A trip to South America is incomplete until you have travelled to Chile. Arrive into Santiago, the country's capital and be whisked away to your hotel by private vehicle and driver. To get to know the city better, a half-day private guided tour is included. Head outside the city for a tour of the coastal cities of historical Valparaiso and Vina del Mar for a full day of fun, food and wonderful coastal scenery. Traveling north by plane, you will reach the desert area of San Pedro de Atacama where you will enjoy shared tours to discover this fascinatingly beautiful place, including a sunrise tour to view the impressive Tatio geyser, traditional villages and hot springs. Avail of any number of optional activities, or simply kick back and take it easy - it's your choice...

With 24/7 local support, internal flights, a mix of private tours and time at leisure, this tour allows you to do things exactly at your own pace.

Santiago is the capital of Chile, and its largest city. Two decades of uninterrupted economic growth have transformed Santiago into one of Latin America's most modern metropolitan areas, with extensive suburban development, dozens of shopping malls, and impressive high-rise architecture. Santiago has an excellently preserved city square that is very pleasant for a leisurely walk. It also boasts numerous museums, parks, churches and fine restaurants for dining. For a taste of world renown Chilean wines, visit some of the nearby vineyards for day excursions.

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Santiago with a private guide and driver.

Please note: Upon arrival by air, American and Canadian visitors to Chile are required to pay a reciprocity fee of US$131 for American and US$132 for Canadian. Other nationalities will vary. Upon payment, cash, credit card or travelers checks, a receipt will be stapled at the back of passport and is valid for the duration of the passport. Subject to change without notice. Please consult with the Chilean consulate for full details.

Enjoy a private half day panoramic city tour with your own private vehicle, professional driver and English speaking Guide taking in the main avenues of the city’s civic center as well as the main sites of interest. Visit La Moneda Palace, the current seat of the government formerly the home of Chilean presidents until 1958. Then continue along the streets of the downtown area to the Main Square surrounded by the Cathedral Metropolitana of the XVIII century, the National Historical Museum, and the Central Post Office. Visit the Forestal Park passing in front of the Fine Arts Museum towards Bellavista, the bohemian quarter of Santiago. Continue to San Cristóbal Hill, a beautiful public park dominated by the monumental sculpture of Virgin Mary (36 meter high). From this site, enjoy a panoramic view of the city before continuing toward the modern residential neighborhoods of Pedro de Valdivia Norte, Las Condes, and Vitacura. At the end of the tour you will be dropped back at your hotel allowing you some time for some independent exploring or some relaxation time at your hotel. San Cristobal hill fee included.

Situated in the exclusive area of Las Condes, in Santiago, the Atton El Bosque is perfectly placed for those who want easy access to the city. Clean and well-maintained, the 240 rooms are decorated in neutral colors with modern effects. Each room includes air conditioning and heating systems, mini bar, and internet. Dine on authentic Chilean fare, and choose from a range of international dishes. Friendly service and hospitality are one of the highlights of this hotel. Visit the business center for internet use, and try out the gym and swimming pool for a bit of a workout.

Overnight at Hotel Atton El Bosque.

Enjoy a private full day excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Valparaiso and the pretty coastal town of Vina del Mar. Take in the great coastal views as you head along the Pacific coast and soak in the panoramic view of the port, before visiting the home of Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda, whose house is a true hideaway located on the upper part of town overlooking the port. The house is modeled on shipbuilding (Neruda's love for all things maritime is famous) and the gardens have many exotic plants, which make for a restful spot. Continue to the Prat Wharf before going to Vina del Mar where you can enjoy lunch facing the sea. At day's end you will be brought back to your hotel in Santiago.

Overnight at Hotel Atton El Bosque.

Enjoy time at your leisure to try some of the many optional activities available to you including half day tours such as a guided tour of the city focusing on the city's culture, architecture or a panoramic tour, a visit to a local winery, or a cooking class with a local chef in his own home. If you are feeling more active, there are horseback riding and hiking tours available. For full day tour options, consider a visit to the coastal towns of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso, a day at an authentic ranch (hacienda), or a day trip to the Andes to enjoy some skiing. If you would like to do something in the evening time, consider a folk dinner in Santiago where you can learn about the local cultures traditions in dance and song. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if any of these activities are of interest.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Hotel Atton El Bosque.

San Pedro de Atacama is located in Antofagasta Region, in the Atacama desert and near the Salar de Uyuni. It grew around an oasis over centuries and nearby native ruins showcase pre-Colombian cultures. The city has a significant archaeological museum with a large collection of relics and artifacts from the region. Other popular activities include sand boarding and stargazing, with unrivalled views in the dry clean air. The town lies at an average altitude of approximately 2,400m (7,900 ft) and visitors often experience mild altitude sickness such as dizziness, lethargy and headaches.

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Santiago with a private guide and driver.

Fly directly from Santiago to Calama airport. Flights are subject to availability. The flight duration is approximately 2 hours.

Enjoy a one hour private airport transfer through the Atacama desert with your own vehicle, professional Driver and English speaking Guide.

Upon departing San Pedro de Atacama at 5pm, enjoy a private guided tour of the impressive Moon valley. With beautiful shapes and colors located only 8km from San Pedro de Atacama, you can walk and enjoy a great geological spectacle that has been repeatedly compared with the surface of the moon, with its angular geology and rocks sculpted by millenniums of erosion. Visit the salt caverns before climbing the large sand dune where you can marvel at the kaleidoscope of colors that appear over the Andes at sunset. You will be brought back to your hotel in San Pedro by 8pm - just in time for a great dinner of local specialties at any number of locales in town.

Hotel Altiplanico, built with local natural materials and possessing a reddish brown glow, is a desert haven situated near the town of San Pedro de Atacama. Subtle luxury and carefully planned architecture add to the allure of these accommodations. The 32 rooms are each designed with a desert theme of earthy color tones, while using straw, adobe, and pitch for character. Rooms offer stunning views of the region's Andes range and volcanoes, and the swimming pool is in a tranquil setting. Avail of compliemtary internet. The hotel restaurant is a good choice for cuisine prepared by a talented chef. Otherwise, dine at any of the nearby restaurants serving Chilean specialties as well as international dishes. Bicycles are available on a complimentary basis for the 3 block trip into town.

Overnight at Altiplanico.

Early departure to the geothermal field of El Tatio, to observe the huge steam columns that rise to the sky which are best appreciated in the cold dawn air as the sun rises over the Andes. Guided walk amongst the mud craters and small bubbling geysers. Continue on to the village of Caspana, which is known for its terrace cultivation and architecture of Inca origin. In Chiu Chiu discover the important church which dates back to the XVII century and which displays the influence of the Andean architecture. In the canyon of the Loa river, it is possible to view rupestrian paintings on the stones on the river bed and finally the visit concludes at the fort of Lasana, built in the XII Century. With its narrow streets, and barns made of stone it is an architectural delight.

Overnight at Altiplanico.

Consider any number of half or full day shared or private guided tours such as: a half day visit to the interesting village of Toconao, the lush Jerez valley, Salar de Atacama - the largest salt lake in the country, and Chaxa Lagoon where you can have the opportunity to observe the wide variety of birds that inhabit the lagoon, especially pink flamingos. Alternatively, consider a half day tour to Sejar lagoon, where you can float in its waters due to the high salt content (higher than that in the dead sea). There are often Flamingos in this area which are a beautiful sight to see. Another option is a tour to the Puritama Hot Springs which are constantly replenished by warm water that emanates from under the surrounding rocks and vegetation. Finally, consider an archaeological tour taking in Pukara de Quitor, a 12th Century (pre-Inca) fortress. Partially restored in 1992, the Pukara de Quitor is one of the most complete and impressive of these early defensive measures. From there, discover the site of Tulor, dating back to over 2,000 years ago, and the earliest known settlement in the area known as the “Aldea de Tulor”. It consists of circular dwellings interconnected by common passages and patios. Please speak to your Sales Advisor if any of these are of interest.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Overnight at Altiplanico.

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Fly from Calama to Santiago. Flights are subject to changes based on availability. The flight duration is approximately 2 hours.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).