sample chile tours

At Destination Seekers we offer a completely bespoke service, ensuring that your itinerary is perfect for you. For inspiration, please find below a sample tour of Chile.

Highlights of Chile and Atacama Desert

Day 1 to 2: Santiago

Arrival into Santiago. A vibrant, bustling city in a spectacular position at the foothills of the Andes, Chile’s stylish capital city is filled with traditional markets, museums, art galleries, fine restaurants and theatres.

Take a Walking Tour or spend a free day exploring the city. Visit La Moneda and stroll through the main square, visit the Bellas Artes Museum and colourful neighbourhood of Lastarria, then climb the steps to Santa Lucía hill for a panoramic view of the Chilean capital with its Andean backdrop.

Day 3: Valparaiso

A full-day excursion to Valparaiso including a visit to an idyllic vineyard in the Casablanca Valley, which produces some of Chile’s finest wines. In the fascinating city of Valparaiso, explore the series of funiculars which transport you to the upper levels of the city for spectacular views.

Day 4: Puerto Varas

Fly to Puerto Montt then transfer to Puerto Varas in the heart of the Chilean Lake District. Puerto Varas is a charming, small town, perfectly in keeping with the tranquillity of the region. It is well known for its Germanic traditions and stunning location on the shoreline of Lake Llanquihue, with lovely views across the bay to the volcanoes of Osorno and Calbuco.

Day 5: Osorno Volcano and Hike

Hike to the snow-capped Osorno Volcano and the surrounding area. The hike lasts approximately two hours and is on uneven terrain.

Day 6: Puerto Natales

Fly to Puerto Natales, a small town wonderfully set on the shores of Last Hope Sound. The flight takes you over the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, where you can see the glaciers snaking their way into the sea.

Day 7: Torres del Paine

After an early start, journey to Torres del Paine. The scenic drive takes about two hours and takes you past Lake Sarmiento all the way to the entrance of Torres del Paine National Park. This is one of the great wildernesses of the world, full of soaring peaks, glacial valleys and wild grasslands. The huge granite peaks of the Paine Massif, rise up dramatically from the windswept terrain, creating one of the most striking natural landscapes on earth. You will also encounter a host of wildlife, including guanacos, rheas, condors, foxes and rare pumas. The tour concludes with a visit to Lago Grey, one of Torres del Paine’s largest lakes.

Day 8: Trekking excursions

Take a hiking excursion to make the most of your time in one of the world’s most famous trekking destinations. Option one is the hike to Lake Sarmiento, a half day excursion which involves a three hour trek along a flatter route than most others in the park. Option two is the slightly tougher optional Las Torres Trek excursion, where you trek through beech forest before arriving at the glacial moraine, with fantastic views of the granite towers.

Day 9: Puerto Natales

Enjoy a free morning in Torres del Paine before transferring by road to Puerto Natales.

Day 10: Santiago

Fly from Puerto Natales back to Santiago.

Day 11 to 13: San Pedro de Atacama

The highest and driest desert on earth, the surreal San Pedro de Atacama is a striking combination of glistening salt basins, unique rock formations, fiery red canyons, turquoise thermal lakes, rising geysers and golden red sunsets. Take a tour to the Valle de la Luna and climb a sand dune to watch the colours of the surrounding mountains change from gold to red as the sun sets.

The following day visit the Atacama Salt Lake, where the salt crystals stretch out for miles and flamingos gather to nest. Then drive through the Andes to the beautiful Altiplanic Lagoons of Miscanti and Miñique, which at 4,500 metres above sea level, are in a stunning landscape of mountains and volcanoes, with unique flora and fauna.

Take in the sunrise at El Tatio geysers, which at 4,300 metres above sea level, are some of the highest geysers in the world. Relax in the hot springs, have breakfast and then return to San Pedro.