Highlights
- Take the kids stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama
- Explore the Atacama's Valley of the Moon and discover its hidden lagoons
- Relax in Santiago de Chile's family-friendly parks
- Sample Chile's finest wines, traditional cuisine, and street food
- Grab some family beach time in Viña del Mar
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago, Afternoon at Bicentenario Park | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Fly to San Pedro de Atacama, Stargazing Tour | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to the Valley of the Moon | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 4 | Visit the Baltinache Lagoons | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 5 | Fly to Santiago, Afternoon at Araucano Park | Santiago |
| Day 6 | Cajón del Maipo & El Morado Lodge & Spa | Santiago |
| Day 7 | Santiago Food Tour | Santiago |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Valparaíso, Wine Tasting & Traditional Lunch | Valparaíso |
| Day 9 | Cooking Class & Viña del Mar Beach Afternoon | Valparaíso |
| Day 10 | Tour Valparaíso & Viña del Mar, Transfer to Santiago & Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, Afternoon at Bicentenario Park
Welcome to Santiago, Chile's lively and cosmopolitan capital! Packed with culture, cuisine, and expansive green spaces, Santiago is a great family holiday destination. Your driver will meet you at the airport and transport you to your accommodation 30 minutes away in the city center.
Settle in, then head out for some fresh air in the Bicentanario Park. One of the city's largest parks, this 67-acre (27 ha) area is home to two lagoons, multiple playgrounds, and several child-friendly gardens. It's a popular place for families and a good spot to mingle with the locals. The kids will love feeding the resident ducks, flamingoes, and koi carp (food is available to purchase from the nearby dispensers). Stretch your legs after the trip, or relax and let the little ones run around—either way, you and the kids will enjoy easing into your vacation here.
Once you're ready for a bite to eat, head to the vicinity of the Casacostanera shopping mall, where you'll find several great restaurants. You'll also enjoy browsing the mall itself—with an elegant boutique feel combined with all the major brands, you're bound to find anything you need here, including souvenirs. Once you and the family have shopped and eaten, head back to your accommodation for the evening.
Day 2: Fly to San Pedro de Atacama, Stargazing Tour
Get the kids up bright and early—your driver will take your family to Santiago Airport for the two-hour flight north to Calama. A driver will meet you there and transport you to your accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama, your launch pad for your journey into one of the planet's most extraordinary environments, the Atacama Desert. The world's oldest desert, and one of its driest, the Atacama is a popular destination for tourists and scientists alike—the harsh conditions lend a fascinating otherworldly atmosphere to the area. Still, life, culture, and history are abundant in its oases.
Get settled in your accommodation and grab a bite to eat before heading out at 8 pm for an unmissable adventure—stargazing from the desert heights. The Atacama is known as the best place on earth to view the night skies and is home to the most advanced professional and tourist observatories around, so if you want your kids to experience the wonder of the universe, there's no better place to be. Your guided tour will take you through nebulae, galaxies, and solar systems, as you and the kids observe and learn about the different types of stars together.
Day 3: Day Trip to the Valley of the Moon
After your late night, enjoy a slow-paced and relaxing morning. Take your time over breakfast, then go for a wander through town—either book a walking tour or just follow your nose. You'll find cafés to grab a leisurely morning coffee in the sun, as well as souvenir shops to browse. San Pedro has an excellent meteorite museum (the kids will love the chance to touch real 4.5-billion-year-old space rocks!) and an archaeological museum that's home to an extensive collection of Indigenous artifacts.
Building on yesterday's astronomical theme, this afternoon you'll experience a little of what it's like to wander the surface of the moon. El Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) is a striking landscape of salt and clay; devoid of water, it's the most inhospitable place on earth. Nonetheless, there's great hiking for families to be had, with plenty of short, easy walks through the lunar landscape and salt caves and dunes for the kids to explore—just be sure to bring plenty of water. If possible, stay until sunset, when the colors of the sinking sun tint the hills and valleys, crowning your day perfectly.
Day 4: Visit the Baltinache Lagoons
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Enjoy a hearty family breakfast and then head out for today's tour: a trip to the Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache (Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache). Bring your swimming gear—there's the opportunity to swim in two of the seven lagoons, and the experience of seemingly weightless floating due to the high salt content in the water is one that you and the kids won't want to miss.
Less touristy than other lagoons in Atacama, you'll have plenty of time to take in the striking scenery and the vibrant colors of the water. The area around the lagoons has a snow-like appearance due to its salty crust, and the youngsters will be fascinated by the strange landscape. Take a few family photos before you head back into town and spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.
Day 5: Fly to Santiago, Afternoon at Araucano Park
You and the kids leave the quiet of the desert today and return to the lively bustle of Santiago. Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting to take you to your accommodation in the city. Once settled, head to the Las Condes district, where you'll find Araucano Park. Take a walk around to get your bearings; you'll get excellent views of the city, and you'll be able to scout out plenty of places to get a great coffee and some ice creams for the kids.
There's plenty to do here for both you and the little ones—with sports courts, a skate park, and playgrounds tailored to every age level, it's a great place to let off a bit of steam. Bring your swimming gear for the "Dancing Waters," a music and water-based play area. If you're there at the weekend, spend time at Kidzania, an interactive amusement park where kids have a ton of fun role-playing different jobs and real-life scenarios. Near the park, there are plenty of shops and restaurants, so grab anything else you need and enjoy a leisurely dinner before heading back to your hotel.
Day 6: Cajón del Maipo & El Morado Lodge & Spa
Holiday like a local today, and head a short distance out of the city to Cajón del Maipo, a popular weekend getaway. Your first stop is the town of San José, located deep in the Andes mountains, about 3,281 feet (1,000 m) above sea level. Let the kids stretch their legs as you stroll the quaint streets, stopping off in its colorful town square. Once you're back on the road, your next stop is bound to be a hit with the kids—the Chocolate House! Looking like it's been lifted straight from the pages of a fairy tale, you'll find a tempting selection of ice creams and handmade chocolates to sustain you on your travels.
From here, you'll head deeper into the mountains, to the edge of El Morado (The Purple) National Park, where you'll get panoramic views of the mountains (be sure to have your camera handy). Your guide will also teach you how this mountain range, one of the world's largest, originated and all about its rich mineral content, including copper and gypsum. Your alpine tour finishes up at El Morado Lodge and Spa, right at the highest point of Cajón del Maipo. Enjoy a delicious meal at its restaurant, and luxuriate in one of the swimming pools before heading back to the city.
Day 7: Santiago Food Tour
It's time to learn more about life in Santiago, and what more delightful way than by getting acquainted with its cuisine? Santiago is world famous for its markets: your first stop, the Mercado Central, was declared the fifth-best on the globe by National Geographic. Housed under a wrought-iron Art Nouveau canopy, this memorable market will have the kids' eyes out on stalks with its extraordinary display of sea creatures. See who spots the giant squid first! You'll also head to La Vega, the main center for local farmers' produce since colonial times.
As you head through the markets, your guide will assist you in stocking up on local specialties to sample. You'll also get to try local street food around the Plaza de Armas—this includes loads of kid-friendly options like empanadas, mote con huesillo (a sweet, peach drink), and sopaipillas (a delicious fried dough snack—the Chilean version is distinctive for its inclusion of squash in the dough). Grown-up family members will also get the chance to sip away on a variety of fine Chilean wines— as well as the famous pisco sour cocktail.
Day 8: Transfer to Valparaíso, Wine Tasting & Traditional Lunch
Today your family will travel via private driver to Chile's main port, Valparaíso, where you'll be based for the rest of your holiday. En route, you'll have the chance to shop for souvenirs, but your main stop will be at the Casablanca Valley, one of Chile's best wine-growing regions. You and the kids can enjoy touring the vineyards there via several hiking or biking options. The spectacular scenery alone makes the trip worth it, even before you get to the wine tasting.
There are several award-winning wineries here, and you'll get the chance to sample their wares, with a special focus on the sauvignon blanc and chardonnay, for which the region is justifiably famed. It is also well-known for its organic wine production, and the whole family will be fascinated to learn how pesticides can be replaced with plants, hens, and alpacas—the kids will even get the chance to hand-feed the animals. During your tour, you'll also be provided with a delicious three-course traditional Chilean lunch—accompanied, of course, by the appropriate local beverages! Afterward, your driver will take you onward to Valparaíso.
Day 9: Cooking Class & Viña del Mar Beach Afternoon
You and the kids have already delighted your taste buds with Chilean cuisine—now it's time to learn how to replicate the tastiest traditional dishes. Start today's private cooking class by exploring Mercado Cardonal with your guide as you gather ingredients for your class while learning about local culinary history. Next, you'll head to the kitchens in Cerro Mariposa, where the family can help produce a three-course meal, including specialties such as pebre (a tomato-based condiment), empanadas, sopaipillas, and ceviche. You'll also make dessert and learn how to mix the famous pisco sour.
After you've cooked and sampled to repletion, the afternoon brings the perfect fresh-air activity: relaxation on the shores of the Pacific. Your driver will transport you to the neighboring city of Viña del Mar, where you'll be just a short taxi ride away from multiple idyllic beaches. If your family is on the active side, head to Playa Las Salinas—there's generally a lot going on here, from boat trips to live music. For a quieter afternoon, opt for Playa Amarilla, which has a great shallow stretch for the kids to paddle in. If you're in the mood for swanky seaside bars and restaurants, then Reñaca is the place for you.
Day 10: Tour Valparaiso & Viña del Mar, Transfer to Santiago & Depart
It's the last day of your trip, but if you have time before heading to the airport, take a half-day tour of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Highlights include Plaza Sotomayor in the historic district, the picturesque Cerro Alegre district (let the kids ride the funicular for extra fun), and Caleta Portales (spot the pelicans!).
You'll finish up with a visit to celebrated poet Pablo Neruda's house, La Sebastiana—full of quirky charm, it's worth a visit even if you're not much of a literature fan. Take in the street art and live music on the tour while you make the most of your last chance to sample the delicious street food. At the appointed hour, your driver will take you to Santiago International Airport for your flight. Safe travels!
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