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The excursion starts passing through the valleys of Curacaví and Casablanca, admiring its vineyards along the route. By the end of the 70’s the valley started its wine production activity, being characterized mostly by its white wines as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer, among others. Today the valley houses more than 25 wineries each of it with its own characteristics. Visit to a winery to learn about wine making process, appreciate the wine grapes growing, visit the cellars and taste some of the best wines of the valley. Then continue towards Viña del Mar. Arrival to Viña del Mar for a short tour around the Quinta Vergara, a beautiful park with a fine mansion now housing a Fine Arts Museum. Then, pass by the traditional Avenida Peru, built as closest to the sea as possible. It has the traditional 1930s-style gambling Casino and its elegant hotel. Leave the city to drive 10 km (6 mi) to reach Valparaiso port, passing by the famous flower-clock. Lunch at local restaurant in Viña del Mar.Known as The Jewel of the Pacific, Valparaíso is one of South America's most charming, historic and picturesque ports. It is a pleasant blend of historical interest, natural beauty and unique architecture - particularly its mix of 19th-century houses. The ride includes a tour through the narrow avenues of the port and Sotomayor Square, flanked by buildings declared Historical Heritage in front of the Prat pier.). In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to La Sebastiana, one of the house-museums of the Chilean Literature Nobel Prize Pablo Neruda and a ride on one of the oldest funiculars of Valparaiso (Funicular Artilleria, 1898) to reach 21 de Mayo terrace, with one of the best views over the bay. Dinner at local restaurant in Santiago.

• Day 3:

  After breakfast the hotel depart from Santiago driving south to visit an agricultural region , where the wine production is an important matter. There are more than 27 wineries producing in this region, famous for its Syrah and Carmènere wines. The wine circuit of Colchagua valley is a must for any wine enthusiast. The wines from this region differ remarkably from those produced in the Casablanca Valley, located northwest of the capital. The tour visits two wineries (names to be confirmed). After having lunch in a typical local restaurant, the excursion continues with a visit to the Colchagua Museum. This private museum founded in 1995 has a display on Paleontology, Archaeology, pre-Columbian art and history of Chile and America, outlining it as the biggest and most varied and diverse museum in Latin America.

• Day 4:

  Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will visit a couple of renowned vineyards. You will have lunch at Viu Manet or Casa Silva vineyard, with wine tasting of premium wines. Return to Santiago. Dinner at the hotel.

• Day 5:

  Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the airport. Arrival transfer from Punta Arenas Airport to hotel in Torres del Paine. After the reception at Punta Arenas’ Airport, we will drive through the beautiful Patagonian landscape towards the Hotel located within Torres del Paine National Park. After Check In, you can enjoy a delicious welcome drink. Before resting, you can enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel restaurant.

• Day 6:

  You will spend today exploring the breathtakingly 700 square mile park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of ancient glaciers, jagged granite mountain peaks, exquisite turquoise lakes, rushing rivers, thunderous waterfalls, and distinctive flora and fauna. Beautiful, unspoiled, and remote, Torres del Paine ranks among the most stunning swaths of nature in South America, and indeed, in the world. Today`s sightseeing includes the southern icefield of Lake Nordenskjold; Salto Grande, with its rushing waterfall; Mirador Los Cuernos and Lago Grey, site of the colossal Grey glacier and the hotel where we stop for lunch. You return to your hotel late this afternoon for dinner.

• Day 7:

  After breakfast, you will visit Laguna Amarga and Laguna Azul. Clear days at Laguna Azul present panoramic view of the park`s namesake, the three massive granite Paine Towers Todays, most probably we will see guanacos an undomesticated relative of the llama. At noon time for a delicious lunch. Then before the rest, you'll enjoy a delicious dinner.

• Day 8:

  After breakfast at the hotel you will be transfered to the airport for your journey onward.

Included:

• Transfers and excursions as described on the itinerary.
• Hotel accommodation

Not included:

• Airline tickets (ask our travel consultant for quotes to all airlines by filling out any of the forms or submit a live chat!)
• Airport taxes.
• Any tips at airport, hotels and restaurant.
• Early Check In & Late Check Out at hotels.
• Transfers, excursions, meals or any other extra not specified in the itinerary.

Notes:

• Prices are subject to availability.
• All services are quoted in private basis with English speaking guide, except when noticed.