Today Chile is world renowned for its wine and beautiful wine routes. This program invites you to visit some of the county’s famous wine routes together with Chile’s capital of cool: Valparaíso. The port city, picked as one of the 15 most colourful cities in the world by Travel and Leisure magazine is a mecca for artists, Pablo Neruda fans and good timers.
Spend a night overlooking the sea and then enjoy the tranquility of the countryside in the Colchagua valley.
Trip features
Type of trip: overland
Duration: 4 days
Suggested period: October to April
Fitness level: none
Technical level: none
Highlights of the trip
- Valparaíso
- Casablanca and Colchagua wine routes
- Isla Negra and Pablo Neruda’s house
- Chilean wine
Itinerary
DAY 1: SANTIAGO – VALPARAISO (approx. 115 kms – 1h30)
Reception at Santiago airport and transfer to Valparaiso (in private service with your English speaking guide who will be with you during the 4 days). We pass through varied landscapes: fertile valleys such as Curacavi and Casablanca (the latter known for its wine production). We arrive at Valparaiso where we can observe the amazingly colourful houses clinging to the hills. Building a natural amphitheatre overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the town was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Day tour of Valparaiso and is historic buildings surrounding the port.
Night at hotel Manoir de Atkinson (or similar category according availability),
Info Manoir de Atkinson: http://www.hotelatkinson.cl
DAY 2: VALPARAISO – ISLA NEGRA – VALPARAISO (approx 140 kms – 3h de route environ)
Day trip to visit the house of the Chilean writer and politician Pablo Neruda in Isla Negra, facing the Pacific. Forty years after his death, it recounts a life of travel and fighting before the Pinochet era. Perched atop a small hill crowned with a clump of pines, the house made of granite and wood, with a tower and windows, is one of the most beautiful houses of the writer.
Afterwards we continue on road back to Valparaiso via Quintay along the coast. Then back to the hotel.
Night at hotel Manoir de Atkinson (or similar category according availability), breakfast included.
DAY 3: VALPARAISO – VIGNOBLES – MARCHIHUE (approx 200 kms – 3h30)
Day visit to the vineyards in the Cachapoal valley. This valley is different from others in its agricultural tradition and the fertile land ideal for the cultivation of vine. Our tour begins in the vineyard Anakena, whose wines are exported to over 40 countries around the world and constantly appreciated by the most demanding experts. We will tour the gardens of the vineyard and winery where we tasted three wines premium of the ONA line before continuing to the small and exclusive vineyard Altair, also located in the upper Cachapoal valley at the foot of the hills. Wine tour and discover the winemaking process throughout the year. Visit the modern winery and its vintage tanks, barrels and labelling process by hand. We end the tour with a tasting of their wines Sidereal and Altair. Then we head to Marchihue to spend the night.
Night in Las Majadas vineyard Bisquert (or similar category according availability), breakfast, lunch and wine tasting included
DAY 4: MARCHIHUE – SANTA CRUZ – SANTIAGO – FIN (approx 250 kms – 4h)
Day tour of Santa Cruz and its surroundings. We will visit the Colchagua Museum and the Santa Cruz vineyard with tastings. Transfer back to Santiago. Breakfast included.