Chile | Gardens, Parks, Glaciers, and the Sea with Pacific Horticulture

Today depart from your home city for your flight(s) to Santiago, Chile.

Upon arrival this morning at the Santiago International Airport, after clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be met and transferred to Hotel Plaza El Bosque Ebro. Your room will be available for check-in upon arrival. You will have the day to relax; perhaps take a stroll in the lovely neighborhood with its interesting shops, vibrant cafés, and cocktail bars. This evening at 7pm, meet your naturalist guide and fellow travelers in the lobby of the hotel for a quick overview of what you can expect during the next few days. Then, take a stroll to a lovely neighborhood restaurant for a delicious welcome dinner.

Today, check out and travel toward the coast, stopping en route to visit a private garden in Curacaví or Casablanca Valley. Continue to the resort town of Viña del Mar, nicknamed "the Garden City," where you'll enjoy wonderful views of the Pacific as you have lunch at an open-air seafood restaurant on the water's edge. This afternoon, visit a private garden in the area before checking in at your hotel in Concón, just north of Viña del Mar. You will have the remainder of the late afternoon and evening at leisure, with dinner on own.

Spend the morning at the National Botanic Garden of Viña del Mar. The grounds encompass 976 acres, 79 of which are dedicated to a public park. (Its remaining 897 acres are made up of natural hills, on which 269 native species grow.) The garden features more than 280 tree species, including one of the few documented collections of the toromiro of Rapa Nui (Sophora toromiro), now extinct in the wild. There's also a collection of plants from the Juan Fernández archipelago, with 420 individuals representing 37 endemic species; a cactarium with 670 cacti of 60 Chilean species; a collection of Chilean Myrtaceae; a collection of "bosque valdiviano" plants, referring to the native forest of Valdivia in northern Patagonia; medicinal plants; and fuchsias. In total, the garden has cultivated more than 1,100 plant species. After your morning at the garden, begin the trip back to Santiago. En route, enjoy a picnic lunch in the Aconcagua Valley at the estate of Viña El Escorial, served under the shade of an avocado forest, complete with Gran Reserva wines from their vineyard, and a selection of jerky, cheese, nuts, chocolate, two Mediterranean sandwiches, and mineral water. After your picnic, visit a private garden in the Aconcagua Valley. Your evening in Santiago is at leisure. There are excellent restaurants within walking distance, including the one at your hotel.

This morning, transfer to the Santiago airport for your flight to Puerto Montt in southern Chile's Lake District, where you will be met and taken the short distance to your hotel in Puerto Varas. Enjoy lunch at the hotel, with incredible views of Lake Llanquihue and Osorno Volcano, followed by a guided walking tour of the town. It was founded by German immigrants who settled the shores of the lake as part of a government colonization project during the presidency of Manuel Montt. We will also visit a private garden in town. This evening, dine at Ibis Restaurant, located on the waterfront within walking distance of your hotel.

Today begins with a guided hike in Lahuen Ñadi Private Park. The Lahuen Ñadi Park is an area of great importance since it preserves a small sample of the beautiful alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) forests of the Central Valley, which have been practically extinguished due to overexploitation. Other examples of flora that can be seen are the coigüe (Nothofagus dombeyi) and the cinnamon tree (canelos). During your walk, you may also see birds such as the Chucao Tapaculo (Scelorchilus rubecula), Chestnut-throated Huet-Huet (Pteroptochos castaneus), and Fire-eyed Diucon (Xolmis pyrope). Enjoy a boxed lunch today. Next, travel to Puerto Octay to take in a stroll through an outstanding private botanic park known as Verde Nativo. For sunset, head to the stylish Cancagua Spa to relax in the hot tubs with views of Lake Llanquihue while enjoying a glass of sparkling Chilean wine and delicious aperitifs. This evening is at leisure to enjoy the town on your own.

After a leisurely breakfast, check out and explore the charming town of Frutillar, at the edge of Lake Llanquihue but north of Puerto Varas. Travel along the road that skirts the lake with amazing views of Osorno Volcano, the area's old alpine-style homes, and the surprising Teatro del Lago, a state-of-the-art stage theater and concert hall. Have lunch in town, then head to the airport for a late afternoon flight to Punta Arenas in southern Patagonia. Your specialist guide will return to Santiago, and will meet back with you at the end of your tour. Upon arrival in Punta Arenas, you'll be met and taken to your hotel for dinner (on own).

This morning, take a guided tour of this very interesting and historical port town. Embark on the four-and-a-half hour drive from Punta Arenas to Patagonia Camp. Your guide will give you a boxed lunch before you meet the representative from Patagonia Camp who will take you to their amazing property, just a 15-minute drive from Torres del Paine National Park. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by the staff and directed to the main building, which contains a sitting area, dining area, and bar. As you enjoy a welcome cocktail, the staff will explain the daily activities offered, the dining schedule, and the various cocktails, wine, and beer that are complimentary during your stay. You will then be given your "room" key and you can discover your wonderful accommodations - a yurt! These are delightful, comfortable, circular, and completely independent tents immersed in a coigüe tree forest, all with a spectacular view of Toro Lake and the Paine Massif. After you get settled, you will have the remainder of the late afternoon and evening at leisure to enjoy the views, a cocktail or two, and a delicious dinner prepared by some of the best chefs in the area.

After breakfast, meet with the guides, who will give you an overview of the day and review the logistics of the activity you have chosen the night before. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your outing. When you return to the camp, have some time to freshen up before dinner and reflect on an amazing day in Torres del Paine National Park..

After breakfast, meet with the guides, who will once again give you an overview of the day and review the logistics of the activity you have chosen the night before. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your outing. When you return to the camp, have some time to freshen up before dinner and reflect on another amazing day in Torres del Paine National Park.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Patagonia Camp and travel to Puerto Natales for your flight to Santiago. (Patagonia Camp will supply you with a boxed lunch.) Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel. This evening, gather together for a delicious farewell dinner at a local restaurant with your specialist guide.

Spend the day at leisure; perhaps take a stroll from your hotel, do some last-minute shopping, and/or rest and relax to get ready for your international flights. You will have use of your hotel room until being taken to the airport early this evening.

Welcome home!