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| Chilean
Wine Country & Patagonia |
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Spend
eight days exploring the best of wine country and Patagonia! Experience
Chile's privileged "terroir" firsthand as you visit
one of the most important wine projects in the world, VIK
Winery. Adapting the best techniques to maximize the
optimal quality of the grape, VIK is attempting nothing short
of making Chile’s first 100-point wine. Next, travel south
to the incredible Patagonia Sur Nature Reserve,
a stunning property that embodies the essence of the Chilean Patagonia.
Framed by the snow-capped Andes, Patagonia Sur boasts crystalline
mountain lakes and exhilarating activities led by professional,
bilingual guides and customizable for all levels of expertise.
Our favorite is a full-day hike to Laguna Caiquén, a gorgeous
Andean lake near an old-growth Lenga forest. Upon arrival, their
chef will surprise you with a special private lunch outdoors in
this breathtaking setting. Be sure to keep an eye out to spot
the mighty Andean Condor! |
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Departure
Date: November
through March
Price Per Person:
$6.836 double occupancy
Price Includes:
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- Overnight
at Santiago, Ritz Carlton and tour of Santiago
- Two nights
VIK Wine Lodge including half board, private tour of vineyards
and winery and an exclusive barrel tasting with wine maker.
- Full day
tour of the Colchagua Valley including visits to Montes, Neyen
& Clos Apalta with winery lunch
- Half day
tour of Petrohue Falls and Llanquihue lake with lunch
- Overnight
at Cumbres Patagonica in Puerto Varas
- Three
nights at Patagonia Sur Valle California all inclusive program
with meals, open bar, fully guided excursions and round trip
charter flight from Puerto Montt
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"...the
winery selections were the key to our trip's success."
Austin
George, Trip Leader, Chile
& Argentina Wine Tour 2006
International Wine & Food Society of Baltimore
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| Chilean
Wine Country & Patagonia
-
Itinerary |
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| Day
1 - Saturday: Santiago Upon
your arrival to Santiago Airport, your guide will meet you and
for private transfer to your hotel. In
the afternoon we will visit the most important historical sites
of Santiago.
Hotel: Ritz Carlton, Santiago
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Day
2- Sunday: The Heartland of Chilean Wine Country – Colchagua
& Cachapoal Valleys
Directly
from the mighty Andes Mountain range flow the pure and mineral-rich
waters that nourish the world-class vineyards below in the Rapel
Valley. This important valley is comprised of the Cachapoal
and Colchagua Valleys, two of Chile’s most renowned wine
regions.
Departing from Santiago mid-morning, your premium wine tour
begins with a visit to Casa Silva, the oldest winery in the
Colchagua Valley, which was founded by Emilio Bouchon in 1892.
Casa Silva is known for its award winning Carménère,
made from Chile’s signature grape. Your tour will include
a visit to the historic winery and a tasting of their reserve
wines followed by lunch.
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In
the afternoon, we’ll make the short drive to VIK Winery
in the Cachapoal Valley. This winery is currently one of the most
important wine projects in the world. With major foreign investment
and innovative vineyard techniques, VIK will attempt nothing short
of making Chile’s first 100-point wine. On a plot of 4,300
hectares - where modernity and the latest technology are fused
with the oldest oenological traditions - an A-team of winemakers
is working diligently to produce Chile's top vintage. Along with
the vineyards, the VIK team has built the “perfect four
room cottage.” Perched atop a hill in the middle of the
property, the guest house provides an unbeatable 360-degree view.
Hotel:
VIK Wine Lodge
Day
3 - Monday: Chilean Wine Country - Premium Wines of Colchagua
Buenos
días! This morning, you will enjoy a fresh country breakfast
before we say goodbye to our gracious hosts at VIK and continue
on our wine valley exploration. Driving deeper into the Colchagua
Valley we will arrive to the Apalta region, where several of Chile’s
top wineries are located.
Your
day starts with a visit to Neyen, founded on the original site
of one of the country’s pioneering wineries dating to the
19th century. Neyen focuses its production on one Bordeaux-style
blend from its 115 year-old Carménère vines, and
the winery is the perfect mix of tradition and modernity. It’s
always one of our favorite stops. Only ten minutes away is our
next stop, at Clos Apalta, which was established in 1994 by Alexandra
Marnier-Lapostolle (of the Grand Marnier family). Since its outstanding
debut 1997 vintage, Casa Lapostolle's Clos Apalta has helped to
put Chile on the map as a key producer of premier red wines. Marnier-Lapostolle
and her team have created a spectacular blend, comprised of Chile's
distinctive Carmenère, along with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
sourced from the estate's oldest vines. With hand-destemming techniques
and an innovative gravity-flow winery design, it’s no surprise
that in 2008 Clos Apalta earned 96 points and “Wine of the
Year” title in Wine Spectator. Lunch will be at the Clos
winery overlooking the Colchagua Valley. In the afternoon, we
drive back to the VIK Guest House where you will spend the night.
Hotel:
VIK Wine Lodge
Day
4 - Tuesday: From Wine Country to Patagonia
This
morning you will be transferred back to Santiago in time to board
your flight to Puerto Montt. Upon arrival, you will be met at
El Tepual Airport and driven you to your hotel in Puerto Varas
(30 min driving distance). In the afternoon, your guide will meet
you in the lobby of your hotel to embark upon an unforgettable
excursion to the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park where you
will have outstanding views of the Osorno Volcano, River Petrohue,
and Lake Todos Los Santos. This activity is perfect for photography
buffs and lovers of the outdoors. Our guides will share a wealth
of information about the history, flora, fauna and geography of
the area. At the conclusion of this wonderful tour, we’ll
return to your hotel in Puerto Varas.
Hotel: Cumbres Patagónicas
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Day 5 - Wednesday: Journey to Patagonia Sur
Natural Reserve
Your
driver will meet you in the lobby of your hotel to drive back
to Puerto Montt Airport (30 minutes), where Patagonia Sur representatives
will meet you for your 1 hour charter flight to Palena and journey
to Valle California. Upon landing, you will be greeted by the
Patagonia Sur team, who will drive you to the reserve’s
Valle California property (30 minutes approx). Spend the afternoon
hiking or relaxing in the riverside hot tub.
Hotel: Lodge La Estrella, Valle California
Day
6 - Thursday: Activities in Valle California
The
day is yours to seize! All activities are led by professional,
bilingual guides and cater to all levels of expertise. Programs
and excursions are highly customizable and always subject to weather
or other natural conditions to ensure the safety of all guests.
Each evening the head guide will meet with guests to review excursion
options for the following day.
To
begin your first full day in Valle California, we suggest the
beautiful walk through El Tigre trail, where you will visit the
different types of forests within the valley. After lunch in the
Quincho, you can saddle up for a horseback ride to El Tronador
(Thunder Hill) to discover why the hill got its name. A delicious
and hearty dinner in the Quincho will be the perfect finish to
an adventure-filled day.
Hotel: Lodge La Estrella, Valle California
Day
7 - Friday: Activities in Valle California
Today,
set out on a full-day hike to Laguna Caiquén, a pristine
Andean lake bordered by an impressive old-growth Lenga forest
(a native species of deciduous beech tree). Keep an eye out to
spot the mighty Andean Condor! Upon arrival at the lake, our chef
will surprise you with a special private lunch outdoors in this
breathtaking setting. In the evening, relax with an inviting family-style
dinner at the Quincho, where you can share stories of the day’s
adventures.
Hotel: Lodge La Estrella, Valle California
Day
8 - Saturday: From Valle California to Puerto Montt / Santiago
After
a hearty breakfast, you’ll have time for one final activity
such as a hike along a trail lining the Argentine border or fishing.
Around midday, you will be transported to the airstrip for your
flight back to Puerto Montt and subsequent connection to Santiago’s
airport.
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