Experience the natural and architectural wonders of Chile by driving through the majestic Andes, exploring cities such as colonial Valparaiso and the capital of Santiago, and by tasting some of the country’s premier wines.
Day 1
After proceeding through immigration and customs at the Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago, Chile, your local guide will meet you at the exit number 4 and will take you to your transportation, then directly to your hotel in Santiago.
Check in is at 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available before this time, this cannot be guaranteed.
The day is at your leisure and any meals are on your own.
Day 2
After breakfast, you will board a coach and begin a tour that will include the most important highlights of historical and modern Santiago, including the presidential palace, San Francisco Church and the Plaza de Armas with a visit to the Cathedral. You will continue through the newer residential areas of the city and stop at the top of San Cristobal Hill for a breathtaking view of Santiago.
You will then proceed to the Santa Rita Vineyard, located just 45 minutes away from Santiago. Placed in the foothill zone of Alto Jahuel, in Buin, the vineyard is surrounded by an extraordinary natural environment. The tour will reveal the characteristic wines produced here.
Afterwards, you will pause for lunch at Restaurant Doña Paula. This national monument honors Paula Jaraquemada, who owned the main house of the Santa Rita Estate more than 200 years ago.
The estate was the setting for significant historical occurrences associated to Chile’s independence. General Bernardo O’Higgins and 120 soldiers took refuge there after a battle against the forces of the Spanish crown. The winery’s Santa Rita 120 line of products was named to honor those 120 patriots.
After lunch, you will return to your hotel in Santiago. The evening will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.
Note: Day's two and three may be reversed as the Winery is closed on Mondays.
Day 3
After breakfast, you will enjoy a scenic drive towards the Andes mountain range for a tour of Portillo, which is considered one of the best ski resorts of the world. Along the way, you will pass through the fertile Aconcagua Province and stop briefly at the monument to the Battle of Chacabuco, which signifies the independence of Chile.
As you begin your journey into the Andes, weather permitting, you may be able to see Mount Aconcagua in the distance. As you climb higher, you will surely be impressed as the mountainous scenery unfolds and the guide explains the natural history of the Andes.
Portillo is located at high above sea level next to the Laguna del Inca with its emerald green waters. The World Ski Championship was held here in 1966 – the only one held in South America until 1990. You will stop at the lake for photos and to enjoy lunch at a restaurant before returning to Santiago.
Back at the hotel, the evening will be at your leisure with dinner is on your own.
Day 4
After breakfast and check out, you will head towards colonial Valparaiso, which UNESCO deemed a World Heritage site for being an excellent representation of late 19th-century urban development. As you drive through the city’s steep winding streets, you will pass the Parliament building, Fisherman’s Wharf, Plaza Sotomayor and the Naval Academy. You will also ride a cable car to a lookout that presents sweeping views over the city and bay.
Afterwards, you will drive to the port of San Antonio for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. •Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included
Day 1
Meet & Greet at the Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago, Chile
Transfer directly to your hotel in Santiago
3:00pm Check in at the hotel.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure
Meals on own
Overnight at the Ritz Carlton or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
Day 2
8:00am Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Santiago city tour
11:30am Drive to Santa Rita winery
12:20pm Tour the winery with a wine tasting
2:00pm Lunch at a restaurant
3:20pm Free time after lunch
3:50pm Depart for the hotel
4:30pm Arrive at the hotel
Remainder of the day at your leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the Ritz Carlton or similar hotel
Note: Guests on Insignia's February 8th, 2023 sailng will have days 2 and 3 reversed as the winery is closed on Mondays.
Day 3
8:00am Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Depart for Portillo
12:00pm Lunch at a restaurant
1:30pm Visit Laguna del Inca
3:00pm Depart for Santiago
6:00pm Arrive at your hotel
Remainder of the day at your leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the Ritz Carlton or similar hotel
Day 4
8:00am Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Drive towards Valparaiso
10:50am Arrive in Valparaiso
10:50am Guided visit of the city
11:30am Drive towards San Antonio
1:00pm Arrive at San Antonio´s pier for embarkation
Expected Weather
Santiago: Sunny and dry with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 32°C (59°F to 90°F)
Valparaiso: Occasionally cloudy with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 26°C (46°F to 79°F)
What to Bring
Light, loose clothing that can be layered, comfortable and sturdy walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, cameras, chargers and a jacket or sweater for cooler evenings.
Currency
Chilean Peso. U.S. dollars are not accepted, however, exchanging currency in Chile is simple, especially if you have clean, undamaged bills. Some merchants will not accept $100 bills.
Electricity
In Chile, the power plugs and sockets are types C and L. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. Bring your own universal travel adaptor if you have electronic devices, as the hotels do not provide them.
Documents and Visa Requirements
A passport that is valid at least 6 months after travel is required. Please check with your local embassy for any visa requirements for your nationality.
Accommodations
Ritz Carlton
El Alcalde #15, Las Condes, Santiago, Metropolitan región
Phone: (+56 2) 2470 8500
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes
*3 nights at the Ritz Carlton Hotel or similar including breakfast (Deluxe double room)
*2 lunches (including 1 soft drink or water and 2 glasses of wine)
*Transfers
*Tours and wine tasting per the itinerary
*English-speaking guide
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently of the cruise line are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Does Not Include
*Any meals or beverages not mentioned above
*Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
*Gratuities to drivers and guides
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
