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brief itinerary
Chile
Pura Aventura Holiday Location
ARGENTIN A
chile
Atacama and Patagonia
Chile's unusual shape and unique geographical features create one of the most extreme and contrasting environments in the world. We believe the most fulfilling way to experience this beautiful country involves the open air and a decent pair of walking boots. On this holiday you experience the Atacama Desert and Patagonia in depth, and on foot actively enjoying the magnificent diversity of the Chilean landscape. How active?
Although there is some high altitude walking in the Atacama, working your way up is a gradual process, allowing plenty of time to acclimatise. Activities here are `return to base' so you can choose to opt out on any given day. A full day in Santiago lets you relax and enjoy the city. In Patagonia you walk the four-day `W' trail across Torres del Paine. The park is at sea level and your bags are portaged. You can expect up to five hours' walking a day at a relaxed pace on good paths. Summer days are long at this latitude.
Santiago
Explore the fantastic, contrasting landscapes of the Atacama Desert and Patagonia in depth, on foot. Spend as much time as possible in the open air. Relaxed hiking across Torres del Paine as your bags are carried for you. · Day 1 Fly to Chile. · Day 2 Tour Santiago before flying up to the Atacama and your boutique hotel. · Day 3 Morning bike ride across salt flats. Afternoon walk in the salt mountains. · Day 4 Full day walking on old Inca roads in the high Andes. · Day 5 Walk to summit of dormant volcano. Relax this afternoon. · Day 6 Visit the world's highest geothermal field. Fly to Santiago this evening. · Day 7 Free day to explore Santiago. · Day 8 Fly south to Patagonia along the spine of the Andes. · Day 9 Travel by boat into Torres del Paine National Park. · Day 10 Walk on top of Glacier Grey. For the next four nights you sleep in refugios. · Day 11 Set off on four-day hike across the park. Carry just a daypack whilst walking. · Day 12 Walk between the Paine mountains and lakes. · Day 13 Walk past lakes to a beautiful valley. · Day 14 Hike to the distinctive mile-high granite towers. · Day 15 Fly to Santiago for your last night in Chile. · Day 16 Depart for home. · Day 17 Arrive back.
How comfortable?
Throughout your stay you enjoy charming first class hotels including a boutique hotel in the Atacama with a small pool and views onto Licancabur volcano. In Patagonia you spend some nights in first class lodges but for the four nights of the hike, you stay in 'refugios'. These are wooden lodges with four or six bunks to a room and communal bathrooms. They are nothing fancy but provide welcome hot showers, hot food and drinkable wine. We use them because of their spectacular locations. This is a small group holiday although we can also offer private departures. Groups are a maximum of 10, plus your full time guide.
Sounds perfect?
For details of what's included and more information see the detailed itinerary on our website or call us for a copy. For dates and prices see the enclosed sheet. To check availability please call us on 0845 22 55 058 or email info@pura-aventura.com.
Not quite right?
You can extend this holiday: add the Inca Trail (p26); Antarctica (p25); Galapagos Islands (p42); Easter Island; the Chilean Lake District; or call us to discuss your ideas. For other small group holidays in Chile, you might like to consider our comfortable multi-activity Pirenwinkul holiday (p6) or our hiking based Patagonia Mountain Circuit (p8).
WhY Pura
?
This holiday is unique to us. We pay particular attention to the balance between travel time and quality time spent outdoors. Our guides in Chile are all experts in their areas. We keep groups small to minimise impact and we work directly with small businesses to benefit local economies.
chile ARGENTIN A
Call 0845 22 55 058 to discuss our Atacama and Patagonia holiday
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