Chile boasts an astonishing array of unique landscapes from the scorched plains of Atacama Desert, to the piercing glacier shards of Torres del Paine National Park. Experience a visual feast as you travel through the vibrant city of Santiago, colonial Valparaiso and the quaint town of Puerto Natales.
A tiny island formed from volcanic rock, the mysterious Easter Island is one of the most remote inhabited places on earth. Enjoy exploring this breath-taking UNESCO World Heritage site.
Dinner
On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for some time at leisure before re-joining your group for tonight's welcome dinner.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Breakfast
Set against a backdrop of snow-capped Andean peaks, Chile's vibrant and versatile capital city of Santiago is an unforgettable treasure trove waiting to be explored. This morning, delve into the city’s historic core. Later, discover the landscaped park of Santa Lucia Hill which offers incredible vistas overlooking the city and mountains. Journey to the port city of Valparaíso this afternoon and enjoy a traditional cable car ride.
Breakfast
Today is for you to spend at leisure, for you to relax at your hotel or further explore the surrounding areas. You may choose to spend your day experiencing one of Chile's most famous sites, the stunning Colchagua Valley. Producing some of the country's very best red wines, enjoy tastings of award-winning Cabernet Sauvignons and wonderfully rounded Merlots in an area of natural beauty.
Breakfast
Board a morning flight from Santiago to Calama in the Atacama Desert; renowned as the driest place on earth, this truly unique 1000-kilometre stretch of land boasts a landscape like no other. Comprising of wind-sculpted canyons and salt lakes that miraculously turn from orange to gold throughout the day, delight in vistas before climbing the crimson sand dunes of Moon Valley this afternoon; observe as the blazing sun begins to set.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Following breakfast, journey to the mesmerizing Salar de Atacama. Chile's largest salt flat is home to many native bird species and boasts an extraordinary landscape of jagged salt peaks and steaming volcanos which extend beyond the horizon. Traverse the crunchy crystalline edge of this immense basin to the Chaxa Lagoon where you can get close to dozens of flamingos eagerly dipping their beaks into the mineral-rich waters. Next, relish in exceptional tranquillity at the nearby Miscanti and Minique Lagoons; positioned at the base of grandiose volcanoes and characterized by their motionless blue waters, this biodiverse oasis provides incredible views over its unique landscape.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Before the earliest glimpse of daylight emerges, journey to the world's highest volcanic geothermal field, positioned over 4,300 metres above sea level in the Andean mountain range, to witness the dramatic Tatio Geysers. Reaching the peak of their fervent activity in the early morning, watch a fascinating display of gushing steam and water burst out from deep underground in a shrill eruption of white mist. As the rising sun warms the earth below, whose natural waters are geothermally heated underneath the Earth's crust. Return to San Pedro for this evening's overnight stay.
Breakfast & Dinner
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Puerto Varas, via Santiago. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Breakfast & Lunch
Situated on the banks of Lake Llanquilhue, the town of Puerto Varas affords spellbinding views of distant snow-capped volcanic peaks. This morning observe a cascading ribbon of sapphire water which slices through the verdant landscape at Petrohue Falls, before gently cruising the glistening waters of idyllic Lake Todos Los Santos, referred to as Lago Esmeralda due to its piercing emerald hues. Later this afternoon, meander along rocky terrain at the foot of Osorno Volcano.
Breakfast
Enjoy a day at leisure as you explore the charming 'City of Roses' in Puerto Varas.
Breakfast & Dinner
This morning, travel to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas before continuing on your journey towards the quaint town of Puerto Natales. Renowned as the gateway to Parque National Torres del Paine, this humble town is situated on the shore of the Sound of Ultima Esperanza, nestled between the Argentinian border and Chile's interconnected isles.
Breakfast & Lunch
Immerse yourself in a landscape of supreme natural splendour on a full-day tour of Torres del Paine National Park. A biodiverse haven bursting with environmental phenomena including rugged glaciers, towering granite shards and intense turquoise waters, explore this spectacular landscape whilst keeping a close eye out roaming Guanacos and majestic condors soaring in the skies overhead.
Breakfast & Lunch
Set sail upon the Channel of Last Hope this morning, marvelling at the gargantuan glaciers which sharply pierce the ocean from the southern continental ice field. Catch a glimpse of diving Magellan Dolphins and graceful sea lions, recurrent visitors to the area, before disembarking for a leisurely stroll along the shores of Tempanos Lagoon towards the Serrano Glacier; a landscape of towering icebergs and native forests truly epitomises an unforgettable day.
Breakfast & Dinner
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Santiago and after a day at leisure, re-join your group this evening for a farewell dinner.
Departing mainland Chile, fly to Easter Island, a tiny island formed from Volcanic rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Known as Rapa Nui to its native Polynesian settlers, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most remote inhabited island in the world.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today visit Ahu Tongariki, the island's largest Ahu (shrine) with 15 imposing moai statues that have become synonymous with Easter Island itself. The meaning and creation surrounding these sublime works of art have sparked lively debate for centuries. The tour concludes at the beautiful beach of Anakena where you can take a refreshing swim in the Pacific Ocean's warm waters.
Breakfast & Dinner
Ascend the extinct Rano Kau volcano to the Orongo ceremonial village to discover where indigenous kings were once chosen following a gruelling competition. This afternoon, venture out to explore some more shrines and archaeological sites including Hanga Poukhura where toppled moai reveal tales of ancient battles.
Breakfast
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore the region at your own pace.
Breakfast
Return to Santiago by flight and transfer to your hotel.
Breakfast
This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to the UK.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
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The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in country are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Your passport should have an ‘expiry date’ after the day you plan to leave Chile. You can visit Chile for up to 90 days without a visa.
The Chilean immigration authorities will give you a tourist card (‘tarjeta de turismo’), an A5-sized white form. Keep it safe and give it to immigration when you leave the country.
Further advice should be sought from the applicable tourist authority for other nationalities and for general queries. We strongly advise you to check your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up to date guidelines regarding passport validity.
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with a good level of fitness and mobility. It involves full days of sightseeing, often on foot and includes some climbing of stairs and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
The currency in Chile is the Chilean Peso, also known as CH$. US Dollars are widely accepted in Chile should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you. It is advised that you should convert some money into the local currency (Chilean Pesos). If you are taking the Easter Island Extension U.S Dollar ($) may not be accepted in some small businesses, shops and restaurants. Please be aware that card facilities are hard to find on Easter Island, there are only three ATMs (Only accept MasterCard) on the island so it is more preferred to use cash.
Since Easter Island is legally a part of Chile, the primary currency accepted on the island is the Chilean Peso. Some small businesses, shops, and restaurants may not accept US Dollar ($). Please be aware that card facilities are hard to find on Easter Island, there are only three ATMs (Only accept MasterCard) on the island so it is more preferred to use cash.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels as well as American Express.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £400 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour, depending on how much of a bargain-hunter you are!
It is at your customary/discretion to tip both your driver and guide. We would recommend to tip approximately USD$6 person per day. This is a total of USD84 per person to budget for tips on your trip. Tips will be collected at the end of your tour. Tips are accepted in the local currency.
Please note that there is an entrance fee for Easter Island (Rapa Nui). The entrance fee is 78,000 pesos (equivalent to 80 USD) per person.
This is an escorted tour, where we use local expert guides in each city. At times you will also be guided by a local specialist in some of the areas you visit. For groups of 7 people or less you will have an English speaking Driver Guide or a Driver and Local/Monument Guides in each city.
Private Tour: If you have booked a private tour then you will be accompanied by a Driver Guide or a Driver and Local Guides. These will be available to you during all scheduled sightseeing. Private Tours can depart on any day of the week depending on flight and train schedules and the opening days of the attractions. They will follow the itinerary as described in the brochure unless you have been advised otherwise and you will still have all of the same meals, sightseeing and local excursions included.
Easter Island Mini Tour: Your stay in Easter Island is semi-escorted by a tour guide. All internal transfers are included.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character, and can range from business hotels to leisure hotels. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist compared to what you might expect in the UK. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs.
Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Lunch on Day 9 and 13 is a boxed lunch, provided on the way to your excursion. Dinner, where included, will be taken at the hotel.
Vegetarian and Vegan meals can be catered for. Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information.
It is important to note that drinking the tap water, even in developed counties, may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way as the UK. On your arrival into Chile, you will be given a reusable bottle to carry with you throughout your tour, filtered water will be available throughout your tour for you to refill your bottle.
Upon arrival at Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, you will be met after exiting baggage claim and Customs by a Southbound representative holding a Mercury sign who will assist with your transfer to the hotel. Should you have difficulty locating the guide, please wait at “La Pica Restaurant” opposite the main exit between gates 3 and 4.
To ensure you meet the correct representative, always ask them to confirm your name; authorized guides will have it on their list. If in doubt, call Southbound Travel at (+56 9) 9639 1191 for assistance.
If you need to contact Southbound Travel during your stay the details are:
Southbound Travel -
Address: Cowork Latam Apoquindo Avenue 2930, Las Condes - Santiago-Chile
Contact number - Operations Department: 00562 2241 1049
Emergency contact information Please find below the emergency contact details for Southbound Travel in Chile: Telephone 24 hour: 00569 9639 1191 E-mail: emergency@southbound.travel
