Ski, Wine & San Pedro Tour
| SKI, WINE & SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA TOUR
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10 Days / 9 Nights - includes 1 day of cat skiing
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From USD $4,089
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Combine 3 of Chile's fabulous ski resorts (including cat skiing) with wine tasting tours and some of Chile's best sight-seeing. Visit geysers, lakes, deserts & ancient ruins as well as coming face to face with native animals & birdlife. Strong intermediate to expert riders. Includes:
- 9 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfasts & dinners (and most lunches)
- Lift tickets
- 1 day of cat skiing
- Wine visits & tastings
- Plus more.....
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| Price based on USD per person twin share inc taxes. Prices correct as at March 2012. Subject to availability. |
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Taste
the best of Chilean wine country in the Maipo and Aconcagua Valleys;
experience the thrill of skiing fresh powder in the Andean mountains;
and, explore the breath taking scenery of the magnificent desert
and altiplano surrounding the northern oasis of San Pedro de Atacama.
We have created an unforgettable ten day journey offering you
the best of Chile's central and northern region available between
June and September.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Santiago / City Tour: Your Santiago guide
will meet you at the airport and accompany you to the modern Las
Condes sector of Santiago where you will check in to your hotel.
In the afternoon there will be a guided city tour
of the historical and cultural highlights of South America’s
most modern city.
Day 2
Ski Valle Nevado: Your first day of skiing begins
when your local guide meets you in the morning to transport you to
Valle Nevado. Lift tickets can also be purchased to connect to neighboring
resorts
La Parva and
El Colorado. The terrain includes expansive
intermediate groomers, and a smaller percentage of steep drops
off peaks like Tres Puntos and Cerro Negro
Day 3
Maipo Valley: Today you will visit the world famous
Maipo valley. Departing from your hotel you will drive south along
the foothills of the Andes and hear about the exciting new boutique
wineries emerging in the region called the
"Alto"
Maipo. We will make a stop at one of these newer wineries
such as Aquitania, Anityal, Almaviva or Perez Cruz. We will then
make our way to
Corcoran Gallery. In the Maipo
Canyon it is the highest winery in the Alto Maipo. Here you will
be met by your hosts, Madeline (she is originally from the US)
and Javier. Tasting will begin and continue through our delicious
lunch surrounded by their beautiful garden vineyard
Day 4
Aconcagua Valley: Your
guide will meet you in the lobby of your Santiago hotel to
begin your journey north (1 hour) to the Aconcagua Valley where you will spend the next three nights. The Aconcagua valley has stunning views of the
Aconcagua Mountain
which gives the river and valley its name. At 22,800 feet, it is
the highest peak in the world, outside the Himalayas. The Aconcagua
Valley is also Chile’s smallest wine valley but very well-known
for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah production. We can stop at
one of the great wineries in the valley to taste some more Chilean
wine!
Day 5
Ski Portillo: Another day of skiing visiting South
America’s most recognized resort. This is the oldest and
most famous of all South American resorts, opened in 1948.
Portillo
is more of a “boutique” ski resort, with limited hotel
capacity, no lift lines and un-crowded slopes. The ambiance here
encourages guests to meet and make friends. Relax and enjoy some
great groomers, a burger at
Tio Bob’s and
unlimited South American sunshine. Of course the more adventuresome
can explore the backcountry off
Roca Jack.
Day 6
Ski Arpa Cat Skiing: Today you will experience
a full-day of “cat skiing” at
Ski Arpa
- adventure skiing in the shadow of Aconcagua. Ski Arpa is about
indescribable vistas, and unlimited drops in vertical and snow.
But believe it! The two valleys of Ski Arpa, "Valle el
Arpa" and "Valle la Honda", are unlike anywhere
in the world. At the summit, you will see east to "Cerro
Aconcagua", the highest peak outside the Himalayas, and
west to the Pacific Ocean. From there, it is a 3,000 foot vertical
descent in virgin powder guided by experts.
Day 7
Travel Santiago to San Pedro:
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and transfer you
to the Santiago International Airport in time for your 11am
flight to
Calama in northern Chile. Upon
arrival in Calama, your hotel representative will meet you in
the airport and you will make the hour-long drive to the oasis
of
San Pedro de Atacama. The quaint adobe town
sits on the northern edge of the world's driest desert. An important
center of commerce for the Incas, and later, Spanish conquistadors,
it now hosts visitors from around the world attracted to its
archaeological and natural wonders.
The best
way to start your visit to San Pedro with an evening sunset
excursion. One of the most anticipated moments in San Pedro
is the sunset, and one of the best places to experience it is
in the “Cordillera de la Sal” among the two valleys,
Valle de Marte (Valley of Mars) and Valle de la Luna
(Valley of the Moon). The valleys are of saline and clayed shapes,
the product of mineralogical folds that occurred hundred of
millions years ago, creating mountains with strange and capricious
shapes. Here the sunset turns these mountains into a lunar landscape
Day 8 & 9
San Pedro de Atacama – Day Excursions:
San Pedro is all about exploring the fascinating geological environment
and native flora & fauna surrounding the Atacama Salt
Desert as well as the Altiplano region that borders with
Bolivia and Argentina. Each afternoon, you will be able to plan
your desired excursions for the next day choosing from a variety
of activities including trekking, horseback riding and mountain
biking. Each activity is led by local English speaking guide and
full-day excursions include a delicious picnic to be enjoyed while
soaking up the “other-worldly” landscapes.
The
Chaxa Lake is the best place to explore the Atacama
Desert. Along the way, you will visit the town of Tocanao
and see how this ancient village has lived off the land on this
tiny oasis made possible by the fresh waters of Jere Gorge.
Arriving to the lake, which is surrounded by the 2,000 square
mile salt desert, you will have a chance to observe the three
species of flamingos which feed on the micro plankton found in
the lake. The sunset in Chaxa is an assured highlight of your
visit to Atacama.
The high altitude excursions to El
Tatio geysers, the Altiplano Lakes or
the Tara Reserve are full-day excursions that
take you to elevations above 13.000 feet where you can view the
landscapes that surely would have inspired Salvador Dali had he
visited South America. The altiplano zone is also home to the
llamas, guanacos, vicunas and condors. This region is best visited
after a day or two of adjusting to the high altitude in San Pedro.
If
you are interested in exploring the archeological ruins around
San Pedro, you will not be disappointed with the 4,000 year old
ruins of Tulor, the more recent Incan ruins of
Pukara de Quitor and the petroglyphs
in Yerba Buena. The Museum Padre Le Paige
also provides a excellent overview of the regional history from
pre-historic times to the present and is recognized for being
home to some of the oldest and best-preserved mummies in the world.
Day 10
Travel Santiago / Return Home: You will be taken
to Calama in time for your flight to Santiago to continue with
your travel arrangements.
Includes
- 3 nights Hotel Orly, Santiago (includes daily breakfast)
-
3 nights Casa San Regis (includes daily breakfast, box lunch & dinner)
-
3 nights San Pedro hotel (includes daily breakfast, lunch, dinner plus guided excursions & airport transfers)
- Skiing at Valle Nevado, Portillo & Ski Arpa
-
Wine visits, tastings & lunch
- Guided Santiago tour
- All ground transportation with English speaking driver
Note: Rates are based on twin / double occupancy
Not Included
-
Flight
Santiago/Calama - approximately $200 per person
- Gratuity
for drivers & guides
- Chile
reciprocity fees at Santiago International Airport
- Meals
not specifically noted above
- Travel Insurance
Tours Costs (2011 prices)
Option
|
Santiago Hotel
|
Aconcagua Hotel
|
San Pedro Hotel
|
Price Per Person
|
Package A
|
Hotel Orly
|
Casa San Regis
|
Alto Atacama
|
$4,089 |
| Package B |
Hotel Orly
|
Casa San Regis
|
Awasi |
$4,782 |
| Package C |
Hotel Orly
|
CAsa San Regis
|
Tierra Atacama
|
$4,107 |
Departure
DatesThis program is available between June and September
BookingsClick here
to reserve this tour