Day 1 – Departure from the UK.

Day 2 – Arrival at Santiago Airport and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour to see the most interesting attractions of the Chilean capital. Overnight in Santiago.

Day 3 – After breakfast transfer to the airport for flight to Calama. Upon arrival in Calama, assistance and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. San Pedro is an unusually colourful village at 2,000 m / 6,560 ft above sea level, in the middle of a green oasis. In the afternoon, enjoy the eerily silent moonscape of Valle de la Luna with its backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes;observe the beauty of the scenery intensify during sunset. Return to hotel and overnight stay in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)

Day 4 – After breakfast visit San Pedro de Atacama – the centre of a Palaeolithic civilization that built impressive rock fortresses on the mountains encircling the green valley. The colonial church was constructed in 1577 and is the largest and most beautiful church in the region. The extraordinary archaeological museum (closed on Mondays) of Padre Gustavo Le Paige shows, among its many archaeological pre-Hispanic artefacts, several amazingly well preserved mummies, including one known as “Miss Chile”. After this visit, drive 4 km / 2,5 mi to reach the pre-Columbian village Tulor with an approximate age of 3,000 years. The archaeological remains are the oldest evidence of human settlement in the valley. Continue on to Pukara de Quitor, a fortress, which was conquered in 1540 by the Spanish conquistadores defeating the Incan troops who, in turn, had captured it from the pre-Incan cultures and extended the fortification. In the afternoon proceed to Toconao, a village where the locals dedicate themselves to the manufacture of white volcanic stone sculptures. Continue to the huge Atacama Salt Lake, an inland sea formed millions of years ago. Prepare to be overwhelmed by the vast emptiness with the white salt crusts stretched out in front as far as the eyes can see. It simply is one of the most spectacular and dramatic landscapes in Chile. Return to the hotel. Overnight in San Pedro. (B, L)

Day 5 – Early departure at 4:00 a.m. in order to see the El Tatio Geysers, a geothermal field flanked by soaring peaks. Powerful spurts of steam shoot out at dawn from various blowholes and condense in the cold air. The steaming ponds are encrusted with brilliant salt crystals that reflect the metal blue sky at dawn; along with the rising columns of steam they make for a breathtaking sight. On the way back from the geysers to San Pedro, visit the settlement Machuca, located at 3,400 m / 11,150 ft above sea level. Only a few shepherds still live in this former rest place for the ancient llama caravans that travelled the Inca Trail. It is an amazing place in the middle of the highland with a spectacular view of the Andes and the Atacama Salt Lake. In the afternoon, return to San Pedro. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)

Day 6 – After breakfast, transfer to the airport of Calama for flight to Puerto Montt. Upon arrival a short city tour of Puerto Montt; transfer to Puerto Varas, also known as the "City of Roses"; located on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, Chile's second largest lake, with the volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco reflected in the crystal clear water. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B)

Day 7 – Morning departure from the hotel and drive along the shoreline of Lake Llanquihue to Petrohué in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. Optional short stop to look at the famous Petrohué Falls. Proceed to Petrohué to board the catamaran to sail across Lake Todos los Santos to Peulla enjoying beautiful views of the surrounding mountains on the way. Time for lunch (not included) at the Hotel Peulla and/or a walk to the nearby waterfalls. Return to Puerto Varas and hotel. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B)

Day 8 – Departure to Pargua and crossing of Chacao Channel by ferry to Chiloé Island. Visit either Ancud, famous for its traditional market featuring a wide range of seafood and crafts, or the well known houses built on stilts in Castro and other sights of interest in this town. Return to Puerto Varas. Overnight at hotel in Puerto Varas. (B)

Day 9 – Day at leisure in Puerto Varas. Optional excursions can be easily arranged. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (B)

Day 10 – Morning, transfer to the airport in Puerto Montt to catch your flight to Punta Arenas. Afternoon arrival and departure to Puerto Natales; on the way visit to the penguin colony (high season only!) at Seno Otway. Overnight in Puerto Natales. (B)

Day 11 – Early departure to Torres del Paine National Park. On the way we visit the Milodón Cave where archaeologists have found the 12,000 year old remnants of a giant sloth. In Torres del Paine pass Laguna Amarga and Lake Pehoé and enjoy the beautiful views of the Paine Massif, Almirante Nieto, and the famous Torres (towers) del Paine. Observe local wildlife such as guanacos, ñandus, foxes, skunks, black-necked swans, flamingos, condors, and eagles. Overnight in the park. (B)

Day 12 – Morning at leisure, time for a stroll in the surroundings of the hotel. In the afternoon leave the park and drive to Puerto Natales. Overnight in Puerto Natales. (B,D)

Day 13 – Transfer to the airport of Punta Arenas and flight to Santiago. Two night stay in Santiago de Chile. (B)

Day 14 – At leisure in Santiago (B)

Day 15 – Transfer and return flight to the UK (B)

Day 16 – Arrival in the UK.