Atacama, Lakes and Patagonia

This holiday is the perfect introduction to Chile, taking in its most dramatic, beautiful and breath-taking scenery. From deserts to mountains, islands to lakes and waterfalls to caves, you witness the diverse aspects of nature on display in this country, with local guides providing added information and insights.

You spend a morning exploring Santiago, Chile's capital. This is both an historic city dating back to 1541, and a scenic one, flanked by mountains, and is made up of distinct neighbourhoods. Your tour culminates in a drive to the second highest point in Santiago, Cerro San Cristobal, where with its sweeping views across the city.

From the city to the desert, as you travel north to the Atacama Desert, one of the driest regions on Earth. Over the next few days you venture into the lunar-like landscape, with its rugged canyons, shimmering salt flats, colourful lagoons and spouting geysers. And after dark you can enjoy some of the best stargazing in the world. It's quite unlike anywhere else, totally fascinating.

After the aridity of the desert you head to Chile's Lake District, staying in the pretty lake shore town of Puerto Varas. Here you see cascading waterfalls and take a catamaran cruise to enjoy views of the surrounding volcanoes. Leaving the mainland, you take a day trip to Chiloe Island to see the distinctive stilt houses built out over the water and view pretty village squares and historic churches.

The third destination is Patagonia in the far south of the country. With towering mountains, mirror-still lakes, blue-tinged icebergs and immense glaciers, the landscapes are truly breath-taking. During a cruise along Ultima Esperanza Fjord you spot sea lions and cormorants and get close-up views of glaciers that stretch down from the mountains to the water, and in Torres del Paine National Park you watch gaunacos against a background of jagged peaks and blue skies.

Your hotels are handily located for exploring every destination and provide comfy, en-suite accommodation, and all have a restaurant, swimming pool and Wi-Fi. Flights are used to cover the long distances, leaving more time for you to enjoy in each of these wonderful locations.

This holiday is also available on an all-inclusive basis using The Ritz Carlton in Santiago, Tierra Atacama, Hotel AWA in Puerto Varas and Tierra Patagonia. This option includes a choice of daily guided excursions in Atacama, Puerto Varas and Patagonia, and breakfast, lunch and dinner and house drinks in Patagonia, Puerto Varas and Patagonia. Please contact us for details and prices.