Santiago and the Chilean Lake District

7 Days/5 Nights

From $1,359 per person

(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)

Daily Departures from September to April

Overview

The Chilean Lake District offers a landscape of snow capped volcanoes, emerald and blue colored lakes, and ancient forests. This tour begins with two days in Santiago to experience the country’s capital city and surrounding area, and then takes you to Puerto Varas on the shore of Lake Llanquihue overlooking Osorno Volcano. You will cross All Saints Lake by catamaran to the village of Peulla, and visit the fascinating Island of Chiloe with its palafito houses.

Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 5 nights (2 nights in Santiago and 3 nights in Puerto Varas), and 6 meals (5 breakfasts and 1 lunch).

Best Time to Go: October-April.

Destinations: South America & Chile.

Interests: Culture & History and Wine Tasting.

Places Visited: Santiago and the Chilean Lake District.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Santiago.

Depart to Santiago via overnight flight.

Day 2: Santiago.

After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our inbound services representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Santiago.

Note: Check-in time is 2:00 PM. We can request early check-in but cannot guarantee it.

Day 3: Santiago-City Tour-Winery Tour.

In the morning, you will have a panoramic city tour of Santiago, which will include Parque O’Higgins, Plaza de Armas (the city’s historic center), Palacio de la Moneda, ex-National Congress, Mapocho Station Cultural Center, Santa Lucia Hill, the place of Santiago’s founding in 1541,and the Bohemian district of Bellavista.

In the afternoon, you will visit your choice of one of the following vineyards around Santiago (included in price): Concha y Torro, Cousino Macul, and Undurraga. Overnight in Santiago. (B)

Day 4: Santiago-Puerto Montt-Puerto Varas-City Tour.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Puert Montt. Upon arrival, you will have a panoramic city tour of Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas. Puerto Montt is the main transportation hub for travelers to Chiloe, Chilean Patagonia, and the Lake District. You will drive through the downtown area, passing the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral, and then along Av Angelmo to the small fishing village and ferry port of Angelmo, where you can visit the fish and crafts markets.

The tour continues to the city of Puerto Varas, on the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue. Puerto Varas was founded by German immigrants, and has the feel of a European village. You will drive through the center of town, passing the Plaza de Armas, the Municipal Casino, and historic private residences. The tour finishes at Philippi Hill, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city, Lake Llanquihue, and Osorno Volcano, before being taken to your hotel. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B)

Day 5: Puerto Varas-Petrohue River Falls-All Saints Lake-Boat to Peulla.

Beginning in Puerto Varas, you will drive by bus along the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue with magnificent views of Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes, past Ensenada, to Petrohue River Falls. You’ll have an opportunity to walk around and take photos. The tour continues by bus to Petrohue on the western shore of All Saints Lake. At Petrohue, you will board a catamaran and ride across the breathtaking All Saints Lake to the village of Peulla. In Peulla, you will lunch at Hotel Natura, and can observe Tronador Volcano and walk around the village. Return by catamaran to Petrohue and by bus to Puerto Varas. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B,L)

Day 6: Puerto Varas-Island of Chiloe-Ancud.

Depart to Puerto Montt for the ferry ride across the Chacao Channel to the Island of Chiloe. Chiloe is known for its unique architecture (wood-shingled churches and palafitos – houses built on stilts), mythological creatures (the mermaid La Pincoya, and the troll, El Trauco), and delicious seafood (especially curanto, a potato and seafood stew). You will visit Ancud, the Island’s largest city, which was founded by the Spaniards in 1767 to protect Chile’s coastline from foreign invaders. Stops include Fort San Antonio, a walk-through of the fish market, Museo Chiloté, which hosts the island’s history and mythology, and Huaiquen Hill for a panoramic view of the city, the channel, and the Island of Cochino. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B)

Day 7: Puerto Varas-Santiago.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Santiago and your final destination. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

What's Included

Price Includes

South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
Hotel accommodations including taxes and service charges.
Excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
Meals as indicated on the itinerary.
Local, English-speaking tour guides.

Price Does Not Include

International airfare.
Domestic airfare.
Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
Gratuities to tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
Gifts and personal items.
Travel insurance.

We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.

Accommodations

Santiago

3 Star – Hotel Plaza San Francisco

Hotel Cumbres Lastarria, Santiago, Chile

4 Star – Hotel Cumbres Lastarria

Lastarria Boutique Hotel, Santiago, Chile

5 Star – Lastarria Boutique Hotel

Deluxe – The Singular Santiago

Puerto Varas

3 Star – Solace Hotel Puerto Varas

Hotel Cabana del Lago, Puerto Varas, Chile

4 Star – Hotel Cabana del Lago

Hotel Cumbres Puerto Varas, Puerto Varas, Chile

5 Star – Hotel Cumbres Puerto Varas

Deluxe – Hotel Awa

Additional Details

Group Private: All airport/hotel transfers are private, and the city tour of Santiago, vineyard tour, city tour of Puerto Montt/Puerto Varas, and the excursion to Chiloe are private for 4 Star, 5 Star, and Deluxe accommodation levels.

Elevations: Santiago is 1,700 feet above sea level and Petrohue is 810 feet.

Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens (except Greece) require a valid passport (for the duration of your visit) and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Greek citizens can stay for up to 60 days. Australian, and Canadian citizens are required to pay a reciprocity fee (considered a multiple entry visa) of $95 and $132 respectively upon arrival (subject to change without notice due to currency fluctuations or other reasons). Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Chilean embassy in their country before traveling.

Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.

To Book This Trip: We require a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person plus the cost of the international and domestic airfare (if we arrange it for you).