A six-day journey combining Chile’s capital with the island of Chiloé, in the south of the country.
The programme opens with three nights in Santiago, with a panoramic tour of the old centre and the eastern districts and a full-day excursion to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, crossing the Curacaví and Casablanca wine valleys. A domestic flight then reaches the island of Chiloé, with two nights in Castro. There the tour takes in the palafitos of the Mirador Gamboa, the craft market and the Iglesia San Francisco, and visits the World Heritage wooden churches of Nercón, Vilupulli and Chonchi, as well as the town of Chonchi with its museums and waterfront. Accommodation is offered in Tourist Superior, First Superior and Luxury categories, with excursions on a semi-private basis.
Highlights
Palacio de La Moneda and the historic centre of Santiago
Cerro Santa Lucía and Barrio Lastarria
Valparaíso: Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción and La Sebastiana
Viña del Mar: the Reloj de Flores and the moai of the Museo Fonck
Palafitos of the Mirador Gamboa and the Iglesia San Francisco de Castro
World Heritage wooden churches of Chiloé at Nercón, Vilupulli and Chonchi
Day-by-day itinerary
Day1
Day 1: Arrival in Santiago
Private transfer from Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) to the selected hotel in Santiago. The journey takes about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the hotel location and traffic, covering some 20 km to the city centre, in comfortable air-conditioned vehicles.
Day2
Day 2: Santiago panoramic city tour
Panoramic tour of Santiago from the hotel. It takes in Avenida Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins (the Alameda) and the Palacio de La Moneda, the Plaza de Armas with the Cathedral, the Correo Central and the City Hall, and climbs Cerro Santa Lucía. It continues through the Parque Forestal, the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Barrio Lastarria, crosses the Mapocho River into Barrio Bellavista and reaches Providencia, Las Condes and Vitacura, with a stop at Parque Bicentenario. Approx. 08:30 to 14:00.
Day3
Day 3: Valparaíso and Viña del Mar
Excursion from the hotel to the coast, crossing the Curacaví and Casablanca wine valleys. In Valparaíso the tour takes in natural viewpoints, the Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción hills by a traditional funicular, the Paseo Yugoslavo and the Paseo Atkinson, with a photo stop at La Sebastiana, Pablo Neruda’s house-museum (entrance not included). In Viña del Mar it visits the Casino, the Reloj de Flores, the Museo Fonck — with its Easter Island moai — and the Quinta Vergara. The service includes a driver-guide for up to 4 travellers; from 5 travellers, a driver and a Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking guide. Approx. 08:30 to 17:00.
Day4
Day 4: Santiago – Chiloé Island (Castro)
In the morning, private transfer from the Santiago hotel to Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL). On arrival in Chiloé, transfer from Castro’s Mocopulli Airport (MHC) to the selected hotel in Castro or its surroundings, a journey of 20 to 30 minutes and about 18 km. Domestic air tickets not included.
Day5
Day 5: Castro and Chonchi city tour
Half-day tour of Castro from the hotel, taking in its main sights: the Feria Campesina Yumbel, the Mirador Gamboa — with views of the palafitos, houses built over the water — the craft market and the Iglesia San Francisco de Castro, one of the 16 churches of Chiloé listed as World Heritage. It continues with the World Heritage churches of Nercón, Vilupulli and Chonchi, and a visit to Chonchi, known as the 'town of three storeys' for its slopes, where the Museo de las Tradiciones, the Museo de los Acordeones and the waterfront stand out. Service with a bilingual guide (Spanish and English).
Day6
Day 6: Departure from Castro
Transfer from the hotel in Castro or its surroundings to Mocopulli Airport (MHC), a journey of 20 to 30 minutes and about 18 km, in comfortable air-conditioned vehicles, for the departure flight.
Suggested hotels
Hampton by Hilton Santiago Las Condes
Standard
Las Condes
Tourist Superior category option in Santiago (3 nights).
Hot buffet breakfast
Restaurant
Gym
Rooftop with jacuzzi
24-hour reception
Minimarket
Manquehue Metro Station (50 m)
Parque Araucano (10-min walk)
Parque Arauco
Costanera Center
Diego de Almagro Isla de Chiloé - Castro
Standard
Castro
Tourist Superior category option in Castro (2 nights).
Pullman Santiago Vitacura
Superior
Vitacura
First Superior category option in Santiago (3 nights).
Outdoor pool
Gym
Mediterranean restaurant
8 meeting rooms
Underground parking
Free WiFi
Club de Golf Los Leones (across from the hotel)
Costanera Center (~2.5 km)
Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (~18 km)
Vitacura
Sizigia Hotel Palafito
Superior
Castro
First Superior category option in Castro (2 nights).
DoubleTree by Hilton Santiago Kennedy
Luxury
Vitacura
Luxury category option in Santiago (3 nights).
Outdoor pool
Spa
Gym
Mediterranean restaurant
Terrace
Garden
Parque Bicentenario (~2 km)
Costanera Center (~3 km)
Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (~18 km)
Vitacura
Enjoy Chiloé
Luxury
Castro
Luxury category option in Castro (2 nights).
Essential, Premium and Luxury categories available. Final accommodation is confirmed by date and availability.
What's included
Included: Accommodation in the listed hotels or similar, with daily breakfast and hotel taxes where applicable (5 nights: 3 in Santiago, 2 in Castro)
Included: Airport – hotel – airport transfers
Included: Excursions mentioned in the programme on a semi-private basis
Included: amenities: a bottle of wine per booking and a power adapter
What's not included
Not included: International airfare
Not included: Domestic air tickets (the Santiago – Castro flight is not included)
Not included: Airport and tourism taxes and visa fees
Not included: Entrance to La Sebastiana, Pablo Neruda’s house-museum
Not included: Meals not mentioned in the programme
Not included: Drinks unless explicitly stated
Not included: Tips (bellboys, restaurants, guides and drivers)
Not included: Personal expenses and optional services
Not included: Travel insurance
Not included: Anything not expressly mentioned as included