Introducing VM Elite

April 19, 2024 by Hidden Doorways

With 6,435 km of wild Pacific coastline, to say Chile has a whole world to uncover is to put it lightly. There’s the mighty Andes Mountain range, wine country producing world-renowned varieties, breathtaking salt plains, snow to ski upon and the remote icy plains of Patagonia that stretch down to Antarctica – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg as it were. Then, step across the western edge of the Altiplano Plateau and enter neighboring Bolivia, which offers its own big, beautiful, record-breaking landscapes. There’s La Paz – the highest capital city in the world; Lake Titicaca – the highest navigable body of water, and also the birthplace of the Incas; plus Uyuni – the largest sea of sparkling salt on earth. Whether travelers are looking to take on one country or both, let luxury travel designers VM Elite curate a trail in a way only they can.

The company was founded by entrepreneur Raul Buenaventura, who knew the upscale tourism industry inside-out. He identified a gaping hole for luxury travel in Chile and gathered a team of specialist creatives to design experiences with him for high-end travelers from around the globe. Believing that the experience of a lifetime takes a lifetime of experience, the team today comprises local experts as well as those well versed in uncovering the finer and the most fascinating things in life to promise adventurers they’ll never forget.

Starting in the very north of Chile, how does quad biking through the driest desert on earth sound? Even better when you learn the path the VM Elite team has carved out leads to a secret lagoon where intrepid bikers can enjoy a buffet picnic in the middle of the most breathtaking scenery imaginable. The Atacama Desert has more tranquil pastimes on offer too for peace- rather than thrill-seekers as they travel to the white sands and turquoise waters of its coastal region on the edge of the enormity of its desert dunes. Beach lazing is an activity to open things with for sure, but depending on the time of year, there are various sights and sounds to appreciate such as the unique climatic phenomenon called “Desierto Florido” or “Blooming Desert” where the dunes are flooded with over 200 types of flowers, from lilies to añañucas, and goathorns.

From floral wonders to cultural ones, the VM Elite adventure on remote Easter Island is one that marks a beloved Polynesian event – the Tapati Festival. This is a trip that not only opens eyes to the sights and sounds of the Rapuni people’s customs and traditions but also to the isolated Chilean Polynesia – a place of pink sand beaches, monumental moai statues, volcanic cones, and an aura of complete mystery. Then at the complete opposite end to the spectrum is the cosmopolitan capital of Santiago, where tasting menus at the city’s most sought-after spots will be served up alongside days spent with exclusive visits to iconic landmarks and insider insights at the city’s top galleries and museums.

But what about Bolivia? VM Elite kicks things off with a one-of-a-kind artistic experience that celebrates its best-known artist, Gastón Ugalde – their very own ‘Andean’ Warhol. Set in the capital city of La Paz, an incomparably surreal adventure awaits in his own Salar Galería before vibrant city life takes travelers on the ride of their life. Or indulge in a private craft studio visit to watch the intricacies of costume-making at a four-generations-old workshop — and then head up high on La Paz’s cable car network to be at one with the Illimani Mountain.

Want to top the dizzying heights of the cable car? VM Elite can happily arrange helicopter adventures over Bolivian landscapes dotted with ancient ceremonial ruins, cascading waterfalls, and dense jungle to take in the country from above. Remembering that the Amazon Rainforest represents more than half of its territory, naturally the VM Elite team has trails aplenty to take in its diverse flora and fauna. There’s the protected area of Lomas de Arena Park and its never-ending sand dunes. Or trek into the forests to see if there are sloths to be spotted alongside caimans, capybaras and even pumas and mountain lions for the fortunate. If big cats are your client’s calling though, the lowlands of the Bolivian Amazon Region are a must-visit where VM Elite is proud of its 100% jaguar success rate. From lowlands to the Bolivian high plateau, here travelers can be part of a dream-like salt flat lunch sat at a table carved from salt above water so clear it mirrors the big sky above.

Rest assured, no matter which areas of Chile or Bolivia your clients journey across with VM Elite, luxury accommodation is a given. At the Wara Hotel in the Atacama Desert guests will be wrapped in decor that embraces Atacaman culture. Chandeliers sparkle above and rustic ancient wood and stone floors lay low with gardens and pools accented with authentic desert vegetation, a spa to massage the day away, and even a hotel boutique selling wares such as blankets and copper jewelry made by local artisans. Or maybe your clients will choose the Chilean Wine Country journey where home is at two rustic chic haciendas — both tranquil family estates that gives guests places of rest at two internationally acclaimed spots in the region. At VIK in the Millahue Valley, prepare for jaws to drop at the panoramic views of the 11,000-acre vineyard that have the Andes as its backdrop that can be observed more closely on horseback trails that unleash the bucolic side of captivating Chile. Speaking of unearthing nature, wild glamping is on the cards in Bolivia if visiting the private Jaguar Land reserve — a high end safari-style experience that lets Mother Nature wrap her nurturing arms around guests from far and wide.

With every magical millimeter of Chile and Bolivia taken in, land back home, rest, relive it all in your mind’s eye and then watch this space, because VM Elite’s extraordinary trails are coming to Argentina and Peru too, and we can hardly wait…

Contact:

VM Elite

Email: info@vmelite.com

Website: vmelite.com