In Search of Robinson Crusoe
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Highlights:
There are three islands located 400 miles off the coast of Valparaiso. Discovered at the end of the 16th Century, they became a haven for pirates and buccaneers after crossing Cape Horn.
In 1704, an English seafarer named Alexander Selkirk was marooned on the island for four years and four months before being rescued and returned to England. His experience inspired Daniel Defoe to write the book “The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe."
Today the Juan Fernandez Islands are lightly populated. Scientists come from all over the world to study the unique vegetation and wildlife. You have the chance to share in your own adventure and combine it with a relaxing stay on a wine estate in the Maipo Valley.
There are three islands located 400 miles off the coast of Valparaiso. Discovered at the end of the 16th Century, they became a haven for pirates and buccaneers after crossing Cape Horn.
In 1704, an English seafarer named Alexander Selkirk was marooned on the island for four years and four months before being rescued and returned to England. His experience inspired Daniel Defoe to write the book “The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe."
Today the Juan Fernandez Islands are lightly populated. Scientists come from all over the world to study the unique vegetation and wildlife. You have the chance to share in your own adventure and combine it with a relaxing stay on a wine estate in the Maipo Valley.
SKU:
Explore: The adventures of Chile
Customizable Itinerary - 10 Days (from $5,678 / person)
Day 1: Depart USA
In the evening you board your aircraft for the overnight flight to Santiago.
Day 2: Welcome to Santiago
You arrive in Santiago and are met by one of our drivers who will take you to your boutique hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure. Santiago reminds many people of California since it has mountains surrounding the city and the Pacific Ocean is a short drive away so you can ski and surf in the same day ( if you really wanted to). It also has extensive vineyards within driving distance.
Day 3: Santiago Highlights
Today, your guide is going to give you an overview of the city from its historical sites to the “of the moment” neighborhoods. Start on the main street, Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins who led the independence movement from Spain. Plaza de Armas dates back to Spanish times and is anchored by the Metropolitan Cathedral. You will visit museums focused on pre-Columbian artifacts and artworks while the Bellas Artes Museum offers more contemporary works. You will have lunch at Restaurant Giratorio which offers dramatic views of the mountains and even all the way to the sea. Your afternoon starts with a visit to La Chascona, former home of Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda. You visit the cultural and artistic neighborhood of Bellavista before taking a cable car to the top of San Cristobal Hill. Your final visit will be to the Providencia neighborhood with its top restaurants, elegant shops and modern high-rise buildings.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: A Flight to Robinson Crusoe Island
In the morning you will be transferred to the regional airport for the flight to the southwestern peninsula of Robinson Crusoe island where you will be met by a guide who will take you from the airport to the pier of the Bahia del Padre where a boat will be waiting to transfer you to town and your hotel. After your arrival and lunch at the hotel to will be taken for a tour of this small town of 800 inhabitants visiting such places as Las Cuevas de la Patriotas (Patriots’ Caves) where the first exiled Chilean independence leaders lived. You will then visit the cemetery where crewmen from the German cruiser “Dresden” which was scuttled near Cumberland Bay in 1915 by three British destroyers. Return to the hotel for dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: The Pirate’s Hideout and Selkirk’s Lookout
This morning, a boat will take you to the northwest of the islands to the “English Port” named after the British pirates and corsairs who enjoyed refuge here. On arrival you will visit Robinson Crusoe’s Cave, the place where Alexander Selkirk lived. You will also visit the site where a search continues for a hidden treasure buried in 1760 by Cornelius Webb, an English seaman. You return to town for lunch and then set out for Selkirk’s lookout from where he hoped to spot ships coming to his rescue. This point offers breathtaking views of the blue ocean in contrast with the lush green vegetation. Continue on to Villagra Valley and then return to town.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: El Rebaje de la Pina
After breakfast you will explore the southeastern side of the island and visit the French port. After a scenic boat ride along the coastline you will hike to the lookout known as El Rebaje de la Pina. As you make your way to the top you pass through the main ravine with its luma tree forest, Naranjillo trees and a variety of ferns and understand why the island why scientists flock to the island to study the 38 unique flora and fauna on the lsland. When you reach the peak you are rewarded with views of Robinson Crusoe Island with uninhabited Santa Clara Island as background. Make your way down to the beach where the staff will have a fish barbecue waiting for you along with Chilean wine. This beach was once the haven for French pirates.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: From the Island to the Valley
Say goodbye to your unique location and take a boat ride back to the airstrip where your flight awaits to take you back to the mainland. Upon arrival at the airport you will be met and taken to the Maipo Valley which is one of Chile’s oldest wine regions focused on outstanding Cabernet Sauvignons. You will be staying at an elegant home set in a 40 acre French garden. Take a walk around the grounds before enjoying dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: Learning the Winemaker’s Art
After breakfast you will have a full day to absorb the wine making process including making and bottling your own wine. Your guide will take you through the vineyards see the grapes on the vine. You will then visit the cellars where you taste several vintages along with a light lunch. After lunch you get a wine making class that allows you to blend various vintages to create a unique wine just for you. You bottle your creation, cork it and seal and apply your own label. An unforgettable souvenir. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner at the noted Dona Paula restaurant on the estate.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Departure from Chile
You have some free time in the morning to enjoy the gardens, visit the spa or swim in the indoor pool. In the afternoon you are transferred to the airport for your return overnight flight to the USA.
Breakfast
Day 10: Arrive in the USA
In the evening you board your aircraft for the overnight flight to Santiago.
Day 2: Welcome to Santiago
You arrive in Santiago and are met by one of our drivers who will take you to your boutique hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure. Santiago reminds many people of California since it has mountains surrounding the city and the Pacific Ocean is a short drive away so you can ski and surf in the same day ( if you really wanted to). It also has extensive vineyards within driving distance.
Day 3: Santiago Highlights
Today, your guide is going to give you an overview of the city from its historical sites to the “of the moment” neighborhoods. Start on the main street, Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins who led the independence movement from Spain. Plaza de Armas dates back to Spanish times and is anchored by the Metropolitan Cathedral. You will visit museums focused on pre-Columbian artifacts and artworks while the Bellas Artes Museum offers more contemporary works. You will have lunch at Restaurant Giratorio which offers dramatic views of the mountains and even all the way to the sea. Your afternoon starts with a visit to La Chascona, former home of Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda. You visit the cultural and artistic neighborhood of Bellavista before taking a cable car to the top of San Cristobal Hill. Your final visit will be to the Providencia neighborhood with its top restaurants, elegant shops and modern high-rise buildings.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: A Flight to Robinson Crusoe Island
In the morning you will be transferred to the regional airport for the flight to the southwestern peninsula of Robinson Crusoe island where you will be met by a guide who will take you from the airport to the pier of the Bahia del Padre where a boat will be waiting to transfer you to town and your hotel. After your arrival and lunch at the hotel to will be taken for a tour of this small town of 800 inhabitants visiting such places as Las Cuevas de la Patriotas (Patriots’ Caves) where the first exiled Chilean independence leaders lived. You will then visit the cemetery where crewmen from the German cruiser “Dresden” which was scuttled near Cumberland Bay in 1915 by three British destroyers. Return to the hotel for dinner.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: The Pirate’s Hideout and Selkirk’s Lookout
This morning, a boat will take you to the northwest of the islands to the “English Port” named after the British pirates and corsairs who enjoyed refuge here. On arrival you will visit Robinson Crusoe’s Cave, the place where Alexander Selkirk lived. You will also visit the site where a search continues for a hidden treasure buried in 1760 by Cornelius Webb, an English seaman. You return to town for lunch and then set out for Selkirk’s lookout from where he hoped to spot ships coming to his rescue. This point offers breathtaking views of the blue ocean in contrast with the lush green vegetation. Continue on to Villagra Valley and then return to town.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: El Rebaje de la Pina
After breakfast you will explore the southeastern side of the island and visit the French port. After a scenic boat ride along the coastline you will hike to the lookout known as El Rebaje de la Pina. As you make your way to the top you pass through the main ravine with its luma tree forest, Naranjillo trees and a variety of ferns and understand why the island why scientists flock to the island to study the 38 unique flora and fauna on the lsland. When you reach the peak you are rewarded with views of Robinson Crusoe Island with uninhabited Santa Clara Island as background. Make your way down to the beach where the staff will have a fish barbecue waiting for you along with Chilean wine. This beach was once the haven for French pirates.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: From the Island to the Valley
Say goodbye to your unique location and take a boat ride back to the airstrip where your flight awaits to take you back to the mainland. Upon arrival at the airport you will be met and taken to the Maipo Valley which is one of Chile’s oldest wine regions focused on outstanding Cabernet Sauvignons. You will be staying at an elegant home set in a 40 acre French garden. Take a walk around the grounds before enjoying dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: Learning the Winemaker’s Art
After breakfast you will have a full day to absorb the wine making process including making and bottling your own wine. Your guide will take you through the vineyards see the grapes on the vine. You will then visit the cellars where you taste several vintages along with a light lunch. After lunch you get a wine making class that allows you to blend various vintages to create a unique wine just for you. You bottle your creation, cork it and seal and apply your own label. An unforgettable souvenir. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner at the noted Dona Paula restaurant on the estate.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Departure from Chile
You have some free time in the morning to enjoy the gardens, visit the spa or swim in the indoor pool. In the afternoon you are transferred to the airport for your return overnight flight to the USA.
Breakfast
Day 10: Arrive in the USA
