HIKING IN A THIN COUNTRY

Day 1
Depart London.

Day 2
Clients on the group flight will arrive in the morning and transfer to the hotel. Those on land only arrangements will meet at the hotel. In the afternoon we 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 Hill, on which a statue of the Virgin Mary stands. The summit of Cerro San Cristobal offers a birds-eye view of Santiago, the Andean Mountains and the Maipo-Valley. Without a doubt the best viewpoint in the city! If there is time we will also see the wealthy suburbs of the 'Barrio Alto', an area of elegant shops and first class restaurants.

Day 3
We fly to Puerto Montt in the Chilean Lake District. On arrival we will transfer to Ensenada, a sleepy town on the shore of the huge Lake Llanquihue. It is a scenic drive up to our rustic mountain refuge (at 1,550m) overlooking the lake and surrounding volcanoes. Depending on the time of our arrival we may have time for a short hike. This evening we can enjoy the hot jacuzzi located outside our mountain refuge!

Day 4
Today we set out to complete the 'Paso Desolacion' hike, a full daywalk including Osorno Volcano and Todos Los Santos. Our walk takes us from the side of Orsono Volcano facing the pacific, around and down to Lago Todos Los Santos (All Saints Lake). Having risen to a height of 700 meters we see a panoramic view of the lake, the island of Margarita as well as Tronador and Puntiagudo Volcanoes. Then we will hike down to the Lago Todos Los Santos along the canyon, through which the melting glacier water from the volcano fills the lake. Once we reach the shore of the deep emerald lake we visit the Petrohue Waterfalls. Later our vehicle will be waiting to transfer us to Puerto Varas.
We hike for approx. 4 - 5 hours. Level: moderate.

Day 5
We transfer to Puerto Montt airport and fly to Punta Arenas, boarding a public bus for a three hour journey to Puerto Natales. On arrival, we transfer by private bus to our refuge in Torres del Paine National Park.

Day 6
Declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Torres del Paine is one of the most spectacular national parks in Chile, simply breathtaking! We hike to one of the park's top attractions today, to the base of the Towers of Paine. A close encounter with the stunningly beautiful glacial lagoon and its three granite pillars rising over 1,000m into the air is staggering and you will no doubt be left in awe.
We hike for approx. 7 - 8 hours. Level: strenuous.

Day 7
We transfer to the Pudeto area of the park, boarding a catamaran to cross the icy waters of Lake Pehoe. On arrival, our hike begins towards the Grey Glacier taking the beautiful 'Camino de los Vientos' (the Path of Winds). We reach our first viewpoint after around two hours, with the Grey Glacier in the distance and the giant, deep blue icebergs of Lake Grey below. Depending on weather conditions, the route continues to viewpoints where entire sections of the ice wall can often be seen collapsing thunderously into the lake.
We hike for approx. 6 - 8 hours, Level: moderate.

Day 8
We set off this morning to hike to the French Valley with the intention of reaching the Italian Camp or the British Camp, depending on the wishes of the group. These names refer to the base camps of famous mountain expeditions that conquered the various rock faces of the Paine Massif. During our hike we should have magnificent views of the French Glacier and see the impressive natural amphitheatre created by the upper valley at the base of the Torres Massif.
We hike for approx. 7 -8 hours. Level: moderate.

Day 9
Shortly after breakfast we return by catamaran across Lake Pehoe and complete a short hike around the Cuernos del Paine viewpoint. We depart the national park today and transfer to Punta Arenas.

Day 10
Morning flight to Calama in Northern Chile (via Santiago) where we transfer to our hotel in the town of San Pedro de Atacama. En route there are spectacular views of the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountains).

Day 11
The morning is free to spend at your leisure. In the afternoon, we trek in the Cornizas and Moon Valley. This bizarre lunar landscape is set ablaze with colour at sunset, the strange rock formations framed by the Lincancabur Volcano. We'll stay until the sun goes down to enjoy the array of colours. We hike for approx. 3 - 4 hours. Level: medium.

Day 12
Today we drive to the high plateau of the Altiplano, rising to an altitude of 4,700m. Here we see the stunning blue-black twin lagoons Meñiques and Miscanti, edged by a white crust of salt. Wildlife in this area is abundant, with huge numbers of nesting birds around the lagoons and llamas and vicuñas wandering in herds along the hillsides. We visit the small town of Toconao, where the houses, church and bell tower are built from bricks of white volcanic stone. Today's final stop is Chile'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 Flamencos, offers a terrific opportunity to get closer to these birds in their natural habitat. In the evening we return to our hotel in San Pedro.
We hike for approx. 3 hours. Level: medium.

Day 13
Our afternoon trek takes us into the Valle de la Muerte (the Valley of Death), a barren landscape of rocks and dunes, where we are able to climb to the top of a dune! We then reach the Pucará de Quitor, a fortress built after the disintegration of the mysterious and powerful Tiwanaku Empire in Bolivia around 1000 AD, where we will discover the terraces of the rocks. A short walk to the top clearly shows the strategic location above the valley. Later we walk back to San Pedro.
We hike for approx. 3 - 4 hours. Level: medium.
An alternative to the trek is an excursion to the Geysers of El Tatio (optional, early departure required). El Tatio is situated at 4,500m above sea level on the Altiplano. There are about 40 geysers, thermal wells and fumaroles. The early morning light striking the water and steam that hurls up from the geysers makes for an unforgettable experience.

Day 14
We transfer to Calama for a flight back to Santiago. For those on group flights, these connect back to the UK. Arrangements for land only clients will end at Santiago airport.

Day 15
Arrive London.