Chile's Capital, Wine Country & Lake District - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, Guided City Tour, Chilean Dinner with a Local Chef

Welcome to Chile! You'll land in the mountain-wrapped capital of Santiago, where a private driver will be waiting to whisk you to your hotel for the next five nights. Drop off your bags, take a minute to freshen up, and hit the ground running with a local guide. Set out on a 3.5-hour tour of the city, starting at its beating heart, Mercado Central. You'll get the chance to interact with locals, both suppliers and buyers, while sampling tidbits of local ingredients, like exotic fruit, along the way. 

Next, take a stroll around the historic Plaza de Armas, founded in 1541 by Pedro de Gamboa and flanked by the stoic Catedral Metropolitana. After ogling its impressive neoclassical bell towers, head for a bird's-eye view of the cityscape at Cerro Santa Lucía. Wrap up your first night in Santiago with a culinary experience to remember. You'll have the chance to step inside a local chef's home where a gourmet Chilean dinner will be cooked right in front of you. Paired with regional wine—and the potential for traditional music—this will truly be a memorable evening.

Day 2: Valparaíso Day Trip & Wine Tour

Today starts with a hearty breakfast and ends with exploring a colorful seaside town, but not before breaking up the 1.5-hour transfer at an organic winery. Your driver will make a stop in the Casablanca Valley, tucked between the Pacific and mountains, where you'll have the chance to try several different wines on a guided tour and tasting session. This wine-growing region is known for sauvignon blanc and chardonnay, so white wine lovers, in particular, can rejoice. Leave the vineyards in your dust as you continue making your way west to the coast.

Before you know it, you'll arrive in Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and irresistible artsy enclave known for its colorful architecture. Navigate the hills by hopping on the electric trolley, which connects the grand Plaza Sotomayor to Plaza Aníbal Pinto, before one final push upward on the Reina Victoria Funicular. From here, you can gradually explore the kaleidoscopic neighborhoods of Cerro Alegre, Cerro Florida, and Cerro Concepción, dotted with steeples and cobbled squares. A visit to Valparaíso also means the chance to try fresh, local seafood like caldillo de congrio (sea eel soup).

Day 3: Maipo Valley Wine Excursion

Your stop in the Casablanca Valley was just a taste of what's to come on this wine-centered trip around Chile. Today, you're headed for the striking Maipo Valley, located right on the outskirts of Santiago. While yesterday was all about the whites, the Valle de Maipo (as it's known locally) is known for cabernet sauvignon, and you'll get to enjoy it with a backdrop of rugged peaks. This region isn't just beautiful; it's also historic, with the first grapevines being planted in the 1500s. 

Choose two wineries to visit, from those with lush gardens to an homage to all things equestrian. Whichever vineyards you decide on, know that you'll get an inside look at the wine-making process from harvest to bottling. Nicknamed the "Bordeaux of South America," the wines grown in this region of Chile are known for being elegant yet intense in flavor. You'll pair these delicious wines with equally delicious bites like local cheese. Head back to Santiago in the evening with plenty of time to rest up for tomorrow's adventures or keep exploring the city. 

Day 4: Hiking Day Trip to Maipo Canyon

Leave behind the skyscrapers of Santiago today in favor of the picturesque Maipo Canyon. Located about 2.5 hours outside of the capital city, you'll explore the foothills of the Andes through several different hiking routes. Your first trek of the day is a warm-up at just 25 minutes but dishes up a handsome reward in the form of a waterfall. The next hike on the list is a more formidable one at three hours round-trip in length.

You'll make your way with a local guide from the El Cabrerio mountain refuge, continuing up to La Engorda Valley. Along the way, catch glimpses of the snowcapped San José volcano, towering at a whopping 19,213 feet (5,856 m) in height. Take the opportunity to learn about local flora and fauna before reaping the rewards of jaw-dropping panoramic views at the end. Celebrate with a packed lunch, taking a break to relax and snap some pictures, before heading back the way you came. Your driver will be waiting to whisk you back to Santiago for the evening.

Day 5: Visit the Rosario Valley & Biodynamic Winery Tour

It's another day, another vineyard, and this time, you're headed one hour to Santiago's west to visit the Rosario Valley. Located closer to the Pacific Ocean, sea breezes and volcanic soil provide ideal growing conditions for grape growing. A wide array of varietals are grown in this region of Chile, but the area is particularly known for producing organic and natural wine. Spend the day at Viñedo Matetic, a boutique, biodynamic winery that's nestled in the region's Coastal Range. 

Kick off another day in wine country with an outdoor activity like biking, horseback riding, and hiking in the beautiful scenery that surrounds the vineyards. After spending some time taking in the natural scenery, head back to the winery for a tour with a bilingual guide, where you'll get to explore the vineyards and head down into the subterranean wine cellars. The experience culminates with a tasting of Matetic's organic wines and lunch at the on-site restaurant before returning to Santiago in the afternoon.

Day 6: Fly to Puerto Varas, City Tour of Puerto Montt & Puerto Varas

Rise and shine early this morning because you're headed for Chile's captivating Lake District! A driver will be waiting to take you to the airport for your 1.5-hour flight south to Puerto Montt. Although Puerto Montt is considered a gateway to this striking and underrated region of Chile, you'll be transferred to your accommodation in Puerto Varas, just a 30-minute drive away and situated right on the indigo Lago Llanquihué, which reflects the snowcapped Osorno volcano in the distance. You'll spend the rest of the afternoon unraveling the unique culture and history of these two cities with a local guide.

Head back to Puerto Montt, where you'll pay a visit to the Plaza de Armas. These towns are heavily influenced by both German heritage and the First Nations Mapuche culture, and you'll get your first taste at the Monument to the German Colonists. Snap pictures of the panoramic viewpoints at Mirador Manuel Montt with Isla Tenglo in the distance, before heading to the Angelmó Port to peruse the local handicrafts and sample traditional dishes. Make your way back to Puerto Varas to visit the city's own Plaza de Armas, historic old town, and the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Day 7: Rafting the Río Petrohué

Today starts the adventurous portion of your trip to Chile with a rafting excursion on the RÍo Petrohué. Start the day by meeting your guide at your hotel, where you'll hop in a van, tracing the shoreline of Lago Llanquihué to the town of Ensenada, about 40 minutes away. After a safety briefing, make your way to the put-in point in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, the first-ever national park in Chile, founded in 1926. Set out down the river as it makes its way south to the Reloncaví Estuary. 

You'll have plenty of time to practice paddling in a calm section of the river before entering the rapids. The first section of whitewater, known as Ciao Seco ( meaning "Goodbye Dry Land"), is aptly named as from here, you'll splash your way 8 miles (13 km) through Class III and IV rapids. Break up the adrenaline-filled ride with a few walks along the riverbank and swimming in this beautiful mountain stream. After two hours of rafting, change into warm, dry clothes, enjoy a celebratory local craft beer and a few snacks, and settle in for the ride back to Puerto Varas.

Day 8: Trekking in Parque Nacional Alerce Andino

Situated 1.5 hours outside of Puerto Varas, the Parque Nacional Alerce Andino is where you'll spend your eighth day of the trip. The journey to get there includes peekaboo views of the Pacific Ocean and a quick jaunt through the town of Lenca before arriving at the start of your trek for the day. A park ranger will be waiting to provide safety instructions and directions for a 2.5-mile (4 km) hike to the cascades of Salto Río Chaica. 

Follow the mostly flat and easy path along the Salto Río Chaica trail through the park's ancient temperate rainforest, thought to be home to some of the oldest trees in the world. Some of these Alerce trees are estimated to be over 2,500 years old. You'll also have the chance to spot exotic bird species like Magellanic woodpeckers, the chucao, and coscoroba swans, all while taking in the beautiful waterfalls before looping back to the beginning of the hike.

Day 9: Kayaking on Reloncaví Estuary

It's your last full day in Chile, and you have time for one more exciting adventure—a kayaking trip through the Reloncaví Estuary. You'll once again drive along Lago Llanquihué to Ensenada, where you'll pick up your kayaking gear, choosing either a single or tandem kayak. Continue to the town of Ralún, situated at the mouth of the fjord. This is the starting point for your expedition as you begin paddling southward. Enjoy the surrounding scenery, serene water, and sweeping landscapes before stopping for a traditional lunch and a quick hike.

Hop back in the kayaks and continue heading south as views of the Yate and Hornopirén volcanoes come into view. A wide variety of wildlife should appear along the way, including sea lions, dolphins, and even Magellanic and Humboldt penguins speeding through the water beside your kayak. Your excursion ends in the village of Cochamó, where you'll hop on the bus back to Puerto Varas. 

Day 10: Fly to Santiago, Depart