8 Days in Chile - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Santiago, Valparaíso & Patagonia Nature Trip

On this eight-day outdoor adventure, experience three regions of Chile. Begin in the capital city of Santiago for some sightseeing, followed by a day trip to Central Chile’s neighboring towns of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Then, embark on an unforgettable journey through Torres del Paine National Park, one of the highlights of Patagonia.

Upon arrival at Santiago International Airport, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. Then, get out and experience the Chilean capital city. Embark on a half-day tour with stops at Mercado Central and Mercado La Vega—two popular markets—and then stroll through Plaza de Armas, Barrio Bellavista, and more.

In the morning, head out on a day trip to two neighboring Central Chilean cities. Begin in Viña del Mar, the upscale, coastal resort town with high-end boutiques. Enjoy a seaside lunch and explore the landmarks. Then, head to Valparaíso. Visit old plazas like Sotomayor and Aníbal Pinto, and take note of the colorful architecture and bohemian vibe.

On day three, fly to Punta Arenas, a gateway to the incredible region of Patagonia. The next morning, join a half-day tour cruising over the Strait of Magellan to Marta Island to visit a sea lion colony, followed by a stop in Magdalena Island to Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, home to Chile’s largest colony of penguins. In the evening, take the 3-hour bus ride to Puerto Natales, a base for Torres del Paine National Park. 

Wake up and transfer 2 hours via car to Torres del Paine National Park, with a short stop in Cerro Castillo Village along the way. Arrive at Laguna Amarga and shuttle over to Las Torres before hiking up Mt. Almirante Nieto, with a stop for lunch at Refugio Chileno 2 hours in. Continue the hiking adventure through the forest and toward the Mirador Base Torres, and take in views of the Patagonian landscape—mountain peaks and glaciers all around.

On day six, go on a private, guided tour around Torres del Paine. Learn about the native flora and fauna throughout the park and enjoy a few, short hikes, along with a scenic picnic lunch. In the morning, head to the Grey sector of the park and board a catamaran to tour around Glacier Grey. In the afternoon, take a short hike across the beach and into the forest. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Exploring Santiago & the Atacama Desert

On this versatile Chilean vacation, enjoy three aspects of the country. In eight days, experience city life in Santiago, a wine tour to Casablanca Valley, and a scenic excursion through the Atacama Desert.  

Touch down in Santiago, transfer to your hotel, and head out to explore the capital city before indulging in a welcome dinner at one of the many eateries about town. In the morning, join a tour—either half-day or full-day, depending on your preference. Visit the local markets, the Catedral Metropolitana, Costanera Center, and Cerro Santa Lucia to round out your discovery of the city.

Wake up and depart from the hotel in Santiago to Casablanca Valley to visit Emiliana Winery for a vineyard tour and wine tasting experience. Then, navigate to Valparaíso to explore the colorful, coastal town. Travel by trolley to the notable plazas, and stroll hilly neighborhoods like Cerro Alegre, Cerro Concepción, and Cerro Florida. For lunch, dine on local seafood before heading back to Santiago for the evening.

On day four, visit the Maipo Valley. The popular gorge is located southeast of Santiago, about 45 minutes away. Tour the hills and vineyards of the San José de Maipo region, followed by a visit to the Embalse de Yeso reservoir, with its glassy surface and turquoise waters. Indulge in a picnic lunch—complete with local wine to top off the adventure.

In the morning, fly to Calama, and a driver will transport your 1 hour and 20 minutes to San Pedro de Atacama. On the ride, take in the Atacama Desert landscapes. Then, check in to your hotel and relax until it is time to go out on the first tour—stargazing in Altiplano. Take a lesson on how to identify the constellations through telescopes, and enjoy a glass of Chilean wine, to pair.

On day six, a full-day tour of the Atacama Desert is in store. The first stop is Laguna Chaxa, which is located in the middle of the Atacama Salar salt flats, where you can also spot flamingos in the shallow waters. At lunchtime, stop in Socaire and explore the adobe homes and slow pace of life, followed by a trip to the lagoons of Altiplano, with volcanic views all around. The final stop is Tocanao to stroll the streets, shop for handicrafts, and visit the white-washed church.

The final leg of the trip begins in Yerbas Buenas, with its petroglyph-style rock art. Then, visit Rainbow Valley, with its spectrum of colors, followed by a tour of Moon & Death Valley, a natural sanctuary filled with craters and rock formations. Then, enjoy a cheese and wine tasting at sunset. The final day of the itinerary takes you to the Tatio Geysers. Take in the early morning sunrise as the geysers steam in the cold air. Drive through the Machuca Valley toward San Pedro, and transfer back to Calama. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Chilean Wines & Lakes Tour

Totaling eight days, embark on an eventful journey to explore the Chilean wine region and scenic outdoors. Go sightseeing in Santiago, to start, followed by an excursion to Casablanca Valley and vibrant Valparaíso. Then, visit Maipo Valley before embarking on an active adventure of hiking and exploring around Pucón.

Upon arrival in Santiago, get settled at the hotel and go on a tour of the city. In the morning, transfer to the Casablanca Valley wine region for a tour of Emiliana Winery. Enjoy a tasting and a full education on the vineyard’s production efforts. Then, head to Valparaíso for a trolley tour of the vibrant seaside town and its plazas.

Wake up and embark on a day trip to Maipo Valley. Tour San José de Maipo and ascend the mountains, where the landscapes become more dramatic, with views of snow-capped peaks across the sky. Stop in the colorful reservoir of Embalse de Yeso, and learn the history of the Yeso River.

In the morning, catch a flight to Temuco and transfer 1.5 hours to Pucón. Feel free to stroll around the city center and waterfront, embark on a boat tour around Lake Villarrica, and enjoy a nice dinner in one of the globally-influenced restaurants.

On day five, go on a private, full-day tour of Santuario El Cañi and its surroundings. A 6-8-hour hike allows you to traverse the Andes, through the lagoons and Araucaria trees. Keep an eye out for foxes, pudus, and even pumas before reaching the lookout for stunning views of the lakes and volcanoes, followed by a short hike up Volcán Villarrica—the ultimate lookout. Following the adventure, enjoy a soak in the geothermal pools of Termas Pucón Indomito and a night of relaxation on your own.

Next, tour Palguin, a region located at the interior of the Lake District. Hike toward 360° views of the surrounding volcanoes until you reach the Pichillancahue Glacier, which is uniquely colored by black, volcanic ash. The trek concludes with a scenic finale—a trip to a 100-foot waterfall nestled in the forest.

In the morning, a driver will transfer you to Huerquehue National Park, a region comprised of 30,000 acres of protected forest. Take a kayaking trip across Tinquilco Lake, followed by a 1-hour trek into the woods to discover the native flora and fauna. Following the day trip, return to Pucón to enjoy your last night in Chile, before transferring back to Temuco for your flight to Santiago, followed by your onward flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Santiago, Valparaíso, & Easter Island

This cultural Chilean tour invites you to explore several regions of the country. First, enjoy some sightseeing in the capital city of Santiago, followed by a trip to the neighboring towns of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso. Then, take a day trip to the mountains of the Maipo Valley, followed by an active tour of Easter Island and its ancient, iconic stone formations.

The journey begins in Santiago, the Chilean capital. Upon touching down at the airport, check in to the hotel, and explore the town. Visit the notable markets, along with landmarks like Plaza de Armas and Catedral Metropolitana. In the morning, take a day trip to visit two Central Chilean cities. Start in Viña del Mar, a coastal resort city with plenty of high-end shopping, as well as 20th-century castles and palaces. Then, venture to Valparaíso, a colorful metropolis with bohemian flavor. Tour the plazas and ride up the Reina Victoria funicular to stroll the hilly neighborhoods, along with visiting the La Sebastiana museum.

On day three, take a day trip to Maipo Valley. Discover the hills and vineyards of the San José de Maipo region and climb toward beautiful snow-capped mountain views. Then, learn of the history surrounding the Yeso River, and how the turquoise-hued Embalse de Yeso formed. The day culminates with an outdoor wine picnic and a stop for a local delicacy on the way back to Santiago.

Next, fly to Easter Island to begin the exploration of Rapa Nui. With an estimated 600 stone figures or moai, as they are called on the island, there is much to tour. To begin, visit Hanga Roa, the main town, and have a local bite of ceviche or empanadas. Then, head to Museo Antropológico Sebastián Englert to learn all about the island and its Polynesian history. In the evening, enjoy the sunset in Ahu Tahai, where you can view stones and venture into caves nearby.

Wake up and join a full-day tour. The day kicks off at Ahu Te Pito Kura with its central, featured stone, followed by a trip to Rano Raraku’s volcanic crater. Enjoy a snack at Ahu Tongariki, the largest ceremonial platform on the island—with 15 stones in a row—then, head to Ahu Akahang, where the day concludes on the white-sand beaches of Anakena.

Day six includes two, half-day tours of Easter Island. The first tour takes you to Orongo to explore the rim of an inactive volcano called Rano Kau and the remains of the village. Learn about the Birdman era, then venture to Ana Kai Tangata, a cave decorated with petroglyphs.

The second tour involves a trip to Ahu Akivi, a celestial observatory. Here, there are seven moai to view at sunset, along with two optional hikes to Ana Te Pahu and Puna Pau volcano, two archaeological sites. In the morning, enjoy the island on your own. If you’d like, you can go hiking, snorkeling, and surfing. Anakena also offers a serene setting for beach relaxation. In the morning, do any final exploration of Easter Island, before catching a flight back to Santiago to begin your journey home. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Bike & Hike Through the Atacama Desert

This eight-day desert excursion allows you to explore the Atacama via biking and hiking excursions. Start in Santiago for a self-guided tour of Chile’s capital city. Then, fly to Calama to transfer to San Pedro, the home base of the Atacama tour, which ventures to the Salt Mountain Range, Moon Valley, Tatio Geysers, and more.

Upon landing in Santiago, settle in, and then take the day to explore the town. Hike to the top of Cerro San Cristobal and stroll the cobblestone streets of trendy Barrio Bellavista. Then, visit cultural landmarks like Plaza de Armas and Palacio de la Moneda. 

In the morning, fly to Calama, and then transfer to San Pedro de Atacama where you'll start the next day with a bike tour. Ride toward the Salt Mountain Range, through the Catarpe Valley. Stop in Pukara de Quitor, an old fortress built by the Atacamenians. Next, bike toward Devil’s Canyon, crossing the San Pedro River. Once there, go on a light hike to Catarpe plateau. In the afternoon, take a van ride to Toconao to visit the main plaza, then continue on to Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos, which is where the flamingos congregate in the shallow waters of the Atacama Salt Flat. 

On day four, bike toward Coyo, one of the historic settlements of San Pedro, and immerse yourself in a Likan Antay experience with the locals. Enjoy a lunch of typical fare, and then cycle back to the hotel. In the afternoon, with a local guide, visit the home of a local to embark on a caravan with llamas. At night, join a group for an astronomy excursion to go stargazing through modern telescopes.

Wake up and bike toward Cejar Lagoon to swim in the picturesque waters. Enjoy an easy float, thanks to the salt content. Then, visit two, twin lagoons for a lunch picnic, before returning to San Pedro. In the afternoon, bike to Moon Valley to discover the rock formations salt statues known as Las Tres Marias. Continue on to explore the dunes, and enjoy the sunset along the summit.

The next day, depart toward Socaire village, and tour the small church. Continue on toward Cerro Capur and hike 4 hours to the top for spectacular views. Enjoy lunch with a backdrop of the Andes, with a closer look at the salt lakes. Day seven takes you to the Tatio Geysers. Hike from the geothermal field around Copa Coya for a dramatic perspective, filled with rock formations and unique landscapes.

In the morning, have breakfast, stroll the town, and shop for souvenirs, before flying out of Calama for your departure flight home. Learn more

More Great 8-Day Chile Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your Chile trip? Check out these other 8-day Chile itineraries, ranging from active, to cultural, to luxury, or family-friendly trips.

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