Exploring ,Biking And Wine Tasting With The Locals,Chile-8 Days

Explore the best of the Santiago valley region on this active wine and cuisine adventure! Enjoy biking through vineyards, trekking in the Andes, culinary tasting experiences, and sightseeing on a week-long Chile tour. Visit well known museums and hidden gems as you soak in the beautiful landscapes and quaint villages which make this region unique and intriguing. We can customize and increase the biking distances for more advanced cyclists.
 

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago

  • Hotel
Arrive in Santiago and transfer to your hotel. Overnight.
 
 

Day 3: Trekking to El Morado Glacier

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Meet your guide at your hotel and head for the dramatic peaks of El Morado National Park, one of the Central Valley’s best places to hike and explore. Begin at Baños Morales and head toward Laguna Morales, a small lake at 7,874 feet above sea level. After a picnic lunch, continue along the trail until you arrive to a viewpoint of San Francisco Glacier, one of twenty-nine Chilean glaciers which has a considerable impact on the nation’s landscape and water supply. Following the same trail, head back to Baños Morales for some refreshments before driving higher into the Andes for a relaxing soak in the Baños Colinas hot springs. This tour involves four to five hours of moderate hiking.

Day 5: Colchagua Valley Biking

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

Enjoy a second day pedaling around the Colchagua Valley. First your driver meets you and takes you to Estampa, the first winery in Chile which was dedicated to blending its wines. The architecture of Estampa features an avant-garde design, which houses cutting-edge winemaking equipment. Next, pedal to the family-run Viu Manent winery for a provided lunch. Founded in 1935, Viu Manent’s core philosophy is centered on attention to detail, respect for the environment, and honoring history and tradition.

Following your meal, bike a short distance to Neyen Winery. Founded on the site of one of the region’s pioneering wineries and dating back to the 19th century, Neyen is the perfect blend of traditional and modern times. Its Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted in 1890 and produce excellent fruit. Renowned enologists Patrick Valette and Eduardo Silva serve as consultants, employing art, precision, and passion to achieve a maximum expression of the vines, varieties, and unique terroir. Drive back to your hotel late this afternoon. Total pedaling distance today is 17.5 miles.

Day 7: Valparaiso

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
In the morning, set out with your guide for a city tour of Valparaíso. Begin in the downtown sector and learn about the history of ‘Valpo’ and its importance in South American trade and commerce. Century-old hillside elevators transport you up the city’s steep hills, where a labyrinthine maze of streets reveal brightly colored buildings, bohemian cafes, and elegant restaurants. Enjoy lunch at one of the city’s top restaurants, which is nestled in the hills. With a varied menu and a fresh pisco sour or glass of wine, what could be better? After lunch, continue your tour in the resort city of Viña del Mar, also known as ‘the garden city’ for its lush gardens and palm-lined boulevards. Pass by the ‘Reloj de Flores’ (flower clock) and sandy beaches while learning about the colonial history of the city, as well as its contemporary flair.

Day 2: Explore Santiago

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast
In the morning, meet your guide at your hotel. Your guide leads you on a tour which highlights Santiago’s most important historical sites, including the downtown area surrounding the Plaza de Armas and the La Moneda Presidential Palace. Pass by the Mercado Central, one of Chile’s largest fresh seafood markets, and stroll by the many bustling stalls to see the tremendous variety available from Chile’s bountiful sea. Visit some of the lesser-known barrios of Santiago, including Republica and Concha y Toro, which were historically privileged neighborhoods and home to Santiago’s high society. There is time to walk around and take photos of the varied styles of architecture dating back to the 19th and early 20th century. Continuing through the cobblestoned Lastarria neighborhood, walk through the Parque Forestal and pass by the Bellas Artes Museum. For a panoramic vista of the city, visit the top of Cerro San Cristobal Hill, which sits 984 feet above the city. During the tour, the option to visit one of Santiago’s most famous museums, La Chascona, is available. The former home of beloved poet and Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda, the whimsical residence provides a snapshot into the life and mind of Neruda, and is filled with art, eccentric collections, and even his Nobel Prize.
Enjoy a free afternoon and further explore the city on your own.
 

Day 4: Biking and Wine Tasting in the Colchagua Valley

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

In the morning, set out with your guide for a day of biking and wine tasting. Begin with a three hour drive south to the high eastern section of the renowned Colchagua Valley where you start your ride. Take a gentle ride downhill for 20 miles toward the town of San Fernando and end at the Casa Silva Winery which features a rich history dating back over a century. Enjoy a tour of the winery and lunch with wine tasting. Following your time at the winery, drive to your new hotel in the Colchagua Valley to rest from the day’s ride.

We can customize and increase the biking distances for more advanced cyclists

Day 6: San Antonio Valley

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

In the morning, set out for a three hour drive to the San Antonio Valley: Chile’s most coastal wine region. Nurturing the grapes requires a unique knowledge in order to achieve the delicate balance between sunlight, wind, and temperature. The hard work of winemakers has yielded excellent results: crisp whites and spicy reds which are increasingly capturing attention around the world. First travel to the Matetic Winery. A state-of-the-art winemaking facility, Matetic was designed to compliment its beautiful natural surroundings. Grapes are handpicked and carefully examined to ensure only those of highest quality are used in the winemaking process. Enjoy a tour of the grounds and taste the flavors of their distinctive wines.

Your next visit is Casa Marín Winery. Founded in 2000 by Chile’s first female vineyard owner, Maria Luz Marín, Casa Marín has been described as one of the most daring and innovative vineyards in the country. Its outstanding wines have received many awards, including: Best Sauvignon Blanc in the World (2010), Winery of the Year (2010) by industry association Wines of Chile, and most recently was named among the Top 100 Wineries in the World (2012) by Wine & Spirits magazine. Two of its top wines – Miramar Vineyard Syrah 2010 and Cipreses Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011, were named the best in Chile by the country’s most prestigious wine publication, Descorchados. Following a tour and tasting of their premium wines, enjoy a delicious lunch on the grounds. This afternoon return to your hotel at Matetic Winery and enjoy the rest of the day free to further explore the property.

Day 8: Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast
After breakfast, meet your transfer at your hotel and head for the airport for your continued journey.