2 Weeks in Chile: Santiago, Atacama & Patagonia

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights in Santiago
• 3 nights in San Pedro de Atacama
• 3 nights in Puerto Varas
• 3 nights in Puerto Natales
• 1 night in Santiago

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flight 

Day 2: Arrive in Santiago

On arrival at Santiago airport, you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel where you will check in for a 2-night stay.

Included: Transfer, hotel

Day 3: Full day tour of Valparaiso & Viña del Mar

This morning you’ll be picked up from your hotel for a tour of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. On the way, you’ll pass through the valleys of Curacavi and Casablanca, famous for their wine production. Valparaiso is about a one and a half hour drive.

In Valparaiso, you’ll visit the downtown area with Plaza Sotomayor and Victoria, the cathedral and the harbour, before heading to the colourful hillside neighbourhoods this city is famous for. High above the city are rows of brightly painted houses and panoramic views over the harbour and the ocean. Valparaiso’s upper and lower districts are connected by a series of 16 funicular which makes exploring even more fun!

In the afternoon, you’ll travel north along the coastline to reach Viña del Mar, north Chile’s most popular beach resort. Enjoy some downtime on the beach, and at the end of the day, you will be driven back to your hotel.

Included: Breakfast, private tour, hotel

Day 4: Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama

Today, you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport for your flight to Calama in northern Chile. Once you arrive, you will be met and driven to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama where you will check in for a 3-night stay.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, domestic flight, hotel      

Day 5: Full day tour to Tatio & Machuca

It’s an early start today; before dawn breaks, you’ll be collected from your hotel to join a small group tour to visit the geysers and the village of Machuca. We suggest bringing some warm clothing as the geysers are situated at 4,300m and temperatures at this altitude and time of day are cool.

El Tatio is the world’s highest geothermal field and boasts spectacular scenery. Against the backdrop of the cooler early morning mist, you’ll be able to admire powerful steam jets that shoot from various geyser blowholes, as well as steaming ponds that are encrusted with brilliant salt crystals. There is packed breakfast included with the tour; then you’ll be driven to the charming town of Machuca, the resting place for old llama caravans that travelled the Inca Highway in past times. Later this afternoon, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Included: Breakfast, shared tour, hotel                 

Day 6: Death Valley & Moon Valley

Today you can the morning visiting the town of San Pedro de Atacama and later, in the afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel and join a tour to the other-worldly Death Valley and Moon Valleys.

Along the way, you’ll stop at viewpoints to snap some pictures of the stunning Andean Mountain range, the huge Atacama Salt Lake and the active Lascar Volcano. First, you’ll head to Death Valley; a barren landscape formed by erosion over thousands of years and home to some impressive rock formations. Next, you’ll carry on to Moon Valley; a silent moonscape where you will be able to catch a beautiful sunset. After the tour in the evening, you will be driven back to your hotel.

Included: Breakfast, shared tour, hotel                

Day 7: San Pedro de Atacama to Puerto Varas

Today, you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport for your flight south to Puerto Montt. You will be met and taken to your hotel in Puerto Varas where you will check in for a 3-night stay.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, domestic flight, hotel      

Day 8: Half-day Llanquihue Lake tour

For this half a day excursion, you will be picked up at your hotel and taken for a drive along the picturesque Llanquihue Lake. The first stop will be at La Poza lagoon, where we’ve included a kayaking experience amidst pristine and beautiful natural landscapes, including a stunning view of Calbuco Volcano. You’ll paddle over to Loreley Island where you can stop and relax for a while before paddling through a narrow channel to reach a lake fed by the melting snow of the volcano. From here, you’ll paddle on to Llanquihue Lake, for some great views and a well-deserved rest before being driven back to your hotel.

Included: Breakfast, shared tour, hotel 

Day 9: Free day        

You now have today free to explore the lakes region or simply relax by the lake shore and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.

Included: Breakfast, hotel           

Day 10: Puerto Varas to Puerto Natales

Today, you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas in southern Patagonia. Once you arrive, you will be met and driven to your hotel in Puerto Natales, around 3 hours away, to check in for a 3-night stay.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, domestic flight, hotel      

Day 11: Full day at Torres del Paine        

Today you will be picked up from your hotel for your tour into Torres del Paine National Park.

The day starts with a visit to the Mylodon Cave, where remnants of a giant sloth were discovered by a German explorer in 1895, before continuing towards Torres del Paine National Park. On the way, you’ll have beautiful views of Sarmiento Lake, Amarga Lagoon, Torres del Paine and Cuernos del Paine mountains. Once in the park, you will drive to the centre to see the wildlife and views of the Nordenskjold and Pehoe Lakes, as well as the Salto Grande waterfall.

This afternoon, you’ll have lunch before hiking for around an hour to reach Grey Lake. Here, you can see the many icebergs that come from the Grey Glacier, evidence of the last ice age in Patagonia. After visiting the area, you will be driven back to your hotel in Puerto Natales.

Included: Breakfast, shared tour, hotel                 

Day 12: Free day      

You have today free to explore Puerto Natales. There are plenty more excursions you can add on this day to make the most of your visit to southern Patagonia. You could decide to add a full day navigation to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers or if you want to be more active, perhaps try a trekking excursion. Speak to one of our consultants to explore all the different options this beautiful region offers.

Included: Breakfast, hotel           

Day 13: Puerto Natales to Santiago

Today, you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport for your flight to Santiago. Once you arrive, you will be met and taken to your hotel, where you will check in for your last night in Chile.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, domestic flight, hotel      

Day 14: Depart Santiago    

Today, you will be collected from your hotel and driven by private transfer to the airport to connect with your onward flight back home.

Included: Breakfast, transfer, international flight            

Day 15: Arrive UK