The first Web site of single Tourism to know the Cultural Routes Mapuche between VIII - IX - X Region Chile. - information : SILVANA ROST JEFE PROYECTOS GEOCULTURALES info@mapuchetravel.com fono contacto: 6.2150507

Day 01: Arrive Santiago, Chile
Upon arrival to Chile's capital city, you are met by an iExplore representative for transfer to the hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a city tour begining with a visit to the neoclassical La Moneda Palace, home of Chilean presidents until 1958 and today the seat of the government. Also visit the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, one of South America's finest Museum with exhibits of pre-Columbian cultures from Central America to the Andean region. Next, visit one of the most complete collections of ceramics, ancient textiles and relics of the American culture. After this interesting visit, walk with your guide to the heart of Santiago and to the recently remodeled Plaza de Armas, from here view the Cathedral (finished in 1789) and the buildings housing the Central Post Office and City Hall, both national monuments of colonial vintage. Also visit the conical San Cristobal Hill with an impressive panorama of the city, nestled in its mountain valley. On its 1145-foot crest stands the huge statue of the Virgin; beautifully floodlit at night. Enjoy a welcome a'la carte dinner will be at Restaurant “El Otro Sitio”, located in Borde Rio (transfers included.) Meals provided: Dinner
Overnight: Plaza El Bosque Park & Suites

Day 02 : Wine District
You are collected from your hotel for a full day tour of the winelands. To the south of Santiago there are important vineyards whose soil and climate produce wine of the highest quality, the best known of which is Concha y Toro. Vast fields of grapevines of the purest French ancestry exist, because Chile was one of the very few countries not affected by the worldwide plague of philoxera in 1863. This along with an ideal climate and significant investment over the last 2 decades has made Chilean wine some of the best, (if not best known), wines in the world today. Viña Concha y Toro was founded in 1883 at Pirque, in the Maipo Valley, by the Spanish nobleman Don Melchor de Concha y Toro. The visit begins in the Plaza Don Melchor square where you will be welcomed by your expert, bilingual guide, who will lead you to a balcony for a spectacular panoramic view of the Pirque vineyard. Glass of Casillero del Diablo white wine in hand, you can immerse yourself in the aromas and flavors of this centennial setting. Visitors can stroll through the dense parkland and gardens that have been maintained as they were in the days of Don Melchor. The old casona will also be visited, the former residence of the Concha y Toro family. It was here that, over a hundred years ago, biggest wine making company in Chile was born. Continuing to Viña Santa Rita to enjoy a traditional lunch at restaurant Doña Paula. After lunch, tour around the vineyard. Santa Rita is one of the main winery in the Maipo Valley, located in the twon of Alto Jahuel, at the Andes foothills. The Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and an average rainfall of 330 mm per year, has given this area recognition as being one of the best grape growing areas in the world, especially for Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyards surrounding Santa Rita's winery are planted at about 800 m above sea level, on gradients between 3 and 6 percent on soil that is enriched by strata from the Andes Mountains. The soil is sandy – though reasonably heavy and alkaline due to ionic calcium deposits from the Maipo River - and porous, suitable for the establishment of good root systems. Return to Santiago. Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Plaza El Bosque Park & Suites Day 03: Santiago - Temuco - Villarrica
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Temuco. Domestic flight from Santiago to Temuco (not included in land price.) After a 1-hour flight, arrival to Temuco, you are met for transfer to your hotel. Included in the transfer to Villarrica will be a visit to the Hueche Ruka Community, giving you a fascinating insight into the traditions of the Mapuche peoples of Chile's South. "The People of the Earth" is what the Mapuche call themselves. These native people were here in the south of Chile long before the conquistador Pedro de Valdivia discovered the region in the mid-1500s. There will be a demonstration of the community's principal artistic and creative activities, its gastronomy and handicrafts. Continue to Villarrica, some 60-minutes drive southeast of Temuco, in the shadow of the beautiful Villarrica Volcano on the eastern side of Lake Villarrica. Meals provided: Breakfast.

Overnight: Villarrica Park Lake Hotel. Day 04: Villarrica
Your first full day in Chile's Lake District. 700 miles south of Santiago we find the crystal waters, lush green forests, rapids and waterfalls, snow-capped volcanoes and azure blue skies of the Chilean Lake District, one of the world's scenic jewels. The city of Villarrica was founded by Geronimo de Alderete in 1552. The city is located at the edge of the lake Villarrica, surrounded by the snow-capped cone of the active Villarrica Volcano (2,700 meter above the lake). Pucón is Villarrica's more modern neighbour. A lively town with many options for the visitor, it is now regarded as Chile's active adventure capital. Morning visit to Pucón and surroundings, including the Volcanic caves of the Villarrica Volcano. Discover the exciting sensation of entering one of only two volcanic caves open to visitors in the world. They were made naturally after numerous eruptions of the Villarrica volcano. There will be a descent of 300 meters in order to observe their geological constitution. Set upon of the volcano's hillsides, at 2,847 meters above sea level (8,540 feet), is the most important ski center in the region, offering a wonderful view of the valley and lakes during the sunny days. Remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and enjoy the numerous facilities inside the hotel. Meals provided: Breakfast.
Overnight: Villarrica Park Lake Hotel.

Day 05: Villarrica
An early start this morning to visit the Huerquehue National Park, a mountainous 12,500-hectare (30,900-acre) natural reserve, is located a short drive from Villarrica. The park offers a wide variety of hikes that traverse dense beech forests containing native vegetation such as coigües, lingues, and araucarias. Araucarias are unique old-growth trees that live for more than a thousand years. The araucaria is known as the Tree of the Mapuches because its Pehuén seed has sustained the Mapuche people for generations. The hiking paths in Huerquehue National Park lead to pleasant waterfalls and gurgling brooks or to splendid vistas of the Andes and Volcano Villarrica. Enjoy the evening at leisure to relax and enjoy the numerous facilities inside the hotel.

Meals provided: Breakfast, Box Lunch
Overnight: Villarrica Park Lake Hotel. Day 06: Villarrica
Today you will have a day to relax at the Huife Thermal Springs. This is the most modern and complete thermal center in the area. It has three big pools, one with water reaching 40ºC, another at 38ºC, and the final one much cooler. For the truly active, alternatively (at additional cost) we will offer you a climb up the Villarrica Volcano. The ascent of this active 2,840-metre high mountain is not technically difficult, but it does demand good physical conditions. A 6.30am start is required in order to reach the base camp where you will be kitted out with boots and other equipment. The sight of the crater is overwhelming. It has a diameter of 200 square metres and deep within it you can see red lava bubbling and a sulphurous smoke climbing towards you. The views from the top are sensational. The climb is roughly 4 hours long, and the descent 2-3 hours Whatever you decide to do, the evening will be at leisure to wind down after the day's activities. Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Villarrica Park Lake Hotel. Day 07: Villarrica - Temuco - Santiago - Calama - Atacama
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Temuco to board your return flight back to Santiago. Upon arrival you will be met by your iExplore representative, who will assist you with your connecting flight to Calama. Domestic flight: Temuco-Santiago-Calama (not included in land price.) Calama is your gateway to the geological and archaeological wonders of the central desert. Upon arrival in this oasis town, you will be welcomed by the hotel or lodge personnel and transferred overland to the Desert Lodge, in the heart of the Atacama Desert. This is the world's driest landscape, cut off from storm systems by high-pressure air currents and by Chile's twin mountain ranges. No precipitation has been recorded here since the days of Spanish colonization, four hundred years ago. Prior to dinner this evening, the guides will describe the excursion options available over the next three days. Meals provided: Breakfast,Dinner

Overnight: Terrantai Lodge Day 08, 09, 10: Atacama Desert
Three full days of adventure in the desert lie ahead. There are many activities available, something for all tastes, interests, ages and levels of fitness. Mountain biking, hiking, visits to archaeological sites, thermal springs, and the spectacular salt flats are just some of the options open to the guests. A nice way to commence your Atacama experience is with a walking tour of San Pedro de Atacama. The Father Le Paige Archaeological Museum holds an extraordinary collection of items from ancient cultures that inhabited this oasis. There are gold ritual masks and mummies of high ranking chiefs, complete with robes and jewels. This is an outstanding display. There is a quaint handicrafts market selling typical products from the region. "Caracoles" is typical of the narrow, picturesque streets of the village with its colourful, adobe buildings. In the afternoon, your guide will take you to the incredible Valley of The Moon. Most spectacular wind sculpted scenery is almost out of this world – hence the name. The most popular way to visit this site is on foot, completing a 2-hour gentle hike which finishes at a magnificent view point overlooking the entire valley where you can enjoy a sundowner drink or cocktail, before a short walk back to your vehicle which will take you back to the hotel. San Pedro de Atacama. Highlights of this delightful village include the Father Le Paige Archaeological Museum, the church, the quaint handicrafts market selling typical products from the region, and colourful “Caracoles” with its adobe buildings. Valley of The Moon Most spectacular at sunset, and available on foot, horseback, mountain bike or vehicle, the red, almost Martian, wind sculpted scenery is almost out of this world – hence the name. The most popular way to visit this site is on foot, completing a 2-hour gentle hike which finishes at a magnificent view point overlooking the entire valley. Atacama Salt Flat. An hour drive from Atacama are the salt flats which are spectacular in themselves, but which also offer the opportunity to see Andean flamingos, particularly at sunset when they are more active. On the way to the salt flats we will also visit a small local village with quaint church and artisan market, with the opportunity to buy locally made products. Tatio Geysers & The Puritama Springs. An early start is necessary for this excursion, in order to complete the drive of 60 miles (95 km) north of San Pedro de Atacama in order to reach the El Tatio Geyser Field before dawn. Considered the highest geyser field in the world, El Tatio provides spectacular sights as the day breaks, and huge plumes of steam spout from the ground tens of meters into the air. Ponds of thermal water, encrusted with richly coloured mineral deposits, eerily resemble a painter's palette, while in the background, soaring snowy peaks loom against a metallic-blue sky. It is a sublime spectacle. At about 8:30am, when the sun has already fully emerged, the geyser activity ceases. It will then be time for an invigorating dip in the Puritama Thermal Pools. Never mind the cold air (Tatio is at 4,125m, or 13,600ft, altitude); after you emerge from the bath, you will feel years younger. Altitude makes water boil here at a mere 86°C (186°F); deep underground, however, temperatures of up to 240°C (464°F) have been recorded. The journey to Puritama is spectacular, and you will have plenty of opportunities for some unique photographs along the way. A box lunch will be served at Puritama, and you will have plenty of time to enjoy the pools before returning to San Pedro in the afternoon. Meals provided: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Terrantai Lodge Day 11: San Pedro de Atacama - Calama - Santiago - Depart

Transfer to Calama airport for your non-stop flight to Santiago. Domestic flight from from Calama to Santiago (not included in land price.) Upon arrival to Santiago airport, you will be met by an iExplore representative and assisted with your international connecting flight. Meals provided: Breakfast

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