Santiago: Incan Petroglyphs, Alpacas, and Wine Experience

Santiago: Incan Petroglyphs, Alpacas, and Wine Experience

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Journey back to the time of the Inca. Visit the largest alpaca farm in Chile, venture on a short hike to discover rock drawings from 450 to 1,000 years ago, and sip on some wine at San Esteban Vineyard in the shadows of the Andes.

Highlights

Enjoy a 9-hour Andean adventure
Discover the Inca Petroglyphs
Explore the world of the alpaca
Take a winery tour and tasting at the San Esteban Vineyard

Description

After being collected from your Santiago accommodation, your tour will begin with a stop at Paidahuén Archaeological Park. Paidahuén is an isolated hill located along the northern bank of the Aconcagua River in the rural town of San Esteban. At the top of Paidahuén, you will be able to appreciate slabs of large rocks adorned with petroglyphs. Full of symbolism and mystery, these rock drawings are work of native populations dating from 450 to 1,000 years ago. From the top of the hill, you may ponder unanswered questions while taking the natural context into consideration. Specifically, the relationship between Paidahuén Hill and other peaks in the valley, the hill’s strategic positioning, and the prevalence of north-facing petroglyphs. Following this, you will visit the San Esteban Winery for a vineyard tour and tasting. San Esteban is a family-owned and operated producer of high quality wines and table grapes. The vineyard exports to more than 20 countries, and their grapes are planted along the banks of the Aconcagua River, along the surrounding hillsides. This geography creates a micro-climate ideally suited for wine and table-grape production, with a soil quality that rivals the best wine-growing regions in other parts of South America. After lunch at a rustic restaurant in the mountains, you will venture to the largest privately-owned alpaca farm in Chile. Here you will be able to indulge in nature and discover this beautiful animal up close. You will see the entire alpaca wool production process, and also enjoy a broad selection of exclusive creations and handmade alpaca wool items that portray the patrimony and spirit of the Andean culture.

Includes

Multilingual guide Private transportation Bottled water Entry to the archaeological park Winery Tour and Classic Wine Tasting at San Esteban Vineyard Entry to the alpaca farm Digital photographs

Important Information

The vineyard may be closed on certain national holidays, including: January 1st, September 18th and 19th, and December 25th; on these dates, the vineyard will be substituted with a visit to the Inca Lagoon
The order of sites visited may vary
It is necessary to walk uphill on a gradual trail for approximately 20 minutes to reach the petroglyphs at the summit
The climb can be done by a person of any age in good health
Walking poles are provided
The walk is optional and can be omitted if the guest chooses
Although this is a private tour with your own vehicle and guide, there may be other visitors at the alpaca farm and vineyard joining you