Overview
Get a tantalizing glimpse of the Chile’s vibrant cities and incredible natural beauty with this adventure-filled itinerary. Explore the distinctive neighborhoods and parks of Santiago, cycle through wine country outside of the city, and stroll the streets of hilly Valparaíso before heading north to the pastel moonscape of the Atacama Desert. After you get your fill of the desert, travel south to Torres del Paine in Patagonia to a world of rivers, glaciers, and towering peaks and relax in style at Tierra Patagonia Hotel and Spa on the shores of Lake Sarmiento.
Days: 11
Best time to visit: March-May, September-November
Ideal for: Couples, Families
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Santiago
Arrive at the Santiago airport where your guide will meet you and accompany you to your hotel. Settle in and then embark on a guided tour highlighting the city’s most important sites, starting downtown with the area around the Plaza de Armas. Visit the bustling Mercado Central seafood market and the museum La Chascona—the former home Pablo Neruda. Walk the cobbled streets of Lastarria, get a panoramic view of the city from San Cristóbal Hill, and then enjoy a rooftop dinner at Casa Lastarria, located in a 19th-century home.
Day 2 – Vineyards of Casablanca Valley
Meet your guide in the morning and head out of the city for a cycling tour in the scenic Casablanca Valley wine region. The cool, coastal climate is perfect for growing a variety of grapes, and the region is known for its Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. Begin your adventure at the award-winning Emiliana Organic Vineyards, and then pedal over to Loma Larga Vineyards for a tour, tasting, and picnic lunch before heading to your boutique hotel in the valley.
Day 3 – The Hills of Valparaíso
Drive to Valparaíso in the morning and explore this artsy, bohemian port city on a guided tour through its hilly, maze-like streets. Recognized by UNESCO for its colorful architecture and cultural value, Valparaíso is brimming with art galleries, huge murals, and prismatic graffiti art. Get an insider’s knowledge of the street artwork of Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre, and then head to a cooking studio and join a chef to prepare, and enjoy, an exciting meal—paired with select local wines and pisco sours.
Day 4 – Into the Atacama Desert
Transfer from Valparaíso to the Santiago airport for your flight to the northern city of Calama. Arriving in Calama you will be picked up for the one-hour drive to the high-desert town of San Pedro de Atacama. Check into the luxurious Casa Atacama hotel, which will be your base for the next three nights, and spend a relaxing evening under the stars.
Days 5-6 – Atacama Desert Excursions
Enjoy two days of guided outdoor excursions into the otherworldly landscape of the Atacama Desert, with its vast salt flats, geysers, blue lagoons, and soaring mountains. There are trail options for hikers of every experience level, cycling and horseback riding opportunities, as well as incredible star-gazing. Experience local traditions of the high-plateau villages on a cultural tour, and learn about the ancient civilizations that once called the area home.
Day 7 – Puerto Natales
Transfer from San Pedro back to Calama for your flight to Santiago, connecting onwards to Punta Arenas in the southern tip of Chile. From Punta Arenas you will be driven 2 ½-hours north to the small city of Puerto Natales, and then to the elegant Tierra Patagonia Hotel and Spa on the shores of Lake Sarmiento, where you will be spending the next four nights.
Days 8-10 – Torres del Paine National Park
Located right on the edge of Torres del Paine National Park, there is no end to the possibilities to explore the outdoors with the hotel’s professional guides. Patagonia is a land of rugged mountains, windswept pampas, glaciers, and unique wildlife—there are hiking options for every skill-level and pristine lakes and streams for kayaking and fishing. Take a scenic cruise to the base of Grey Glacier, go horseback riding across the plains, birdwatching, or mountain biking, and immerse yourself Patagonia’s natural splendor.
Day 11 – Depart
Say goodbye to Patagonia as you make the 4-hour drive from the lodge to Punta Arenas for your flight to Santiago and your journey home.
Remarkable Journeys has partnered with Lost World Adventures to create this journey. We partnered with Lost World due to their well-mannered relationships with tour guides, hotellers, airlines, and ground management services in the region. In our opinion, they offer the best value and experience in the region.
What’s next?
Whether this itinerary is exactly what you are looking for or isn’t even close…
Meet with a Consultant
The first step is to call or email us with your desired travel dates, the number of people in your group, your price range, and whatever other information you want to share to get us started. One of our consultants will then reach out to you to set-up an in-person meeting or phone consultation.
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Together we can discuss your travel options, customize your trip and narrow in on your ideal journey. Once we know exactly what you want, we will send you a detailed-itinerary with hotel options, activities, transportation logistics and a total trip price.
Get a Detailed Itinerary
With your seal of approval, we’ll book your Remarkable Journey. From there, you can sit back and relax while we arrange all of the services, prepare the final documents and present you your trip before you go.