SOLD OUT!
(contact us if you’re interested, in case we get a cancellation)
Chilean Patagonia
November 26 – December 6, 2018
$7,150 per person double occupancy
$8,995 single occupancy
(contact us if you’re interested, in case we get a cancellation)
Chilean Patagonia
November 26 – December 6, 2018
$7,150 per person double occupancy
$8,995 single occupancy
WOWees have been clamoring for Patagonia for many years – this adventure will fill up quickly!
This itinerary has been carefully designed to showcase the most spectacular scenery of northern and southern Patagonia. The two hotels, Tierra Chiloe and Tierra Patagonia, are deluxe, all-inclusive properties with fabulous spas.
At each of these destinations, you’ll have an opportunity to choose from a variety of activities to connect you with nature at a pace that matches your fitness level. Excursions are led by expert guides in small groups (maximum 8). Your meals, drinks, and daily excursions (half-day or full-day) are included in the package. And – as always – you can count on WOW surprises, too!
Santiago is the starting point, where we’ll spend our first and last nights. The first night at the Ritz-Carlton and the last night at the Hotel Magnolia.
The rugged beauty, hospitality, biodiversity, traditional architecture, and indigenous Mapuche culture of the spectacular Chiloé archipelago are unique in all of Chile. We’ll stay three nights at the luxury lodge, Tierra Chiloé Hotel & Spa, with only 24 rooms with gorgeous views. Throughout history, the destination awed the Spanish conquerors, Jesuit missionaries, European colonists, and Charles Darwin. You’ll be enchanted, too!
Then it’s on to southern Patagonia where its most iconic sights are found in Torres del Paine National Park where nature is wild, barren, and beautiful. We’ll enjoy four nights at the spectacular Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, with just 40 rooms. It is an architectural marvel – blending into the landscape with the use of natural materials with furnishings and textiles by Chilean craftspeople. The property enjoys a magnificent location on Lake Sarmiento where all rooms and public spaces enjoy magnificent views the “torres” (towers). You’ll be “wowed” for sure!
Marilyn Murphy visited Chile in April, 2017 and published a blog about her extraordinary experience (in Atacama, the Lake District and Patagonia). She also posted a video on YouTube. Click here for a PDF flyer of this journey.
And, because a “bad” traveler can spoil the experience for everyone, all WOW! Travel Club members must agree and adhere to the WOW Vows.
Depart US on an overnight flight to Santiago, Chile. (General airline info is available on the Transportation tab.)
Upon arrival at Santiago Airport, you’ll have a private transfer to the Ritz Carlton in the trendy Las Condes District. Regardless of your arrival time, you’ll have access to the Club Lounge where a dedicated Concierge will attend to your questions – and where you can enjoy food and beverage throughout the day. There’s also an indoor pool on the roof, as well as a great spa and fitness center to work out the kinks from your international flight.
Quite frankly, not a lot of people go to Chiloé. It’s one of the largest islands on the continent and hard to get to. Because of its isolation, it has unique cultural traditions, customs and a fiercely independent, seafaring people. A bridge is currently under construction which, once connected by road to the mainland, will change everything about the island. Until then, the Islanders are especially welcoming to visitors who make the effort to get there!
We’ll take the direct 2-hour flight on Wednesday morning from Santiago to the town of Castro. It’s only a 20-minute drive to our intimate and comfortable home base – Tierra Chiloé, which has 24 sea-view bedrooms. The architecturally-distinctive hotel is located amid the blue waters of Chile´s Northern Patagonia, offering every guest a personalized, all-inclusive service. During our 3 nights (2 full days), Tierra’s team of guides will offer a handful of tailored half-day and full day outings in small groups, including cultural trips, boating, horseback riding, biking, trekking and nature excursions. You can choose what you want to do each day, based on your interest and your energy.
One of the most distinctive features is the architecture of Chiloé island, including iconic wooden churches (16 of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites).
Click here for information on the Chiloé region.
Later this afternoon, we’ll fly from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas (3 1/2 hour flight). It’s a lengthy drive (4 1/2 hours) to the lodge – but spectacularly scenic … and the sun doesn’t set till almost 10 pm!
Patagonia’s pristine beauty – and most iconic sights – are to be found here in Torres del Paine National Park. During a four-night stay at the spectacular Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, you’ll have an opportunity to choose from a variety of activities to connect you with its natural beauty at a pace that matches your fitness level. Excursions are led by expert guides in small groups (maximum 8). You choose from among a menu of included excursions each day.
The cozy resort has just 40 rooms and is an architectural marvel – blending into the landscape with the use of natural materials with furnishings and textiles by Chilean craftspeople. It enjoys a magnificent location on Lake Sarmiento with magnificent views the “torres” (towers) from every bedroom.
We’ll take an evening flight back to Santiago, where you will enjoy a comfortable overnight at the luxury boutique Hotel Magnolia, a restored 1929 Spanish Colonial mansion on a tree-lined street in Santiago’s historic downtown. Enjoy a nightcap on the rooftop terrace with amazing city views.
Transfer to the airport for your homeward flight, or – better yet – extend your stay in Chile at any of a number of amazing destinations! (See info on the Extensions tab.)
The Ritz-Carlton Santiago, set within the prestigious El Golf district, captures the city’s distinct energy and experience with luxury hotel rooms and suites, a rooftop spa and wellness center, and locally inspired dining. We’ll spend our first night at this classically luxurious hotel before jetting off to Chiloé!
Tierra Hotels are luxury adventure lodges offering all-inclusive experiences in the most desirable destinations in Chile. Each is a wondrous architectural masterpiece, designed to perfectly complement the natural landscape.
We’ll spend four nights at Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, situated on a bluff where the pampa meets Lake Sarmiento. The award-winning architecture complements the flow of the geology and showcases magnificent views of the Torres del Paine National Park from every one of the 40 rooms. Inside, wood clad walls emanate warmth and offer a cozy hideaway after a day spent discovering the amazing Patagonian outdoors. Furnishings and textiles were handmade by Chilean craftspeople, using natural materials from the region, high-quality workmanship and inspiration from the surrounding estancias as well as the influence of the native Tehuelche people.
The ambiance of Tierra Patagonia is casual and friendly. The designers created different spaces so that guests can mingle and get to know one another or find a quiet corner to relax and get away from it all. There is something truly delicious about curling up on a comfortable sofa with a lap blanket, a book, and a glass of wine – then forgetting about the book and just staring out the window at one of the Earth’s most majestic places!
Tierra Chiloé’s sustainable architecture reflects traditional local houses built on stilts over the water. The 24-room hotel is located amid the blue waters of Chile´s Northern Patagonia, on a mythical island, dotted with picturesque fishing villages. The beauty of this destination is as much in the landscape as it is in the island residents with their deep-rooted culture and timeless traditions. In true Tierra style, the lodge´s distinctive architecture is in step with its breathtaking surroundings. The recently-expanded Uma spa features a heated outdoor pool overlooking the sea. The intimate property offers a wealth of small-group guided experiences from which to choose – and a delightful start to our exploration of Patagonia.
A somewhat dizzying video of Chiloé … but a good overview of what we’ll experience!
Spend one final night in the electric city of Santiago in a recently converted 1929 mansion located in the historic downtown area. This 42-room boutique hotel is the first of its kind in the city’s “El Centro” neighborhood: a seamless fusion of the city’s past and future, offering historic beauty combined with luxe accommodations and a gourmet restaurant.
As previously mentioned, Chile is big. Nearly 2,700 miles from north to south. The geology and topography are vastly different in each of the various regions. It’s also not very populated, so getting from place to place can take a day of connecting flights (mostly though Santiago). But, as long as you’re already all the way down there, here are some extraordinary places to add to the front or back end of your adventure as independent extensions!
Bohemian and colorful, Valparaiso’s maze of hills has long inspired poets and writers – like Pablo Neruda. You’ll discover something new at every turn: a gem of a building, a remarkable art gallery or some little gastronomic find. Revel in the crazy architecture of this World Heritage City – only 70 miles from Santiago. Stroll along its narrow streets, climb its endless staircases, ride its historic funicular elevators and enjoy panoramic views from its many lofty lookout points. At the port and fishing wharves, you’ll get a feel for Chile’s quirky seafaring side. Buy or sample freshly-caught seafood at the market and enjoy the fishermen’s banter!
Following are two highly-recommended properties to provide a luxurious base of exploration of Chile’s magnificent wine-growing regions:
1. Lapostolle Residence is set within the prestigious Clos Apalta vineyards in the Colchagua Valley, with four beautifully decorated villas. This is the favorite of our agent in Chile. It’s about 2 1/2 hour drive from Santiago Airport. Special nightly rate for WOWees: $860 (double), includes breakfast.
2. Sixty miles west of Santiago lies Chile’s hottest new winemaking region that is making headlines with its mineral-crisp white and spicy red wines. Matetic La Casona is a 100-year-old colonial estancia with only 10 rooms, set in beautifully landscaped gardens and surrounded by the rolling hills of the Rosario Valley. Special nightly rate for WOWees: $575 (double), includes breakfast and lunch or dinner.
NOTE: Space is subject to availability.
Tropical Easter Island is a tiny speck of land, 2,300 miles off the coast of Chile – a 51/2 hour flight from Santiago. It’s one of the most isolated places on Earth. Here, the mythical moai statues were carved by the Polynesian colonizers of the island, mostly between 1250 and 1500 A.D. There are about 900 of these massive carvings dotting the island.
A 3-night package includes: 3 nights at Explora Rapa Nui (Varua room), all meals, open bar, shared transfers, activities with bilingual guide, airport transfers. Special all-inclusive package rate for WOWees: $2,495 per person (double). Excludes airfare and gratuities.
NOTE: Space is subject to availability.
This is an arid, forbiddingly beautiful place in the extreme north of Chile, (a 2-hour flight from Santiago to Calama plus 90-min drive to hotel). Another fabulous Tierra property is located here, offering the same personalized, all-inclusive service as you will enjoy at their properties at Chiloé and southern Patagonia. Tierra is a 20-minute walk to the center of the town of San Pedro de Atacama and, like all the Tierra properties, offers a gorgeous swimming pool and spa.
A 4-night package includes: 3 nights at Tierra Atacama (Superior room), all meals, open bar, shared transfers, activities with bilingual guide, one night at Hotel Magnolia in Santiago with breakfast (Or – at Matetic in the wine region), round-trip transfers from airport to hotel. Special all-inclusive package rate for WOWees: $1,995 per person (double). Excludes airfare and gratuities.
NOTE: Space is subject to availability.
Australis is a highly-regarded expedition cruise line offers 4-night one-way itineraries through the waterways of southern Patagonia including Cape Horn, the Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego, and the Beagle Channel. Starting or ending in Punta Arenas (Chile) and Ushuaia (Argentina). The brand-new Ventus Australis (210 passengers) or Stella Australis (also 210 passengers) ships offer a comfortable, all-inclusive opportunity to explore a place visited by only about 1,000 people per year. Best date options:
– (Pre-trip) Nov 21-25 from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas (onboard Stella Australis)
– (Post-trip) Dec 7-11 from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia (onboard Ventus Australis)
Special all-inclusive 4-night cruise rates for WOWees are approx $2,800 per person, plus additional costs for hotel overnights, as required based on dates and routing. Click here for a PDF of complete Australis cruise brochure with itineraries, photos, etc. Call Marilyn Murphy at (818) 444-2707 for more details.
As long as you’re almost to the bottom of the world, why not consider Antarctica? There are a number of cruise options as well as the potential to fly on Antarctic Airways to the White Continent for a day or even an overnight!
Call Marilyn Murphy at (818) 444-2707 for more details on any of these suggestions.
NOTES: Rates are approximate, subject to availability and change at the time of booking. The Registration site will prompt you to give an indication of your interest in any/all of these destination suggestions. This is for our general information and is not binding. If you desire a PDF copy of this information, please click here.
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