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| Chile: From Snowy Peaks to the Driest Desert While Drinking Great Wine |
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Taste the best of Chilean wine country in the Maipo and Aconcagua Valleys; experience the thrill of skiing fresh powder in the Andean mountains; and, explore the breath taking scenery of the magnificent desert and altiplano surrounding the northern oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. We have created an unforgettable ten day journey offering you the best of Chile's central and northern region available between June and September.
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| Chile Skiing, Wine & San Pedro de Atacama - Itinerary |
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Day 1 - Arrival in Santiago / City Tour: Your Santiago guide will meet you at the airport and accompany you to the modern Las Condes sector of Santiago where you will check in to your hotel. In the afternoon there will be a guided city tour of the historical and cultural highlights of South America’s most modern city.
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Day 2 - Ski Day Valle Nevado: Your first day of skiing begins when your local guide meets you in the morning to bring you to Valle Nevado. This world-class resort sits high above Santiago, and is the closest resort that has lodging and services for international travelers. Important to note that the French company that built the resort in 1988 modeled Valle Nevado after the style of modern European resorts. Valle Nevado has the largest skiable domain in Chile, and tickets can be purchased to connect to neighboring resorts La Parva and El Colorado. The terrain includes expansive intermediate groomers, and a smaller percentage of steep drops off peaks like Tres Puntos and Cerro Negro.
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Day 3 - Maipo Valley: Today you will visit the world famous Maipo valley. Departing from your hotel you will drive south along the foothills of the Andes and hear about the exciting new boutique wineries emerging in the region called the "Alto" Maipo. We will make a stop at one of these newer wineries such as Aquitania, Anityal, Almaviva or Perez Cruz. We will then make our way to Corcoran Gallery. In the Maipo Canyon it is the highest winery in the Alto Maipo. Here you will be met by your hosts, Madeline (she is originally from the US) and Javier. Tasting will begin and continue through our delicious lunch surrounded by their beautiful garden vineyard.
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"The visit and lunch at the Corcoran Gallery was beyond words. It is one of those memories I will always treasure!"
Karen Mason Richardson
Denver, CO
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| Day 4 – Aconcagua Valley: Your local guide will meet you in the lobby of your Santiago hotel to begin your journey north to the Aconcagua Valley where you will be staying the next three nights. Just an hour north of Santiago is the valley with stunning views of the Aconcagua Mountain which gives the river and valley its name. At 22,800 feet, it is the highest peak in the world, outside the Himalayas. The Aconcagua Valley is also Chile’s smallest wine valley but very well-known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah production. We can stop at one of the great wineries in the valley to taste some more Chilean wine! |
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Day 5 - Ski Portillo: Another day of skiing visiting South America’s most recognized resort. This is the oldest and most famous of all South American resorts, opened in 1948. Portillo is more of a “boutique” ski resort, with limited hotel capacity, no lift lines and un-crowded slopes. The ambiance here encourages guests to meet and make friends. Relax and enjoy some great groomers, a burger at Tio Bob’s and unlimited South American sunshine. Of course the more adventuresome can explore the backcountry off Roca Jack.
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Day 6 – Ski Arpa Cat Skiing: Today you will experience a full-day of unparalleled “cat skiing” at Ski Arpa - adventure skiing in the shadow of Aconcagua. Ski Arpa is about indescribable vistas, and unlimited drops in vertical and snow. But believe it! The two valleys of Ski Arpa, "Valle el Arpa" and "Valle la Honda", are unlike anywhere in the world. At the summit, you will see east to "Cerro Aconcagua", the highest peak outside the Himalayas, and west to the Pacific Ocean. From there, it is a 3,000 foot vertical descent in virgin powder guided by experts.
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“Ski Arpa is a South American classic, and a must-hit for any skier on a trip through the Andes.”
-- Derek Taylor, Editor Powder Magazine
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Day 7 – Santiago / San Pedro: Your local guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the Santiago International Airport in time for your 11am flight to Calama in northern Chile. Upon arrival in Calama, your hotel representative will meet you in the airport and you will make the hour-long drive to the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. The quaint adobe town sits on the northern edge of the world's driest desert. An important center of commerce for the Incas, and later, Spanish conquistadors, it now hosts visitors from around the world attracted to its archaeological and natural wonders.
The best way to start your visit to San Pedro with an evening sunset excursion. One of the most anticipated moments in San Pedro is the sunset, and one of the best places to experience it is in the “Cordillera de la Sal” among the two valleys, Valle de Marte (Valley of Mars) and Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon). The valleys are of saline and clayed shapes, the product of mineralogical folds that occurred hundred of millions years ago, creating mountains with strange and capricious shapes. Here the sunset turns these mountains into a lunar landscape.
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Day 8 & 9 - San Pedro de Atacama – Day Excursions: San Pedro is all about exploring the fascinating geological environment and native flora & fauna surrounding the Atacama Salt Desert as well as the Altiplano region that borders with Bolivia and Argentina. Each afternoon, you will be able to plan your desired excursions for the next day choosing from a variety of activities including trekking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Each activity is led by local English speaking guide and full-day excursions include a delicious picnic to be enjoyed while soaking up the “other-worldly” landscapes.
The Chaxa Lake is the best place to explore the Atacama Desert. Along the way, you will visit the town of Tocanao and see how this ancient village has lived off the land on this tiny oasis made possible by the fresh waters of Jere Gorge. Arriving to the lake, which is surrounded by the 2,000 square mile salt desert, you will have a chance to observe the three species of flamingos which feed on the micro plankton found in the lake. The sunset in Chaxa is an assured highlight of your visit to Atacama.
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The high altitude excursions to El Tatio geysers, the Altiplano Lakes or the Tara Reserve are full-day excursions that take you to elevations above 13.000 feet where you can view the landscapes that surely would have inspired Salvador Dali had he visited South America. The altiplano zone is also home to the llamas, guanacos, vicunas and condors. This region is best visited after a day or two of adjusting to the high altitude in San Pedro.
If you are interested in exploring the archeological ruins around San Pedro, you will not be disappointed with the 4,000 year old ruins of Tulor, the more recent Incan ruins of Pukara de Quitor and the petroglyphs in Yerba Buena. The Museum Padre Le Paige also provides a excellent overview of the regional history from pre-historic times to the present and is recognized for being home to some of the oldest and best-preserved mummies in the world.
Day 10 – Santiago / Return Home: You will be taken to Calama in time for your flight to Santiago to continue with your travel arrangements.
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| Chile Skiing, Wine & San Pedro de Atacama - Price Per Person |
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Option
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Santiago Hotel
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Aconcagua Hotel
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San Pedro Hotel
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Price Per Person
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Package A:
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Ritz Carlton
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Termas Jahuel
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Explora
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$4,592
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Package B:
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Ritz Carlton
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Termas Jahuel
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$3,747
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Package C:
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Ritz Carlton
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Termas Jahuel
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Tierra Atacama
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$3,554
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Price per person includes:
- Nine nights lodging based on double occupancy including:
- Three nights Ritz Carlton, Santiago with breakfast
- Three nights Termas Jahuel, with breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Three nights in San Pedro in hotel selected
- Each San Pedro hotel includes, breakfast, lunch & dinner, guided excursions and airport transfers
- Skiing at Valle Nevado, Portillo and Ski Arpa
- Winery visits, tastings and lunch
- Guided Santiago City Tour
- All ground transportation with English speaking driver
Not included:
- Flight Santiago/Calama - approximately $200 per person
- Gratuity for drivers & guides
- Chile reciprocity fees at Santiago International Airport
- Drinks at Termas Jahuel
- Meals not specifically noted above
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| To make a reservation call in US to 802-904- 6798, us or use our convenient reservation form. |
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| Related offerings from Santiago Adventures |
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