“Fantastic! The vineyards exceeded expectations. We have been to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and all of Europe - this was the best!! We met lots of interesting people along the way and came to realise how excellent your organisation was. Everyone was excellent, helpful and punctual. We had our best holiday ever, and from us that is some accolade!”

Day 1 | Travel | Fly to Chile
Fly from UK to Chile via Madrid (evening flight from London to Madrid where you connect with a non-stop overnight flight to Santiago).

Day 2 | Santiago | Walking tour
Early morning arrival in Santiago. Xabi meets you at the airport to welcome you to Chile. This afternoon take a gentle walking tour through the centre of the city. The city has some really wonderful restaurants, fish and seafood particularly being world class. (b)

Day 3 | Colchagua | Walking tour
Stop in the hot springs of Cauquenes, famous for their healing properties. Before dinner you enjoy a full wine tasting with a local expert who is not only a producer himself but is also professor of oenology at the local university. (b,l,d)

Day 4 | Colchagua | Explore the cordillera
Today starts with a walk through the vineyards of the Montes estate and takes you up to the Divisadero hill for views across the Colchagua Valley. The tour ends with a tasting which includes a couple of their premium Montes Alpha wines. Visit the stunning Lapostolle estate, where they use only gravity to move the wines through production. (b,d)

Day 5 | Maule | Explore the coast
Stop off at the Playa Infiernillo for a walk along the beach with Pacific surf pounding the empty sands. Carry on to the fishing village of Duao where you can enjoy the chaotic and colourful scenes of the fishing boats lined up along the shore. Relax over a first rate seafood lunch on the beach. (b,l,d)

Day 6 | Maule | Walk in the high Andes
Spend today walking in the forests of Altos del Lircay reserve on the slopes of the Andes. From the top you can have spectacular views. Enjoy a hearty dinner in a local restaurant which specialises in meats and fish grilled over wood. (b,l,d)

Day 7 | Maule | Visit vineyards
After breakfast take a tour of local vineyards. Here in Maule they really are not set up for visits in the same way they are in Colchagua. This tends to give visits in this area an unpolished charm. In addition, the vineyards you visit today are very small, family run operations. Visit a third vineyard this afternoon before heading into the town of Talca this evening for dinner in a fine restaurant. (b,l,d)

Day 8 | Los Angeles | Drive to a ranch
Stop for a traditional lunch just outside Chillán in a restaurant with beautiful views of the countryside. Stop for a short walk around the beautiful Saltos de Laja waterfalls. Spend the next two nights on a working ranch set in 500 hectares. Enjoy luxurious 'homestay' style accommodation with an émigré English family. (b,l,d)

Day 9 | Los Angeles | Relax, ride or walk
Spend today on the ranch either relaxing, walking or riding their horses. Xabi remains with you to lead any activities. (b,l,d)

Day 10 | Pucón | Ride into the Andes
Today you reach the Chilean Lake district proper - a landscape of high Andean lakes, snow-capped volcanoes and beautiful forests. Stay in charming cabins near the town of Pucón. Enjoy a relaxed ride into the Andes. Riding well trained and cared for horses is a wonderful experience - they are a pleasure to handle, even for total beginners. (b,l,d)

Day 11 | Pucón | Volcano walk
Rise early to climb to the smoking, snow-capped summit of Villarica volcano. For the first part of the day you have black sand underfoot the route; hard packed snow for the second. From the 2600m summit, you have views right across the Andes into Argentina. Beneath your feet, the volcano smoulders away. For anyone not feeling so energetic, Xabi will make sure that alternative activities are arranged. (b,l)

Day 12 | Pucón | Raft the Trancura River
Take your eyes off the river in front of you to see Villarica behind, dominating the horizon. The river is a great fun combination of grade III and IV rapids. After a few fun hours in the water lunch is a traditional asado (spit roast lamb) on a ranch in the hills high above the river. (b,l)

Day 13 | Puerto Varas | Travel South
After breakfast drive south towards the southern end of the beautiful Lake District. Along with other stops to break the journey, we stop for lunch about half way in an excellent restaurant with views over the turquoise waters of the Rio Bueno. Relax before dinner in a very fine restaurant. (b,l,d)

Day 14 | Puerto Varas | Walk along a lake
A relaxing day to visit the Vincente Perez Rosales National Park. Walk a very pretty trail which leads you across open landscapes, sometimes woods, but almost always with views of Lago Todos los Santos, often referred to as the most beautiful lake in the world, on one side and the snow capped cone of Osorno Volcano on the other. (b,l)

Day 15 | Puerto Varas | Walk through forests
Visit the Alerce Andino National Park to walk amongst the oldest trees on earth - some up to 4,000 years old. The trees are incredibly slow growing, making their wood very valuable indeed. (b,l,d)

Day 16 | Santiago | Explore & relax
After a relaxed morning, drive down to the fishing village of Angelmó, part of Puerto Montt. Here you can shop for local crafts - the wool blankets and jumpers here are amazing. After an informal but delicious and fresh seafood meal, fly back to Santiago for the night. (b,l)

Day 17 | Santiago | Depart for home
Free morning to explore the city before flying home (flight times may vary). (b)

Day 18 | Home | Arrive back