Chilean Patagonia: Summer in the Southern Hemisphere

Private transfer and accommodation for two nights in the bohemian district of Lastarria, home to many artists and designers. The building combines the Chilean style of the early 20th century with French neoclassical influences. Inside, the rooms blend modern comfort with classic style, with a touch of character that exudes the charm of the past. On the ninth floor, the roof-top bar, with a large terrace and swimming pool, offers stunning views of the city.
Take a private tour of Santiago with a guide. The city has quite modern tones with its classical and Gothic architecture and hints of Art Nouveau; past earthquakes have spared few colonial buildings. Take a stroll on the delightful Santa Lucia Hill or in the Parque Quinta Normal, visit the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art and La Moneda, the presidential palace, Plaza de la Ciudadania... Take a tour of the pisco bars.

In the itinerary - Make for the Pacific coast, around 75 miles from Santiago. Stopping off at a vineyard along the way and sampling the wares. Trip to Vina del Mar, the famous seaside resort with a very contemporary feel: visit Avenue de la Libertad, take the coastal road up to Renaca, Avenue San Martin, the Casino and Flower Clock. Continue on to Valparaiso, a large horseshoe-shaped bay, dominated by broad hills that descend to the sea, which has been the most important harbor on the Pacific coast since the 19th century. Prior to the Panama Canal, all boats stopped there after making the arduous journey around Cape Horn. Its 15 rumbling funiculars still scale the countless hills that dominate the Pacific Ocean. Trip to Paseo 21 de Mayo, Cerro Concepcion, the city centre and Pablo Neruda's house museum, the Sebastiana. This day trip is led by an expert guide and includes transportation from the hotel by private vehicle with a driver, wine tasting, admission to the Sebastiana Museum, and access to the funiculars. Back to Santiago at the end of the day.

Private transfer to the airport and flight to Puerto Montt along the shores of the Reloncavi Sound. Pick up the hire car and board the boat for Grande Chiloe. Landing in Castro, on the east coast of the island, and stay for two nights in a 'palafito' hotel (on stilts) in a traditional Castro district, opposite the bay of Punta de Choros, this intimate all-wood, all-glass hotel boasts only seven rooms, with a simple, modern and cosy design.

The charming town of Castro on Chiloe Island is known for its colourful houses on stilts, the famous 'Palafitos'. After first spotting them on a walk through the city, visit Campesina craft market, the city's various museums and churches, before visiting the church of Tey, which has been moved from its original place to where it is today. We continue on towards the village of Dalcahue with its traditional shipyards, and church that is a designated World Heritage Site, and also its craft market.
In the Itinerary - Private tour of Castro with a guide.

A return trip to Puerto Montt and a quick drive to Puerto Varas on the shores of Lake Llanquihue. Spend two nights in a pleasant location overlooking the lake, with views across to Osorno volcano. The rooms are spacious and modern, incorporating natural materials. Beautiful gardens border the hotel.

You'd be forgiven for thinking you are on Lake Constance when you see the white church with red roofs and the lake shimmering behind it. The big difference here is the volcano in the background… it's not some strange dream though; immigration has lent Puerto Varas a strong Germanic feel. There is the Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (1915-1918), Lake Llanquihue and the Osorno Volcano. We will see Casa Gotschlich, Casa Jupner, perhaps even taste Baumkuchen... Welcome to Chile's amazing Lake District. The place is perfect for walking in the great outdoors.

Take the road to the airport, return the car and take a flight to Punta Arenas, further south still. Pick up the second rental car and take the road to Puerto Natales. Overnight accommodation in a lovely house restored and converted to a charming small hotel, offering comfortable rooms and original decor inspired by ranching and the gauchos, a nod to Patagonia. The staff are charming and attentive, the cuisine is delicious and the location ideal for enjoying the many sights of the city. We also love the small lounge upstairs for relaxing and enjoying the breathtaking views of the Strait, the City and Tierra del Fuego.

Drive to the great Chilean National Park of Torres del Paine, designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Stunning landscapes and a variety of environments are the hallmarks of the southern provinces of Magallanes and Ultima Esperanza. The National Geographic ranked the park as the world's fifth most beautiful place. Among the major sights is Lake Grey, where you stay for three nights. A wooden construction on stilts, the hotel offers breathtaking views of the Grey Glacier. It is also the starting point for many spectacular excursions to discover Torres del Paine Park: the Salto Grande, the Paine River Falls between Lake Nordenskjold and Pehoe, the famous 'Torres', the three granite peaks (8,500, 9,200 and 9,400ft) that gave the park its name.

The capital city of the province of Ultima Esperanza, at the entrance to the sound of the same name, is barely 100 years old. Pass through the city to Torres National Park, as well as to Cueva del Milodon, about 12 miles north-west of the city. This is a collection of caves where the remains of the Mylodon have been found - ten-foot-high giant sloths that became extinct around 10,000 years ago, like the mammoth and the mastodon on the north of the continent Overnight accommodation in a unique hotel: The Singular. Located on the edge of this port at the end of the world, it has its own speedboats reserved for its clientele. In the morning, arrive at Balmaceda Glacier well before the regular tours. Enjoy the privilege and pleasure of being alone in front of the ice wall. You then leave when the others arrive.

Drive to Punta Arenas airport, return the car and flight to Santiago. Overnight stay in the hotel used on arrival