This is a wonderful tour that involves light walking in the mountains and visits to several wineries in a most beautiful part of the world. The itinerary straddles the Andean range and displays wineries and lodges in both Argentina and Chile. It stands alone as well and direct flights can be arranged easily from Santiago and Buenos Aires.
Finca Adalgisa Malbec
Day 1: Mendoza.
Flights will be met and you will be transferred to the hotel Finca Adalgisa for the night. “Finca Adalgisa is an early 20th century manor house and vineyard estate in the heart of the premier wine-growing region of Argentina. It is a charming family home converted by Gabriela Fulotti (a third generation Argentinian/Italian) into the first boutique hotel and winery in Mendoza. Although secluded and private, it is conveniently located within 20 minutes drive of Mendoza and is in walking distance of a thriving village community with plenty of local shops and restaurants. Our guests are warmly welcomed as new friends and our home is your home. We have a relaxing and informal environment where things can be arranged spontaneously. The region is well known for the popular Ruta de los Vinos (Route of the Wines) and includes our own wine tasting evenings.”
Day 2: Mendoza City and Wineries
This excursion will allows us to know Mendoza city, one of the most beautiful city of Argentina.
We will visit the old city, where Mendoza was born, and then we will stop in Alameda, the downtown, the Civic Center, General San Martin Park and see Cerro de la Gloria hill, Mundialista stadium and Frank Romero Day amphitheater, which is the central stage of Vintage national festival. At noon we will and enjoy an unforgettable gastronomic experience. We will meet the oenologist who will accompany us throughout the tour. We will depart to Mendoza’s agricultural oasis and visit two prestigious wineries, of wine’s circuit; we will visit its facilities and be able to participate in a guided wine tasting, during which we will begin to familiarize ourselves with the local’s wines, and its elaboration process. Our guide will explain us the technique of wine tasting, wine production techniques, the importance of the cork in the bottle and the correct way to handle a glass in order to taste wine. As the sun sets behind The Andes mountains, we will return to the hotel. B
Day 3: Day Hiking Cerro Mogote San Martín (Full day)
We will leave Mendoza city and head to our base, located in Blanco Encalada, only 35 minutes away from here. This place has a magnificent view due to its elevation 1,400 meters above sea level. Once in there we will start walking to our destination: “Cerro Negro” Mount (2.100 meters). It will take up to 2 hours to get to the summit where we can enjoy a great view of The Andes and the Mendoza river. From this point we will continue to the next mountain, called “Mogote San Martin”, about 200 meters higher. We return later today to hotel. B, L
Day 4: Santiago
Transfer Santiago (see choices for travel) to Atton el Bosque Hotel. Atton El Bosque is located in Santiago in a modern 18-story building with 240 spacious and cozy air conditoned guest rooms with king or queen size beds, private bathroom, Cable TV, work desk, minibar and safe deposit box. B
Day 5: Maipo Canyon
Maipo Canyon day hike and tour the world famous Santa Rita Winery in the Maipo Valley with Lunch. Morning drive towards the Maipo Canyon up to Las Vertientes, a popular resort at the foothills of the Andes, with a view of the winding Maipo river. Continue to the Santa Rita winery located 40 kms south of Santiago, in the Maipo Valley. Santa Rita owns an impressive estate with 800 hectares of vineyard land for the production of high quality wines, a completely modern Vinification facility and high storage capacity, as well as the old family mansion, which is surrounded by nearly 100 acres of a beautiful hundred-year-old park and ornamental gardens.
Continue to the San Alfonso Altiplanico Hotel. “The San Alfonso Altiplanico opened with eight elegant rooms.
It specially emphasizes customized premium attention, tour services, privacy, silence and leisure. The hotel is built in a 20,000mt2 terrain, bounded by the Maipo river, surrounded by the Andes, it enjoys pure air and a spectacular panoramic view of The Andes Mountain Range. It has, in addition, outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, a beautiful park, cable TV, central heating, massages, telephone, free internet, parking, laundry and gourmet meals. Altiplanico San Alfonso is a place that invites to remain enjoying nature in a unique natural surrounding, while being in the vicinity of Santiago City.” BLD
Day 6: San Alfonso
Full day at San Alfonso with a 6 hour hike to the Glacier El Morado. BLD
Day 7: Santa CruzAfter breakfast we will start our trip to Santa Cruz Valley home of more than seventy vineyards. Continue to Santa Cruz Plaza Hotel. The hotel’s attractive colonial-style construction draws together the noble spirit, tradition and history of past generations.
(Colchagua Valley) B
Day 8: Visit and wine tasting at Viu Manent Winery . Viu Manent was established toward the middle of the 19th Century with grape stock brought directly from France, and is thus one of Chile’s oldest makes of fine wines. The vineyard and winery at the Hacienda Cunaco in the Colchagua valley were acquired by Bodegas Viu in 1996, a family firm owned by Miguel Viu Manent. It has 150 hectares (370 acres) at the Hacienda Cunaco, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Sangiovese, Syrah, Chardonnay Blanc, Semillon, Viogner. These areas are complemented by the 50 hectares (95 acres) at the La Capilla estate, where Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay are grown. The annual production reaches 1.8 million liters and is exported to Europe, North America and Asia. The on site museum collection also boasts some fine Inca tapestries, nineteenth century horse-drawn carriages, woodcarvings from Easter Island and a tremendous collection of motor vehicles. Lunch back at hotel. BL
Mont gras Winery. Inspired by Hernán Gras, who has a brilliant winemaking career in Canada, along with the entrepreneurial vision of his brother Eduardo and local partner Cristian Hartwig, opened Viña MontGras in 1992.
MontGras, that has always has state-of-the-art technology in all its processes, set out from its conception to be the winery with the best premium wine from Chile. It is no accident then, the great amount of international prizes that have recognized the professional work, the constant quality and the innovation of MontGras wines
Day 9: Valparaiso
After breakfast we will start our trip to the historical and pictureseque port city of Valparaiso. En route we visit to San Antonio and Casa blanca valleys.
Two wineries today . The new Matetic vineyards winery, designed by the Viña Matetic team in cooperation with architect Lawrence Odfjell, is a state-of-the-art winemaking facility, constructed so as to complement its glorious setting. In other words, harmony has been reached between the winery´s organic agricutural practices and the natural landscape of the valley. This winery, which has a 300 thousand-liter capacity, relies on a gravitational-flow design that optimizes management of the grapes brought in from the nearby vineyards. During a tour, visitors can learn about the different phases of wine production while appreciating stunning views of the vineyards and the beautiful Rosario Valley. Lunch and at Casa Marin Winery.
Viña Casa Marín is a family-owned winery located in the San Antonio appellation, only 4 kms. from the coast. It is currently Chile’s closest vineyard to the Pacific Ocean. It was founded in the year 2000 by Maria Luz Marín, winemaker and entrepreneur, whose goal of providing innovation to the local wine industry is being accomplished by her focus on premium wines which are a reality with the new “terroir.”
Then tonight it’s the boutique Hotel Zero, a converted traditional house, for 2 nights in Valparaiso. The house faces the Pacific Ocean, bringing an impressive view that can be enjoyed with the morning light, with the colors of dawn or the gleaming magic of the night. You can see ships that arrive and ships that leave. It is an excellent location for exploring the twisting streets of Valparaiso on foot. BL
Day 10: Full day tour of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar
Valparaiso combines in its urban landscape the giant bulk of ships moored at its docks with the narrowness of its main streets. Ingenuity has transformed this abrupt piece of coastline into one of the world’s most picturesque and famous port cities. The views are particularly breathtaking when seen from sea at dusk; a semi-circle of illuminated hills cascading down to the water. The city was recently named as the Cultural Capital of Chile and will receive massive investment in coming years. Lunch at Delicias Del Mar Restaurant (seafood).
Chile’s premier beach resort, Viña del Mar, is only 10km (6 miles) north of Valparaiso, and is popularly known as the Garden City because of its manicured subtropical landscape of palm and banana trees. Horse-drawn carriages trot past attractive turn-of-the-century mansions on both river and beach frontages.
Other attractions are the white-sand beaches, numerous parks and notable museums housed in restored mansions. The town is also the home of Chile’s national botanical garden, comprising 61ha (151ac) of native and exotic plants. BL
Day 10: Transfer to Santiago Airport B
Today we head back to Santiago and your flight onward. Or inquire about visiting other areas.