Spiritual Yoga Retreat in Chile

Day notes

Upon arrival at Santiago’s International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a member of the &Beyond team. They will assist you through passport control and baggage claim to your waiting vehicle, and drive you to Mandarin Oriental Santiago.

At afternoon you will have a Panoramic tour around the city

Santiago de Chile is fast becoming the place to be. A platform for multi-national companies and an entrepreneurial spirit make it the ideal business hub in South America. Its tranquillity, stability, green areas, and cleanliness are all factors that surprise the visitor. The New York Times named it South America’s top destination just a few years ago, and a more recent article in Saveur magazine labelled it the continent’s new hot culinary capital. The quality of life, cultural and culinary offerings make it a highly desirable city.

The uptown areas of the city are famed for their avant-garde architecture and laid-back pace of life, but it is the centre of the city that is the real ‘heart’ of the city. This administrative centre is home to the Government Palace (La Moneda), the splendid Plaza de Armas square, its cathedral, and countless other historical landmarks, while pedestrian boulevards lead to numerous museums and leafy plazas. Neighbourhoods such as Providencia, Bellavista, Las Condes and Vitacura combine commercial and culinary highlights, state-of-the-art architecture, and night life. The tallest building in South America – designed by Cesar Pelli – looms over the city, visible from practically everywhere, and even offers a viewing platform that is a must on a clear day. Santiago’s parks are well worth a visit. The Parque Metropolitano, better known as Cerro San Cristóbal, is another omnipresent feature of the city, and visitors can walk or cycle up its leafy roads, or perhaps choose to take the rickety funicular to the top. The Parque Bicentenario, inaugurated for Chile’s bicentennial in 2010, and the beautiful Parque Forestal, and of course Cerro Santa Lucía, where the city was founded in 1541, are other green attractions.

This exploration of the city aims to provide a panoramic view of the city from different vantage points, calling briefly at historical, commercial, and residential icons of the city along the way. It serves as the perfect introduction to the city.

Return to the hotel at the end of the tour.

Day notes

After your breakfast you will have a transfer to Colchagua Valley, in the heart of Chile’s main wine production area.

The Colchagua Valley is arguably Chile’s most outstanding wine area, particularly for Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carménère. The latter is a variety of wine grape that formed part of original six red grapes of Bordeaux, wiped out by the devastating phylloxera virus in Europe in the 19th Century, and presumed extinct for over a century before being rediscovered in Colchagua in 1994. It is now the most emblematic of Chilean varietals, flourishing in the ideal climate and terroir of Colchagua and other valleys. Colchagua however is not only home to dozens of fine boutique wineries, but also the seat of Chile’s rural culture and traditions, which gives the place a real identity. 

Spend two nights at Vik Chile, with all meals included. Alex and Carrie Vik are the art-collecting couple behind two of South America’s best boutique hotels. Their most recent project, Viña VIK, is by far their most ambitious, and one of their main aims is to produce Chile’s first 100-point wine. This is very much a one-of-a kind vineyard, with a holistic concept that making it even more unique. Located in the Millahue Valley (a sub-valley of Colchagua), two hours south of Santiago in a beautiful area of rolling hills and the forested Andes mountains, it is set atop a hill that provides stunning 360° views. Each of its suites are modern and minimalist in their design, with large windows that offer sweeping views across the valleys. The cuisine is fabulous, and certainly a key component in the experience, with menus created especially to match the wines.

Day notes

Discover a unique and exceptional one-of-a kind vineyard, with a holistic concept that will leave you enthused. It is not in vain that the indigenous people call this area Millahue, the “Place of Gold”.

Your program include a Yoga Class and a unique picnic in the vineyard:

We recommend taking the yoga class in the afternoon, in the pool deck with the fantastic views of the countryside. Different levels are available

Other experience in your stay

Wine Tasting: Enjoy a wine tasting in the exceptional tasting room, where one of VIK experts will guide you to discover the soul of their wines.

Guided Tours: through the vineyard and their facilities, discover the mystery that is locked inside each of the bottles, from the perspective of the winemaker and learn about the art of making a great wine.

Horseback Riding: Ride through VIK vineyard accompanied by a knowledgeable guide to discover the 11,000 acres of beautiful nature and vineyards. A relaxing experience across the landscape of the property, available in 4 different time slots (09 am, 11 am, 04 pm and 06 pm). Groups limited to a maximum of 5 people

Trekking: Viña VIK provides extensive trekking trails for you to enjoy the unique countryside with all its fascinating geographic diversity and flora and fauna.

Mountain Bike: Experience the hacienda from various perspectives on mountain bikes. Ride above the vineyard on mountain trails, as well as throughout the vines on valley trails.

Pool: Swim in the infinity marble pool overlooking the VIK vineyard. The swimming pool is available 24 hours all 7 days of the week. It is not heated but it is perfect for the long summer sunny days

Day notes

After your breakfast you will have a transfer to Santiago airport for your flight to Temuco. At your arrival your andBeyond representative will be waiting you for your transfer to the Lodge. On your day of arrival,  in the afternoon, an activity will be provided by the hotel, giving you your first taste of the area.

Generally considered as the adventure capital of Chile, the area around Pucón offers a myriad of outdoor activities such as rafting, hiking, skiing, kayaking, and fly-fishing. There is however far much more to this multi-faceted destination. Among its many natural highlights, there are wonderful thermal springs and gorgeous national parks. Volcanoes, mountains, and lakes create one of the most beautiful natural sites Chile has to offer.

During your stay, you will have several full days of activities arranged by the hotel.

The area is a traveller’s dream when it comes to adventures and choice of activities. The many surrounding natural parks, the majestic volcano Villarrica with its unbelievable views, water sports, horseback riding, and trekking in the foothills of the Andes, are a vital part of the experience at Vira Vira. You are encouraged to explore a new adventure or experience every day, with the aim of understanding the mystic ambience of these ancient Mapuche territories. The guides at Vira Vira are passionate about their work, and about the excursions on offer. With some thirty options available, choosing what to do may seem daunting. That is where the role of your hosts and guides become of paramount importance. Each day they will make a series of options available, allowing you to pick and choose according to your personal preferences, their level of difficulty, or simply a natural or cultural focus.

Activities are centred on nature and adventure, with treks and horseback rides of various durations. There are also explorations of the nearby Villarrica volcano, visiting its labyrinth of tunnels, or even reaching the summit. There are also several cultural activities, aimed at revealing the secrets of the region. Vira Vira also offers some wonderful experiences at the hotel itself such as cooking, cheese-making, and even spending a day in the organic garden. There are also more relaxing activities. What better than sitting in a hot pool of thermal spring water, a glass of red wine in hand, and looking out across a backdrop of mountains, forests, and volcanoes?

Of course, cuisine plays an important role in the Vira Vira experience. Their menu veers away from the typical international offerings by blending Chilean and ancient indigenous recipes, all created with the freshest seasonal ingredients. Each day the chef prepares a selection of freshly prepared courses, carefully composed and lovingly arranged and paired with the perfect wine for each dish.

Day notes

Your program include some wellness experiences as:

Welness treatments: Sink into serenity in beautifully decorated massage rooms tucked away within a small forest of native trees. The harmonic sounds of endemic birds around will ensure you connect with nature and unwind into a state of deep relaxation. We invite  you to treat yourself to a personalised massage. Our receptionists will be happy to arrange a booking at your preferred time

Yoga: Balance your chakras and enjoy yoga sessions that harmonise body, mind and spirit. Find your inner peace and enjoy the silence, nature and serenity the area has to offer. The yoga instructor will come by special arrangement from Pucón, away and sessions will take place at the lodge

Forest therapy: Forest Therapy, or Shinrin Yoku, is the soulful practice of being in nature, which allows us to awaken our senses and reconnect with others, our natural surrounds, and ourselves. Guided by Giovanna Raineri Blanco, the session follows a standard series of 'invitations' (opportunities) that bring about all elements of self-discovery.

At Vira Vira, there are myriad excursions and activities to choose from:

• Trekking in Huerquehue National Park: Explore mountains, forests, Andean lakes and lagoons 
• Trekking in Villarrica National Park: Discover an array of landscapes on scenic hiking trails 
• Mountain Biking: a leisurely pedal or thrilling extreme downhills 
• Horseback Riding: Ride across the landscapes of the Lake District 
• Birdwatching: Pack your binoculars for incredible birding 
• Cultural Activity: Community Visit: Discover the ancient Mapuche culture 
• Culinary activity: Cheese Factory Tour: Head to the Vira Vira cheese factory for a delectable tour 
• Scenic Helicopter Flights: Soar above the Villarrica Volcano *
• Heli-Biking: Thrill to the challenge of an extreme downhill track  *
• Heli-Fishing: Fly to remote waters for the perfect catch *
• Kayak or Canoe: Take to the water and paddle through the Lake District 
• Drift Boat: Gently float down the Liucura River
• Stand-Up Paddle Boarding: Paddle down river and marvel at scenic views 
• White-Water Rafting: Brave the mighty rapids of the Trancura River 
• Catch-and-Release Fishing: Cast your line into crystal clear waters 
• Wellness: Yoga: Create harmony and balance *
• Wellness Treatments: Unwind with a wellness therapy *
• Spa *

Seasonal Activities (Winter) 

• Skiing & Snowboarding: Hit the slopes of the active Villarrica Volcano 
• Snowshoeing:  Slip on snowshoes and trek through pristine landscapes 
• Snowmobiling: Race through the snow on an exhilarating adventure *
• Dog sledding: Traverse the snow on a husky sledding expedition *

(* This activity is at an extra cost)

Wellnes Activities created for you: 

• Forest Therapy
• Hot Stone massage
• Yoga Class 

Day notes

Today, our wonderful journey comes to an end and, after your breakfast, you will be driven to Temuco Airport for your flight to Santiago. In Santiago, we wave a fond farewell as you board your flight onward.