HIKING IN A THIN COUNTRY

17 days from GBP3,433 to GBP3,483 including flights

Tripcode: TAW

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart London in the evening for the overnight flight via Madrid to Santiago.
Day 2: On arrival we transfer to the hotel in Santiago, and at midday take a city walking tour (approx. 4 hours), visiting the squares and streets of the colonial centre, and the Presidential palace. We also visit San Cristobal which is famous for the best view of the whole city. We take the cable car up to the summit of San Cristóbal hill, and if there's time we can finish with a drive through the wealthy suburbs of the 'barrio alto'.
Day 3: Fly to Temuco, the indigenous capital of the south A scenic drive (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes) towards the south, with panoramic Andean views opening up, brings us to Lake Villarrica and the town of Pucon, which lies on the far shore beneath the imposing Villarrica volcano, and is home to a host of outdoor activities.
Day 4: Today we shall spend the day walking (approx. 5-6 hours, 14 km) in the temperate rainforest of the Huerquehue National Park. The first part of the trail leads us - relatively steeply - through a magnificent old growth forest. Looking back into the valley we see the peaceful Lago Caburgo. Depending on the season you may see the national flower in bloom: the deep-red Copihue. After reaching a large saddle, the trail levels out through the rainforest and leads us from one lake to the next, each seemingly more beautiful than the last. In the evening we return to Pucón. For the more strenuously inclined it is possible to organise an ascent of Villarrica volcano, approx. 7-hour excursion with certified local mountain guides and complete mountain equipment. This is technically straightforward; more a strenuous uphill hike than a climb, but it requires stamina and commitment. The panoramic view from the summit is breathtaking, taking in more than ten volcanoes, the Andes reaching to the horizon to the north and south, and a host of lakes and emerald forests.
Day 5: Public bus to Puerto Varas, the City of Roses (approx. 6 hours drive). In the evening you will inevitably be drawn to enjoy a stroll along the shore of Lago Llanquihue - with amazing views to the surrounding scenery of volcanoes.
Day 6: In good weather, we will set out early in the morning for an excursion to the Volcano Osorno (approx. 4 hours walking). Today we walk from one side of the Volcano facing the Pacific, around and down the side to Lago Todos Los Santos. On a clear day, we can see the ocean, and in the afternoon, we may even glimpse Argentina. There is also a high vantage point where we can see almost 360 degrees all around the surrounding lake country. In the afternoon, we shall descend to the shores of the deep emerald Lago Todos Los Santos and visit the Petrohue Waterfalls. Our vehicle will later be waiting to transfer us back to Puerto Varas. In bad weather we will visit the Alerce Andino National Park, where we will partake in a rainforest trek. Amongst other things, we can expect to see giant conifers aged up to 5000 years! In the afternoon we return to Puerto Varas.
Day 7: Transfer to Puerto Montt airport, flight to Punta Arenas. Drive north through the vast Patagonian pampa to Puerto Natales. Located on the "Ultima Esperanza" fjord (literally translated as "Last Hope Fjord"), Puerto Natales is located between Punta Arenas and the Torres del Paine National Park.
Day 8: /
Day 9: /
Day 10: We spend these three days exploring parts of the Paine National Park, including hiking up to the Paine Towers base camp and look out. Weather permitting, we should be rewarded with some superb views. (Approx. 7-8 hours walk). The next day will be spent on a short trek up to look out point on the Monte Ferrier � located very close to the hosteria � which provides a view of many lakes, the glaciers Pingo and Grey, and the Macizo Paine. in the distance we will see Grey Glacier where the 200m thick wall of ice continually sends large blocks of ice, some as large as houses, plunging into the freezing waters. The third day is free to explore Torres del Paine � optional hiking or horseriding is available, as is a zodiac ride through the park. Transfer back to Puerto Natales in the late afternoon of Day 10.
Day 11: Early flight (approx. 0700) to Calama (via Santiago), transfer to the hotel in the town of San Pedro de Atacama. En route you will see spectacular views of the Cordillera de la Sal.
Day 12: Morning at leisure to explore or partake in the optional tour of Pucará de Quitor; an 800 year old pre-Inca fortress. In the afternoon we shall set out for walking in the Cornizas and Moon Valley (approx. 3 hours). Hopefully we will see the sunset in this bizarre, almost lunar landscape formed by the erosion of salt mountains. Strange sculpted rock formations in the middle of the desert, with the Lincancabur Volcano in the background make for a particularly rare experience. After sunset we return to San Pedro.
Day 13: Full day to Altiplano lagoons (Meniques and Miscanti) - approx. 3 hours hiking at the salt lake Salar de Atacama. En route we shall visit the town of Toconao. The houses in this small picturesque village are built from bricks of white volcanic stone, which lend the town a unique appearance. The church and its bell tower are also built from this bleached white volcanic stone. After Toconao we shall continue on to visit the world's largest salt lake: the Salar de Atacama. Rich in minerals, including borax and lithium, it is home to various species of flamingos as well as many other birds. The Laguna Chaxa, part of the Reserva Nacional de los Flamingos, offers a terrific opportunity to get closer to these birds in their natural habitat. In the evening we return to the hotel in San Pedro.
Day 14: Early departure for the Geysers of El Tatio (optional). El Tatio is situated at 4,500 m above sea level on the Altiplano. The geysers are spectacular in the early morning. There are about 40 geysers, thermal wells and fumaroles. The early morning light striking the water and steam hurling up from the geysers makes for an unforgettable experience. Walking at Puritama-Guatin (approx. 3 hours). Those who do not choose to take the optional excursion can go trekking from the Valle de la Muerte to the Pukara de Quitor. The Valle de la Muerte (Valley of death) is a beautiful, yet barren landscape, where we are able to climb to the top of a dune! The Pukara de Quitor is a fortress built after the collapse of the powerful Tiwanaku Empire in Bolivia around 1000AD.
Day 15: We transfer to Calama for our afternoon flight back to Santiago.
Day 16: Morning at leisure in Santiago. Depart.
Day 17: Arrive London.