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 South on this tour - to the lake district, a picture postcard paradise of mountains, volcanoes, lakes and ancient Valdivian temperate rain forests.
This holiday is a blend of walks, treks, kayaking, white water rafting, horse riding, some sea fishing if you like and participation in the local culture of the country. It can be enjoyed by any one who leads a reasonably active life.

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

Day 3 Early morning start for drive (approximately 6 -7 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). After a short stop in the city, we will drive to the resort town of Pucon, which was founded by German immigrants in the 19th century. Pucon has a picturesque setting on the shores of Lake Villarrica and 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

Day 4 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 5 – 6 hour walk up the Villarrica Volcano – weather permitting. (additional cost approx US $ 100.00)
Hotel: Pucon

Day 5 Options: Half day white water rafting, picnic lunch and afternoon in the hot spas, a whole day walking in Lanin national park or :the very energetic walker a 5 – 6 hour walk up the Villarrica volcano (weather permitting additional cost approx US $100.00)
Hotel Pucon

Day 6 5 hour drive to Puyehue, stopping in Los Lagos for lunch. Afternoon: Walk around the Area
Hotel: Puyehue

Day 7 Trekking around the area of lake Puyehue. Afternoon drive to Osorno, time permitting walking around Osorno
Hotel: Osorno

Day 8 2 hour walk through the beautiful local temperate
rain forests, visit Petrohue waterfalls to pick up transport to take us to boat house for rafting in Petrohue river
Hotel: Osorno

Day 9 Trek around the area of lake Puyehue Afternoon spa before driving back to Ensenada
Hotel: Ensenada

Day 10 Pick up kayaks and clothing, then drive the short distance to Ralun, sea kayak from Ralun to Cochamo, with a picnic lunch on the beach.
Hotel: Cochamo

Day 11 Full day horse ride along the Rio Cochamo, through the rainforests and 4000 year old Alerce trees to the mountain lodge lodge – La Junta and the ‘secret valley’ – the hidden valley where once Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid hid their rustled cattle.
Overnight: La Junta

Day 12 Morning trek through the waterfalls and forests in the ‘hidden valley’. Lunch then horse ride back down valley to the Riverside Lodge.
Hotel: Ensenada

Day 13 Drive from Cochamo through Puerto Montt, then take the ferry across to Chiloe Island. Taking a traditional oyster lunch at Caulin before driving to Ancud. Afternoon boat ride to the penguin colony
Guest house: Ancud

Day 14 Drive to Chepu, taking a 1 hour boat ride to Ahenco beach, then 4 -5 hour hike along the beach paths – with some sea fishing for the interested, Traditional Chilean dinner
Guest house: Ancud

Day 15 Drive back to Puerto Montt, flight back to Santiago
Hotel: Santiago

Day 16 Morning free, then lunch time flight back to UK

Day 17 arrival at LHR


Essential Information

What’s Included:
 All accommodation and breakfasts for 14 nights, some picnic (box) lunches where full day hikes and excursions are taken, all excursions listed in itinerary except those listed as optional, where additional costs are 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.

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 Atacalama, 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

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, 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.
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 you 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.

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, no are any recommended prior to visiting Chile.

Accommodation:
 During our trip, we stay in 3* hotels and good quality hostals. Rooms are twin or double and have private bathroom facilities.
The costs of this trip are based on 2 people sharing a double or twin room.
Single clients booking and wishing to stay in a single room, must, where required be prepared to pay a single room supplement, otherwise be prepared to share with another client (of the same sex).

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 guide. Where necessary additional guides will be employed e.g. fishing guides, local mountain guides etc.,
The minimum age of clients is 16 years. Maximum number of clients in group : 12

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. 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.

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.

For more details see: www.chileinsideout.com