Santiago, Puerto Varas and Chile Wine

Start your adventure in the cosmopolitan hub of Santiago. Cradled between the jagged mountain peaks and the expansive Pacific Ocean, the capital city is also a stepping stone on the way to an expedition to the Andes. Check into your hotel and get ready for a city tour. Visit the main square of Santiago which boasts a unique combination of colonial and modern architecture. Next, discover the picturesque and upscale neighborhoods of Vitacura and Las Condes and crane your neck to see their towering skyscrapers. For a wonderful end to a perfect day, ascend to the top of Santa Lucia Hill where the city was founded in 1541 and delight in the sweeping views of Santiago from above. After the tour, leisurely descend and return to your hotel to relax.

No visit to Santiago is complete without a tour of its world-class wineries. West of the city, discover the Casablanca Valley, deservedly renowned for producing superior white wines. Visit three vineyards to learn about the cultivation, harvesting and processing of Chilean grapes into commercial wine and sample some of their best vintage drops. After the tour, travel to the gorgeous seaside town of Valparaiso, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. Sit back and relax after checking in and enjoy the view of the ocean and the salty air.

Discover the spirit and soul of Valparaíso today, the oldest port in Chile. Valparaíso holds a special place in the history of the region and to this day is home to the Chilean House of Assembly and Senate. During a period of rapid growth in the 19th century, a network of sixteen funicular railways was built to accommodate the changes and to this day, they continue to serve the city’s residents. From Valparaíso, journey along the coast to the stunning beaches of Viña del Mar. Also known as the Garden City, explore its many parks and green spaces, natural sanctuaries from the rest of the town. Visit the famous Flower Clock and then transfer back to Santiago in the late afternoon.

Travel to the scenic Colchagua Valley and discover some of Chile’s best vineyards. In the heart of the valley, encounter one of the most beautiful towns in the country, Santa Cruz, and take a walk around the Plaza de Armas. Next, visit two different wineries in the region. Learn about Chilean viticulture and enjoy tasting a few of the local vintages. Some of the most reputable wineries include Viu Manent, Santa Laura, Bisquert, Mont Gras and Montes, many of which were established during the 19th century from vine cuttings imported from France. After indulging, return to Santiago in the late afternoon.

Fly south from Santiago de Chile to Puerto Montt, the capital of Chile's Lake District. Start with a private city tour and learn about the German colonists who encountered the indigenous Mapuche community and settled in Puerto Montt in 1853. Meander around the main squares and stop to view the various historical monuments in the downtown area. Afterward, visit the port and pass by the fish market of Angelmó full of fresh shellfish. Don’t miss the big and bright handicraft market where local artisans sell their wares. After visiting Angelmó, transfer to Puerto Varas and settle into your Lakeside Hotel.

Awake to a stunning view of the lakes and take a drive from Puerto Varas to Frutillar. Step back in time while visiting Frutillar’s spectacular open-air museum that exhibits restored colonial Chilean furnishings from the early German settlement period, including a working blacksmith shop. Various classical music festivals attract crowds to Frutillar in summer. Continue to Puerto Octay and then return to Puerto Varas in the afternoon.

Depart from Puerto Varas today traveling adjacent to Lake Llanquihue. Marvel at the truly magnificent views of the Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes and pass through the small village of Ensenada on the way to the Petrohué River. Spare a few moments to take photographs and ramble through the dense vegetation. Continue to Todos los Santos Lake also widely known as Emerald Lake given its vivid blue-green waters. Be inspired by the sight of the Osorno, Calbuco, Tronador and Puntiagudo Volcanoes looming in the background. Finally, board a catamaran at the pier and sail towards Peulla and later return by boat to the Petrohué Pier before taking a transfer back to Puerto Montt.

After breakfast, fly to Santiago where you can take a flight home or continue onto another exciting destination on your South American adventure.