Arrive to Santiago de Chile, commonly known as Santiago, founded by the Spanish in 1541. It’s Chile’s largest, most populated city and has served as the country’s capital since colonial days. Set in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes Mountains, Santiago is a vibrant city with unique neighborhoods full of history and culture, a thriving culinary scene and active nightlife.
From the Plaza de Armas, home to the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art and the Metropolitan Cathedral, through the hip, artsy Bellavista barrio, to La Chascona Museum House, the former residence of Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda, Santiago is a great place to explore on foot. . Pablo Neruda was an eccentric romantic, composing love poems that are renowned for their sensual desire and lend a new meaning to passion. In 1951, Neruda bought La Chascona in the Bellavista neighborhood for his secret lover, Matilde Urrutia. Many of his friends were kept in the dark about the love affair, among them was the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, who painted a portrait of Matilde with two heads. If you look closely at her hair, you can see the profile of Neruda, the lover who still remained hidden, appear diffuse. This is one of the pieces displayed today in the house museum. Today, the house (in reality, four small cottages clustered together) is now a museum part of the Fundación Pablo Neruda. Inside, visitors will find an eclectic collection of the Nobel-winning poet’s personal items, from the portrait of Matilde by Diego Riviera to odd sculptures and English china. Wander by beautiful parks, neoclassical architecture, historic mansions, and cathedrals.
Head out with your guide and driver for a full-day private overview of Santiago de Chile, including the downtown area surrounding La Moneda – the Presidential Palace, and the pedestrian streets of Huérfanos and Ahumada. You will also visit some of the local barrios of Santiago including the cobblestoned Lastarria neighborhood, with the nearby Parque Forrestal and, if interested, the Bellas Artes Museum.
Enjoy the views of Santiago from either the Sky Center tower, which is the highest building in Santiago, or Cristobal Hill. If interested in a look at 20th century history, your guide to the Memory & Human Rights Museum, which tells the story of the country’s military dictatorship through the lens of its victims and is a testament to Chile’s democracy and grappling with its past. Another great option is the Pre-Columbian Museum, in the historic center.
Your guide will help you get the most out of your day exploring the Chilean capital before returning to your hotel. This can easily be designed to your specific interests such as street art, biking, cooking class and more!
Hotels – a few we can recommend: The Singular and The Mandarin Oriental garner attention with their rooftop pools. What better place to relax after a day of exploring, than with a cocktail in hand and quietly gaze at the stunning city views. The Hotel Santiago by Mandarin takes things to the next level! An impressive lagoon-style swimming pool with a waterfall and a large spa, it’s easy to understand why this is often voted as the best luxury hotel in Santiago. Rooms are chic, with modern touches, marble bathrooms and gorgeous views over to the Andes mountains and the hotel’s pristine gardens. Foodies will love this hotel too, as there are highly rated Japanese, Thai and Mediterranean restaurants within the property.
Check out and fly to Puerto Natales Airport. Arrive at hotel: Estancia Cerro Guido. At the end of the 19th century, this estancia (cattle ranch) was born as part of the Tierra del Fuego Exploitation Society, the largest cattle network in Chilean Patagonia’s history. Today, the estancia maintains and uses the original houses and facilities built on the slopes of the imposing Cerro Guido, preserving the abundant cultural heritage. Get swept up into Patagonia’s fascinating heritage and culture on this 10,000-hectare (247 100-acre) working ‘estancia’, or ranch. On the slope of the imposing Cerro Guido, farmhouses were built by pioneers in 1920, in a striking wilderness where puma roamed, and condor wheeled overhead (and still do today).
The elegant décor of the 12 rooms is inspired by the original English style, exuding tranquility and calm. Each room includes oh-so-comfy featherbeds, a private bathroom with shower, hairdryer, biodegradable toiletries, central heating, a safe, Wi-Fi and views overlooking the verdant gardens.
Dine on spectacular three-course meals made from the organic produce grown in the estancia’s allotments; delicious lamb cooked in the traditional ‘al palo’ style (roasted whole over a fire), and Chile’s finest wines. Free-range and organically fed hens provide delicious farm eggs every day for sumptuous breakfasts. Using fresh products from the garden and the countryside, the restaurant offers gourmet dishes inspired by traditional recipes. Combining ingredients from the English pioneers and the locals, with firewood playing a starring role in some of the special preparations
This vast territory located at the southern end of the planet tells the story of a captivating culture; simple and connected with the land and climate. Explore the estancia’s greenhouses and orchards and see the wonderful abundance of greens and vegetables that are ingeniously grown in this challenging climate.
Visit the stables and accompany the gauchos in the daily care of the horses; participate in different tasks such as brushing, saddling or feeding these magnificent animals. Discover the ‘chenque’, the highest indigenous cemetery at Cerro Guido’s summit, opening a window to the Tehuelche culture.
Guests are encouraged to disconnect and immerse themselves in the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Wander through the garden, relax on the patio, or unwind in one of three inviting living rooms.
Experience & Activities- Daily excursions are organized by the team of guides in combination with guests, considering your interests and the weather conditions ensuring an unforgettable experience. Activities include conservation safaris, 4×4 adventures, hiking in the park, horse riding, historical tours, fishing, and more – all planned on your arrival.
Located on the edge of Torres del Paine National Park, on the slopes of the 390 sq. mile Cerro Guido is surrounded by beautiful mountains, lakes, pampas & wildlife.
Next day. After check-out this morning, depart your lodge by private transfer to El Calafate and drop-off at your hotel there. (Approx. duration 5-6 hours, depending on speed of border procedures exiting Chile and entering Argentina.)
Overnight at Xelena Hotel & Suites, an elegant retreat in the breathtaking region of Patagonia, located in El Calafate, Argentina. With its unrivaled views of the imposing Lake Argentino and the magnificent Cerro El Calafate Mountain peak, the hotel offers a blend of luxury and personalized attention that ensures an unforgettable stay.
On the banks of Lake Argentina, a few kilometers away from the city of El Calafate. Dedicated hotel staff create the perfect environment to unwind, appreciate the magnetism of nature and recharge one’s batteries, catering for families, business-related excursions and even romantic getaways.
The hotel boasts an indoor-outdoor heated pool overlooking the crisp lake and the entertainment area houses a jacuzzi, dry sauna, fitness area and a luxury spa.
Xelena’s rooms are quaint and comfortable, with deluxe coffee machines, soft linen and luxury products. Bathed in the early morning sunlight, guests can enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast on the restaurant patio overlooking the still lake. Dinner promises mouthwatering Patagonian cuisine enjoyed within a comfortable distance from the world-renowned Perito Moreno Glacier. Hotel Xelena’s imposing presence acts like a lighthouse against the backdrop of the breathtaking, snowcapped landscape.
Highlights: Unrivaled views of Lake Argentino & the splendid Cerro El Calafate. Indoor-outdoor heated pool. Short walking distance from the center of El Calafate. El Calafate (cal-uh-fah-te) and El Chalten (shall-ten) are the main towns in the Argentinian section of Patagonia. They sit on separate glacial lakes that are both among the largest in all of Argentina. Both places take advantage of their incredible location and offer all sorts of adventure activities; hiking, kayaking, mountain climbing, cycling, boat rides, and even walking on a glacier.
Check out and transfer to Punta Bandera. Board the Estancia Cristina boat and depart for the approximately 2.5-hour journey to the lodge. This transfer is your initial expedition of your stay. From El Calafate you board a small boat for the ride across the deep blue Lago Argentino and up into its long glacial fingers, ringed by impossibly tall peaks, and when finally, you arrive at the Estancia you’ll feel — with some rationalization — as though you’ve arrived in utterly another world.
Three nights Estancia Cristina. Estancia Cristina was founded in 1914 by Joseph Percival Master and his wife, Jessie. The estancia (ranch) retains its original essence, keeping alive the spirit of this pioneering family who turned this place into a little paradise. Staying at Estancia Cristina means living the experience of a real Patagonian lodge. Situated in the middle of Argentine Patagonia’s 3,000 square mile Los Glaciares National Park, its remote and exquisite location, vast green glacial valley, and majestic mountain range will leave guests in awe of nature’s grandeur.
Built and decorated to pay homage to the estancia’s history, the ‘Octagon’ is an exclusive common area for overnight guests at Estancia Cristina. This is where guests gather after the day’s adventures to relax, share stories, enjoy a drink, and dine on quality farm-fresh food. The bedrooms are traditionally decorated, cozy, and inviting but keep guests connected with the grand Patagonian scenery through spacious windows.
Estancia Cristina offers short self-guided walking or mountain biking circuits and longer tours on which bilingual guides accompany guests on treks, horseback rides, four-wheel drives, or fishing expeditions. All included activities take place on the estancia’s grounds and surroundings and are planned on arrival based on weather.
If you’re trekking in Patagonia, fully immerse yourself in the experience, if remoteness is the new face of luxury, then Estancia Cristina deserves many stars. One reason to love South American lodges is that they know better than to try to compete with the views — like the best of them, Estancia Cristina is not without its architectural charms, but it’s restrained, almost practical, its indulgences more a matter of warm, rich textures, simple fabrics and raw woods. Here four cottages contain the Estancia’s 20 rooms, each one dominated by a wide picture window oriented towards the mountains.
The lodge has five buildings, each with a common entryway and living room leading to four completely independent rooms with their own en-suite bathrooms. The rooms provide an extremely comfortable and private place to rest and soak up the views and silence of the surroundings. The design of each building allows the option to provide connecting rooms while maintaining individual privacy and space, which is ideal for families and groups of friends. Founded in 1914 in a remote valley guarded by mountains & lakes. The majestic Upsala glacier is located only a few kilometers from the estancia.
Estancia Cristina allows visitors to see a wild part of Los Glaciares National Park unseen by 99% of visitors. Experience local hospitality firsthand without sacrificing the luxuries of home, and enjoy access to one of the remotest travel locations on the planet.
Visits run daily from October 1st to April 30th – even on special dates such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve. From May 1st to September 30th, Estancia Cristina is closed.
Day 11 Transfer to Punta Bandera. Depart Estancia Cristina. Depart aboard the 2 pm boat transfer back to El Calafate, exclusively for guests staying at least 2 nights. Transfer to Airport and depart Punta Bandera. On arrival at Punta Bandera, private transfer directly to the El Calafate airport for your flight onward.
Flight from El Calafate to Buenos Aires. Arrive Buenos Aires, stay for a night or two or make your way home.
One reason to love South American lodges is that they know better than to try to compete with the views.
You must be logged in to post a comment.