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Chile

Chile - Budget – Self-guided tour – 11 days / 10 nights

Highlights:

• Discover the enchanting island of Chiloé and the beautiful waterfalls of "Saltos de Petrohué";
• Enjoy direct contact with local people;
• Hike to Villarrica Volcano and get up-close with Pacific Penguins.

Nature : - Culture :

Encounters :

Starting from $ 1435 USD*

This circuit stretches from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean, exploring islands, volcanoes, primary forests and lakes, all of which make the South of Chile an exceptional land. Drive through the mysterious and mythical island of Chiloe on your own vehicle (rental car for 4 days included); explore the virgin forest along the wild Pacific coast. Travel in complete freedom, with the possibility to tailor your trip to your own pace and requirements, still receiving the personalized assistance of our team for an off the beaten track trip at a small price.

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ITINERARY

Day 1 – VALPARAISO
Arrive in Santiago by international flight. You are met at the airport by our driver and transferred to your hotel in Valparaiso. Valparaiso is a harbour open to the ocean and surrounded by twelve hills upon which many colourful houses have flourished. Visit the "Cerro Alegre area", acknowledged World Heritage Site (UNESCO). This open sky museum will take you to discover narrow streets filled with frescoes painted by local artists.

Transport : private transport - 1h45
Accommodation: family run hotel
Included meals: none

Day 2 – VALPARAISO
NIGHT BUS Valparaiso > Pucon
Free day to visit Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. We recommend you to visit Pablo Neruda’s house, a museum situated in the heights of Valparaiso, and Viña del Mar, a modern and growing city located only a few minutes from Valparaiso. Overnight bus to Pucon at about 10:00pm.

Included meals: breakfast
Accommodation: overnight bus
Entrance fee to the museum not included

Day 3 – PUCON – HUERQUEHUE NATIONAL PARK
Arrive at the small village of Pucon around 9.30am. Take some time to settle in your hotel, situated only 600m from the local bus terminal. The bus for the National Park Huerquehue departs early in the afternoon. Experience the beauty of an ancient Araucaria forest. Araucarias are sacred trees to the Mapuche who harvest and use its araucaria nuts in the preparation of various traditional dishes. Back in Pucon in the late afternoon.

Transport : local bus - 2h – not included
Accommodation: family run hotel
Included meals: breakfast
Entrance to the park not included – (aprox.$12/p.p)

Day 4 – PUCON - VILLARRICA VOLCANO
Leave early in the morning to ascend Villarrica Volcano together with a mountain guide and the rest of the group. This volcano is a perfect cone covered with snow, overlooking Lake Villarrica. The climb offers amazing view on the entire chain of volcanoes in the region. This easy hike to reach the summit at 2847 m takes 6 to 7 hours and only 2 hours to descend by the same path. Back in Pucon by 6:00pm.

Transport : van - 1h30.
Accommodation: family run hotel
Included meals: breakfast
Entrance to the park included.

Day 5 – PUCON
Free day to rest or choose an excursion of your choice.
Recommended excursions:
Geométricas Hot Springs: the result of an ambitious project by an architect in harmony with nature; a good choice for some fabulous relaxing time. aprox.$65 p.p.
Rafting, kayaking or ducky: exciting white water rafting descending the crystal clear waters of the river Trankura (3 to 4 hours in total) - aprox. $45 p.p..
Caburgua Lake: 25 minutes bus drive from Pucon, crystal clear water, nice beach and good swimming in summer, highly recommended.

Accommodation: family run hotel
Included meals: breakfast

Day 6 – PUCON – PUERTO VARAS
BUS Pucon > Puerto Montt
Rental car
Take a bus from Pucon to Puerto Montt where you arrive in the early afternoon. From there, drive to Puerto Varas, a small village lying on the shore of Lake Llaquihue, in front of Osorno Volcano. We recommend you to visit the spectacular waterfalls Saltos de Petrohue, at the foot of the imposing Osorno Volcano in the Andes Precordillera.

Transport : local bus - 5h + rental car – 20km - 30min – 140km return to Petrehue.
Accommodation: hotel
Included meals: breakfast

Day 7 – MAGELLANIC PENGUINS
Rental car

Travel to the island of Chiloé. Drive to the city of Ancud, through the Pacific coast to appreciate local marine life. By mid-afternoon, the fishermen of Puñihuil will guide you through some local marine life including penguins, sea lions, dolphins, sea otters, pelicans and a variety of other seabirds. These fishermen, aware of the negative impact of fishing on biodiversity, have created an association for the protection and development of natural heritage through tourism as a new source of income.

Join the Oyarzo family near the town of Castro in the afternoon. Small scale farmers they live of livestock and the sea.

Transport : rental car 250km - 5h
Accommodation: host family
Included meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 8 – CHILOE NATIONAL PARK
Rental car
Head for Chiloé National Park in the morning, discover the virgin forest along the wild Pacific coast. You may have a chance to meet the miners who settled on the coast during the gold mining days…
Spend the night in the park at the hotel Palafitos Cucao.

Transport : rental car 50km - 1h10
Accommodation: hotel
Included meals: breakfast

Day 9 – CASTRO – ART AND CULTURE
Rental car
Enjoy a day of leisure back in Castro.

We will recommend some artisans and associations so you can immerse yourself in the local culture. Maria Elena will welcome you in the evening with a good dinner.

Transport : rental car 50km - 1h10
Accommodation: host family
Included meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 10 – PUERTO MONTT - SANTIAGO
Rental car
Flight Puerto Montt > Santiago du Chili
Enjoy a hearty farmer breakfast before heading to Puerto Montt’s airport. Return your rental car and take your flight to Santiago. Your driver will be waiting for you there to take you to your aparthotel. Take a free afternoon in the capital .

Transport : rental car 180km - 4h + private transfer 45min
Included meals: breakfast
Accommodation: aparthotel

Day 11 – FINAL DAY IN CHILE
Your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport 3 hours before departure of your flight.

Transport : private transfer - 45min
Included meals: breakfast

End of your adventure in the South of Chile…

This program is only given as an indication. TransHumans reserves the right, directly or through its local partners, to replace transportation, accommodation, itinerary, as well as dates and departure times, without the participants being able to claim any compensation.

Dates and Prices

PRICE 2016 (in £ per person): $ 1435 USD*/p.p

*price based on 2 participants in low season.

The price includes:

Domestic flight : Puerto Montt > Santiago ;
Ground transfers as mentioned in the program ;
9 nights in simple but clean and comfortable accommodation ;
1 overnight cama class bus ride;
1 rental car for 4 days ;
Hike to Villarrica Volcano with a mountain guide ;
All the meals mentioned in the programme ;
A road book with all the information necessary for the smooth running of your stay ;
A mobile phone to be in contact with us 24/7.

The price does not include:

International flights ;
Entrances to the parks, natural reserves and museums ;
Fuel for the vehicle ;
Drinks and personal expenses ;
The comprehensive insurance and repatriation assistance.

... and more generally all that is not mentioned in « the price includes » section.

Some important facts

National flights are included ;
Transfers to/from airport/hotel/airport are included ;
Accommodation is included and selected based on quality and hygiene ;
Local partners are fairly compensated ;
3% of the price of your trip goes directly to support a local educational project for cultural and environmental development .

Practical Information

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Accompanying English and Spanish speaking guides

The day of your arrival, you will be received by an English speaking member of our staff. He/she will hand you a road book and a mobile phone, allowing you to be in contact with us 24/7 if needed. If specified in your program, he/she will also accompany you around the capital, giving you the basic practical information about the country or countries you are visiting.
During the ascent of Villarrica Volcano, you will be accompanied by a certified Spanish and English speaking mountain guide.

When to travel to the South of Chile

The South of Chile (the door to Patagonia) has a temperate wet climate, with the southern area being the wettest. The best season for visiting this part of Chile is from November to late April (summer and springtime in the southern hemisphere). Temperatures are pleasant and rainfall less abundant, making this period ideal for trekking and other outdoor activities. The climate can be capricious in Patagonia, with fierce winds, rain and clouds scurrying across the sky at a fast pace, constantly displaying the extraordinary scenery in a new light. It is not uncommon to have sunshine, wind, rain and even snow on a single day, even during summertime. The key is to layer for cold weather and take off layers when the day gets warmer and wear waterproof clothing.

NOTE : TransHumans offers the option of booking for you the international flight ticket; we will seek and book for you the best deals. Price may vary depending on the time of purchase but can vary between $1000 and $1600 insurance included.

Local Transportation

Travelling by bus is the most popular and cheapest way to discover the country. Classes range from Semi-Cama to Cama Suite with wider seats which are reclining to a horizontal position almost like being in bed. Distances are long and it takes nearly 12 hour bus ride from Valparaiso to Pucon. Bus lines connect major cities together. The buses run at an average speed of 80 km/h. For long distances, the plane remains the most convenient mean of transportation.

Formalities

PASSPORT & VISA : A valid passport is sufficient for most European and US citizens; a tourist visa will be issued at entry to the territory. If the stay exceeds the three months, it will be necessary to apply for a visa at the Embassy in your country. Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.
REMINDER : Make copies of all your important documents (passport, flight tickets, insurance, and credit card). Leave one copy of each at home and pack one with you.

EQUIPMENT

GOOD GEAR WILL ALLOW YOU TO BETTER ENJOY YOUR TRIP…

Clothing:

Given the relatively wet weather prevailing in the region, it is essential to have waterproof trousers and jacket with you in your bag. Also bring warm clothes since evenings and nights are often chilly. We highly recommend lightweight, quick-drying technical clothing. Avoid rain capes as they easily get stuck to branches with the wind.
Remember to take with you waterproof hiking shoes, hat and sunglasses!

Miscellaneous:

-Toiletry bag (biodegradable products are preferred)
-Small quick-drying towel
-Sunscreen lotion
-Insect repellent DEET (+ 40% for good protection). Also useful against fleas which can be a nuisance for people with sensitive skin.
-Head torch (with spare batteries and bulbs)
-Bottle and/or camel bag
-Pocket knife (checked luggage)
-Money belt or pouch to safely store your passport, currency, credit cards, personal papers, insurance papers.
-A copy of your passport.
-Power sockets in Chile are those commonly find in Europe type C and Italy type L; Voltage: 220 V.

Medical Kit:

-Antidiarrheal medication (i.e.smecta and imodium)
-Antihistamine
-Plasters, sterile dressings and antiseptics
-Medicine for pain or fever (such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen)
-Elastic adhesive bandage
-Anti-inflammatory ointment or cream
-Water purification tablets
NOTE : Most of these products are also available in local pharmacies.

Luggage:

Please arrange your belongings in two bags:

-Small backpack (capacity 25/40 litres).This is your hand luggage you will take with you on the plane as well as every day during hikes, excursions and transfers.
-Large waterproof backpack to check-in (capacity 60 to 90 litres).
-Large plastic bag to protect from moisture your belongings in your backpacks.

HEALTH

Vaccines

The country does not present any health risks, and the water is potable almost everywhere. No vaccine is mandatory for Chile, but some are recommended:
-Tetanus-diphtheria
-Polio
-Pertussis
-Hepatitis B
For children and those born before 1980: measles, mumps - rubella.

Other risks

Try to avoid contact with insects. Fleas tend to be a nuisance for sensitive skin. Regular insect repellent is also effective against fleas.

Hantavirus

This virus is transmitted to humans by rodents called "long-tailed rats ". Infection can occur through direct contact with the faeces, saliva or urine of infected rodents. The initial symptoms of an infection are usually fever, headache, back and abdominal pain. Some strains of the virus can be potentially fatal when bleeding complications occur (haemorrhagic fever with renal or pulmonary syndromes). It is best to avoid all wild mice and rats, protect food from contamination and safely clean up any rodent urine or droppings in your home/tent. There is no vaccine.

Medical Assistance

Medical care is excellent in most tourist areas in Chile. For more remote areas, in case of urgent medical assistance, contact your Embassy in Santiago de Chile. We highly recommend you to contact your insurance as soon as possible.

LOCAL CUSTOMS

The Mapuche (People of the land) – Lake District – Chile

Reputed as fierce warriors, the Mapuche opposed the Inca and resisted the Spaniards for over 350 years. The conquistadores managed to eventually subordinate these hunters and gatherers by weakening the traditional social organization of their community. The Mapuche are a strong fighting people. Warlike but certainly not unfriendly, they love to receive and talk about their culture, their ceremonies, their gastronomy, Machi healers and their cosmology. Indigeno is not derogatory to the Mapuche, quite the contrary; while Indio is, so do not use this term when speaking to people of the altiplano or when referring to them.

{tab Responsible Tourism }

RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Our Vision & Commitment

Cultural awareness is very important to us. Sensible to the local cultural traditions and beliefs, the beauty of the landscapes and the biodiversity of the ecosystems, we choose to limit the negative impact of our activities on the local environment. In addition to designing trips that aim at preserving the natural, cultural and social resources of the territories in the long term, we also include the concept of “Territorial Compensation”. The idea of Territorial Compensation is to help local people protect and conserve their ecosystem, enhance their cultural heritage and develop sustainable projects for their territory.

Based on this concept of Territorial Compensation, TransHumans donates 3% of the total price of each trip to this cause. The money goes directly into a solidarity fund that finances our ERECA program (Education Relative à l'Environnement et aux Cultures Aborigènes), an environmental and cultural program. Since 2007, we have supported various projects aimed at training and awareness-raising for the local communities.

If you want to know more about this+ : http://www.transhumans.fr/en/solidarity-project-transhumans