From Lunar Dust to Glacial Glass

Welcome to the Atacama Desert! Upon arrival at Calama Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Catarpe Valley in the Salt Mountain Range. This is the world’s driest landscape, a high-altitude marvel of geological and archaeological wonders. Your retreat, Nayara Alto Atacama, blends effortlessly into the terracotta-coloured surrounds. This afternoon, take time to adjust to the altitude or relax by one of the six outdoor pools before meeting your hosts to plan the adventures ahead.

Begin your exploration of ancestral cultures with the Likanantai Culture Tour. After a short walk to the Pukara de Quitor ruins, you’ll visit the historic old town of San Pedro to explore its picturesque church and museum. Later, drive to the 2,800-year-old settlement of Tulor. For those seeking adventure, the afternoon offers cycling through the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), where the path winds through spectacular red rock gorges and ancient mythical landscapes.

Today is dedicated to the dramatic beauty of the Andean Altiplano. Embark on the Jauna Trek, a full-day hike in the highlands north of San Pedro. Reaching altitudes of 4,200 meters, you will traverse unique wetlands to observe specialized flora and fauna. Alternatively, visit the nearby Tatio Geysers or soak in local hot springs. The desert’s silence and the immense scale of the volcanoes provide a perfect backdrop for a deep immersion into one of Earth’s most extreme environments.

After a final desert breakfast, you will be transferred to Calama Airport for your domestic flight to Santiago. The Chilean capital is a vibrant metropolis flanked by the Andes and the Coastal range. Upon arrival, an &Beyond representative will escort you to the El Golf neighborhood. Settle into the sophisticated Ritz-Carlton Santiago, located in the heart of the city’s administrative and culinary hub, and enjoy an evening at leisure exploring the surrounding cafes.

Discover the contrasting neighborhoods of Santiago on a half-day panoramic tour. Visit the historic ‘heart’ of the city, including the Government Palace (La Moneda) and the Plaza de Armas. For the best views, ascend Cerro San Cristóbal via the rickety funicular to look out over the sprawling city toward the Andes. Your tour also covers the avant-garde architecture of Providencia and the leafy boulevards of Parque Forestal, providing a perfect introduction to South America’s hot culinary capital.

Leave the city behind for the wild beauty of Southern Patagonia. Fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas, followed by a scenic 5-hour drive into the heart of Torres del Paine National Park. Your home for the next few days, Explora Patagonia, is anchored like a white ship on the shores of the turquoise Lake Pehoé. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is an icon of Chilean Patagonia, where the immensity of the ice floes and the majesty of the granite towers create a constant source of wonder.

Explora offers over 40 guided hikes and rides. Today, choose the Mirador Pehoé trek, walking along the lake among orchids and ñirre trees to see the intense blue waters against the Paine ridge. For a more moderate challenge, the Mirador Cóndor offers a 360° view of the park, Lake Sarmiento, and the Paine Massif. Keep an eye out for local wildlife, including guanacos and rheas, which thrive in this vast, indomitable landscape of mountains and lakes.

Embark on a demanding but rewarding journey to the Grey Glacier. After a transfer to Grey Station, ascend through dense forests to witness the enormous ice barrier of the Southern Ice Fields. You will eventually reach the shore of Lake Grey, where you can board a boat to navigate close to the towering glacier walls. Witnessing the scale of the blue ice and the floating icebergs is a quintessential Patagonian experience that highlights the region’s raw, exotic power.

Today, experience Patagonia from a different perspective at the Explora stables. Choose a horseback ride across the Serrano Plain, crossing rivers and pampas toward the Donosito Lookout. From here, the views of the Paine Massif are unparalleled. Alternatively, explore Laguna Negra for exceptional bird watching, including southern lapwings and upland geese. Whether on foot or horseback, today is about feeling the force of the Patagonian wind and the freedom of the open plains.

Bid farewell to the granite peaks of the south and fly north to the lush Chilean Lake District. From Punta Arenas, fly to Puerto Montt, where you will be met and transferred to &Beyond Vira Vira near Pucón. This region is the homeland of the Mapuche people, characterized by breathtaking glacial lakes, frosted volcanoes, and ancient Araucaria (monkey puzzle) trees. Your lodge sits on a 22-hectare estate with its own organic farm and state-of-the-art cheese factory.

The ‘Adventure Capital’ of Chile offers a plethora of choices today. You might choose to explore the nearby Villarrica Volcano, visiting its labyrinth of volcanic tunnels or trekking its foothills for unbelievable views. Immerse yourself in the mystic ambiance of ancient Mapuche territories with a cultural excursion, or spend the afternoon at the lodge’s cheese factory. The day culminates with a farm-to-table dining experience, blending Chilean and ancient indigenous recipes.

On your final full day, enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Lake District. Options include fly-fishing in crystal-clear rivers, mountain biking through evergreen rainforests, or a peaceful day in the lodge’s organic garden. After your exploits, unwind with a yoga session or an indulgent dip in a bubbling hot tub under the stars. The quality of life and the sensory journey of the Araucanía landscape offer a perfect, peaceful conclusion to your 13-day Chilean adventure.

Your wonderful journey comes to an end this morning. After a final Chilean breakfast at the lodge, you will be driven to Temuco (Araucanía) Airport for your flight to Santiago. In Santiago, you will connect to your international flight onwards, waving a warm farewell to the ‘slender ribbon of land’ that has shared its desert, mountains, and glaciers with you over the last 13 days.