Including two of the continent’s best cities, Inca citadels and fascinating natural wonders, this is one unforgettable adventure…

Spindly Chile is spread over half the continent – from the world's driest desert (near San Pedro de Atacama) to massive glacial fields. Filling up the in-between are volcanoes, geysers, beaches, lakes, rivers, steppes and countless islands, and its slenderness gives Chile the intimacy of a veranda (albeit one fenced between the Andes and the Pacific).

In Peru, you can groove to African beats, admire impressive Catholic churches and examine indigenous textiles inspired by pre-Colombian tradition. Meanwhile, prepare to send your vision (and camera) into overdrive: Peru is home to snow-capped mountains, giant sand dunes, flocks of brightly-hued tropical birds, postcard-perfect volcanoes and rocky Pacific outcroppings inhabited by argumentative sea lions.

Climate


 

Chile always has a region ripe for exploration whatever the season. But if your heart is set on one part of the country, pick your dates carefully. Chile's southern charms, including Torres del Paine and the Lake District, are best visited in summer (December to March) as some are all but inpenetrable come winter (June to September).

 

Peru's climate has two main seasons – wet and dry – though the weather varies greatly depending on the geographical region.

 
Sample Itinerary

18 nights from Lima to Torres del Paine

 

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Day 1/

Heathrow to Lima, via Madrid, stay 2 nights at the Miraflores Park Hotel

Day 3/

Lima to Cusco, stay 3 nights at Hotel Monasterio

Day 6/

Cusco to Machu Picchu, stay 1 night at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge

Day 7/

Machu Picchu to Cusco, stay 1 night at Hotel Monasterio

​Days 1 to 7

Lima to Cusco via Machu Picchu 

Arriving in Lima and staying in fashionable Miraflores' residential district, you’ll find there's plenty to explore in Peru's capital.

The ‘City of Kings’ downtown area (a World Heritage site) boasts Spanish colonial grandeur, but for a real flavour of the city, visit Surquillo market, the Archbishop’s Palace and the legendary El Cordano bar.

On day three you travel to Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire. The Plaza del Armes, Cathedral and San Blas, with its steep hills, old houses and craft galleries should all be on your list here. 

Day six begins on the elegant Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu. Here you’ll stay at Sanctuary Lodge, just five minutes’ walk from the ancient citadel – a privileged place to witness the spectacular sunrise. ​

W SANTIAGO

Santiago


 

Against a panoramic backdrop of the snow-capped Andes, the W reinvents sophisticated style in the city's most trendsetting enclave: a fascinating universe of urban innovation amid cobbled streets and glitzy skyscrapers.

 

EXPLORA SALTO CHICO

Torres Del Paine

 

 

The only lodge in the National Park, the spectacular setting offers fantastic views amidst luxurious surroundings of lenga wood, cypress and slate, with rooms featuring exquisite hydro-massage baths.

AWASI HOTEL

San Pedro de Atacama


 

Awasi’s eight cottages are designed in local style, with thatched roofs, adobe walls and colourful Andean accents: creating a quirky, but elegant feel. The courtyard pool is perfect, while meals are deliciously simple.

Days 8 to 19

Cusco to Torres del Paine 

After an overnight stop in Cusco, it’s on to Santiago de Chile for three nights, where the mountains provide a magnificent setting for this energetic, easily-explored city. Worth seeing are downtown’s Metropolitan Cathedral and the Plaza de Armas, as well as the La Moneda Presidential Palace, Santa Lucia’s beautiful park and the Bellas Artes Museum.


North of here is your next stop – the Atacama Desert and the oasis village of San Pedro de Atacama. Your three night stay offers the ideal chance to discover this unearthly landscape of salt flats, lakes, volcanoes and geysers (don’t miss the 100 geysers of El Tatio), which is particularly haunting around the Valle de la Luna.

After staying overnight in Santiago, day 15 means heading south to Patagonia’s Torres del Paine, its magnificent granite peaks surrounded by glaciers, lakes and primeval forests. 

Staying at the heart of the National Park you can explore all of the natural wonders here on foot, horseback, bike or boat (luckily your room has a hydro-massage bath, perfect at day's end!).

All too soon it’s time to head home – although this trip’s awe-inspiring sights are likely to stay with you forever!


 


Day 8/

Cusco to Santiago, stay 3 nights at W Santiago

Day 11/

Santiago to Calama, stay 3 nights at Awasi Hotel

Day 14/

Calama to Santiago. stay 1 night at W Santiago

Day 15/

Santiago to Torres del Paine, stay 4 nights at explora Salto Chico 

Day 19/

Santiago to London Heathrow, via Madrid

 

​​For mo​re details call your Travel Director on
​01244 567000

 

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