“Our multigenerational family of eight just returned from a two-week trip to Chile over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. From our first conversation, I knew that Jordan understood exactly what we were looking for in a family holiday and the challenges of traveling with both teenagers and grandparents.”
“We LOVED all of our destinations and accommodations that Jordan suggested. Each of the places we visited was totally different and unique from the others. We started with four nights in the Atacama Desert at Explora, which was amazing. They have so many activities to choose from and we planned our itinerary once we arrived—moon valley, mars valley, the geysers, Cejar Salt Lagoon, Rainbow Valley, stargazing at Explora’s onsite observatory, and a hike to Explora’s private hot springs! Next we traveled all the way south to Patagonia and stayed at Cerro Guido, a ranch just outside of Torres Del Paine National Park for another four nights. Jordan suggested we stay here when I told him that we really like to experience a country’s culture, food and people when we travel. And Cerro Guido ended up being our favorite place we stayed on our trip!
Again, we didn’t plan our activities until we arrived, and they were super accommodating to everyone’s activity level and physical abilities—we even split up a couple of the days so everyone could do what they wanted. My sister-in-law and I did the iconic ten-hour hike to the base of the towers in Torres Del Paine, two of the teenagers went horseback riding with a gaucho, my husband and niece rode e-bikes, and my in-laws were taken by car to meet up with them. Then we also did some easier hikes and walks all together. We really enjoyed the lodge life and meeting other guests, not having to always dress up for dinner (sometimes even going to meals still in our hiking gear) and not having to worry about anything.
We were sad to leave Patagonia, but our next stop was a day and a half in Santiago (including New Year’s Eve) at Hotel Magnolia, which was a great boutique hotel and we had just enough time for a city tour and some good meals. On New Year’s Day we were driven about 2.5 hours to the Colchagua wine valley and one of the most special places we have ever experienced anywhere in the world. Clos Apalta is a gem, and once we arrived, we never wanted to leave. Jordan had told me it was a very special place for a family holiday and we almost passed on it for a closer wine region but again, Jordan was right! The villas and grounds are stunning and we all loved our two nights and three days here with the most amazing food and wine.
The food at all the places we stayed was incredible, the activities were amazing, and we even had a few once in a lifetime experiences! Standouts include running down the sand dunes in Mars Valley in the Atacama Desert, hiking to the base of the towers in Torres del Paine in Patagonia, and staying at Clos Apalta. I was initially worried the teens would get bored on this trip, and boy was I wrong! I’m looking forward to visiting other parts of South America and will definitely be calling Jordan when it’s time!”
—Lauren & extended family after returning from their multi-generational family holiday trip, New Jersey
Itinerary Creation
Lauren came to us as an experienced coordinator of her extended family holiday trips. She knew two weeks was their duration, they liked to be active, but also needed a lot of flexibility to accommodate ages ranging from teens to 80s, and that they like small, authentic-feeling places with lots of nature. Working with Knowmad Co-Founder Jordan and Trip Specialist Olivia, here’s the adventurous family holiday trip they came up with:
Custom Family Holiday In Chile
DAY 1 USA – Santiago
Take an overnight flight, arriving in Santiago the following morning.
DAY 2 Santiago – Calama – Atacama
In Santiago, you will be responsible for making your way onto your flight to Calama. Keep the PDI paper you receive in your passport to show when leaving Chile. In Calama, take a shared transfer 90 minutes to your lodge. While at your lodge, enjoy a range of small group excursions, gourmet food and a variety of alcoholic beverages.
- L, D – Explora Atacama, 4 Tulur Rooms
DAY 3-5 Atacama
Continue enjoying your adventures at your lodge and throughout Atacama.
- B, L, D – Explora Atacama
DAY 6 Atacama – Santiago
Today you will transfer 90 minutes by shared guest transfer to the airport. In Santiago, pick up your luggage and cross the street to the Holiday Inn Aeropuerto.
- B – Holiday Inn Aeropuerto, 4 Standard Rooms
DAY 7 Santiago – Patagonia – Torres del Paine National Park
Transfer with your Spanish-speaking driver to the airport. In Patagonia, take a shared-guest transfer from Puerto Natales (2-hours) to Torres del Paine. While at your lodge, enjoy a range of small group excursions, gourmet food and a variety of alcoholic beverages. Guides will explain the excursion options each night to plan your activities for the next day. Conservation project & fly-fishing excursions are available at an additional cost and should be arranged in advance.
- B, L, D – Cerro Guido, 4 Rooms
DAYS 8-10 Torres del Paine National Park
Continue enjoying your adventures at the lodge and throughout Torres del Paine.
- B, L, D – Cerro Guido
DAY 11 Torres del Paine National Park – Patagonia – Santiago
Transfer by shared-guest transfer to the Puerto Natales airport (2-hours). In Santiago, transfer to your accommodations with your Knowmad guide.
- B – Hotel Magnolia, 1 Superior Room, 2 Deluxe Triple Rooms
DAY 12Santiago
Today you will be taken on a guided half-day exploration of Santiago, visiting the Presidential Palace, the pedestrian streets Huérfanos and Ahumada, and Parque Forestal or Santa Lucía Hill.
- B – Hotel Magnolia
DaY 13Santiago – Colchagua Valley
After a leisurely morning and lunch on your own in the city, transfer ~2.5-hours to your accommodations nestled in the hills of the Colchagua Valley. While at Clos Apalta, enjoy the activities and gourmet meals included in your stay.
- B, D – Clos Apalta Residence, 4 Villas
Day 14Colchagua Valley
Enjoy the on-site facilities, visit the cellar in a private tour and tasting, and walk/bike through the vineyard during your day at leisure. You may also visit an additional winery in the Apalta sub-region for a tour and tasting as well as the Colchagua Museum.
- B, L, D – Clos Apalta Residence
Day 15 Colchagua Valley – Santiago – USA
Enjoy the day at Clos Apalta. Transfer ~2.5 hours with your Spanish-speaking driver to the airport for your international, overnight flight home.
- B, L
DAY 16 USA
Arrive home.
Interested in creating your own incredible multi-generational trip? Give one of our Trip Specialists a call at 612-315-2894, or email us at [email protected] today!
Knowmad Adventures works closely with independent-minded travelers creating innovative trips to South America. Our specialists in Patagonia, Chile, Machu Picchu, Peru, Argentina, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador and Antarctica are eager to collaborate and create a trip as unique and authentic as you are, and our experienced South American operations team guarantees you get an insider’s perspective, superior values, and a flawlessly-operated trip.
