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Patagonia Update #2
We are pleased to announce that today, the authorities have partially re-opened the Torres del Paine National Park. 100.000 hectares of the park's 250.000 hectares are now open again to the public meaning that many of the excursions in the area are functioning as previously. Many hotels have also re-opened today. We would still recommend that visitors travel to the area as there are several properties located outside the park such as Tierra Patagonia, The Singular and Remota that will continue to offer a great Patagonian experience and are not in the vicinity of the area affected by the fire. These properties will only see slight changes in the excursions offered.
At this time, despite not being directly affected by the fires, the Explora will remain closed. We expect this property to reopen during the second half of January. We are in close contact with the hotel and will advise as soon as the hotel confirms their opening. Our tour consultants are contacting those affected by this to supply alternatives for visiting the area.
Update on situation in Patagonia
Last Tuesday a wildfire began in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia. Due to high winds and dry conditions, the fire quickly advanced, affecting the areas around Lake Grey and Lake Pehoé. The authorities called a state of emergency and closed the entire National Park. Hotels inside the park and those nearby were evacuated. 12.000 hectares have been affected by the fire, of which a third is native forest while the rest is plains and grasslands.
This morning the President declared that the fire brigades now have 4 of the 6 affected areas under control. Improved weather conditions also mean that the fire is not spreading as quickly as before. In the 2 remaining areas the authorities have confirmed that the fire has stopped spreading and are confident that important steps have been taken to control the wildfire. Initially the park was to remain closed for the whole of January; this has now been reviewed and the newest information indicates that sections of the park are planned to reopen starting on Wednesday January the 4th. We expect that during the course of today we will have a better idea of the situation of the National Park for the next month.
A&K Chile has relocated those passengers travelling during this past weekend and this week. For travellers planning to arrive after January 5th and depending on the hotel involved, there will only be changes in those specific excursions that included visiting the areas affected by the fire. Everything else should continue as normal.
We are confident that the situation is improving rapidly. The fire has only affected 5% of the National Park which leaves many beautiful landscapes untouched. For further updates on the situation, or for specific queries, please contact our offices.
Restoration of historic Patagonia
One of our tour consultants recently visited the new Singular Patagonia, set to open in November. The hotel is set within one of Patagonia's few historical buildings: a former industrial building with a stunning setting. The Singular is offers spectacular views over the harbor and a complete spa for relaxing after those tough days in Patagonia.
Chilean gastronomy on BBC
Santiago is an amazing city to discover and one of the little known aspects is its gastronomy scene. This week a BBC story featured some of those little known spots where you can get under the skin of chilean food. As you'll find out, there's a lot more than just wine here! Read more at:
http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110720-santiagos-heart-through-its-stomach/1
Chiloé featured in Condé Nast
The boutique hotel Palafito 1326 in Chiloé is turning the spotlight on this new destination. The Island of Chiloé, in the southern part of Chile is a place caught in time. Rolling hills of bright green are occasionally interrupted by beautiful wooden churches that are scattered all over the island. In the main city, a quite boutique hotel lies, literally, over the water. Palafito 1326 was recently featured in Condé Nast Best New Hotels in the World, one of the two hotels in Chile included in the list.
ITINERARY IDEAS: Observe the stars in the southern hemisphere at just 20 minutes from Santiago.
Amateur astronomers will be happy to hear that one of the largest astronomical centers in South America has opened its doors just 20 minutes from major hotels in the capital of Chile. No matter if you have no previous experience in astronomy a "star tour" at the foot of the Andes at the OAA (Andean observatory) will help you better understand the universe in which we live through powerful telescopes and with the company expert guides - no doubt an excellent alternative before continuing to the Atacama Desert - known worldwide as the astronomical capital of the planet.
NEWS: Le Reve - best recommended hotel in Santiago by Trip Advisor
Le Reve boutique hotel has been announced as the one of the best hotels in Chile’s capital city by the travel guide and research website “Trip Advisor”, and with a good reason! Because its classic European style offers great infrastructure and service nestled in a beautiful mansion that has been named as Chile’s Monument. The hotel lives in perfect harmony with its exquisite French architecture and the technological advances of today's world and with its privileged location in the heart of Providence is a good base to explore important trade centers, restaurants, theaters and many tourist attractions!!
NEWS: Pre-Columbian museum has changed its remodelling dates - now from September 2011
During the closure of the Pre-Columbian museum we will be offering a wide variety of options for 'culture vultures' in Chile’s capital city including some excellent museums, galleries, and historical houses with permanent (mainly Latin American) collections but also visiting exhibitions such as the “Museo de Bellas Artes” or Fine Arts Museum featuring an extensive collection of national and foreign 19th and 20th century sculpture and major works by Roberto Matta, Pedro Lira, Gonzalo Cienfuegos, Mario Toral and Nemesio Antunez..
Be part of the Rally Dakar 2011 & visit San Esteban Mine where all 33 miners emerged unscathed – exclusive opportunities in the Atacama Desert…
If your clients want to experience the most famous race in the world from the inside, A&K has prepared an exclusive programme to follow the Rally Dakar 2011 with a total immersion in the heart of the race and its backgrounds. As a group or single traveller, the experience will be rich in emotion and high on adrenalin. With the program centered near to the city of Copiapó, travelers will be in close proximity to the San Esteban mine where the 33 miners were successfully freed last month and A&K has arranged for an exclusive tour to learn about the unique story.
Explore Chile’s central valleys by helicopter!
Chile’s increasingly famous wine lands have always been a key stop on any journey through Chile but A&K offers the opportunity to fly to the Valley’s of Colchagua and Casablanca aboard a helicopter whilst admiring the impressive Andean backdrop. Alongside wine-tasting why not offer something a little more original such as becoming a winemaker for a day to learn about the blending of different grapes. A&K has an excellent list of contacts in the region to fit the needs of the novice wine enthusiast right through to true experts!
ITINERARY IDEAS: Casadoca and Casa Silva - boutique style on Chile's coast and an old favourite is refurbished
Those looking for somewhere to put their weary feet up after a day’s exploring amongst Valparaiso’s hills should consider the new 6 room ‘Casadoca’ hotel located 25 minutes to the north. Perched just above the Pacific Ocean in the fishing town of Con-Con, the hotel affords beautiful ocean views blended with contemporary comfort in the heart of one of the central coast’s most typical fishing towns. If your clients are after a little wine tasting whilst in Chile’s central valleys, the newly refurbished Casa Silva hotel features a mixture of tradition and state-of-the-art technology and is an excellent alternative to use as base for your Chilean vineyard explorations. Why not have your clients become an enologist for a day or visit the renewed Colchagua museum with its curious collection of Paleontology Latin American cultural pieces, Chilean history and more.
NEWS: Slight increase in Chilean Reciprocity fee for U.S citizens
U.S. citizens travelling to Chile for recreation, tourism, business, or academic conferences do not need to obtain a visa prior to their arrival to Chile. A Tourist Card will be issued for a stay of up to 90 days upon payment of a reciprocity fee, currently US$140. This fee is paid before going through Immigrations and Customs and may be paid by credit card or cash. For further information please contact us.
Explore Chile’s Lake District with Nomads of the Seas
Nomads of the Seas extraordinary expedition vessel 'The Atmosphere’ is to set sail again for Chile’s 2010-2011 season and will launch the season with its ground-breaking ‘Tasting Chile’ Program where those aboard will sail through some of the country’s most remote regions in the company of internationally renowned chefs. Please get in touch to find out more about surprising prices!
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