Santiago & Wine Valley

Take in the most popular sites of Santiago & discover the coastal areas of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. Then, travelling along the wine route of the Chachapoal, Colchagua and Curica valleys, enjoy the typical Chilean panorama, learn about different grapevines, production processes & types of wines, and taste some of Chile's best known wines. This delightful tour is sure to leave you with memories to last for a lifetime!

Day 1: Arrive Santiago

Upon arrival at Santiago airport, reception and transfer to hotel for check-in and overnight accommodation. The remainder of the day is free to relax or start exploring Santiago on your own.

Day 2: Santiago

Following breakfast at your hotel, depart on a sightseeing tour of the Chilean capital. The tour starts with a visit to Cerro Santa Lucia, where the city was founded in 1541. Afterwards visit to the Government Palace 'La Moneda' and Plaza de Armas where we will see important national monuments such as the Cathedral, Correo Central and City Hall. Finally you cross over the Mapocho River and follow through some of Santiago's residential districts with its beautiful houses and parks, before returning to your hotel. The afternoon is at leisure. Alternatively you may book an optional tour to one of Chile's famous wineries. Overnight at your selected hotel. (B)

Day 3: Vina del Mar & Valparaiso

Breakfast at the hotel. Today embark on a full day tour to Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. Departing from Santiago to the Pacific coast, you will cross the Coastal Mountain Range and the Casablanca and Curacavi Valleys to arrive in Valparaiso, the city where Chile's main commercial port and the Congress are located. Tour the city to admire its multicoloured houses on the hills, many parks, diverse historic monuments and traditional bars and restaurants. Visit to "La Sebastiana," one of the houses of the Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda which is now a museum. Proceed to Vina del Mar, also known as the Garden City for its large number of parks and beautifully kept gardens. Vina del Mar's Casino well reflects the aristocratic character that the founder, Jose Francisco Vergara, tried to bestow upon this city. Free time for lunch on your own. The tour continues along Renaca beach, one of the most exclusive of the central Chilean coast featuring prestigious restaurants and modern buildings. Return to Santiago for overnight accommodation.(B)

Day: 4 Santiago | Cachapoal Valley | Santa Cruz

Departing from Santiago, embark on a journey to discover the three of Chile's renown wine valleys: Cachapoal, Colchagua and Curico. Today you travel south toward the Cachapoal Valley where you will have the chance to visit two local wineries, starting with Anakena Winery. Located in the Rapel Valley at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The wine-making and storage area of the winery was designed by the renowned South African company Techniques Trading, who also advised on the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment. There are winery houses 4 galleries containing 148 stainless steel tanks, 2 halls for 1300 barrels, the laboratory and sales room. After the reception at the Visitor Centre, tour around the variety garden and the viewpoint, where a glass of Sauvignon Blanc Single Vineyard is tasted. Visit the vinification areas and barrel room, concluding the tour with a tasting of two premium red Anakena wines. Free time to visit Wine Shop before continuing to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon continue towards Vina Torreon de Paredes. In 1979, at the age of 70, Amado Paredes decided to fulfill a longtime dream and purchased a winery in the town of Rengo, transforming it with much effort & passion into what today has become one the top wineries in the Cachapoal Valley. The winery's constant goal is not only to produce excellent wines, but to also create ecological wines made with great respect for nature and the ecosystem. After visiting the cellar and vineyards a wine tasting is offered of 2 wines. Transfer to hotel in Santa Cruz. Tonight enjoy an aperitif followed by dinner at the property's gourmet restaurant. (B.L.D)

Day 5: Curico Valley

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. The first vineyard to visit at the Curico Valley is Vina Miguel Torres. The Torres family, of Spanish origins, has been dedicated to wine industry since 1870. In 1979 Don Miguel Torres purchased a small winery in Curico. Today, they are proud of having been the first foreign company to bet for and invest in Chile's Central Valley, an authentic wine growing paradise. Over the years Miguel Torres cellars and land have grown to a current extension of over 400 hectares. Experience a wonderful tour of the vineyards and the wine making and aging cellars. The tour also includes a tasting of the winery's best wines and the possibility of enjoying the outstanding cuisine of Restaurant Torres, located on the estate. After lunch, the tour continues towards Vina San Pedro, that has been crafting wines for nearly 150 years. The visit begins with a trip through the vineyards including a stop at a viewpoint to appreciate the largest single extension of vineyards in all of South America (1,200 hectares). Then enjoy a guided tasting of two of San Pedro wines. Afterward visit the barrel cellar built in 1865 where you will learn about the how's and why's of the wine making process. Return to your hotel for dinner & overnight. (B.L.D)

Day 6: Santa Cruz & Colchagua Valley | Santiago

Breakfast at hotel. Today discover the wines and cultural heritage of the Colchagua Valley. Located approximately 150kms (93 miles) south of the capital city Santiago, Colchagua is truly blessed when it comes to producing red wines. The valley was named as the Best Worldwide Wine Region in 2005 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine and is recognized for the quality of its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah & Carmenere. Casa Silva, Vina Montes, Bisquertt, Mont Grass and Hacienda Araucano are just some of the valleys vineyards, many of which were established during the 19th century, introducing French varietals. Start your wine tour with a visit to Vina Casa Silva. Dating back from 1982, this is the oldest winery in the Colchagua Valley and today process up to 2000 litres per hour using modern barrels and technology. Wine tasting of 2 Reserve Casa Silva wines is included. The second winery to visit is Montes Wines, founded in 1988 and mainly aimed at exports to over seventy-five countries, where you will taste of 2 Reserve Montes wine or equivalent. Lunch at a local restaurant. The tour continues to visit the Colchagua Museum in Santa Cruz, one of the most interesting private museums of Chile(closed Mondays). Here you will admire extensive and well presented collections of pre-Columbian ceramics & textiles, indigenous Mapuche silver jewellery, interesting fossils, completely restored carriages, and an early car museum, among others. Return to Santiago and end of services, or ask about extending your stay with CIT Tours. (B.L)

Daily departures

Minimum 2 passengers. Please note: Wineries may be substituted based on day of week & availability.