PETIT HOTEL

The newly opened ‘Petit Hotel’ is a fantastic family run boutique hotel, located in the lively Providencia area of Santiago. This fantastic new itinerary features 2 nights here before heading to the desert, the Chilean wine region and finally to the coastal city of Valparaiso.

DAYS ONE - TWO: Santiago (B)
Arrival in Santiago and private transfer with your English-speaking guide to your hotel. Get acquainted with the capital of Chile and explore the different facets of the city. Overnight with breakfast at Hotel Meridiano Sur in Santiago.

Hotel Meridiano Sur
The “Petit Hotel” Meridiano Sur is only a few months old and is located in a pretty house in a side street of lively Providencia. The ambience here is really comfortable. The light-flooded and tastefully decorated common areas create a comfortable ambience. Simple white and modern furniture alternate with colourful items and organic, rustic decoration elements.

DAY THREE: San Pedro de Atacama (B)
Private transfer without guide to the airport and flight from Santiago to Calama. Shared transfer with English-speaking guide to San Pedro de Atacama. On route you will see spectacular views of the Cordillera de la Sal. Probably the best-known destination around San Pedro is the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley). It lies in the salt mountains, to the west of town, and this tour into the rugged beauty of the Atacama. Desert begins at dusk.

After a tour past the bizarre natural rock and salt shapes, the excursion ends with a hike up a giant sand dune, from whose highest point, a breath-taking view onto the valley and the Licancabur volcano can be enjoyed. The setting sun bathes the valley in a light that changes with every minute, providing a mesmerising play of colours. The return drive to San Pedro is after sunset. (shared excursion with English-speaking guide). Overnight with breakfast at Hotel Kimal in San Pedro de Atacama.

DAY FOUR: San Pedro de Atacama (B)
The departure to the Salar de Atacama with your tour guide is in the early morning. A salt lake of huge proportions (3000 sq km/1,158 sq mi!), its surface is covered by a thick layer of snow-white salt crystals, as far as the eye can see, caused by the evaporation of the lake’s water. The journey continues afterwards, to the tiny village of Socaire, which is noteworthy for its strange architecture using rough stonework. Before the tour continues for about another 30km/19miles, to reach the highland lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, with their two – almost 6000m/19,686ft high – volcanoes of the same name in the background. The twin lagoons are a deep blue, each framed by a white salt crust, which creates a memorable contrast to the yellow highland grass all around. The drive back to San Pedro is in the late afternoon. (shared excursion with English speaking guide). Overnight with breakfast at Hotel Kimal in San Pedro de Atacama.

DAY FIVE: San Pedro de Atacama (B)
Those who wish to experience the El Tatio Geysers have to get up early, because the fountains that shoot up to 10m/33ft high, occur when the morning sun melts the nightly ice caps over the hot springs, located over 4300m/14,108ft above sea level. The sun’s first rays reflecting countless colours as they mingle with boiling jets coming from the geysers create a strong contrast with the rising steam and the surrounding summits. The tour begins in the very early hours of the morning in San Pedro, to ensure a timely arrival at the geyser field at sunrise. After the spectacular show there, you have the choice of recovering from the morning chill and warming up in natural pools created by hot springs. The return drive to San Pedro takes place around midday. (shared excursion with English-speaking guide) overnight with breakfast at Hotel Kimal in San Pedro de Atacama.

DAY SIX: Viña Matetic (FB)
Shared transfer with English-speaking guide from San Pedro de Atacama to the airport of Calama and flight back to Santiago (flight not included in price). Private transfer without guide to the beautiful vineyard Matetic, which lies west of Santiago.
Overnight with full-board at Guest House of Viña Matetic.

DAY SEVEN: Valparaíso (B)
Private transfer without guide from the vineyard to Valparaíso. The historic city of Valparaíso is Chile’s oldest port. It is also home to the senate and Chilean Congress, which was moved here from the capital after 1989, when democracy and therefore a national Congress were re-established. The city’s many hills are a multi-coloured panorama of painted houses crowding every nook and cranny that provide a spectacular backdrop and also ensure Valparaíso’s unique flair. There is a good reason why the historic city centre of Valparaíso, with its fine 19th century architecture, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. The upper and lower sections of the city are connected by 15 funicular elevators that were built at the turn of the 19th century and still provide good service to this day. Overnight with breakfast at Hotel Casa Higueras in Valparaíso.

DAYS EIGHT - NINE: Valparaíso (B)
Day at leisure. Overnight with breakfast at Hotel Casa Higueras in Valparaíso.

DAYS TEN: Santiago
Private transfer without guide from your hotel in Valparaíso to the airport of Santiago.

Price from: £2695pp, price includes:

- International flights with LAN

- 9 nights accommodation

- Mostly private transfers (except the one to San Pedro de Atecama)

- Meals as stated

- Shared tours as stated