Exploring Santiago, Valparaíso & The Lake District - 6 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago de Chile, Explore

Welcome to Chile! Upon arrival at Santiago International Airport, a driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. You'll have the rest of the day to explore the city at your leisure. 

Suggested activities include:

• Hike to the top of Cerro San Cristobal, where you can get your bearings by surveying the area from a high vantage point. Pathways lead 2,788 feet (850 m) up this central hill to a series of lookouts that offer wraparound views of Santiago. If you're not the hiking type, don't worry: catch a scenic gondola instead.
  
  
• Stroll the cobblestone streets of Barrio Bellavista. On the north side of Santiago, you'll find this trendy enclave, at once fashionable and bohemian. Stroll past colorful houses adorned with graffiti art and choose between an eclectic array of eateries and bars—great for people-watching. 
  
  
• Visit the Plaza de Armas, a stone plaza located in Santiago's historic center dating to 1541. There's also the impressive Catedral Metropolitana, a neoclassical church dating to 1748 whose towering twin bell towers dominate the north side of the plaza.
  
  
• Snap pics in front of the Palacio de la Moneda. Chile's opulent Presidential Palace (La Moneda) is a short stroll from the Plaza de Armas. It was here in 1973 that Chile's armed forces, backed by the US government, overthrew President Salvador Allende, kicking off a brutal right-wing military dictatorship that would last for 17 years. Visitors are welcome.

For dinner, be sure to get out of the hotel and enjoy a culinary adventure in the city. In recent years, Santiago has emerged as a global foodie destination. Chilean chefs are reinventing traditional dishes like empanadas, cazuelas (stews), and seafood with ingredients harvested all the way from the northern deserts and southern Patagonian regions. You can find great restaurants and wine bars not only in the Bellavista neighborhood but also in the revitalized historic barrios of Yungay and Italia.

Day 2: Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Valley

After breakfast, you'll depart from your hotel in Santiago and drive about an hour west toward the coast. Your destination is the Casablanca Valley, home to many top wineries. Here, you'll take a tour, taste, and enjoy lunch at the wonderful Casa del Bosque Winery.

After lunch, you'll continue the short distance to the coast and the cities of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. First up is the port city of Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its colorful hillside neighborhoods, winding stairways, and abundance of street art. It's a throwback to a time when electric trolleys coasted along the waterfront, and funicular elevators carried people high into the hills. On a city tour, you'll visit some famous sites, such as Plaza de la Victoria and the Naval Academy, and ride a funicular high into the hills where panoramic vistas of the bay await. A real highlight is visiting the former home of Chile's Nobel Prize-winning poet, Pablo Neruda.

Afterward, you'll drive a short way to the adjacent town of Viña del Mar, which couldn't be more different in terms of style than its neighbor. Whereas Valparaíso is a retro artistic haven, Viña is a modern seaside hotspot abounding with sleek shopping centers and upscale restaurants. After touring around the city and waterfront, you'll return to Santiago in time for dinner.

Day 3: Fly to Temuco & Transfer to Pucón

After breakfast, transfer to the Santiago airport for your flight to Temuco. Upon arrival, you'll meet your driver and transfer about 1.5 hours to the town of Pucón.

This village is deservedly famous as it sits on the shore of Lago Villarrica in the shadow of the towering Volcán Villarrica. Pucón is also a popular destination for those looking for seasonal activities, such as hiking and skiing. Ziplining is a fun activity as well, and there are a number of nearby excursions you can make from town, such as to the geothermic pools.

But that's for another day. For now, if you would like to get out and stretch your legs, then here are a couple of options for easy activities in and around Pucón.

• Stroll the city center and waterfront: Pucon's main drag, Av. Bernardo O'Higgins is the epicenter of activity in town. Here, you'll find any number of bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Also, you can walk down the road to where it terminates at the lakeshore.
  
  
• Go on a boat tour around the lake. Many tour operators offer boat excursions around Lake Villarrica. This is a fun and relaxing way to experience the natural beauty of the area. Depending on the climate, you'll also be able to take a dip in the water.
  
  
• Dine out. Because Pucón is such a hotbed of tourism, many quality international restaurants have opened up to cater to the crowds. In this town, you'll find everything from sushi to Italian to Arabian to Uruguayan and Argentine steakhouses.

Day 4: Full-Day El Cañi Trekking & Hot Springs

Today, you'll venture a mere 13 miles (20 km) out of town on a private full-day tour and enjoy some vigorous outdoor exercise in the form of mountain trekking. Your destination is the Santuario El Cañi. This 1,500-acre private reserve makes for one of the best hikes in the entire region.

There's an incredible diversity of nature on this hike, which you'll notice immediately once you embark. Over six to eight hours, you'll ascend in altitude as you traverse the Andes, passing by lagoons and observing the unique flora. This region is the natural home of the Araucaria, or "monkey puzzle" tree, a type of evergreen conifer that can live an impressive 2,000 years. Lenga and coihue trees are also common here.

Along the way, your guide will also point out the various wildlife species that call the area home, such as foxes, pudus, and even pumas and condors. Eventually, at 5,085 feet (1,550 m) above sea level, you'll reach a mirador (lookout) that affords 360 degrees panoramic views of the surrounding volcanoes and lakes. Short of hiking up Volcán Villarrica, you won't find better views anywhere nearby.

Immediately after the hike, you'll be able to soak your beleaguered muscles in the geothermal pools at Termas Pucón Indomito, located near El Cañi. So relax, and let the soothing 100° waters in this natural spa ease the day's exertions. When finished, you'll transfer back to Pucón and can spend the evening further relaxing and unwinding after your hard day's trek.

Day 5: Full-Day Pichillancahue Glacier Tour & Waterfall

Today, you'll enjoy another trekking adventure, this time to the Pichillancahue Glacier, located at the foot of Villarrica Volcano. A driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Palguin, a region in the interior of Chile's Lake District. Here, you'll embark on an easy and well-marked trail through the native Araucaria forest.

As you ascend in altitude, you'll stop at viewpoints that offer 360 degrees views of the surrounding volcanoes. Eventually, you'll reach the Pichillancahue Glacier, which is unique in that it has been colored black by all the volcanic ash that has fallen on it over the years. The trek culminates with a visit to a towering 100-foot (30 m) waterfall tucked away in the native forest. Afterward, you'll transfer back to your hotel in Pucón.

Day 6: Transfer to Temuco, Depart

Your great Patagonian adventure has now come to an end. In the morning, savor one last leisurely breakfast in Chile before a driver meets you and transfers you 1.5 hours to the airport in the city of Temuco. Here, you'll catch a flight to Santiago and make your connecting flight home.

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