9 Days • 8 Nights
Chile Wine & Lake District
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Santiago and the Andean wine valleys
- Cabernet and Carmenere tastings in Colchagua
- The green, volcanic Lake District
- Snow-capped volcanoes and deep-blue lakes
- German-influenced towns and cuisine
- Hot springs, rafting and lake cruises
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 9-day journey.
Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the capital, with a welcome dinner of Chilean cuisine and wine.
A guided tour of Santiago and an afternoon in the nearby Maipo Valley for tastings of Chile's signature Cabernet among the vines beneath the Andes.
You travel south to the Colchagua Valley, Chile's premier wine region, settling into a vineyard hotel with an afternoon tasting and a sunset over the vines.
A full day touring the Colchagua Valley's prestigious bodegas, tasting Carmenere and Cabernet, with a gourmet vineyard lunch and time to relax.
You return to Santiago and fly south to the Lake District, transferring to Pucon, a pretty lakeside town beneath the smoking Villarrica volcano.
A day exploring the Villarrica volcano slopes and national park, with forest walks, waterfalls and a soak in natural thermal hot springs beneath the peaks.
A day of gentle adventure, rafting or kayaking a river, a lake cruise, or a visit to the araucaria (monkey-puzzle) forests, immersed in the alpine scenery.
A free day to enjoy the Lake District, more hot springs, a bike ride, a German-influenced town, or simply the lake and volcano views, with a farewell dinner.
After breakfast you transfer to the airport for your onward flight, having savoured Chile's wine and scenery.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 8 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and two vineyard lunches
- Airport and internal transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking guides
- Domestic flights as specified
- National park and attraction entry fees as per itinerary
- a Santiago tour, guided Colchagua wine tours, Lake District excursions and domestic flights
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival; a passport valid for at least six months is required. We confirm details for your nationality
- Currency: The currency is the Chilean Peso; cards are widely accepted in cities and resorts, but carry cash for markets, small vendors and remote areas such as the Atacama and Patagonia. We advise on current money matters
- Vast distances: Chile is extraordinarily long, over 4,000 km, so itineraries rely on domestic flights between regions such as Santiago, the Atacama and Patagonia; these are arranged and included where specified
- Seasons reversed: Chile is in the southern hemisphere, so summer (December to February) is warm and ideal for Patagonia and the Lake District, while the Atacama and the wine country are wonderful year-round
- Atacama altitude: San Pedro de Atacama sits high (around 2,400 metres) with excursions much higher, so allow time to acclimatise, ascend gradually, stay hydrated and take it easy on the high-altitude days
- Patagonia weather: Patagonia is famously windy and changeable even in summer, so pack warm, waterproof layers, a hat and sturdy footwear; the best season for trekking is roughly October to April
- Getting around & tipping: Cities are walkable with taxis and rideshares; tipping around ten percent is customary in restaurants and appreciated by guides and drivers. Spanish is the language, though English is common in tourism
- Health & power: No vaccinations are required for most travellers; bring strong sun protection for the desert and high altitude, and warm layers for Patagonia and cold desert nights. Power is 220V with type C and L plugs, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know about wine to enjoy this?
Not at all — the bodegas are welcoming and explain everything in an accessible way, tailoring tastings to your interest. Whether you are a serious enthusiast or simply enjoy good wine and food against a beautiful backdrop, you will love it.
Is the Lake District good for adventure?
Yes — Pucon and the Lake District offer rafting, kayaking, volcano hikes, hot springs and lake cruises, all in stunning alpine scenery. Activities range from gentle to adventurous, and we tailor them to your interests and fitness.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner, a wine-country lunch or full board at remote lodges in the Atacama and Patagonia. Other meals are left free with our recommendations.
Are domestic flights included?
Yes — the domestic flights between regions specified in your itinerary, such as Santiago to the Atacama or Patagonia, are arranged and included, along with all airport and hotel transfers, so your journey is seamless.
Do I need a visa for Chile?
Most nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival with a passport valid for at least six months. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book.
When is the best time to visit Chile?
It depends on the regions, summer (December to February) is best for Patagonia and the Lake District, while the Atacama desert and the wine country are wonderful year-round. We advise on the best timing for your route.
How do we manage the altitude in the Atacama?
San Pedro de Atacama is high, with excursions higher still, so we pace the itinerary to aid acclimatisation and schedule the highest sites for later in your stay. You should rest, hydrate and take it easy; we advise fully.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of desert, Patagonia, wine and cities, add Easter Island or the Lake District, change the pace and tailor hotels to your interests and budget.
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