Chile and the Lake District - 14 days
Chile and the Lake District - 14 days
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Tour Overview
Embark on a 14-day adventure through Chile's captivating landscapes, starting in the vibrant city of Santiago. Discover colonial architecture and indulge in wine-tasting in the renowned Colchagua Valley. Explore the bustling markets and murals of Chillán before heading to Pucón, where the stunning Lake District and Villarrica Volcano await. Immerse yourself in the lush Huilo Huilo Reserve, offering a plethora of outdoor activities. Continue to Puerto Varas, nestled by Lake Llanquihue, with access to the Osorno volcano and Petrohué waterfalls. Enjoy 13 nights of comfortable accommodation, with options to upgrade, and the freedom of a rental car to explore at your own pace. This tour promises a perfect blend of culture, nature, and adventure in the heart of Chile. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Santiago
Location: Santiago
Accommodation Name: hotel
Bienviendos a Chile! Once you’ve arrived in Santiago you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 2: Santiago City Tour
Location: Santiago
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Encircled by snow-capped Andean peaks, the city of Santiago enjoys a particularly spectacular setting. This morning join a scheduled city tour taking in the Metropolitan Cathedral, the La Moneda Presidential Palace and the Plaza de Armas where artists randomly appear to make theatrical performances. Jump on the metro for a short ride to the magnificent Santa Lucia park and its unique castle. Continue to the Lastarria neighbourhood to marvel at the neoclassical architecture and make the most of the many restaurants, coffee shops and green parks.
In the afternoon head 35 minutes out of town to the Cousiño Macul Vineyard on a scheduled tour. Producing high quality wines in exclusive amounts, this vineyard is an excellent introduction to the wine production process and how technology is used alongside artisan traditions.
Day 3-4: Colchagua Valley
Location: Colchagua Valley
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Santiago – Santa Cruz. After breakfast collect your rental car and drive to Santa Cruz in the Colchagua Valley. Known as the Valle de Colchagua in Spanish, the valley sits in the centre of one of Chile’s finest wine-making districts and is home to many of the country’s world-class wines. Spend the next two days independently touring the wineries in the valley, sampling as much wine as you can handle. It’s also worth checking out the Museo de Colchagua, boasting a well-designed and diverse collection of exhibits housed in a grand colonial hacienda.
Day 5: Chillan
Location: Chillán
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Santa Cruz – Chillán. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in your hotel before following Route 5 to the lively city of Chillán. Upon arrival and hotel check in why not spend the remainder of your day exploring the vast handicrafts market of Feria de Chillán? Filling the Plaza de la Merced and offering everything from fresh produce to knitwear and leather goods, this daily market is a souvenir hunter’s paradise. Wandering around the city will also reveal a fascinating collection of Mexican murals.
Day 6-8: Villarrica And The Lake District
Location: Pucón
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Chillán – Pucón. Stretching from Temuco in the north and Puerto Montt in the south, Chile’s Lake District is spattered with dozens of crystal clear lakes, snow-capped mountains and dense forest. After a morning’s drive you reach Pucón, your base for the next three nights and the ideal place from which to explore the region’s natural gems. The outdoor activities on offer here are staggering – raft the Río Trancura rapids, hike in the secluded wooded corners of Parque Nacional Huerquehue, fish in the pristine rivers or rest your bones in the local thermal spas.
No trip to the region would be complete without visiting Parque Nacional Villarrica and its centrepiece, the smouldering Volcán Villarrica. Lined by lush forest and sharply ascending into a black waste of lava, the volcano is a dominating sight and it’s possible to hike to the gaseous crater with a local tour guide. The national park is also home to two other volcanoes, spectacular waterfalls and remote hiking trails.
Day 9-10: Huilo Huilo
Location: Huilo Huilo
Accommodation Name: rainforest lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Pucón – Huilo Huilo Reserve. A short drive this morning brings you to the gorgeous Huilo Huilo Reserve. Nestled in 100,000 hectares of lush, native forest, the private reserve supports a diverse range of ecosystems rich in endemic species. In the distance the unspoiled white tip of Volcán Choshuenco looms large. Spend the next two days partaking in the many activities offered by your rainforest lodge. Trek along scenic walking trails, explore the reserve on horseback, take a jeep expedition to one of the beautiful lagoons, walk the rainforest canopy, mountain-bike, kayak, try your hand at fly fishing or simply relax in one of the natural thermal baths.
Day 11: Puerto Varas
Location: Puerto Varas
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Huilo Huilo Reserve – Puerto Varas. Departing your rainforest lodge this morning drive further south to the elegant little town of Puerto Varas. Serving as an introduction to Patagonia, Puerto Varas has a wealth of tourist facilities and with wide streets, green parks and stunning views of the Osorno and Calbuco, it’s the ideal spot to base yourself. Food in this region is excellent so make sure you finish your day with a hearty meal at a restaurant in town.
Day 12-13: Lake Llanquihue And Around
Location: Lake Llanquihue
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Puerto Varas
Meals Included: Breakfast
With Puerto Varas as your base, spend the next two days independently exploring the surrounding area. Surrounded by gently rolling pastures with the perfectly symmetrical Volcán Osorno as its backdrop, Lake Llanquihue could easily swallow a day of your holiday. Visit the little villages that dot the pastures looking for stalls selling German pastries and smoked trout or head to the black-sand beaches of Frutillar Bajo, a popular holiday resort with several traditional wooden structures. You could also venture further afield to the Saltos de Petrohué, a series of steaming rapids created by a hard layer of lava eroded into small channels that connect with the stunning Lago Todos los Santos.
Day 14: Puerto Montt
Location: Puerto Montt
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today marks the end of your Chilean adventure. After breakfast and hotel check out, drive to airport in Puerto Montt to return your hire car and connect with your onward departure flight.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Standard (superior and deluxe available on request) -
STANDARD accommodation
13 nights STANDARD accommodation is included, with options to upgrade to SUPERIOR or DELUXE available upon request.
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Meals
13 breakfasts and 2 dinners are included.
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Airport transfers
Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 14 are included.
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City and wine tour in Santiago
A city and wine tour in Santiago on a shared basis is included, with private touring available for a supplement.
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Car hire/rental
12 days car hire
ental is included, based upon a compact vehicle with unlimited kilometers, CDW insurance, and roadside emergency assistance.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visas
International flights and visas are not included.
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Tipping
Tipping is not included and is an entirely personal gesture.
Age Policy
Not recommended for under 5yrs.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes airport transfers on day 1 and day 14, and 12 days of car hire with a compact vehicle, offering unlimited kilometers, CDW insurance, and roadside emergency assistance.
Accommodation
Enjoy 13 nights of STANDARD accommodation with options to upgrade to SUPERIOR or DELUXE upon request. Accommodation ratings are available in the Trip Notes for further details.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of vehicle is included in the car hire for the tour?
The tour includes 12 days of car hire with a compact vehicle, offering unlimited kilometers, CDW insurance, and roadside emergency assistance.
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Are meals included during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes 13 breakfasts and 2 dinners.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides 13 nights of STANDARD accommodation, with options to upgrade to SUPERIOR or DELUXE upon request.
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Is airport transfer included in the tour package?
Yes, airport arrival and departure transfers on day 1 and day 14 are included in the tour package.
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What activities are available at the Huilo Huilo Reserve?
At the Huilo Huilo Reserve, you can trek along scenic walking trails, explore the reserve on horseback, take a jeep expedition to one of the beautiful lagoons, walk the rainforest canopy, mountain-bike, kayak, try fly fishing, or relax in one of the natural thermal baths.
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What can I expect to see during the Santiago city tour?
During the Santiago city tour, you will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, the La Moneda Presidential Palace, and the Plaza de Armas. You will also take a metro ride to Santa Lucia park and explore the Lastarria neighbourhood.
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What is the highlight of visiting the Colchagua Valley?
The highlight of visiting the Colchagua Valley is independently touring the wineries and sampling world-class wines. It's also recommended to visit the Museo de Colchagua, which has a diverse collection of exhibits.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Enquire for Extra Savings
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Chile and the Lake District - 14 days
14 Days Starting in Santiago, Chile and ending in Puerto Montt, Chile
Visiting: Santiago, Colchagua Valley, Chillán, Pucón, Huilo Huilo, Huilo Huilo Reserve, Puerto Varas, Lake Llanquihue, Puerto Montt ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1152/CLD
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
5-