Essence of Chile

(10 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Santiago, Colchagua Valley, Torres del Paine

This tour features three of Chile’s most diverse regions: the bustling capital city of Santiago, the verdant Colchagua Valley wine region, and magnificent Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia.

Begin in Santiago, one of our favorite cities in South America with its breathtaking location framed by the Andes mountains. The city offers wonderful museums, colorful colonial architecture, appealing day trips, and delicious food and wine. Tour the city’s highlights with your own private guide who will provide an insider’s perspective on the city’s most recommended attractions, neighborhoods and activities, including La Chascona (Pablo Neruda’s house), the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, our favorite neighborhoods filled with beautiful colonial architecture and well-preserved residences formerly occupied by Santiago’s aristocracy, bustling markets and exclusive shops, and much more. One day, take an excursion to Valparaiso, one of the most unique cities in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the steep, labyrinthine streets of the most interesting and colorful cerros (hills), visit one of Valparaiso’s notable museums, and perhaps take one of the many funicular elevators that the city is famous for.

Next, fly back to Santiago and transfer to the Colchagua Valley wine region, a picturesque valley covered in greenery and surrounded by steep hills.  This area is home to many of Chile’s top red wines—malbec, cabernet, carmenere and syrah in particular thrive. Spend three nights amidst the beautiful vineyards of the Casa Lapostolle winery in the exclusive Clos Apalta Lodge, and enjoy private touring of the region’s most interesting cultural attractions and visits to top wineries.

Conclude in Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most spectacular national parks in South America. Best known for the iconic sharp summits of the Paine mountain range, the park is a wonderland of mountains, green forest, roaring rivers, sapphire lakes and vivid blue glaciers. Choose from a number of daily excursions according to your interests, such as introductory, moderate or advanced trekking, wildlife viewing and bird watching, photography safaris, boating, trail walking, visiting Patagonian ranches, gourmet BBQs and picnics near glaciers, and horseback riding through the forest of the Blue Lake area.

Throughout the tour, sightseeing is very flexible and tailored to your interests, and accommodation is in top rooms at Chile’s leading luxury properties.