Chile - Fire & Ice

Bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Andes with its soaring volcanoes, Atacama is the world’s driest desert. There are expanses where indeed, nothing grows. The green oases that burst from the river only add to the wonder that man has been able to live here at all. Unusual landscapes such as Moon Valley or the Atacama Salt Lake will make you question whether you have strayed from our planet!
Nestled at the foot of the Andes, Santiago has a pleasant downtown filled with plazas and architecture ranging from colonial to baroque to modern skyscrapers. Immerse yourself in the picturesque Chilean Wine Region.
On to Chilean Patagonia, filled with glaciers, lakes, fjords, pampas, and huasos (cowboys) herding sheep. Torres del Paine is doubtlessly one of the world’s most beautiful places.

Quick Summary

Day	Description	Accommodation
Day 1	Santiago to Atacama	Tierra Atacama
Days 2 - 3	Atacama	Tierra Atacama
Day 4	Santiago	Le Reve Boutique Hotel
Day 5	Colchuga Wine Valley Tour	Le Reve Boutique Hotel
Day 6	Patagonia	Tierra Patagonia Hotel and Spa
Days 7 - 9	Patagonia	Tierra Patagonia Hotel and Spa
Day 10	Depart

Itinerary Detail

Day 1: Santiago to Atacama

Daily Summary

Transfer: Arrive in Santiago and connect to Calama
Domestic Flights: Flight Santiago to Calama
Transfer: Transfer Calama to Atacama
Accommodation: Tierra Atacama
Meals: D

Flight Santiago to Calama

Regular scheduled flight Santiago to Calama
NOT INCLUDED IN LAND PRICE

On arrival in Santiago you are met and assisted to your flight to Calama.

On arrival at Calama Airport you are met and taken by road to your lodge.

Atacama

Bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Andes with its soaring volcanoes, this is the world’s driest desert. There are expanses where indeed, nothing grows. The green oases that burst from the river only add to the wonder that man has been able to live here at all. Unusual landscapes such as Moon Valley or the Atacama Salt Lake will make you question whether you have strayed from our planet!

Days 2 - 3: Atacama

Daily Summary

Accommodation: Tierra Atacama
Meals: B, L, D

Full Days in Atacama

A variety of excursions can be arranged from your lodge into the surrounding Atacama desert, including visits to the shimmering Altiplanic lagoons, the El Tatio geysers, the Puritama hot springs, local villages and the impressive salt flats. These excursions are led by expert bilingual guides and range from half to full day excursions. Other adventure activities may include hiking, biking, horse riding, dune surfing and even volcano climbing.

Day 4: Santiago

Daily Summary

Transfer: Transfer Atacama to Calama
Domestic Flights: Flight Calama to Santiago
Transfer: Transfer Santiago Aiport to hotel
Accommodation: Le Reve Boutique Hotel
Meals: B

Flight Calama to Santiago

Regular scheduled flight Calama to Santiago
NOT INCLUDED IN LAND PRICE

This morning you are transferred to Calama Airport.

On arrival in Santiago you are met and taken to your hotel.

Santiago

Santiago, the capital city of Chile, nestled in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes Mountains, is a vibrant metropolis with a rich cultural heritage and a blend of modernity and tradition. Its bustling streets are lined with diverse architecture, from colonial-era buildings to sleek skyscrapers, reflecting its dynamic history and rapid development. The city's numerous parks, such as Parque Metropolitano and Quinta Normal, provide green spaces for relaxation and recreation amidst the urban bustle. Santiago boasts a thriving arts scene, with museums, galleries, theaters, and street art adorning its neighborhoods, while its culinary scene offers a tantalizing array of traditional Chilean dishes and international cuisines. From the historic charm of its downtown to the trendy neighborhoods like Bellavista and Lastarria, Santiago captivates visitors with its energy, beauty, and warmth.

Day 5: Colchuga Wine Valley Tour

Daily Summary

Tour: Colchugua Wine Valley Tour
Accommodation: Le Reve Boutique Hotel
Meals: B, L

Colchugua Wine Valley Tour

Pick up at your hotel to leave Santiago taking the Pan-American Highway (Ruta 5). We will drive south through the central valley towards Santa Cruz in the Colchagua valley. The broad valley of Colchagua is well known for its excellent grape-growing soil. Before reaching the small town, we pass through several small country villages surrounded by vineyards and get a feeling of the traditional way of life in central Chile. Santa Cruz is a quiet and provincial town. Its nice main square is adorned by huge palm trees. We will visit two vineyards of the Colchagua Valley. In the afternoon, after lunch, we will have time to visit the Colchagua museum, located in the center of the town of Santa Cruz. It is the biggest private collection in Chile, exhibiting palaeontological and archaeological, pre-Columbian and Spanish colonial artefacts.
Please note that museums and many wineries are closed on Monday.
Tour includes: Private transportation with English speaking guide.
Visit to 2 wineries (with tasting), Colchagua museum and lunch

Day 6: Patagonia

Daily Summary

Transfer: Transfer hotel to Santiago Aiport
Domestic Flights: Flight Santiago to Punta Arenas
Transfer: Transfer Punta Arenas to Patagonia
Accommodation: Tierra Patagonia Hotel and Spa
Meals: B, L, D

Flight Santiago to Punta Arenas

Regular scheduled flight Santiago to Punta Arenas
NOT INCLUDED IN LAND PRICE

You are taken from your hotel to the Santiago Airport

On arrival at Punta Arenas you are met and transferred to your lodge. This is a scheduled lodge transfer and takes approximately 4 hours.

Chilean Patagonia

Chilean Patagonia, stretching alongside Argentine Patagonia, is filled with glaciers, lakes, fjords, pampas, and huasos (cowboys) herding sheep. Much of Chilean Patagonia was inaccessible until the last 15 years. Torres del Paine is doubtlessly one of the world’s most beautiful places. Cruise the Chilean fjords and experience the pristine beauty of these fjords lined with temperate rainforest and ancient glaciers. Northern Patagonia has beautiful glacier lakes, the famous Futaleufu River, great fishing, and interesting pioneers.

Days 7 - 9: Patagonia

Daily Summary

Accommodation: Tierra Patagonia Hotel and Spa
Meals: B, L, D

Full Days Patagonia

Chilean Patagonia, stretching alongside Argentine Patagonia, is filled with glaciers, lakes, fjords, pampas, and huasos (cowboys) herding sheep. Much of Chilean Patagonia was inaccessible until fairly recently. Torres del Paine is doubtlessly one of the world’s most beautiful places. You have ample time to explore this beautiful part of the world. Your excursions are led by qualified guides with extensive experience in Patagonia. You can experience everything from adrenaline packed hikes, to out-of-the-way scenic tours even bike rides and horseback riding where available. Excursions can match all adventure/fitness levels and are scheduled during your stay.

Day 10: Depart

Daily Summary

Transfer: Transfer Patagonia to Punta Arenas
Domestic Flights: Flight Punta Arenas to Santiago
Meals: B

Flight Punta Arenas to Santiago

Regular scheduled flight Punta Arenas to Santiago
NOT INCLUDED IN LAND PRICE

This morning you are transferred to Punta Arenas Airport. This is a scheduled lodge transfer and takes approximately 4 hours.

Accommodation

Tierra Atacama

Tierra Atacama is a boutique hotel on the edge of San Pedro de Atacama. Tierra and its spa provide guest experiences that offe guests the perfect combination of sophistication and adventure. The Uma Spa offers yoga, facials and massages for those who’ve come to San Pedro to unwind, while the guides will put you through your paces if your plan is to explore the desert. All excursions are organized in small groups. The hotel has 32 bedrooms, decorated in a minimalist style, all overlooking the imposing Licancabur Volcano. You’ll enjoy the cozy “living room” feel of the common areas and the relaxed ambience of the restaurant. The hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool, a jacuzzi and an indoor heated pool. It’s a 20-minute walk to the center of San Pedro, so Tierra Atacama offers the ideal setting for travellers who are looking to “get away from it all”.

Le Reve Boutique Hotel

Le Rêve sits amid the embassies and private mansions on a quiet street off the bustling Avenue Providencia. Sister property to the business-oriented Hotel Plaza San Francisco, it’s only a 15-minute stroll to boutiques in Santiago’s colonial heart for shopping, or a short cab ride to the upscale Vitacura and Las Condes restaurants for dinner. The four-story town house has a Parisian facade of beige stucco with shutters and wrought-iron railings, and plushly papered corridors with etchings of formal French gardens. The 31 rooms continue the Gallic theme with a penchant for ornamentation: gilt-framed botanical prints, bronze curtain pommels, velvet-and-suede bedcovers, and enough pleated rope, tassels, and adornments to start your own shop.

Tierra Patagonia Hotel and Spa

The hotel sits on a bluff where the vast pampas meet Lake Sarmiento, and enjoys a magnificent view of Torres del Paine peaks on the other side of the lake. Much consideration and care was given so that Tierra Patagonia's architecture would complement the patterns, flow and geology of its priviledged location. The hotel offers all-inclusive packages that include your stay, all meals, bar, guided excursions, use of Uma Spa facilities and transfers to and from the local airports. Our excellent, friendly staff is primarily hired locally and from within Chile.

Why Maxim Tours?

Uncommon Safaris for Discerning Adventurers

Experience Matters

Since 1993 Maxim Tours’ passion for exotic destinations has made us a highly sought after Boutique Tour Operator for discerning travelers. After three decades we continue to exceed our clients' expectations. Our approach over these many years is simple; offer the very best service and travel experience at the most competitive prices while balancing the importance of sustainable tourism with a high quality travel product.

Premier Guides

Maxim Tours' guides have a reputation for being the best in the business. Experts in their fields, friendly and interesting, a good guide will bring the most out of every excursion while creating lifelong memories.

24/7 Support

At no time during your adventure will you be alone. Our local partners are available 24/7 in the event you need any assistance while traveling. We will monitor your progress and take care of any unexpected developments so that your trip continues unhindered.

Responsible Tourism

Responsible and sustainable tourism should be more than just a phrase - it has to be an ongoing and tangible commitment to balancing tourism with the upliftment of local communities and preservation of the natural environment. Maxim Tours actively supports camps and lodges whose business models reflect this commitment.