Tripadvisor Gatlinburg - Chilean Vineyards peaks of Patagonia &

So we came prepared for occasional wind and rain, this however is a land where the unexpected is the norm. It is late spring in the region and the weather was cooperative with a lot of sunshine. Dramatic landscapes provided us a continual Kodak moment throughout.

We welcomed an overnight at the spartan but cozy Charles Darwin Hotel and a fabulous dinner of king crab and fresh salmon. There we transferred 2 hours by coach to Puerto Natales at the Patagonia steppe. We flew south to Punta Arenas, after a rest at the lovely Hotel Neruda and a city tour in Santiago.

The backdrop of the spiny tall rugged mountains capped with ice was as vivid as a postcard. Hosteria Pehoe is rustic for a rate of $200 per room but it lies on the edge of a turquoise glacial lake with an indescribably beautiful view. Later we boarded zodiac boats for a thrilling ride to our lodge located inside Torres del Paine National Park. We stopped for a hike around the fabulous Serano Glacier and a lunch on lamb at a remote cattle ranch. The following day we sailed several hours on the cutter vessel "21 de Mayo" up the fjord of Ultima Esperanza.

Some people opted for an arduous 8 hour hike up the famous towering peaks known as The Torres. Free time was provided for horse riding and boating to magnificent Grey Glacier which was a delight. Several in our group arranged a nocturnal hike to view the elusive puma but none were spotted. Cormorants and more, condors, black neck swans, sea lions, flamingo, foxes, we were able to photograph the wildlife including guanaco's of the llama family. Three days were spent touring the park.

We visited a handicraft market with excellent buys on alpaca sweaters and blue lapis stoned jewelry, enroute back to our hotel. Here we participated in an optional canopy cable swing adventure through the treetops which was more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Crystal clear water; the afternoon was spent at the hot springs area of Aguas Calientes for a soak in the 110º. It began in Puyehue National Park with the backdrop of two spectacular and very active volcanos named Osorno and Calbuco. We flew on to Puerto Montt and checked into the first class Hotel Gran Pacifica for four glorious nights to explore Chile's lake region.

This excursion for me was the highlight of the trip. Four people fell out of an overturned raft but wet suites provided protection from the frigid water and expert guides in kayaks were able to quickly retrieve all. The next day we rafted the powerful Petrohue River on class 3 and 4 white water rapids.

We photographed a succession of beautiful and powerful waterfalls cascading over volcanic boulders of the ice capped Osorno. 000 acres, the lush green forest here is set in the Andes foothills and covers 220. On day 8 we enjoyed a catamaran cruise along the shores of All Saints Lake also named Emerald Lake for it's vibrant color in Peulla.

Including several vintages which rank among the nations most esteemed exports, we enjoyed a lunch of fantastic BBQ steak and imbibed on endless wine. We toured the Cavas del Maipo Winery, prior to airport departure. Our vacation experience culminated back in Santiago with a farewell feast of seafood at a deluxe local restaurant.

It was a good value and the guides throughout were excellent. The $100 Chilean entry visa was extra. The cost of this trip was $2397 plus taxes which included roundtrip air from Miami and all internal flights. Most who met as strangers and returned as lifelong friends, we had a wonderful group of 35 participants. I've had my fill of salmon and lamb for a lifetime and reflect back on a journey well done. Ten days was sufficient here to see an eyeful.

It certainly exceeded my expectations and I recommend it for any intrepid travelers list of must-see destinations of a lifetime. " I felt far removed in this narrow land that stretches to the end of the world yet was able to experience all the comforts of home. It was the Incan word for "land far away. Chile is a misnomer with no connection to peppers. Switzerland's Alps and British Columbia's forests and lakes, in Patagonia God created a perfect juxtaposition of New Zealand's fjords. Pristine and unscarred nature in her finest glory; the beauty here lies simply in the remoteness. I have toured over 30 countries.