Highlights of Chile

16 Day sample Itinerary

Santiago Atacama Desert Lake District Torres del paine Wine Valleys

A wonderful snapshot of Chile’s breathtaking landscapes from north to south. From cosmopolitan Santiago, the itinerary takes you up to the terracotta canyons and salt-lakes of Chile’s Atacama Desert before plunging into the lush temperate rainforest and snow-capped volcanoes of the Lake District. From there, you head into deepest, darkest Patagonia to visit the magnificent wilds of the Torres del Paine National Park before finishing your trip at a vineyard supping Carmenere under the distant shadow of the Andes.

Itinerary Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in the history, markets & colour of Santiago
  • Wander amidst the Tatio Geysers at sunrise
  • Visit Volcano Osorno & the Petrohue Rapids
  • Walk the trails of the staggering Torres del Paine National Park
  • Enjoy world-class cuisine at a boutique winery

What’s included

  • Private tours for most included activities
  • Meet & greet airport service
  • Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
  • Expert guides in each destination

flexibility

This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.

15

Nights

Price Guide

$12500- $17000 pp

Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more

Day 1

Fly to Chile

plan line
Day 2

Santiago

Enjoy a couple of days in the vibrant Chilean capital. Why not take in the classic highlights of Santiago – the cathedral, la Moneda Government Palace, San Cristobal Hill by funicular rail that offers wonderful views across the cities. For foodies, the Central and La Vega Markets are unmissable while if you are feeling energetic, you may like to head into the mountains of the Cajon del Maipo or tour the city by bike.

Day 3-5

The Atacama Desert

After breakfast, you’ll fly north to the breathtaking terracotta canyons, dazzling salt-lakes and wind-swept gorges of Chile’s Atacama Desert. Here, based at the bustling white-washed Andean town of San Pedro de Atacama, you will head out each day to explore the remarkable landscapes. High in the Andes, you can visit the cobalt waters of Lake Miscanti, marvel at the Tatio Geysers at sunrise or bathe in Puritama hotsprings. Closer to San Pedro, you can spot flamingoes set against the great Atacama salt-lake, tour the pre-Incan sites of Tulor or Pukara de Quitor or watch the sunset from the Valley of the Moon. The Atacama is home to some of the world’s leading observatories and what better way to round off your stay then by gazing into the constellations that set the nights’ skies ablaze.

Day 6-8

The Chilean Lake District

Today, you fly south to the soaring snowcapped volcanoes, turquoise lakes and old growth forests of Chile’s Lake District. This is an area dominated by picture-postcard national parks – to the south you can walk amidst ancient 2000 year-old giant redwoods at Alerce Andino or hike, boat, bike and raft at the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park home to the iconic Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Rapids. For a change of scenery, the Islands of Chiloe offer a roaring pacific coastline home to the unique Puñihuil Penguin Reserve, the only place in the world where both Humboldt and Magellanic penguins live and breed side by side.

Day 9-12

Patagonia & the Torres del Paine

Fly to Chile’s far south and head into the magnificent Torres del Paine, arguably South America’s most impressive national park. This is an area of towering granite peaks, thunderous waterfalls and huge glaciers that extend from the continent’s great southern icefield. Stay 4 nights at a remote lodge and enjoy daily walks, boat-trips and jeep safaris to take in the spectacular landscapes, rich gaucho culture and unique wildlife – including Chile’s iconic condor.

For keen walkers, the French Valley and Towers Base hikes are unmissable while for more of a challenge, you may like to take on the wonderful W -, or harder still, the O Trek which take you deep into the massif, well away from the tour groups to extraordinary viewpoints.

Day 13-15

Chile’s Wine Valleys

Fly back to Santiago and head south into the rolling valleys of Chile’s wine-country, the perfect spot for some R&R at the end of your trip. Here you can do as little or as much as you like – tour the boutique wineries sampling Chile’s signature Carmenere, head into the central Andes and or even out to the coast or simply relax at your boutique wine estate.

dot joiner for itins
Day 16

Fly home

A note on price

The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.

Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).

Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.

Price Guide $12500 – $16000 per person

When to travel

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec

For Patagonia and the south, it is best to travel between October and April, January and February if you are keen trekkers. That said, the climate is highly unpredictable at the best of times and you should come prepared for all weather conditions “all 4 seasons in one day is the local adage”. Northern Chile is a year-round destination although you may see rain and flooding in ther highlands between January and March which can disrupt border crossings into Bolivia and Argentina.

Add on’s

From Santiago, Argentina’s wine capital Mendoza lies just across the border via a short flight or giddy bus journey through the heart of the Andes. From there direct flights lead you on nicely to Buenos Aires and Iguazu, home of the thunderous waterfalls.

Heading east, Valparaiso is a charming, historic port famous for its colourful architecture, UNESCO protected funicular railways and bohemian charm.

Alternatively, heading further afield, you might to visit the Easter Island famous for its mysterious Moai Statue (see the extension here) or even finish your trip in the magnificent wilds of the Juan Fernandez Islands.

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