Desert Dreams: Santiago & Atacama

Arrival at the airport in Santiago de Chile. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Perhaps you can use this time to familiarize yourself with this vibrant and cosmopolitan city; why not sample the local cuisine or enjoy cocktails in the trendy neighborhood of Bellavista? Overnight stay in Santiago de Chile. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Start your adventure by taking part in a guided city tour where you will acquaint yourself with Santiago’s main attractions—everything from the ‘Sanhattan’ skyscrapers to the old-world colonial architecture in a captivating fusion of old meets new. 

Begin the tour walking down the city’s main avenue and learn about its history and surroundings. 

Visit the cobblestoned streets of Lastarria, a neighborhood characterized by its open green spaces and 19th century style mansions, now used as cafes, restaurants, bookstores and museums. Next, get lost in the beauty of Santa Lucia Hill as your guide recounts the Mapuche/Spanish conflict before stopping by a panoramic viewpoint to gaze at Santigo in all its splendor, including relics and constructions of the colonial era, such as the Hidalgo Castle. 

From here, stop by emblematic locations of the city such as Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral of Santiago as well as the former national congress, the imposing government house called La Moneda and the Plaza de la Constitución where you will learn about its historical significance.

The tour will continue with a visit to the Central Market, one of the most well-known gastronomic points of Santiago, and then continue to the upper sector of the capital. On the way, you will stop by a Lapis Lazuli store where you can purchase one-of-a-kind jewelry and unique handicrafts to take back home with you. Transfer to your hotel and overnight stay in Santiago de Chile.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, transfer to Valparaiso, passing through the lush agricultural valley of Curacavi and the Casablanca Valley, famous for its innovative wineries that are producing Chile's best white wines and cool-climate reds. Arrive in Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique architecture and cultural significance and embark on a guided city tour starting by its downtown area and learn about the history of "Valpo" and its importance in the trade and commerce of South America. 

To get to the top of the city’s steep hills, hop on a funicular and enjoy a maze of streets revealing brightly colored buildings, bohemian cafes, elegant restaurants, and spectacular views of the port. From here, make your way to Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre, two of Valparaiso 's most eclectic neighborhoods. 

Next, stop by La Sebastiana, one of the three houses converted into museums dedicated to Pablo Neruda (entrance and lunch not included). Finally, continue the tour to the city of Viña del Mar where you will visit its main attractions, including the Flower Clock, the Fonck Museum, the Quinta Vergara, and Los Cañones Beach. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you see fit. Overnight stay in Santiago de Chile.