Highlights
- Sample fine wines near Santiago and hike the hills of colorful Valparaíso
- Kayak across fjords and hike up volcanoes in Chile's Lake District
- Trek to soaring granite towers and glacial lakes in Torres del Paine
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago, Afternoon City Tour | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Day Trip to Valparaíso, Private Dinner Experience | Santiago |
| Day 3 | Fly to Puerto Varas & the Chilean Lake District | Puerto Varas |
| Day 4 | Day Trip to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park | Puerto Varas |
| Day 5 | Kayaking on the Reloncaví Estuary | Puerto Varas |
| Day 6 | Fly to Puerto Natales, Gateway to Torres del Paine | Puerto Natales |
| Day 7 | Torres del Paine National Park Full-Day Tour | Puerto Natales |
| Day 8 | Day Hike to Base Torres | Puerto Natales |
| Day 9 | Bus to Punta Arenas, Optional Activities | Punta Arenas |
| Day 10 | Depart Punta Arenas |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, Afternoon City Tour
Welcome to Chile! This relatively small nation on the west coast of South America nevertheless abounds with natural wonders—none more grand than Patagonia. You'll experience this wild southern frontier soon enough—first, you'll arrive in the dynamic capital of Santiago. Fringed by towering Andes mountains, this city isn't only a great base for adventures throughout the country, but it also features plenty of highlights in its own right.
At the airport, a driver will pick you up for the ride to your hotel. Then, after settling in, meet a guide and venture out to see some of the best of Santiago. Start by wandering the aisles of the labyrinthine Mercado Central. This market is the beating heart of the city, overflowing with vendors and locals eager to get their hands on the day's fresh produce. With the help of an English-speaking guide, engage with vendors and shoppers, sampling delicious tidbits along the way.
Continue to the Plaza de Armas, located in Santiago's historic center. Founded in 1541, it's home to the impressive Catedral Metropolitana, a neoclassical church whose twin bell towers dominate the western side of the plaza. Finally, enjoy panoramic vistas from Cerro Santa Lucía or Cerro San Cristóbal. Snap pics of the impressive skyline as you spot landmarks like the Gran Torre Santiago (also known as the Costanera Center), the tallest building in Latin America.
Day 2: Day Trip to Valparaíso, Private Dinner Experience
This morning, meet your driver for the hourlong ride west to the coast and Valparaíso. This colorful seaside city is a throwback to the turn of the 20th century when electric trolleys coasted along the waterfront, and funicular elevators carried passengers to the city's highest points.
Travel by trolley between Plaza Sotomayor and Plaza Aníbal Pinto, then board the Reina Victoria funicular for a ride up into the cerros (hills). Ramble through neighborhoods like Cerro Alegre, Cerro Concepción, and Cerro Florida, with their brightly-painted houses, old churches, and cobbled squares. In Cerro Florida, you can visit La Sebastiana, a house and museum that was once the residence of Nobel-Prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.
At the end of the afternoon, you'll transfer back to Santiago—but the fun is far from over. This evening, you'll dive into the tasty world of Chilean gastronomy at a private dinner in the home of a local chef. The meal will feature star regional dishes that may include flaky empanadas, rich seafood cazuelas, and steamy humitas (tamales) wrapped in banana leaves. As you enjoy the food and sip local wine, you'll also enjoy accompaniment by local musicians playing traditional instruments.
Day 3: Fly to Puerto Varas & the Chilean Lake District
Time to fly! This morning, your driver will transfer you to the airport for the two-hour flight to the port city of Puerto Montt in Chile's gorgeous Lake District, the gateway to Patagonia. Here, snowcapped volcanoes meet forested islands dotted with shimmering lakes. From the airport, it's a 30-minute drive north to Puerto Varas, which sits on the vast shores of Lago Llanquihue. Known as "the City of Roses," Puerto Varas is home to elegant plazas full of roses (hence the nickname) and alpine-style architecture.
From its streets you can look out across the lake to the snowcapped cones of nearby Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. The town is also a hub for Lake District adventures—from here, you can hike, ski, climb various volcanoes, fish, raft, and go horseback riding. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a restaurant in town, then turn in early to rest up for tomorrow's adventures.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Day Trip to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park
Grab your camera and hiking boots because today, you're off to explore the natural wonders of Vicente Pérez Rosales, an unspoiled national park near Puerto Varas. First, transfer to the Osorno Mountain Ski Center, where you'll take a fun ride on a lift and ascend 4,068 feet (1,240 m) above sea level. Keep your camera close when you reach the top because incredible views of the Calbuco volcano and sparkling lake are waiting for you. You'll also have time to ride the lift to Estación Primavera or Estación Glaciar for more awe-inspiring photo opportunities.
Next up is a gentle 30-minute hike through an evergreen forest to the Saltos del Río Petrohué waterfall. One of the country's most beautiful spots, this river's turquoise waters tumble across a centuries-old large mass of crystallized lava. It's another great photo op, as the landscape is framed by the snowcapped Osorno volcano in the background. Continue to Lagos Todos Los Santos, where you can cruise across the water surrounded by forests, mountains, and volcanoes, before returning to Puerto Varas.
Day 5: Kayaking on the Reloncaví Estuary
More adventures await today as your driver picks you up for the ride east along the shore of Lago Llanquihue for a kayaking excursion. You'll stop in the town of Ensenada to pick up your gear, then hop back in the car for a quick drive to the village of Ralún, at the mouth of Patagonia's northernmost fjord: the Reloncaví Estuary, which lies off the Reloncaví Sound.
You'll put in on the shores of Ralún and begin your kayaking journey through the fjord. Glide across the water's surface, surrounded by the snowcapped Andes, including the Yate and Hornopirén volcanoes. Spot pelicans or cormorants flying above and sea lions, dolphins, or penguins frolicking in the water. At lunchtime, you'll step ashore at a small family farm to enjoy traditional maté (tea) and a homemade meal, followed by a short tour of the farm and surrounding woods.
Then it's back to the kayaks for more paddling on Reloncaví, ending at Cochamó, a small village on the coast between the Andes and the Pacific. Leave the water behind, change your clothes, drop off your gear, and hop in a van back to Puerto Varas.
Day 6: Fly to Puerto Natales, Gateway to Torres del Paine
Day 7: Torres del Paine National Park Full-Day Tour
Set out on an action-packed day exploring Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO-listed gem that's one of Chile's most-visited parks. After a pickup at your hotel, your first stop will be near the park at the Milodón Cave. In 1895, an explorer found fragments of a giant extinct mylodon here—an extinct bear-like creature from 10,000 years ago (there's a replica of the giant mylodon in the cave). En route, you can also snap pics of the Silla del Diablo (Devil's Chair) rock formation nearby.
Once you've looked around the cave, continue north along the road to Torres del Paine National Park to reach Lago Grey, where you can walk to the scenic viewpoint. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then head to the park's Salto Grande sector, where the beautiful Lago Nordenskjöld and thundering Paine Waterfall await. On the way back to Puerto Natales, stop at the Lago Sarmiento viewpoint to grab some epic photos with a backdrop of snowcapped mountains.
Day 8: Day Hike to Base Torres
Lace up your boots once again, as this morning you'll return to the park and set off on perhaps the most famous day hike in Torres del Paine. The moderately difficult 11.2-mile (18 km) trek to Mirador Base Torres culminates with a rewarding view of the granite torres (towers) that give the park its name.
It starts at the base of Mont Almirante Nieto, where you'll be treated to panoramic views of Lago Nordenskjöld as you journey toward Refugio Chileno, a stop along the park's famous W Trek circuit. Here, you can rest for a bit before continuing through a dense lenga beech forest, which gives way to moraine as you near your destination, a crystalline glacial lagoon that reflects the iconic towers. After admiring the view and taking photos, you'll hike back down the trail and return to your hotel.
Day 9: Bus to Punta Arenas, Optional Activities
Wake up early and hop on a bus for the three-hour drive south to Punta Arenas. Founded in 1848 on the eastern shore of the Brunswick Peninsula, this colorful and historic city was once home to the crème de la crème of Patagonian society. Upon arrival, a driver will pick you up at the airport for the transfer to your hotel.
After settling in, feel free to head out on a self-guided tour. Perhaps start at the charming Plaza Muñoz Gamero, with its French street lamps, Magellan statue, and surrounding neoclassical mansions. Then, visit the 19th-century Palacio Sara Braun—a throwback to the time of wealthy sheep-ranching families—and continue to the revitalized waterfront area for a seaside walk. Lastly, venture to Mirador Cerro de la Cruz to enjoy perfect sunset views over the Strait of Magellan before indulging in a delicious seafood dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 10: Depart Punta Arenas
The day has come when you must bid farewell to Patagonia and Chile. If you like, enjoy one more leisurely breakfast at the hotel, followed by a quiet stroll around the plaza in Punta Arenas. Then, at the appropriate time, transfer to the airport, where you'll catch a flight to Santiago and meet your connecting flight home. Safe travels!
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