A Flavour of Chile
Dates: |
Wednesday 19th November – 3rd December, 2008 |
Wednesday 28th January – 11th February 2009 |
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Thursday 27th February – 13th March 2009 |
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for 15 days (12 nights) |
Chile is one of the longest countries in the world. 4300 km from the Bolivian border in the north to Cape Horn in the South. It encompasses practically every climate and scenic variation that the world has to offer. We travel to the central area first, which is fertile and home to Chile's best beaches and vineyards, a wide variety of farms and holds much of Chile's prosperity. Travelling south, we take in the lake district, a picture postcard paradise of mountains, volcanoes, lakes and ancient Valdivian temperate rain forests. Lastly, we fly to the Atacama Desert in the North – which is the driest part of the world to see geysers, salt flats, Inca ruins and the most beautiful sunsets.
This holiday is a blend of land journeys, sight seeing, walks and rambles and participation in local culture of the country. Although all walks are optional, they can be enjoyed by every one, who leads a reasonably active life and assist to make the most of the holiday by enabling everyone to appreciate the wide variety of scenery and culture that Chile has to offer.
Day 1 Leave London LHR, evening flight**
Day 2 Arrive Santiago. Hotel Check in. Afternoon walking, local bus and underground tour of city. This tour will include visiting the Plaza de Armas and the famous central market where a traditional lunch can be taken. Evening - welcome dinner in one of Santiago's vibrant restaurants
Hotel: Santiago
Meals provided: Dinner
Day 3 Drive South for approximately 2 hours to spend the day in one of Chile's beautiful vineyards taking in a wine tasting, tour of the vineyards, fabulous lunch with accompanying wines and time to enjoy the breath taking scenery
Hotel: Chillan
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch
Day 4 Early morning start for drive (approximately 4 hours) to lake Villarrica and Pucon, via Temuco. Temuco is the capital of the Araucania Region of Chile home of the indigenous Mapuche (people of the earth). Pucon was founded by German immigrants in the 19th century and has a picturesque setting on the shores of Lake Villarrica where we can stop for lunch. The skyline is dominated by the imposing Villarrica volcano (2840m). After settling in to the hotel, the afternoon options include : walking around the town, boat ride on the Lake (additional cost: US$20.0), taking in the views of the volcano or a local forest walk
Hotel: Pucon
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Day 5 Options: Whole day walk in the beautiful temperate rain forest of the Huerquehue national park with a picnic lunch. Huerquehue is the oldest and most beautiful national park in Chile. A short drive takes us to the starting point of our day hike. We start by walking through the native forest of 'coigue, lengas' with its araucaria trees. After a couple of hours, we arrive at the pristine lagoons hidden amongst the immense araucaria trees. After a picnic lunch by the lagoons, we will retrace our steps through the forests and return to Pucon in the late afternoon, after a well earned rest in the nearby hot springs of the Liucura Valley. Throughout the day, we have views of the smoking Villarrica Volcano and surrounding mountains.
Option 2: For the very energetic walker a 6 - 7 hour walk up the Villarrica Volcano – weather permitting. (additional cost approx US $100.00)
Hotel: Pucon
Meals provided: Breakfast, box lunch
Afternoon: Walk around the local town, taking in the beautiful cathedral, Lake Llanquihue, (The third largest lake in South America) and views of the near perfect cone of the Volcano Osorno.
For the energetic an optional canopy ride over the tree tops can be organised (Additional cost: US$ 20.0)
Hotel: Puerto Varas
Meals provided: Breakfast
Day 7 Drive up to Osorno Volcano, taking in a morning walk in the Valdivian forest, the rapids and waterfalls at Petrohue located in the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, a barbeque picnic lunch (weather permitting), cable car ride up to the snow line, then gentle walk back to the cable car station for hot chocolate, after looking at the stunning volcano summit and surrounding valley views of Lago todo Los Santos makes for another fantastic day.
Option 2:
A day spent Fly fishing on the famous Maulin River – the spawning run river for Atlantic salmon and also to rainbow and brown river trout. (Additional cost: US $160.00 per person (min: 2 persons) – all equipment supplied)
Hotel: Puerto Varas
Meals provided: Breakfast, picnic lunch
Day 8 Today we head for Chiloe Island, via Puerto Montt, the land of myths and legends, famous for its wooden churches and local culture. During the 30 minute ferry crossing of the Chacao Channel, if we are lucky, we will see sea lions, Chilean dolphin, penguins and a large variety of birds. Our first stop on the island will be the small town of Caulin, where we can sample local oysters and freshly caught crab. We continue driving into the city of Ancud, which was founded in 1767 to defend Spain's Chilean coastline from foreign intrusion.
Next, we visit the famous penguin colony of Chiloe 'Islotes Pu'ihuil'. Stopping for a while to take in the scenery whilst eating our lunch in a restaurant on the beach. A short boat ride takes us to see the colony of Humboldt and Magellan penguins (Additional cost US'10.00)
Hotel: Ancud
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch
Day 9 After an early breakfast, we take the ferry and drive back to Puerto Montt for the flight up to Calama in the North of Chile via Santiago. We then drive to desert town of San Pedro. In time to see the beautiful desert sunset
Hotel: San Pedro
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Day 10 Today, we take a full day tour to the Altiplano lagoons and salt flats which are home to many different bird species as well as numerous flamingos and the world's largest salt lakes, The day takes us through the picturesque town of Toconao. The houses and church in this small village are built from white volcanic stone, which make it a truly beautiful place to have lunch
Hotel: San Pedro
Meals Provided: Breakfast, lunch
Day 11 An early morning start to visit the many geysers of El Tatio - 4500m above sea level make for a very interesting day
In the afternoon, we visit the town and museum unique craft markets of San Pedro, or even have a leisurely nap by the hotel's pool
Hotel: San Pedro
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Day 12 Morning at leisure, or for the energetic, a walk to the Inca ruins at Quitor, then an early evening flight back to Santiago
Hotel: Santiago
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Day 13 After breakfast, we drive to the vibrant coastal resort of Valparaiso, and Vina Del Mar where we can spend the day on the beach, explore the shops, visit the world famous port or check out the Unisco world heritage site – the town was also where the Nobel literature prize laureate, Pablo Neruda built one of his unique houses.
Hotel: Santiago
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Day 14 Early morning free then lunchtime flight back to the UK
Day 15 Arrive back in the UK,
Essential Information
What's Included :
All accommodation and breakfasts for 12 nights, welcome dinner on the first evening of the tour, lunch with wine during the vineyard tour (day 3), restaurant lunch on the beach in Chiloe (day 8), 3 picnic (box) lunches where full day hikes and excursions are taken, all excursions listed in itinerary except those listed as optional – where the relevant prices are quoted and additional costs itemised, support transportation for the entire trip, all transfers, all park entrance fees.
What's Not Included :
International airfares, travel insurance, lunches and dinners (unless stated in the above notes), gratuities for guides, alcoholic beverages, optional tours and personal expenses.
Tip Kitty:
We have found that instead of clients giving individual 'tips' to various hotel staff, restaurants, coach drivers, etc., we provide the opportunity to participate in a 'tip kitty', which covers all these expenses. A tip kitty of 20,000 cl pesos will therefore be collected during the welcome meeting on the first evening to cover these costs. Please note, this does not cover 'tips' given whilst paying individually for meals not provided in the itinerary.
Practical information:
Since Chile is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are the reverse of Europe. Summer temperatures therefore in Santiago between October and the end of March can reach 30 degrees centigrade, while in Puerto Varas and the lake district, temperatures are more likely to be around 20 – 25 degrees centigrade and of course as it is the lake district – it can rain at any time. In the Northern desert of the Atacama, day time temperatures will be hot, while the nights quite cold.
From the end of October to March, Chile is three hours behind the UK, so watches need to be adjusted accordingly
Passports and Visas:
All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay to be presented on arrival to the country of arrival.
It is the duty of the client to ensure that all passports and visas are presented in good and up to date order before travelling. Currently no visa is required by British passport holders for entry into Chile, though this should be checked by all clients prior to travelling.
Vaccinations :
No vaccinations are required, neither are any recommended prior to visiting Chile.
Accommodation:
During our trip, we stay in 4 and 3* hotels. Rooms are single, twin or double and have private bathroom facilities.
The costs of this trip are based on one person in a single, twin or double room. When 2 people share a double or twin room, a cost reduction is given.
Holiday Insurance:
All clients must provide their own holiday insurance. On arrival in Santiago, all clients must show 'Chile Inside Out' their holiday insurance details and provide written evidence of insurance company contact details together with next of kin emergency contact details.
Banks:
We are aware that some clients have found that their credit/debit cards are sometimes not compatible with the ATM machines or local banks in Chile. We ask that you liaise with your bank prior to travelling to ensure that your bankcards are compatible with local banks. It is advisable to take some local currency (Chilean pesos) with you as the banks in Chile also often charge a large commission to exchange currencies or provide cash from their machines.
Lunches and dinners:
Box or picnic lunches are provided on hike and excursion days throughout the tour. As all other lunches and dinners are taken in restaurants, their cost is not included. A good dinner with wine or a drink costs approximately 10 – 15000 pesos.
The Group, Staff and Support:
This tour will be lead by an expert English speaking Chilean tour guide assisted by an English expert tour guide. Where necessary additional guides will be employed e.g. fishing guides, local mountain guides etc.,
The minimum age of clients is 16 years. Minimum number in group is 7, maximum number of clients in group : 14.
Our Responsibility to you:
We will let you know as soon as we can if, through no fault of 'Chile Inside Out' or you, we are forced to significantly alter the holiday time-table in any way. Before booking and not less than 30 days prior to departure, the prices featured may change. We reserve the right to impose surcharges, once you have booked, however no surcharges will be imposed within 30 days of departure, and will only be due to transportation costs, fuel surcharges, airport fees, or extreme changes to currency exchanges.
If you have a complaint about the holiday, you must make it known at the earliest opportunity so that our local representatives can take appropriate action at the earliest opportunity.
If we need to cancel the holiday, due to insufficient client bookings, we will do so, no later than 56 days before departure.
This holiday will only change, if due to unusual and unforeseen circumstances beyond our control and changes could not have been avoided even if all due care and attention had been taken.
Chile Inside Out is aware of it's obligations to provide the client with the services agreed by both parties when signing the contract. We are responsible agents who support 'eco-tourism' and who wish to maintain the delicate balance between tourism and nature at all times.
Flights from and to the UK:
**International flights from the UK are NOT included in our pricing structure. All tours start and finish in Santiago.
Where possible we will co-ordinate arrival times, so that all clients either meet the remainder of the group in the hotel lobby, in the morning on day 2, or in the Arrivals hall of Santiago airport on Day 2.
We are aware that 'Iberia airlines' fly from London, Heathrow on a Friday evening to Santiago, via Madrid at approximately 18.50. This flight arrives in Madrid (Spain) at 22.00. The connecting flight from Madrid to Santiago leaves at approximately 23.50 and arrives in Santiago at 09.50 am Saturday morning. At the time of writing, (February 2008), this flight costs approximately £850.00. Though clients must book and confirm these flights and details for themselves.
British Airways also have a flight to Santiago from London-Heathrow that goes daily via Buenos Aires. This flight is slightly longer and arrives in Santiago at approximately 13.00. The cost is approximately £1000.00
KLM fly to Santiago at around the same time. Their flights go via Amsterdam. Air France fly to Santiago via Paris.
Return flights back to London from Santiago leave Santiago around noon every day. Iberia Airlines return via Madrid, KLM via Amsterdam and British Airways return via Buenos Aires.
Please also be aware of the changes various airlines are making to baggage restrictions from 1st September, 2008. Ensure and check the type and weight of bags and suitcases that can be checked into the hold prior to travel, together with weight and size restrictions on hand baggage.
Making a Booking:
To make a booking for this or any of Chile Inside Out's other holidays, you must send us a completed booking form together with a deposit of £250.00 per person. We will then invoice you for the remainder of the cost, which you must pay no later than 10 weeks prior to departure. If the booking is made less than 10 weeks prior to departure, then the full payment must be made on booking. The booking is not accepted and no contract exists until the date shown on the confirmation issued by 'Chile Inside Out' has been received. A photo copy of current holiday insurance must also be supplied with the booking form. Details of international flight bookings must also be made available when the final balance of the holiday is paid, so that 'Chile Inside Out' can co-ordinate arrival and departure meeting times.
Cancellation:
Cancellation of the holiday must be made in writing to Chile Inside Out. If you cancel your booking more than 8 weeks before departure, we will not refund your deposit, but the deposit may be transferred to another holiday in our programme. A transfer fee of '40.00 is payable on transfer, provided that you notify us un writing within 2 weeks of your cancellation, telling us which holiday you wish to transfer to. If you subsequently cancel the holiday to which you have transferred, we will retain your full original deposit.
If you cancel your booking after you have paid the cost in full, the following cancellation charges will apply:
Between 40 and 60 days before departure: 40% of the holiday cost, between 29 and 59 days before departure: 60% of the holiday cost and between 15 and 28 days before departure: 80% of the holiday cost. 14 days or less before departure (or failing to join the holiday at the start of the tour) 100% of the holiday cost. If you do not pay the balance of your holiday within 8 weeks of departure, your booking will be terminated and you will lose your deposit.
For more details see: www.chileinsideout.com
