daphee

Hi Fodorites- So after thoroughly reading the trip reports and threads on here- I finally came up with an itinerary for us- I would love any general feedback and also have a few specific questions:

1-5 santiago
6- flight to north tranfer San Pedro de Atacama
7- San Pedro de Atacama- Valley of the moon
8- San Pedro de Atacama- Tatio Geysers, salar de atacama
9- get to Iquique
10- Iquique- geoglyphs
11- Iquique- Humberstone
12- return to Santiago
13-17 santiago
18- flight Punta Arenas + day isla magdalena
19- bus to puerto Natales
20- 24 torres del paine
25- to el calafate + afternoon perito moreno
26- Big Ice trek in el calafate
27- to El Chalten
28- trek El Chalten
29- return el calafate- then back to chile
30- (extra day for delays)
31- flight back

For the northern part would you fly to Calama or Iquique? (we want to only do one round trip) how would you go about getting around- should we rent a car? from where?
We will have 10 days in Santiago and area- other than Valparaiso/Vina del Mar what would you recommend to do in the area? any specific winery recommendations?
During the southern section, we'll have Christmas- will things still be working as usual or will everything be closed?
Is the border crossing into Argentina pretty straightforward or is there something special we need to bring? Once there, are buses the best way to get around or should we rent a car? If rent, should we get it on the Chilean side or Argentinian side?

Ok, I realize this is asking A LOT, but any and all help will be truly appreciated!!!!
Thanks!

HappyTrvlr

Chile: Vineyards, Casablanca Valley, in between Santiago and Valparaiso..Matetic Vineyards( excellent reataurant too), and Kingston Family Vineyards.On the Kingston website click on Our Vineyards and you'll see an area to click for local information on other wineries and restaurants in the area.

Huentetu

It is going to be hot in Santiago but the nights cool off. It will be cooler on the coast by the sea. In San Pedro de Atacama it will be hot during the day but, being desert, the temperatures will plummet at night. Right now day temps are around 22C but at night it drops to -2C. In Patagonia you will need warm clothes and some waterproof gear. That is the variety of clothes you will need in December.
For visiting San Pedro, you fly into Calama and take a transfer from the airport. You should book all that now: flight, transfer, lodging. SPA doesn't have a low season.
For Torres del Paine you need to book your lodging and flight now. Things in the park get booked up months in advance and the season really starts in November.
Since you have plenty of days, why not rent a car in Santiago and drive to the Colchagua valley, about 3 hours south of Santiago and visit the vineyards there. You could spend a couple of nights. The area is pleasant to drive around and
a car is useful as the vineyards are quite spread out.
All tourist things seem to work over Christmas but you might find restaurants closed the 25th. Christmas is celebrated on the 24th at night.
Buses go from Puerto Natales to El Calafate and you can book that when you first arrive in PN on your way to the park. There are two tour companies which go straight from the park to El Calafate: Always Glaciers and Chalten Travel. They are a lot more expensive than the bus, but you cut out the return to PN for the bus and save some time.

daphee

Thank you both, esp. Huentetu!
In Torres del Paine we were going to camp- from what I understand we don't need reservations for that, is that correct?

Elizabeth_S

You might laugh - but I would take 3 nights out of Santiago and fly to Easter Island....yes, it's a 5 hour flight but it's closer than home!

I believe you can get three night packages including air for around $1,100 per person - well worth it IMO. We spent a month in Chile and Easter Island was a definite highlight!

Pics on blog here

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...easter_island/

One other suggestion - in Punta Arenas we had a great meal at Cafe Luna - I still dream of the Crab Chupe! Pics here

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ke_distri.html

Elizabeth_S

**CORRECTION** - it's La Luna, not Cafe Luna

traveler318

Hi Daphee,

I wonder why you are going to Iquique? We spent about a week in the Atacama this past March, and I'm not sure the trip from Calama to Iquique was worth it. It was at least a 5 hour very boring drive. Probably longer if you take the bus. Humberstone was ok, but not worth going that far out of the way, in my opinion. The beach in Iquique was nice, but nothing special. We also went to Volcan Isluga from Iquique, and the drive was pretty, but again, not sure it was worth the extra effort. Personally, I'd skip Iquique add more time to the area around Calama, as there is much more to do than the geysers and the Valley of the Moon. We spent three different days doing drives up into the high country, Mineques and Miscanti on one trip, Salar de Tara on another, and Caspana and Chiu Chiu on another day.

Photos are here and the next two pages:

http://web.mac.com/mwillia/Matts_Tra...–2).html

I also think you might have a bit too much time in Santiago. I'd maybe go to Valparaiso, the wine country, or even add the lake district (many flights from Punta Arenas stop in Puerto Montt).

daphee

@Elizabeth_S -it seems that on the time-money continuum we have a lot more time than $$$ at this point so Easter Island will have to wait for another trip. We have some family in SA and therefore I am sure we will be back...thanks for the restaurant rec.!!

@traveler318 - the only reason I threw in Iquique was that I was told there was only 3/4 days of things to do in Calama area, but I see I may be misinformed and will definitely look into those other hikes you mentioned!!!

Elizabeth_S

daphee - sigh...it's always something

Have a great trip!

daphee

yes it is... thanks!

tom42

for a recommendation of a winery - the Concha y Toro tour was very good.