Chile Luxury Lake District Escape - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, Valparaíso Tour

Welcome to Chile! Touch down in the vibrant capital, Santiago, where a driver will be waiting to take you to your 5-star hotel in the sophisticated Los Condes neighborhood. Drop your luggage in your chic room at the W Santiago, which features views of the Andes and skyscraper-studded skyline. The hotel's crowning glory is its rooftop pool deck, home to the trendy Red2One bar, and its Chilean restaurant Terraza, run by acclaimed chef Jean-Paul Bondoux.

After freshening up, meet your guide for a private tour of the Chilean coastal city of Valparaíso. Set 1.5 hours west of Santiago, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is known as the country's most romantic and artistic city. On the way, you'll pass through the vineyard-spotted Casablanca Valley before arriving in the colorful, well-preserved seaport of Valparaíso. 

The city is a throwback to the turn of the 20th century when electric trolleys coasted along the waterfront, and funicular elevators carried passengers to the city's highest points. Travel by elevator to the hilly neighborhoods of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción with their brightly painted houses, old churches, and cobbled squares. To finish, dine on some of the best seafood in South America before returning to Santiago for a restful evening. 

Day 2: Ultimate Andes Tour: Tunnels, Dams & Mountain Towns

This morning, take a private day trip 2.5 hours east to the Embalse del Yeso. Located deep in the Andes, this mountainous area is home to waterways, glaciers, and a colossal dam that supplies drinking water to Santiago. En route, stop at the small town of San José de Maipo, the launchpad for adventure sports enthusiasts who come to raft, hike, and climb in the region. 

Visit the Tinoco Tunnel just outside of town, an abandoned railway tunnel that is now a place of pilgrimage for locals, who come to leave gifts and pray for good fortune from the spirit of a local man who died here. Next, continue to El Yeso Dam, pausing at Cascaras Refuge, a settlement created to house workers who built the dam in the 1960s. Take in views of the area's glaciers and topaz reservoir as you enjoy Chilean wine and cheese before returning to Santiago in the afternoon. 

Day 3: Fly to Pucón, Explore the Lakeside City

Say goodbye to Santiago today and fly four hours south to Pucón, a town in Chile's fertile Lake District, where snowcapped volcanoes meet forested islands dotted with shimmering lakes. Stay just outside of town at andBeyond Vira Vira, set on a 54-acre (22 ha) organic farm surrounded by evergreen forests and bisected by the Liacura River. 

Settle into your luxury suite or villa, designed in modern hacienda style, complete with local Mapuche art and huge windows that frame views of the lagoon or river. The sprawling grounds include a working farm, vegetable garden, and boutique cheese factory that supply the restaurant's farm-to-fork menu. 

Spend the rest of the day as you please. Relax at your luxurious resort or explore Pucón independently. Wander its historic streets, which are packed with lively restaurants and bars. Sample craft beers and sandwiches at local favorite, El Camino, or take a 20-minute taxi ride out of town to Termas Geometricas to soak in thermal baths next to a jungle river. 

Day 4: Conguillio National Park Tour

Head 2.5 hours north today for a private tour of Conguillio National Park, designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for its pristine nature. This includes vast forests of araucaria trees, canyons, and the active Llaima volcano, which towers 10,253 feet (3,125 m) tall. Armed with a picnic lunch, spend the day exploring the park's natural wonders, from glass-clear lakes to waterfalls and glaciers. 

Travel along some of the park's six scenic roads, which lead to highlights such as Lago Conguillio, Laguna Captrén, and Cañadón del Truful-Truful, which displays the area's archaeological history. You'll also marvel at the Llaima volcano's otherworldly lava formations. As you travel through the park, look for wildlife like the shy bush monkey and majestic condors. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon for a relaxing evening. 

Day 5: Pichillancahue Glacier Hike

This morning, take a private trek in Villarrica National Park, home to its namesake volcano and lake. Hike with an expert guide through native raulí, hualle, and araucaria forest, ascending to 4,100 feet (1,250 m) in altitude, with views of the ice-encrusted Quetrupillan and Rucapillan volcanoes. Eventually, you'll join the Pichillancahue Glacier trail, which leads to the black-hued glacier, which has been stained by volcanic ash. 

The rest of the day is yours to relax at your tranquil resort. Laze by the river, take a yoga class, or relax in one of the bubbling outdoor hot tubs that offer views of the Villarica volcano. In the evening, make your way to the restaurant for fine, homegrown cuisine accompanied by wines from Vira Vira's extensive cellar. 

Day 6: El Cañi Trekking & Hot Springs Tour

Embark upon another private trekking tour today, complete with a soak in healing hot springs. After breakfast, your guide will take you 13 miles (20 km) out of town to Santuario El Cañi, a 1,500-acre (607 ha) private reserve beloved by hikers for its diverse scenery. 

Follow trails through the Andes, ascending past glittering lagoons, mountain flora, and forests of araucaria trees, some of which are up to 2,000 years old. Your guide will be on the lookout for wildlife such as foxes and pudus, the world's smallest species of deer. Admire views from a 5,085-foot (1,550 m) lookout showcasing the area's hulking volcanoes and lakes. After the hike, savor a long soak in some steaming geothermal pools near El Cañi. Sink into the soothing waters and rest your muscles before returning to Pucón for dinner and an early night.

Day 7: Pucón City Tour, Transfer to Puerto Varas

End your time in Pucón this morning with a tour of this lakeside city, shadowed by the mighty Villarrica volcano. Visit a local workshop where you'll watch skilled artisans create traditional wooden flowers before moving on to the shores of Lago Villarrica to soak up the views. Next, wander through the heart of the town, through leafy squares lined with wooden buildings, to the hilltop Santa Clara Monastery. Built in 1956, the monastery offers sweeping views over Pucón. 

Afterward, a driver will be waiting to take you four hours south to Puerto Varas, located on the shores of Lago Llanquihue. Named "the City of Roses" after the flowers that line its streets, Puerto Varas offers a mix of German colonial architecture and Indigenous Mapuche culture to explore. 

Head straight to Hotel AWA, a lavish lakeshore retreat devised by architect-owner Mauricio Fuentes. The contemporary hotel combines concrete and volcanic rock walls with cozy lounges lit by flickering fireplaces and features rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal views of the lake and the Osorno volcano. Spend the rest of the day relaxing by AWA's heated pool and dining in the on-site gourmet restaurant. 

Day 8: Cochamó Helicopter Tour & Hike

Immerse yourself in the surrounding beauty of Puerto Varas today with a private helicopter tour and hike. You'll fly east, soaring over Osorno volcano and hidden valleys within the Andes, renowned for its turquoise lakes and ancient forests. Eventually, you'll reach the rustic village of Cochamó, which resembles the USA's Yosemite with its U-shaped valley and centuries-old trees. 

The pilot will land at a panoramic viewpoint within Cochamó's granite mountains, which are beloved by rock climbers. While your guides prepare a tasty picnic lunch, you'll take a short hike to take in the jagged peaks and forest-covered valley views. Afterward, hop back in the helicopter to your hotel, passing over Calbuco, a mammoth stratovolcano that last erupted in 2015. 

Day 9: Kayaking on Reloncaví Estuary

Get your adrenaline pumping today with a private kayaking trip. Begin in the small town of Ralún, where, accompanied by a private guide, you'll board a kayak and paddle from the mouth of the RÍo Petrohué along the Reloncaví Estuary. This sparkling fjord is surrounded by snow-topped volcanoes and continues alongside Alerce Andino National Park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its 4,000-year-old alerce trees. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Cochamó, admiring views of the glaciated Yate volcano reflected on the water's surface. Spot an array of birds soaring above, from pelicans to cormorants, as well as sea lions, dolphins, and the occasional penguin frolicking in the water beside you. Your driver will be waiting at the end of the trip to take you back to your hotel for a final night in your lakeshore hotel. 

Day 10: Puerto Montt & Puerto Varas Tour, Fly to Santiago, Depart

Spend your last morning in Chile on a private city tour of Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt, a nearby port city that acts as a gateway to the fjords. Admire the city from a mirador before rambling through its historic streets and main square, which features a monument to German settlers. Other sites include a 19th-century neoclassical cathedral and the seafood market of Angelmó.

Back in Puerto Varas, a driver will take you to the airport, where you'll fly to Santiago in time to board your homebound flight. Safe travels!

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