Trip Overview
This exclusive tour celebrates Chile's spectacular skies, acclaimed vineyards, ancient cultures, and legendary landscapes.
Northern Chile's dark, clear skies attract stargazers, leading to the Atacama Desert with its coastal plains, high volcanoes, and the world’s highest geyser basin. Stay at Explora Atacama Lodge in San Pedro de Atacama, enjoying luxury accommodations and tailored excursions focused on natural history, wildlife, geology, and astronomy. Travel to Casablanca Valley, renowned for its cool climate ideal for producing acclaimed chardonnays and sauvignon blancs. Enjoy a private tour, tasting, and lunch at Kingston Family Vineyard, known for its award-winning red wines. In Torres del Paine National Park, spend three days at Explora Torres del Paine Lodge. Engage in activities ranging from easy to challenging and explore diverse Patagonian ecosystems in one of the world’s most remote and pristine regions.
Schedule by Day
Depart U.S. on an overnight flight to Santiago, Chile.
Arrive in Santiago early in the morning and transfer to the Ritz-Carlton. Gather for an afternoon city tour, including a visit to the impressive Pre-Columbian Museum. The day concludes with a welcome cocktail and dinner.
Overnight: Ritz Carlton
Meals: D
On your way to Calama, drive through the surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth. Arrive at the Explora Atacama Lodge in San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis originally settled by the indigenous Atacameños. This stunning spot, ringed by volcanoes and otherworldly geology, will be your home for the next three nights. After a welcome briefing by your guides and dinner, enjoy an evening of stargazing from the lodge’s very own observatory.
Overnight: Explora Atacama
Meals: B, L, D
Discover the wildlife and landscapes of the Atacama Desert with a range of custom excursions led by expert guides. Whether you prefer a full-day trek, horseback riding, or mountain biking, your adventure can be tailored to match your interests and abilities. Explore iconic sites such as Moon Valley, the Salt Mountain Range, the high-altitude lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, Salar de Atacama, the National Flamingo Reserve, Tatio Geysers, and the Puritama Hot Springs. Your tour director and excursion manager will help you select the perfect activity for each day of your journey.
Overnight: Explora Atacama
Meals: B, L, D
Enjoy another opportunity to tailor your experience with a variety of custom excursions, whether you’re up for another full-day trek, some horseback riding, or mountain biking. With so much more to discover, including Moon Valley, the Salt Mountain Range, and the high-altitude lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, every moment promises to be as captivating as the last.
Overnight: Explora Atacama
Meals: B, L, D
Travel to the rolling vineyards of Casablanca Valley, one of Chile’s renowned wine regions. Located near the Pacific coast, Casablanca Valley enjoys a cool climate ideal for producing acclaimed chardonnays and sauvignon blancs. Enjoy a private tour, tasting, and lunch at the Kingston Family Vineyard, where the pioneering owners have coaxed award-winning red wines from a valley known for whites. Late in the day, return to the hotel and enjoy dinner independently at one of Santiago’s many fine restaurants.
Overnight: Ritz Carlton
Meals: B, L
Fly to Punta Arenas and transfer to Torres del Paine National Park, established as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1978. Along the way, look for herds of guanacos and rheas, gray foxes, Patagonian hares, and black-necked swans.
Arrive at the prestigious Explora Torres del Paine Lodge, located on the northeastern edge of the national park and set amidst diverse ecosystems such as Magellan forests and steppes.
Overnight: Explora Torres del Paine
Meals: B, L, D
Begin your first of three full days exploring the most impressive region in southern Chile—Torres del Paine National Park.
Whether you choose to hike, ride horses, or unwind amidst nature, there's a wide array of activities to suit your preferences, from gentle walks and relaxing boat trips on Pehoé Lake to more demanding treks. With each experience, you'll discover new facets of this remarkable region, making the most of your time in one of the world's most iconic parks.
Overnight: Explora Torres del Paine
Meals: B, L, D
Continue exploring the stunning landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park. Choose from a variety of activities and engage in excursions with expert guides. Or, if you prefer, explore on your own or simply relax in the park or at the lodge.
Overnight: Explora Torres del Paine
Meals: B, L, D
On your final day in Torres del Paine National Park, take the opportunity to soak in the last moments of this extraordinary destination. Whether you revisit your favorite spots or venture to new areas, the park continues to offer unforgettable experiences. Enjoy one last hike, horseback ride, or serene moment by Pehoé Lake, reflecting on the breathtaking scenery and adventures you've had. As your time in the park draws to a close, savor the memories you've created in this remarkable corner of southern Chile, leaving with a deep appreciation for its natural wonders.
In the evening, gather for a farewell dinner.
Overnight: Explora Torres del Paine
Meals: B, L, D
After a leisurely morning, depart for Punta Arenas, then fly to Santiago and connect to overnight flights back to the U.S., arriving on October 14.
Meals: B, L
Pricing
- $11,990 per person, double occupancy
- $4,990 single supplement
Accommodations
- Two (non-consecutive) nights at the Ritz Carlton, Santiago
- Three nights at the Explora Atacama
- Four nights at the Explora Lodge Torres Del Paine
At Explora Atacama Lodge in San Pedro de Atacama, enjoy luxury accommodations with a focus on sustainability, reducing carbon footprint, and supporting local communities amidst breathtaking volcanic landscapes. At Explora Torres del Paine Lodge, explore diverse Patagonian ecosystems and meandering rivers, while experiencing the warm hospitality of local gauchos in a land defined by freedom and solitude.
Extensions
- Pre-Extension to Easter Island: September 29 - October 4 More Information coming soon
Arrive early to enjoy the full range of experiences at the Explora Rapa Nui Lodge. Spend three nights exploring the mysteries and beauty of Easter Island. Appreciate the moai, the island’s colossal stone statues, as well as the volcanic craters, cliffs, and caves. Choose from several excursions, including walks, bike rides, and snorkeling.
To make the most of what this program has to offer, the trip will be active, requiring you to be in good health and physical condition. While you don’t have to participate in all the activities, certain group travel times will be required.
The itinerary offers a deep dive into the history, culture, geology, and stunning natural landscapes of the Atacama Desert and southern Patagonia. You will experience stays at two renowned Explora luxury lodges in Chile and enjoy a visit to the capital city of Santiago with accommodations at the Ritz Carlton. Daily guided excursions at each Explora lodge include a variety of half-day and full-day options like hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. In Torres del Paine, a catamaran trip to the glaciers is available. Walks typically last about one mile, sometimes over uneven terrain, with longer distances available at your discretion. In San Pedro de Atacama, where we spend three nights, the altitude is approximately 8,200 feet, with some excursions reaching up to 14,450 feet. In southern Patagonia, altitude won't be an issue as the lower plains of Torres del Paine National Park are just 150 feet above sea level.
Given the remote locations, flexibility will be key as we navigate time schedules, food, weather, wind, and dust. Participants must be in good physical and mental health to keep up with the group's pace. Those requiring extraordinary assistance must bring someone to provide necessary help. This program ranges from moderately active to very active, depending on your chosen activities. Excursions can be tailored to match your interests and fitness levels, with hikes of varying lengths and durations available. Travel will be by regularly scheduled jet aircraft and bus. Due to the remote locations, all participants are required to obtain a medical evacuation insurance policy.
