We’ve just heard that Discover The World has launched an exciting new portfolio of holidays to Chile.
Due to the length and diversity of Chile, the collection has been deliberately designed as separate modules so that different areas can easily be added, adapted or avoided to best suit your desires.
Popular highlights include Easter Island, the Atacama Desert, The Lake District and Torres del Paine National Park, while less well-known options include a week-long self-drive traversing a section of the Carretera Austral – which connects some of the country’s most remote National Parks.
An escorted option provides the chance to combine Tango dancing in Buenos Aires with walks on the famous trails of Torres del Paine, and catamaran cruising to see penguins at ‘the end of the world’.
In January 2017 British Airways began operating direct flights between Heathrow and Santiago four times a week. And with a range of daily indirect options also available, Chile is easier to reach than ever before.
Here’s a look at what’s on offer:
Discover the NEW Route of Parks on a ‘Peaceful Patagonia’ Self Drive
This week-long trip offers the chance to drive arguably the most stunning section of the Carretera Austral, one of the world’s most striking and secluded roads, which winds its way around no fewer than 17 National Parks. Originally conceived to strengthen Chile’s claims over the blurred lines of Patagonia, the road is now opening up isolated communities and forgotten lands to a new wave of tourists looking for a more authentic experience taking them far off the beaten track into a wild world of raw, unspoilt nature. Among other treasures, this itinerary offers the chance to explore the marble caves of General Carrera Lake, the glacial paradise of Laguna San Rafael National Park and the quirky coastal settlement of Caleta Tortel. The 7-night self-drive (October-March) is priced from £786pp based on two sharing accommodation on a B&B basis and 4X4 car rental throughout, on an unlimited mileage basis. Price excludes flights. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/chile-holidays/carretera-austral-peaceful-patagonia
Easter Island ‘Enigma’ Independent Tour
This action-packed independent tour takes in the key highlights of one of the world’s most remote and mysterious lands, now a designated UNESCO world heritage site. The three-night itinerary is the perfect addition for those visiting the mainland and includes the chance to come face-to-face with some of the 887 stone moai statues that are synonymous with the island. Also hike around ancient volcanic craters and lava fields, learn all there is to know about the strange history of the world’s most remote population (over 2,000 miles from the nearest continental land mass) and immerse yourself in a culture that is unlike any other. With a warm climate year-round and daily flights to and from Santiago, it is undoubtedly worthy of a detour. The 3-night independent tour (available year-round) is priced from £534pp based on two sharing accommodation on a B&B basis, including all excursions mentioned in the itinerary and transfers throughout. Price excludes flights. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/chile-holidays/chile-holiday
Discover Patagonia – Escorted Tour
This fully escorted tour leads visitors through Patagonia’s wild expanse of mountains, lakes, glaciers and fjords straddling the southernmost regions of the South American continent. Beginning in the lively Latino city of Buenos Aires, guests are then taken to the surreal European-style settlements of Bariloche and Puerto Varas, nestled in the lake districts of Argentina and Chile respectively. These are followed by opportunities to hike the granite peak-shadowed trails of Torres del Paine, encounter one of the world’s last remaining advancing glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park and board a catamaran in search of penguins and sea lions at the ‘end of the world’. The 13-night escorted tour (October-March) is priced from £3,439pp based on two sharing accommodation on a mostly B&B basis, including all internal flights, excursions (except when stated otherwise) and transfers throughout. Price excludes all international flights. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/chile-holidays/discover-patagonia
Patagonian Fjords Adventure Cruise
This short yet action-packed expedition cruise takes travellers through the fjords, straits and channels of Patagonia, exploring one of the most remote corners of the world whilst coming close to nature and wildlife that cannot be accessed by any other means. Departing from Punta Arenas and travelling to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, passengers will pass snow-capped mountains, National Parks, sub-Antarctic forests, marauding glaciers and deep meandering fjords, whilst spotting the likes of whales, elephant seals, Magellanic penguins and king cormorants. On-shore excursions include guided nature hikes and, if lucky with the weather, the chance to set foot on Cape Horn, a seldom visited jut of land located at the very end of the habitable world. These 4 night cruises are available between September and April and operate in both directions. A 3 night option is also possible until April 2018 and is priced from £907pp based on two sharing a cabin on a full board basis, including all activities and shore landings (departing on 04 April 2018). Price excludes all flights. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/chile-holidays/patagonian-fjords-adventure-cruise
Example Holiday Itinerary: Best of Chile Encompassed
This example 11-night independent itinerary offers a useful insight into how easily the different and diverse regions of Chile can be combined to form a journey of contrasting experiences, landscapes and wildlife. Regular, well priced flight services between Chile’s many regional hubs make combining areas like the dry desert moonscapes of the Atacama, the wild peaks of Patagonia and the cultural melting pots of the central valley’s simple and affordable. This itinerary includes 3-nights in the Atacama, 4-nights in Patagonia and 4-nights in Santiago, priced from £2,736pp based on two sharing on a B&B basis including all excursions and transfers. Flights can be added from approximately £875pp and additional locations, nights and excursions can be added at an extra cost. www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/chile-holidays/best-of-chile-encompassed
British Airways’ return flights between London Heathrow and Santiago take place four days a week and at 14 hours 40 minutes, it is the airline’s longest non-stop route and is the only direct option available between the UK and Chile. The flights operate on board the most technologically advanced aircraft in the fleet, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which can accommodate 216 passengers across four cabin classes.
www.discover-the-world.co.uk/destinations/chile-holidays or call 01737 214 291
