Chile & Argentina

The Must-sees of the trip

1. Santiago de ChileSantiago de Chile combines the characteristics of a modern metropolis in an up-and-coming country with those of a city steeped in history from the colonial era. During a city tour, you will visit both the historic centre and the modern side of Santiago. In the city centre you will see the Presidential Palace, formerly the national mint and therefore called “La Moneda”, the historic main square or “Plaza de Armas” with the cathedral and the beautiful old post office; the “Palacio de la Real Audiencia”, which today houses the National History Museum and the “Casa Colorada”, the historic residence of the governor during the colonial era. Passing the “Cerro San Cristóbal”, a hill in the centre of the city from whose summit a statue of the Virgin Mary overlooks the city, the tour continues to Santiago’s modern business districts. The Providencia and Las Condes districts are characterised by glass office towers, trendy restaurants and shops that invite you to stroll around. In the shady avenues and on the spacious boulevards with their European flair, you could almost forget that you are in Latin America – an interesting contrast to the city centre you got to know earlier.
2. Valparaiso and Casablanca ValleyIn the morning, your tour guide will welcome you and accompany you on this full-day excursion to Valparaíso and the Casablanca Valley. The traditional city of Valparaíso is home to Chile’s oldest and most important harbour; the Congress and Senate also reside here. When democracy was restored in 1989, the National Congress was moved here from Santiago. Colourfully painted houses are dotted around the city’s many hills, providing a fantastic backdrop and giving Valparaíso its very own flair. It is no coincidence that Valparaíso’s historic city centre with its colonial architecture has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The upper and lower parts of the city are connected by 16 inclined lifts, which were built at the turn of the century (1900) and are still in service day in, day out. One of them will take you to a viewpoint. During your city tour, you will also visit the government building and the Plaza Sotomayor with its monument to heroes.
3. Petrohue waterfalls and Osorno volcanoThe journey along Lake Llanquihue offers impressive views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. The first stop of the day is the wild “Saltos de Petrohue”; a collection of rapids and waterfalls that dance over impressive formations of lava rock from the surrounding volcanoes. The water of the Rio Petrohue itself has eroded and moulded these rocks over thousands of years. From there you drive up the Osorno volcano (2,660 m). This road ends at an altitude of 1,200 metres at a mountain hut – the views from here of the huge towering Osorno volcano and the surrounding volcanoes Calbuco, Antillanca, Tronador and the deep blue Llanquihue Lake are unforgettable. Take a hike on the immense lava fields of the volcano – and improve the panoramic view with every metre of altitude you gain. In good weather, you can also enjoy the landscape on a chairlift ride (optional).