Adventure Travel

A 12-Day Journey with Jordan Harvey Visiting Santiago, Easter Island, Patagonia, and More

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by Alastair Humphreys

26-06-2024

He helped create Knowmad excursions in Patagonia, and now the company only does business in South America, where it offers bespoke, high-quality excursions.

Day 1: Santiago

After you touch down, you'll be whisked away to the nation's capital for a half-day of sightseeing and relaxation. The downtown region around the Plaza de Armas and the La Moneda Presidential Palace are among the most significant historical landmarks in Santiago that your private Knowmad guide will point out. Stroll around the numerous busy booths of the Mercado Central, one of the biggest fresh fish markets in Chile, and marvel at the incredible variety of seafood available from Chile's abundant sea. Along the way, you'll stop by Republica and Concha y Toro, two of Santiago's less well-known barrios that were once inhabited by the city's elite. You can go about and snap pictures of the many different architectural styles that date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As you stroll through the Lastarria neighborhood's cobblestone streets, you'll come across the Bellas Artes Museum and the Parque Forestal. You will ascend Cerro San Cristobal Hill, which is 984 feet above the city, to get a bird's-eye view of the city. 

Stay: Lastarria Boutique

Days 2-5: Patagonia, Explora Salto Chico Lodge

If you fly into Patagonia first thing in the morning, you can take a beautiful overland transport to the region's crown gem, Torres del Paine National Park. After you've settled at the Explora Salto Chico Lodge, which boasts an unparalleled setting and breathtaking vistas, you and your guide will check over Explora's extensive Patagonia excursions and plan your stay in this breathtakingly remote and beautiful region at the base of the world. Explore breathtaking landscapes on horseback or gallop across expansive grasslands accompanied by gauchos; embark on glacier boat expeditions or private catamarans on turquoise lakes; choose from a variety of activities, from relaxing driving safaris to strenuous full-day treks near glaciers; and much more besides. Discover the wonders of the Salto Chico on an expedition designed just for you, with the added bonus of returning to a subtly elegant lodge in the heart of the action. 

Stay: Explora Salto Chico

Day 6: Patagonia – Santiago

Return to Santiago, Chile, by flying north from the untamed grandeur of Patagonia. Your departure from the park will be delayed until the afternoon or later due to the four and a half hours required for transfers. It is probable that you will reach Santiago in the evening, and early the next morning you will set out for Easter Island. Staying at the Holiday Inn across from the airport is usually preferable than venturing into the city. We are more than delighted to recommend another accommodation in the city in the event that your flight schedule is different. 

Stay: Holiday in Aeropuerto

Days 7-9: Santiago – Easter Island

Easter Island, the most remote inhabited island in the world, is your destination today; a four-hour flight into the Pacific awaits you. While staying at Explora, you can expect to stroll through picturesque countryside dotted with volcanoes, gain insight into the island's mysterious Moai statues, unwind on secluded white sand beaches, discover petroglyphs in volcanic caves, and walk along the edge of a seaside volcano. To make sure your Easter Island trip is excellent, consult a professional guide upon arrival to plan your excursions of the island. A variety of bike rides, boat cruises, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, and hiking excursions are available, among many more. Opening in 2013, Explora's new facility Rapa Nui is the island's top hotel, boasting a prime location and expansive ocean views. After an exciting day of exploring, you may unwind in comfort at night with all the conveniences provided. 

Stay: Explora Rapa Nui

Day 10: Easter Island – Santiago – Valparaiso

After an afternoon departure from Easter Island, you will reach Santiago. Upon arrival, you will be escorted for a half an hour to your delightful lodgings in Valparaiso. 

Stay: Casa Higueras

Day 11: Valparaiso

Embark on a privately guided tour of Valparaíso, one of the earliest cities in Chile established by the Spanish, after breakfast today. Not only is it one of Chile's most fascinating cities, but it was also designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2003 for its cultural and architectural importance. Beginning in the central business district, you will study the significance of "Valpo" to South American trade and commerce throughout its history. You may ascend the city's steep hills on century-old hillside ascensores, which will take you to a maze of alleyways that showcase the colorful architecture, bohemian cafes, fine dining establishments, and breathtaking views of the bay below. On foot, you'll explore Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, two of the city's most renowned and diverse neighborhoods. 

 

Among the hills of Valparaíso, you will find one of the best restaurants where you will have lunch. The menu is diverse, and you may enjoy it all with a bottle of great wine or a pisco sour while gazing out over the water. Viña del Mar, a resort city famous for its verdant gardens and palm-lined boulevards, is the next stop on your trip after lunch. As you explore the city's modern side and its colonial past, you'll see sights like the "Reloj de Flores" (flower clock) and the sandy beaches. 

Stay: Casa Higueras

Day 12: Casablanca Valley

Your guide will meet you at breakfast, and you will depart for Santiago via the world-famous Casablanca Valley. Twenty-five years ago, daring winemakers in Chile dared to propose planting in the pre-coastal Casablanca region, marking the beginning of the country's shift toward cool-climate viticulture. Some of Chile's finest white wines and cool-climate reds come from this valley, which has become famed around the world for its dedication to terroir and cutting-edge technology. 

 

We will take you to the Loma Larga vineyards first. Loma Larga stands as a symbol of the Casablanca Valley's finest, having been named "Winery of the Year 2011" by Wine & Spirits magazine. With several accolades and a history of 90+ point scores from respected magazines like Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Loma Larga is the gold standard when it comes to cold-climate red wines. Loma Larga's unique wines will be shown during your private tasting and guided tour. 

 

Join us at HOUSE Casa del Vino for a three-course lunch that pairs perfectly with the wines we've chosen for your tour and tasting. The wines will be hand-picked to complement the dishes. Viñedos Organicos Emiliana will be your destination after lunch. Emiliana, a pioneer in the fields of biodynamic and organic farming, is dedicated to making responsibly sourced, premium wines in an effort to promote environmental and social responsibility. Emiliana's wineries have achieved certification as Fair Trade and Carbon Neutral, and the winery's portfolio has garnered significant national and international accolades. 

 

Following your fantastic day in wine country, you will be escorted to the Santiago airport to check in for your nighttime journey home.

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