1 Week in Chile - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Santiago, Atacama, & Marble Caves Adventure

On this seven-day itinerary, you'll get to know Santiago and experience two of the most beautiful regions of Chile: the northern Atacama Desert and southern Patagonia.

Begin the trip in the capital city of Santiago. Take the cable car to the top of Cerro San Cristobál for views over the city and visit La Chascona, once the home of the celebrated Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. The next day, you'll fly up to Calama and transfer by land to San Pedro de Atacama in the Atacama Desert, where you'll go on a stargazing tour, visit the Salar de Atacama salt flats, see the Tatio Geysers at sunrise, and hike at sunset through the otherworldly Valle de la Luna.

On the second part of the trip, you'll fly to Balmaceda via Santiago. From there, you'll make the overland trip to remote Puerto Río Tranquilo, a town on the shores of General Carrera Lake, taking in the striking stunning scenery of Cerro Castillo National Park on the way. This is the jumping-off point for an unforgettable boat excursion to the Capillas de Mármol (Marble Caves) of Lago General Carrera. This network of marble caves near the lakeshore are the result of thousands of years of erosion: make sure your camera battery is fully charged, as it's the photo op of a lifetime. Fly back to Santiago to end the trip. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Chile's Famous Wine Valleys

Sip and swirl your way through Chile's wine country on this week-long itinerary that takes you to several of the country's famed wine-producing regions.

Start the trip in Santiago—and have a glass of wine or two to get in the mood—with a city tour and some urban strolling and exploring. You'll day-trip to Maipo Valley to visit several wineries, like Santa Rita, a classic winery known for its Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and high-end Cousiño Macul, where you'll have a tour and tasting.

You'll see an entirely different wine region the next day: Aconcagua Valley, located in the foothills of the Andes, a region that receives between 240 and 300 days of sunshine per year. From the town of Panquehue, you'll head to San Esteban Winery for a tasting, Errazuriz Winery for a lunch with wine tastings, and Icon Winery to try Carmenére and Shiraz. On day five, visit the coastal wine region of the Casablanca Valley, where you'll stop at wineries like Emiliana Organic Winery, Morande Winery, and Matetic Winery, all specializing in crisp white wines. Finish the tour in Colchagua Valley, arguably the country's most famous wine region, enjoying leisurely tastings with a view at Viu Manent Winery and famed Montes Winery before heading back to the capital city. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Luxury Trekking in Torres del Paine National Park

This Patagonian hiking tour includes all the highlights of Chile's famous Torres del Paine National Park. You'll have a local experienced guide, comfortable accommodation (including a stay in the cozy domes of EcoCamp Patagonia), and some of the best views of Patagonia's natural highlights.

The trip begins from your hotel in Punta Arenas (or Punta Arenas airport). Spend a scenic three hours on a drive to Puerto Natales, a small, lively town where you'll have lunch and meet your trekking guide. Then, head to your lodging: EcoCamp Patagonia, positioned in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park, with magnificent vistas of the famous granite towers.

After breakfast the next morning, you'll take the meandering Cuernos Trail all the way to Refugio Los Cuernos, a mountain refuge on the shores of Lake Nordenskjold where you'll spend the night. On day three, you'll start trekking from the refugio to Valle Frances, traveling along a steep trail that leads to the very heart of the Paine Massif. The next section of the trek starts at the Paine Grande Refugio on Lake Pehoe to the northern side of the famous Lake Grey. You'll have a picnic lunch before boarding the boat that sails right to the facade of Glacier Grey, and the option for kayaking as well.

On day five, you'll embark on the most demanding trail in Torres del Paine. Its steep ascents and challenging climbs lead to the famous and iconic view of the towers: three imposing granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the force of glacial ice. Don't worry—you'll be rewarded with a fabulous dinner back at camp. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Santiago, Valparaíso & Skiing in Portillo

This active week-long trip is perfect for anyone who wants a taste of Chilean culture along with an unforgettable skiing excursion.

Begin the trip in Santiago before taking off to Casablanca Valley, a coastal wine region near the city, on day two. You'll stop to taste crisp white wines at a pair of wineries along the way to the historic port city of Valparaiso. Explore the UNESCO-honored historic center and dine on fresh seafood before the next day's adventure to Portillo Ski Center in the snowy Andes for two days of skiing, snowboarding, and relaxing in mountainside hot tubs.

At an altitude of 8,360 feet above sea level, the ski area offers beautiful views of the Andes mountains and cozy venues for an aprés-ski cocktail or hot chocolate. You'll have four days to enjoy Portillo's first-class facilities, including a heated swimming pool and jacuzzi where you can unwind after hours on the slopes. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Easter Island & Santiago

On this week-long adventure, you'll explore remote Rapa Nui—the Chilean territory also known as Easter Island—after sightseeing in Santiago and the port city of Valparaiso. 

On this trip plan, you'll have a day to explore Santiago before heading off to the coast, stopping at wineries in the Casablanca Valley along the way, including the organic Emiliana Winery. You'll explore the green hills and sprawling vineyards of Cajón del Maipu the following day, strolling along the shores of the bright turquoise-hued Embalse de Yeso reservoir and lingering over a picnic lunch with wine pairings. 

You'll fly to Easter Island on day four, basing yourself in the island's main town of Hanga Roa. Take a quick hike before catching up on rest for the next day's tour of the island. You'll stop along the way at Ahu Tongariki, the biggest ceremonial platform on the island, with fifteen Moai displayed in a row, and finish the day on the white-sand beach of Anakena. The journey continues on the next day with an extended tour to highlights including the coastal cave of Ana Kai Tangata, filled with petroglyphs done by the island's ancient inhabitants of the island. You'll also visit Ahu Akivi, home to seven Moai, and step into the cave of Ana Te Pahu, the largest cavern on Rapa Nui. The next morning, you'll catch a flight back to Santiago. Learn more

Itinerary #6: Cycling the Atacama Desert

Mountain bikers: this week-long itinerary is for you. On this Chilean adventure, you'll cycle through the Atacama Desert past small villages, geysers, lagoons, valleys, archaeological ruins, and Andean wildlife.

Spend a day in Santiago before jetting north to the Atacama Desert, where you'll go on a stargazing tour and sip Chilean wine by the fireside. The next day, you'll see flamingos in their natural habitat at the National Flamingo Reserve and the Atacama Salt Flat, the largest salt flats in Chile.

You'll have an early wake-up call on day four. See the striking Tatio Geysers at dawn, then dip in the waters of the nearby White Geyser. You'll hit the trails on a bicycle the next day for a downhill ride from Cerro Toco and an afternoon ride finishing up in Death Valley, known for its massive natural rock formations formed by wind and rain. The following day, pedal to the archeological site of Yerbas Buenas Petroglyphs, continuing onward to Rainbow Valley before heading back to San Pedro for lunch. Take an afternoon ride to postcard-perfect Cejar Lagoon, and go for a dip in the bright turquoise lagoon before relaxing over pisco sours at Ojos del Salar, a pair of small lagoons. Learn more

More Great 7-Day Chile Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Chile trip? Check out these other 7-day Chile itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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