Chilean Explorer

Days 1 and 2. Outbound

Fly overnight to Santiago, Chile's cosmopolitan capital. Enjoy an evening tour of this pleasant city.

Day 3. Trekking and Wine-tasting

Enjoy a morning's trek through the peaceful Maipo Valley before relaxing over a traditional lunch accompanied by the local aperitif. Continue the theme with a visit to a local, family-run vineyard where you can watch wine being created and taste the final results!

Days 4 to 6. Volcan Villarica Ascent

Fly to the Lake District and the picturesque town of Pucon, lying at the foot of the perfectly conical Volcan Villarica (2840 metres). A whole day is taken to climb this snow-capped volcano surrounded by breath-taking views of verdant hills plummeting to crystal clear lakes. The last stretch of the route requires crampons (provided) and there is a great sense of personal achievement on reaching the summit where one can look down into the crater and see the boiling magma. This walk over the ice (no technical knowledge required) often provides a fantastic new experience and is always a memorable highlight. The following day provides a spare summit day or time to shop and choose from a huge array of optional activities - or just to relax in a thermal spa!

Days 7 and 8. Traverse the Cordillera

Trek across the El Cani range and experience the very visible difference in actually crossing from one side of the Cordillera to the other. Follow unfrequented trails past hidden lagoons and giant trees (average age 2500 years!) through incredibly dense primeval temperate forest, reminiscent of the Jurassic period. Afterwards take a scenic drive through the heart of the Lake District to Puerto Varas, famous for its spectacular lakeside location and seafood. Enjoy Chile's celebrated delicacies - King Crab and Seabass, mouth-watering delights washed down of course with a bottle of inexpensive local wine.

Days 9 to 14. Torres del Paine - Patagonia

For most a visit to Patagonia is the culmination of many years of travelling and it more than lives up to expectations. Fly south to the evocatively named region of Tierra del Fuego and enter the magical Torres del Paine National Park. The sheer sense of space, endless blue skies and enthralling first views of the rock spires themselves will hypnotise you. You will stay for some nights at the unique EcoCamp where luxurious domed tents provide bright and spacious accommodation, offering stunning views from the comfort of your wrought iron bed! The next five days are spent trekking in this magnificent landscape. Cross the unbelievably turquoise Lake Pehoe, picnic overlooking the stunning Grey Glacier where its towering walls empty into the emerald water, trek beneath the majestic Paine massif oozing avalanche- scoured glaciers, stop at numerous viewpoints giving spectacular vistas in all directions of ancient forests and distant Andean ranges, dip your toes in glacial lakes whilst giant icebergs float silently by, follow tranquil paths replete with flowering shrubs and a myriad of brightly coloured birds, watch dancing guanacos and scramble up boulder fields to stop, humbled at the sight of the gigantic granite towers that are 'Las Torres del Paine', soaring into the Patagonian sky. Enjoy outdoor barbeques, 'pisco sours' and bewitching sunsets - these incredibly stunning and dramatic spectacles will remain with you forever. The perfect climax to your Chilean experience.

Days 15 to 17. Homeward

Fly back to Santiago to indulge in one last smorgasbord of local fish and wine before taking an overnight flight back to the UK.