Itinerary summary

Santiago

Days 1-3: Immerse yourself in the historical sights, beautiful parks, and stunning views that this cosmopolitan capital city has to offer. Enjoy a full-day excursion to the Casablanca Valley and Valparaiso. Casablanca is becoming Chile’s most important grape-growing valley and Valparaiso is a bustling port, linked by lifts to the residential area with its beautiful Victorian-styled mansions, once home to wealthy traders.

Atacama Desert

Days 4-6: Fly to Calama, gateway to the Atacama desert, and spend three nights at the pretty oasis village of San Pedro de Atacama. Highlights in the area include the eerie rock formations of the Valley of the Moon, the Atacama salt lake, the traditional white-washed adobe Andean villages of Toconao and Machuca, and the Tatio geysers, where frozen vents thaw at dawn, sending plumes of vapour into the sky.

Lake District

Days 7-9: Fly south to Puerto Montt at the heart of Chile’s southern Lake District, where you will pick up a hire car so you can explore independently. Spend three nights in Puerto Varas on the banks of Lake Llanquihue, overlooking Osorno volcano. The the whole area is ringed by national parks, with excellent walking, riding, and fishing (in season). 

Torres Del Paine

Days 10-13: Fly south to Punta Arenas, pick up a hire car and head north (4-5 hours' drive) into the Torres del Paine, arguably South America’s most spectacular national park, whose granite peaks rise steeply above glacier-fed lakes. Spend four nights here; staying at two different lodges on different sides of the national park, giving you just enough time to take advantage of the walking or riding trails. A true haven for outdoor enthusiasts, the park offers stunning panoramic views, some challenging trekking routes, and the opportunity to connect with nature in one of the world’s most pristine wilderness areas.

Day 14: Your final night will be spent back in Santiago for one last evening in the city.

Go further:

There are various border crossings where connections can sensibly be made to Argentina. To the far north connections can also be made to Bolivia. Other areas to consider including are Lauca National Park in the far north of the country, Easter Island, La Serena and the Elqui valley, or extending the hire car areas to include other areas of the Lake District or the Carretera Austral.