Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Saturday

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

Saturday - Depart Miami: Evening departure on overnight flight to Chile.

Sunday - Arrive Santiago: Morning arrival in Santiago. Meeting by your English speaking host and transfer by private car to the Sheraton San Cristobal Towers for overnight stay. In the afternoon your private car and guide will pick you up at your hotel for a visit to the main points of interest in Santiago including the Pre-Columbian Museum, a drive up Cerro San Cristobal for a bird's-eye panoramic view of the city and wine tasting at The Wine House.

Monday - Santiago - Calama - San Pedro de Atacama: Morning pick up at your hotel by your private car and guide for transfer to the airport for flight north to Calama, gateway to the Atacama Desert, considered one of the driest deserts on earth. Meeting by Explora staff and drive one hour by hotel van into the heart of the desert to the town of San Pedro de Atacama for four night stay at the new Explora en Atacama, sister to the renowned Explora en Patagonia. This afternoon you'll have your first chance to begin visiting the area.(B/L/D)

Tuesday - San Pedro de Atacama: Today you will choose from the menu of excursions as offered by Explora. (B/L/D)

Wednesday - San Pedro de Atacama: Again today you can choose from the menu of excursions as offered by Explora. (B/L/D)

Thursday - San Pedro de Atacama: One last day to explore the area Explora style. (B/L/D)

Friday - San Pedro de Atacama - Calama - Santiago: Morning return transfer by Explora van to the Calama airport for return flight to Santiago, where you will be met by your guide and private car  and transferred to the Sheraton San Cristobal Towers for a two night stay. (B)

Saturday - Santiago: At leisure to explore at your own pace. (B/L)

Sunday - Santiago - Punta Arenas - Paine Towers National Park: Early morning transfer by private car for flight south along the Andes to Punta Arenas where the Hotel Explora staff will meet you for five hour drive north via Explora van to Paine Towers National Park and the Hotel Explora for four night stay in Cordillera Paine rooms with view to Paine Towers and with Jacuzzi. (B/D)

NOTE: All meals (1/2 bottle of wine, beer or soft drink included with lunch and dinner) and all excursions are included during your stay. Each evening the guides will meet with you to describe the next day's excursions. They range from half day, easy excursions to full day, difficult excursions and include walks, hikes, treks, horseback riding and motorlaunch excursions. The excursions are designed to give you ample time to explore the beauties of the park.

Hotel Explora operates the same tours all year, subject to weather conditions,

Monday through Wednesday - Paine Towers National Park: Three wonderful days to explore Paine Towers National Park and to enjoy the pampering provided by the Explora.

Thursday - Paine Towers National Park - Parque Nacional Los Glaciares: Morning transfer by Hotel Explora to the Cerro Castillo border crossing with Argentina where the staff from Hotel Los Notros picks you up and transfers you five hours across the Patagonian steppes to the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, an hour outside of Lago Argentino. Your three night stay at Hotel Los Notros in the park will be in Premium accommodations and includes all meals and a choice of daily activities. (B/D)

Friday - Parque Nacional Los Glaciares: Today you can choose form activities and excursions as offered by Hotel Los Notros. (B/L/D)

Saturday - Parque Nacional Los Glaciares: Today you can choose form activities and excursions as offered by Hotel Los Notros. (B/L/D)

Sunday - Parque Nacional Los Glaciares - Lago Argentino - Buenos Aires: Hosteria Los Notros will transfer you to the Lago Argentino airport for your flight north to Buenos Aires.  Your private card, driver and guide will be waiting for you upon your arrival in Buenos Aires to transfer you to the world class Alvear Palace in the heart of fashionable Recoleta. This evening you'll transfer to the "Esquina Carlos Gardel" tango house for dinner and tango show. (B/D)

Monday - Depart Buenos Aires: This morning your private vehicle, driver and guide will be waiting to take you on a visit to the main points of interest in Buenos Aires, often called "The Paris of South America. Visit the Plaza de Mayo with the Casa Rosada (equivalent to our White House), the Cabildo and City Hall; drive down the widest avenue on earth, 9 de Julio, past the Obelisk and the famed Opera House. Visit historic San Telmo district, Puerto Madero, Palermo Park and historic Recoleta Cemetery.  Afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace.  No need to hurry - your room is paid for late check-out.   Evening transfer to the airport for your return overnight flight to the USA. (B)

Tuesday - Arrive Miami: Morning arrival in Miami. Clear customs and immigrations and make connections to your home city.

RATES and DETAILS: