Mountains, glaciers, deserts and striking cultural cities – no need to pick, in Chile you can have them all. On this epic 10D9N journey we invite you to see the wilder side of the world. Float with flocks of flamingos on the salt flats of Atacama. Trek through steamy geysers, climb soaring glaciers, marvel at the Torres granite horns, and meet colonies of penguins as you sail the Magellan Straits. An active adventure that puts you right in the epicenter of untamed nature, Chile is dazzling, dramatic, and demanding.
This journey outline is by no means fixed. As the traveller takes centre stage in our planning – from the type of lodging to daily activities – your journey will be crafted to suit you.
Day by Day Highlights
Day 1 Santiago
Upon landing at the Santiago airport, you will be welcomed and driven to your selected hotel. In the afternoon, you will begin your journey in Santiago, making your way to the historic downtown district to visit the Main Square, the Cathedral, the elaborate main post office and Santiago City Hall. You will also visit the “La Moneda,” which is the seat of the nation’s president. You will continue and head to East Santiago, where you will have the opportunity to appreciate its modern buildings, with offices, apartments, shopping centers and trendy restaurants. You will later return to your hotel to relax and get a good night’s sleep.
Day 2 Santiago – Calama
After breakfast at your hotel you will be transferred to the Santiago airport for your flight to Calama, in the Atacama Desert. You will be met at the El Loa airport in Calama and driven to the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama via the Domeyko Mountain Range. In the afternoon, you will be taken on an excursion to Moon Valley, passing through the Salt Mountain Range. Visit the great sand dunes, the amphitheater, and the “Las Tres Marias”natural salt monument. This excursion concludes with a magical sunset over the valley. You will be taken back to your lodge in San Pedro for the night.
Day 3 Atacama Desert
After breakfast, make your way to the high plain lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques. Enjoy scrumptious lunch in the town of Socaire, you will then be driven to the Atacama Salt Flat to see the beautiful Chaxa Lagoon and the Flamingos National Reserve, where you can find three out of the six different kinds of flamingos that exist in the world. This excursion continues to the town of Toconao to visit San Lucas Church and Campanario Tower. You will then be driven back to San Pedro for the night.
Day 4 Atacama Desert
Start your day early by exploring the El Tatio Geysers. The world’s highest geyser field, it erupts each day at dawn to spout high clouds of steam. Trek through the area to observe various other geothermal activities. After a light breakfast, you will then have a chance to bathe in a pool of thermal waters. Later, return to San Pedro by way of the village of Machuca, which was formerly devoted to grazing llamas and today is known for its adobe, cactus wood, and straw buildings, as well as its Andean handicrafts. In the afternoon, make your way to visit Cejar Lagoon, located in the heart of the Atacama Salt Flat. The high concentration of salt and lithium in this lake makes floating easier than on the Dead Sea. Here, you will be able to bathe, swim and float amidst a beautiful landscape. Later, return to the hotel for the night.
Day 5 Calama – Santiago – Punta Arenas
After a hearty breakfast in the hotel you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Punta Arenas, deep in Chile’s Patagonia region, via Santiago. Upon landing, you will be met, welcomed and driven to the city – a sprawling metropolis on the edge of the Strait of Magellan, Punta Arenas defies easy definition. It’s a strange combination of the ruddy and the grand, with elaborate wool-boom mansions and port renovations alongside urban sprawl., Spend the day at leisure relaxing in the hotel or wandering taking a stroll in the city.
Day 6 Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales
Start your day by breakfast and later head to sail through the Magellan Strait towards Magdalena Island. We will disembark on the island to interact with the world’s largest colony of Magellan Penguins. This eco-sanctuary in the heart of beautiful Patagonia is home to more than 60,000 pairs of these amazing birds. Marvel at thousands of playful penguins in their natural habitat. Later return to Punta Arenas, and drive by bus in the afternoon to the city of Puerto Natales (250 km), where you will spend the night.
Day 7 Torres del Paine National Park
Head out to visit the beautiful Torres del Paine, visiting the Cave of the Milodon, where they discovered well-preserved remains of this prehistoric herbivore that existed 12,000 years ago. From here, continue your journey into Torres del Paine National Park, and visit Nordenskjold Lake, Pehoe Lake, and Salto Grande. Relax and enjoy lunch in the afternoon before trekking through a forest of lenga trees towards a viewpoint of Grey Glacier, with its impressive ice floes. Afterward, visit to Amarga Lagoon and return to Puerto Natales. Overnight.
Day 8 Perito Moreno Glacier
You will be transferred to El Calafate in Argentina (320 km). Embark on an excursion to Perito Moreno glacier (with packed lunch). It towers above the turquoise glacial water of Patagonia’s Los Glaciares National Park, beaming a blinding white and exuding cold blue hues. Unlike most of earth’s other glaciers, Perito Moreno is still growing. There are viewing platforms, a safe distance from the glacier, overlooking Lake Argentino, the glacier’s terminus. You can get pretty close—to the point that you can basically feeling the glacier breathing cold air on your face. Return to Puerto Natales for the night.
Day 9 Punta Arenas – Santiago
After breakfast you will be transferred to Punta Arenas airport by bus line for your flight back to Santiago. You will be welcomed at the Santiago airport and transferred to your hotel. (Optional: Farewell dinner at a typical Chilean restaurant with folk music and dance performances, including transfer from and back to your hotel). Overnight at your hotel.
Day 10 Santiago
Time to bid farewell to this beautiful place. You will be privately transferred to the Santiago Airport for your international flight at the scheduled time.
Santiago is good all year round but at its best in the summer when less busy. The seasons run as follows:
Summer (December to February)
Autumn (March to May)
Winter (June to August)
Spring (September to November).
Altitude range
Maximum 6893m.
Level of difficulty
Easy to Moderate. No difficult hikes involved.
Indicative price
Pricing upon request. As we’ll customise your journey based on your preferences and needs, please note that this indicative price is just a rough estimate. Prices can fluctuate depending on season, type of accommodation and activities/experiences chosen (private vs. shared) etc.
This journey outline is by no means conclusive. It is just a guideline and can be tailored according to your comfort level, interests and preferences for every detail from accommodation to activities.
