Chile: road-trip in Central Valley, Villarrica NP, Lake District, w/moder. hikes

We will road-trip between Santiago de Chile and Puerto Montt enjoying an ever-shifting panorama of rolling hills, snow-capped mountains, dazzling lakes, towering volcanoes, high grasslands and salt flats. Besides Villarrica National Park we will stop at the areas of pretty and historical towns of Valparaiso, Maule, Maipo, Pucon, and at the Chillean Lake District and Biobio Mountains region.

This trip does not aim to explore the Patagonia and Torres del Paine regions that require a longer time and preparedness for more challenging hikes, trekking, staying in wilderness and being familiar with environment. Such a trip is in the plans for the next season.

In this we will drive one way, south from Santiago, for three-four hours daily, stop for moderate hikes and sightseeing every day, and finish the trip and fly home from Puerto Montt. Please pay attention that flights to Chile from the US are lengthy and quite costy, with at leas one transfer. If you want to explore more of Santiago or Valparaiso and have time, you can arrange an earlier arrival. This trip aims to speedy cover nature areas and explore their beauty as much as possible.

Trip's summary:

• 5days/4nights trip for a small group of 6 explorers.
• The starting point is Santiago de Chile (airport: SCL) and the ending point is Puerto Montt (airport El Tepual: PMC),
• Level of activities: Easy to Intermediate.
• Hotel accommodations in Santiago, Chillan, Pucon, Puerto Varas.

The US citizens can visit Chile for 90 days without needing a visa.
If someone is an Indian or Chinese passport holder and they have a valid US or Canadian visa or resident permit, then they can visit Chile for 90 days without needing a visa. For more precise info and details, please check on www.chile.gob.cl.

Summer weather in the areas we'll travel through is warm with day average temperatures from 73 to 84 F (depending on the region) and dry. Keep an eye on the weather forecast as it gets updated by: https://bit.ly/3N21IPx

Clothes and gear recommended:

• good hiking shoes,
• warm jacket for evenings, be ready to layer up,
• hiking poles if you used to them,
• consider hydration bladder for hikes,
• sunglasses,
• sunscreen,
• hat.

Cost $660 (can be updated depending on gas prices change and after local auto insurance purchase.) What will be included:

• 5 days/4 nights stay in 2-people occupancy non-smoking room (two queen beds in room),
• Breakfasts at some hotels,
• Transportation by full-size SUV (not minivan) like Cherry Tiggo 8 Pro or similar, covering approx. 850 mi of road-tripping total,
• Guided hikes in all days.

What is NOT included:

• Getting to Santiago De Chile and getting back from Puerto Montt,
• any individually charged fees and expenses, customary tipping,
• Meals, snacks, water.

Sunrise: 6:30am. Sunset: 8:45pm. Everyday we want to start off from the hotel at 7 - 7:30am. If you are a nigh owl, please try to adjust yourself for an earlier getup during the trip - the purpose of it is to use more of daylight for activities.

There will be a Zoom meeting on this trip and a WhatsApp group chat will be formed for the group to communicate and prepare for the trip. Please be available to be connected by WhatsApp (provide the organizer with your WhatsApp contact info to be included in the group.)

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Title photo: Lake District, Laja Waterfall