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Multiple Destinations / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises / Fiord Cruises
Biking / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Wine Tours

Wine Tours in Chile

Mountain peaks reaching for the clear blue skies, fertile valleys with rivers winding through spacious terrain and between green rolling hills, heading towards the ocean. A local Chilean cowboy, a "huaso," with his characteristic hat and colourful poncho, on horseback riding alongside the vast vineyards greeting you cordially. This is the perfect setting to let you sample and taste superb wine; enjoy marvellous food and stay overnight at a boutique vineyard hotel. Whether you're a wine aficionado, or just curios, experiencing the wine scene in Chile may just
convert you. We will be happy to put together a perfect wine journey just for you, tailored to fit your needs and group size.

The Essential Wine Valleys

Day 1: Santiago - Santa Cruz/Colchagua Valley
Upon arrival to Santiago, Chile’s capital, you will start your journey through one of the most important wine valleys of Chile. Located just a 185 Km. / 115 mi. south of Santiago one can enter the unique valley of Colchagua. As you approach the district’s capital Santa Cruz, you will be able to see how the thriving wine industry has taken over and turned what used to be nothing but open fields into what is now considered the Napa
Valley of South America. Home land of the Huaso (the Chilean Cowboy), this valley is also respected for being one of the best ones in keeping the old traditions that were established here by the Spaniards and locals during colonial times, which one can appreciate by observing the architecture of the area. Long corridor houses decorated with colourful flowers and people enjoying the peaceful evenings are a typical sight of this fantastic
valley. Overnight in or near Santa Cruz at your choice; either at a winery or a hotel. (L, D)

Day 2: Ruta del Vino de Colchagua - Museum
This day you will get the chance to explore in depth the true wine culture that has made this valley so famous. By taking the Ruta del Vino “the Wine Route” you will be able to see first hand the grape vines that produce such exquisite reds as the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chile’s
unique Carmenère. After visiting 2 vineyards, sampling award winning wines and having a great lunch you will head to the Museo de Colchagua. The incredible private collection of artefacts that one can find in this great museum has made it earn the reputation of being one of the best in South America, having pre-Columbian objects from all over the continent and focusing on the major civilizations such as the Inca and Maya. Then one can move on to Chile’s history in particular, allowing you to see the evolution that our country has gone through since pre-colonial times until the present date. Overnight in Colchagua (B, L, D)

Day 3: Santa Cruz - Maipo Valley
Today we will be leaving the Colchagua Valley and start heading back towards Santiago, not without visiting first one of the most traditional wine valleys of this region: The Maipo. Situated on the foothills of the Andes and fairly close to the big city, this valley is surrounded by impressive mountains and it is home of one of the most privileged climates in the central part of Chile. Here we will be staying at an impressive manor: Casa Real of the prestigious Santa Rita Estates, which served as background for important events and lodged many refined visitors during the times when the wine industry was just incipient in the 1880’s when the house was built. The large house is kept in Pompeian style, combining old and modern features. Tear lamps, heaters, pictures, tapestry and armoires are combined in a contemporary decoration, yet the classic style is not abandoned. The trip made by one of the Sistine Chapel restorers from the Vatican was not in vain. Here you will be able to feel part of a centenary tradition. As if this wasn’t enough we will be having a superb wine tasting and an exquisite dinner (B, D)

Day 4: Santa Rita - Santiago
Time allowing, depending on you onward travel connections, enjoy the morning at Casa Real and Santa Rita’s vineyard. Transfer to Santiago in due time. End of a spectacular wine adventure in Chile. (B)

Note: If your trip starts on a Saturday you may enter the valley the old fashioned way, by riding the “Tren del Vino” or wine train; which with its steam engine will bring you back in time to the beginning of the 20th century.

Program includes: 3 overnights with breakfast, meals according program, transfers and excursions with driver and English / German / Italian speaking guide (during some parts of the itinerary clients share the service with other travellers, like visit to winery, entrance fees, wine tasting in visited vineyards.

SANTIAGO, WINES OF THE MAIPO VALLEY AND HANDICRAFT OF POMAIRE

4 days/3 nights All year round

DAY 1: SANTIAGO, CAPITAL DE CHILE
Welcome at the airport and transportation to your hotel. Tour of the city of Santiago in a schedule agreed upon. Lodging. (B)

DAY 2: HIGH MAIPO VALLEY
Visit to two vineyards located in this fertile Maipo Valley. Return to Santiago and the hotel in the afternoon. Lodging. (B)

DAY 3: LOW MAIPO VALLEY AND POMAIRE
Trip from the hotel through Route 78 until we arrive to the vineyards embedded in this valley. Later on we will continue towards the town of Pomaire, known for its clay handicraft. Lunch. Return to Santiago in the afternoon. Lodging. (B, L)

DAY 4: SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Transportation to the airport for the departure of your flight. (B)

Price per person in US$:

Includes:
- Transfer Santiago airport / hotel / Santiago airport in regular service with bilingual guide.
- Excursions in regular service with bilingual guide
- 03 nights in Santiago with breakfast
- Lunch day 3

SANTIAGO AND THE WINE ROUTE OF COLCHAGUA

4 days/3 nights All year round

DAY 1: SANTIAGO, CAPITAL DE CHILE
Welcome at the airport and transportation to the hotel. Tour of the city of Santiago at a time agreed upon. Lodging.

DAY 2: MAIPO VALLEY & SANTA CRUZ
Visit to a vineyard in the Maipo Valley. We will continue towards the south through the Pan American Highway until Santa Cruz. The visitor will stay at a hotel in the city. In the afternoon it will be possible to visit the local museum, which boasts the largest private of pre-Columbian and colonial archaeological artifacts. Lodging at the hotel. (B)

DAY 3: COLCHAGUA VALLEY
Visit to two vineyards to learn about the traditions in wine-making. Lunch at a restaurant in Santa Cruz. Lodging at the same hotel. (B,L)

DAY 4: SANTA CRUZ - SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Return to Santiago and transportation to the airport of Santiago. (B,L)

Price per person in US$:

Includes:
" 01 night in Santiago with breakfast
" 02 nights in Santa Cruz with breakfast
" Transfers and excursions in regular service with bilingual speaking guide
" Tour and wine tasting in all the wineries
" Lunch on day 03

Important note: There is the possibility of changing the outing of Day 2, Wine Route of Colchagua for Wine Train Outing, only those days in which this service operates. Enquire with us.

SANTIAGO AND CURICÓ, COLCHAGUA AND CASABLANCA VALLEYS

7 days / 6 nights All year round

Note: In case of a suspension of train service, transportation will be carried out by bus or privately.

DAY 01 SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel of your choice. At the agreed time, you will be picked up from your hotel for a sightseeing tour of Santiago. Santiago, is a mixture of the old and the new, something we invite you to experience. Our guides will show and tell you history of Santa Lucía Hill (place where Santiago was founded in 1541), the Main Square, the Cathedral, the Post Office and the City Hall, the National Library, the Presidential Palace and old neighborhoods of Santiago. Before returning to the hotel, we will visit residential district and a lapislazuli handicraft store. Overnight.

DAY 02 SANTIAGO DE CHILE / CURICO (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning transfer to the train station on time to board train to the city of Curico. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel. Typical lunch to be provided. Diversity is king in Curicó, where more than 30 varieties of wine grapes have grown since the mid-1800s, and winegrowing is its primary industry. Curicó's modern winemaking history began when Spanish producer Miguel Torres began his first New World endeavour here in the 1970s and opened the doors to a wave of foreign investment in Chile's New World wine paradise. We will visit one of the wineries of this valley, including wine tasting. Return to the hotel. Overnight.

DAY 03 CURICO / SANTA CRUZ (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel. Before leaving the Curicó Valley we will visit another winery. We will then continue North to the city of Santa Cruz. Upon arrival, accommodation at Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza. Free time to visit the museum.

DAY 04 COLCHAGUA VALLEY (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel. The Colchagua Valley was declared the Best Wine Region in the World on 2005. This valley has always been an agricultural valley. The perfect weather conditions, the best technology and the permanent of human creativity, have allowed an impressive wine industry development. Nowadays this valley leads the production of Ultra Premium Wines in Chile, has the best International projection and is also an important touristic region in the country. We will visit two wineries on this valley. Lunch is also included. Overnight at Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza.

DAY 05 SANTA CRUZ / VALPARAISO & VIÑA DEL MAR / SANTIAGO DE CHILE (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Early departure to the cities of Viña del Mar and Valparaiso, passing through the Casablanca valley, where we will visit of the wineries of this well known valley. The Casablanca Valley has achieved world-wide fame, because it is comparable with other areas of the world where the benign influence of the sea comes together with other ecological conditions ideal for vine-growing. With the search for excellence, more recently with red varieties, such as Carmenere, Pinot Noir, Merlot and even Cabernet Sauvignon, the Casablanca Valley has become one of the places with the brightest future in Chile for obtaining fine wines.

We will reach Viña del Mar. The town was founded in 1874 as a weekend retreat and garden residence for the wealthy elite from Valparaíso and Santiago, and it has remained a top beach destination for the people of Santiago ever since. Viña del Mar is also one of the most famous and popular resort cities in South America. There are luxurious hotels, villas, clubs, gardens and fine beaches. The city has several industries-textile mills, paint factories, and food processing plants. It is also a market for the agricultural products of the region; and the most important Chilean naval base is here.

The tour proceeds to Valparaiso. This city, founded in the XVI century, climbs the hill through alleys and staircases. The ride includes a tour through the narrow avenues of the port, Sotomayor Square, flanked by buildings declared Historical Heritage and the Monument to the Iquique Heroes, in front of the Prat pier. In the afternoon, transfer to Santiago de Chile. Accommodation in the hotel of your choice. Overnight.

DAY 06 SANTIAGO DE CHILE (B,D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day for optional tours. At evening we will pick you up from your hotel for a night tour including dinner and a folk show. Return to the hotel. Overnight.

DAY 07 SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Breakfast at the hotel. At the agreed time transfer to the airport and assistance to board flight to your next destination.

Price per person in US$:

Includes:
" 04 nights in Santiago, with breakfast
" 01 night in Santa Cruz, with breakfast
" 01 night in Curico, with breakfast
" Transfers and excursions in regular service with bilingual guide
" Tour and tasting at Curico, Colchagua and Casablanca Valleys
" Lunch days 2 and 3

SANTIAGO TO MENDOZA 9 days / 8 nights All year round.

DAY 01 SANTIAGO DE CHILE
Reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel of your choice. At the agreed time, you will be picked up from your hotel for a sightseeing tour of Santiago. Santiago, is a mixture of the old and the new, something we invite you to experience. Our guides will show and tell you history of Santa Lucía Hill (place where Santiago was founded in 1541), the Main Square, the Cathedral, the Post Office and the City Hall, the National Library, the Presidential Palace and old neighbourhoods of Santiago. Before returning to the hotel, we will visit residential district and a lapislazuli handicraft store. Overnight.

DAY 02 MAIPO VALLEY (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will visit one of the wineries located in the Maipo Valley, the most traditional in Chile and with more qualities for the production of premium wines. An ecosystem that join the perfect conditions to produce a high quality cabernet sauvignon. With the Maipo River bordering the wineries and surrounded by the Andes and Coastal Mountain chains, a perfect microclimate is developed for the growing of the best vines. At evening we will pick you up from your hotel for a night tour including dinner and a folk show. Overnight.

DAY 03 COLCHAGUA VALLEY (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel. The Colchagua Valley was declared the Best Wine Region in the World on 2005. This valley has always been an agricultural valley. The perfect weather conditions, the best technology and the permanent of human creativity, have allowed an impressive wine industry development. Nowadays this valley leads the production of Ultra Premium Wines in Chile, has the best International projection and is also an important touristic region in the country. We will visit two wineries on this valley. Lunch is also included. Return to Santiago. Overnight.

DAY 04 CASABLANCA VALLEY (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel. The Casablanca Valley has achieved world-wide fame, because it is comparable with other areas of the world where the benign influence of the sea comes together with other ecological conditions ideal for vine-growing. With the search for excellence, more recently with red varieties, such as Carmenere, Pinot Noir, Merlot and even Cabernet Sauvignon, the Casablanca Valley has become one of the places with the brightest future in Chile for obtaining fine wines. We will visit one of the wineries, in where we will enjoy lunch. Return to Santiago in the afternoon. At evening transfer to Restaurant "Como Agua para Chocolate" where our Chilean farewell dinner will take place. Overnight.

DAY 05 SANTIAGO DE CHILE / MENDOZA (B,D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the bus terminal and assistance to board international regular bus to Mendoza through Los Libertadores pass, enjoying the wonderful views offered by the Andes. Accommodation at your hotel in Mendoza. Dinner included on a local restaurant. Overnight.

DAY 06 MENDOZA (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel. Free morning. Lunch in a typical restaurant in Mendoza including wine tasting. After lunch we will proceed with a city tour of Mendoza. This tour starts with the Museum Area Fundacional which offers a collection of ítems and history about Mendoza from its origins. After the museum the tour takes you to the Alameda, a distinctive commercial area of the city and then to walk around its streets to visit public squares surrounding the city center. The visit ends in General San Martin park, an area of 419 hectares with more than 700 species of trees planted right next to the city. This park is a landmark of Mendoza as it encompasses the inspiration of its people to preserve nature and maintain its environment. Overnight.

DAY 07 WINERIES IN MENDOZA (B,L)
Breakfast at the hotel. Mendoza is by far the largest of all Argentina's wine regions, producing the significant majority of Argentina's wine output In the rain shadow of the Andes Mountains to the west, Mendoza benefits from a dry climate, and high average temperatures. Irrigation is facilitated by the various rivers which cross the region, including the Mendoza river itself, which runs down from the mountains. Warm, dry harvest periods mean that winemakers are able to pick their grapes according to ripeness, rather than this being dictated by weather patterns. As with other new world countries, this leads to a reduction in vintage variation, and consistent quality from year to year. It also affords Mendoza's winemakers the luxury of increased control over the style of wines they produce - a factor which has, no doubt, contributed to the international reputation of the region's wines. Visit to two vineyards of the region, including wine-tasting. Typical Argentine barbecue for lunch, including wine-tasting at a vineyard. An introduction course to wine-tasting technique by the restaurant oenologist is provided. In the afternoon, return to the hotel. Overnight.

DAY 08 UCO VALLEY WINERIES (B,L,D)
Breakfast at the hotel. The Uco Valley is a key wine-growing region of Argentina. It is considered part of the Mendoza region, but can be recognized in its own right on several counts. Not only is the vine-growing area quite distinct and separated from the vineyards surrounding Mendoza city, but the Uco Valley is also home to several of Argentina's top producers. Attracted by the excellent climate and soil, newcomers with historic Bordeaux-based names such as Lurton, Dassault, Rothschild and Rolland have already given Uco Valley a firm placement on the international wine map. The vineyards of Vista Flores have produced some particularly successful wines from international names. Lunch to be provided at the winery. Our farewell dinner will be at Restaurant 1884. Return to the hotel. Overnight.

DAY 09 MENDOZA (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. At the agreed time transfer to the local airport and assistance to board flight to your next destination.

Price per person in US$:

Includes:
" 04 nights in Santiago, with breakfast
" 04 nights in Mendoza, with breakfast
" Transfers and excursions in regular service with bilingual guide
" Tour and tasting at the cellars in Santiago and Mendoza
" Lunch days 2,3,4,6,7 and 8
" Dinner days 4, 5 and 8

NOTE: During winter (July / August), the border from Santiago to Mendozamay be closed and this may only be anticipated 1 day in advance. In this case pax must flight with an extra cost for the ticket and airport taxes.

Not Included:
- Flight tickets

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Colchagua Valley Bike & Wine Tour - 3 Day

The Colchagua Valley is now world renowned and we have developed the perfect biking tour which combines the best of the valley's small towns, history, back roads and of course vineyards!

Day 1 – Eastern Colchagua Valley - Total miles 48 We will begin in the high eastern sector of the Colchagua valley and putting the Andes mountains to our back we will make a gentel downhill ride toward San Fernando. Traveling over back roads we'll make a stop for a winery picnic. From here we will continue through the valleys small towns before finishing in in the quaint town of Santa Cruz. Meals: B,L

Day 2 Exploring the Colchagua Valley from Santa Cruz to Marchihue - Total miles 38 Leaving from Santa Cruz we will ride mostly flat roads today. Heading west you can make an early stop at the Estampa winery for a tasting or check out the restored Hacienda El Huique museum. A stroll through the sprawling 20.000 foot adobe mansion.will take you back to Chilean colonial times. Continuing through the town of Peralillo we will arrive at Los Vascos the Chilean estate of Domains Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). Following the winery visit we will have a typical Chilean lunch in the town of Poblacion just fifteen minutes down the road. We will arrive in the afternoon to the Residencia Historica a fabulous country house, that dates back to the 18th century and has been transformed into a wonderful boutique hotel.Meals: B,L

Day 3 Exploring Marchihue Options abound! Today you can choose from the many options available from the hotel. For the more ambitious riders you can mount up and head to the Pacific coast just 35 miles away. Closer to the hotel short rides can have you exploring vineyards, an organic dairy farm or the town of Marchihue. In the afternoon we will return to Santiago.

Departure Dates: Any day between October and May
Price Per Person: $995 per person double occupancy, $160 single supplement
Price Includes:
Two nights lodging
All transportation in modern vehicle with professional driver
Professional bilingual cycling guides
Meals as noted in the program below
Winery visits and wine tastings
Hybrid on/off road bike customed designed for Chilean backroads
Bikes include odometer, handlebar bag with map holder, two new water bottles
Santiago Adventures biking jersey that is yours to keep
Standard pedals and seats but we will assist with mounting yours if you bring them
Detailed route maps with special information regarding the surrounding attractions

Colchagua Valley Wine Tour - 2 Days

Two hours south of Santiago is one of Chile’s most important wine regions, the Colchagua Valley. In 2005 it was selected as Best Wine Region in the the world by Wine Enthusiast. More recently one of its most well known wineries, Clos Apalta, produced the number one wine in the world according to Wine Spectator with its 2005 Clos Apalta, a bordeaux blend using principally Chile's emblamatic grape Carmenere. This two day tour to the Colchagua Valley will take you to the top wineries where you will taste the wines which make it one of the hottest wine valleys in the new world.

Day 1 - Santiago / Colchagua Valley: After two hours of driving we will arrive to San Fernando where we will turn west and drive toward the coast and through the heart of the Colchagua Valley and “huaso” (Chilean cowboy) country. This region is arguably the most important red wine producing valley in Chile. We will visit Viu Manent one of the oldest wineries in the valley. They are also well known for producing highly acclaimed Malbec, a variety typically associated with Argentina. The visit to the winery includes a ride through the vineyards on a horse-drawn carriage for an expert overview of the terroir of the Colchagua Valley. After a wine tasting we will enjoy a relaxed lunch in the patio gardens. After our lunch we will drive a short distance to the quaint town of Santa Cruz where you will spend the night.

Day 2 - Colchagua Valley: Today’s winery visits will no doubt demonstrate the quality of new wines coming from Colchagua--particularly the Carmenere, Syrah and Malbec varieties. Our day will start at 10:30 with a visit to Viña Clos Apalta, created in 1994 by Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle (of the Grand Marnier family) and produces some of the best QPR (quality/price ratio) wines in Chile. Since its outstanding debut 1997 vintage, Casa Lapostolle's Clos Apalta bottling has helped to establish Chile as a premier red-wine region. Owner Marnier-Lapostolle and her team created a blend of Chile's distinctive Carmenère variety, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the estate's oldest vines in Colchagua's Apalta sub-valley, then kept refining: fermenting in smaller lots, hand-de-stemming berries and constructing a gravity-flow winery. In 2008, they were awarded a 96 in Wine Spectator for their Clos Apalta wine which was also chosen as the top wine of the year. Next, we will visit Montes, one of Chile’s most internationally-recognized wineries. Aurelio Montes started the winery with three other Chileans in the late 1980s and their success as quality wine producers is now world famous. We will have a light lunch at the Montes’ café before our final visit of the day. At the end of the road in Apalta, is the Neyen winery which focuses all its production on one Bordeaux-style blend from their 115 year old carmenere vines. At the end of the day you will return to Santiago.

Prices Per Person in US$: $577 with 2 people, $537 with 3, $524 with 4, $495 with 5

Reservations are required at least two days before your tour.

The tours are private and include:
Round trip transportation from your hotel in Santiago
English-speaking guide with knowledge in Chilean wines
One night lodging with breakfast based on double occupancy (sgl supp $78)
Two delicious winery lunches
Four winery visits and tastings
Chilean Wine Region Map
Bottled water in vehicle

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