Family Tour of Santiago & Chilean Patagonia - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, Green Parks City Tour

Welcome to Chile! Your flight arrives in Santiago, the country's capital and largest city. Your driver will meet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel to rest and regroup. After the long flight, the kids are probably going to need to burn some energy, so start your exploration of the city with a guided tour of the city's most important and historic parks.

Meet your guide and head to your first destination, Forestal Park. Located in the downtown district, this urban oasis features plenty of green space for the kids to run and play. If you happen to arrive on a weekend, you'll have the added entertainment of performers and food vendors. From here, walk to the Bellavista neighborhood, a vibrant district with restaurants and shopping, then arrive at your next stop, Metropolitan Park. Sitting near Cerro San Cristóbal and stretching across more than 1,700 acres (687 ha), this is Santiago's largest park, with a zoo, botanical gardens, pools, and a children's park.

Board the park's Teleférico, an aerial tramway that takes you from the base of the hill to a sanctuary at the top, for an incredible panoramic view of the city before riding the funicular back down. Your tour ends at Bicentennial Park, a 66-acre (27 ha) space that was originally built to commemorate Chile's bicentennial. Be sure to visit the park's lagoon, where the kids might see flamingoes or swans feeding. Return to your hotel for the evening, or explore more of the city on your own, visiting some of the local markets, museums, or the central Plaza de Armas. 

Day 2: Viña San Esteban Vineyard Visit, Quintessence Alpaca Farm

Today's tour takes your family out of the city and to the vineyard of Viña San Esteban, otherwise known as In Situ. Founded in the 1970s, they produce some of the region's top wines. Your driver will collect you in the morning from your hotel, and you'll make the one-hour drive into the Aconcagua Valley.

Your expert guides will meet you and take you through the vineyards, where you and the kids can see the grapes and learn about the growing process, and tour the cellars where the grapes become wine. End with a tasting of three different wines for the adults, accompanied by fruit juices for the kids and snacks of nuts and cheeses. The tour also offers the option of a picnic lunch with sandwiches, desserts, and beverages, giving you the opportunity to relax at the vineyard with a meal before continuing on. 

After the vineyard tour, you'll head to Quintessence Alpaca Farm, where alpacas are raised, and their shearling fibers are used to create beautiful woven goods. You and the kids will meet the alpacas and see how the alpaca fibers are harvested and turned into quality yarns. Learn about the different natural colors of the alpacas and how the farm works to preserve them with special breeding programs. You'll also have a chance to shop an exclusive collection of alpaca-made products, which make for unique and unusual souvenirs to take home! Return to Santiago and see more of the city on your own tonight. 

Day 3: Fly to Punta Arenas, Bus to Puerto Natales, Free Afternoon to Explore

Your epic journey into Patagonia begins today as you take a private transfer to the airport and catch a flight to the city of Punta Arenas, a journey of about three hours. From there, you'll transfer to a bus which will take you 3.5 hours north to Puerto Natales, a southern Patagonia port town that sits on the Señoret Channel and is considered the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel, where you and the kids can rest for a bit before heading out for a self-guided tour.

Start with a walk along the town's waterfront, where you'll be treated to gorgeous views of the Seno Última Esperanza (Last Hope Sound). You can enjoy watching the boats come in and out, and the kids are likely to spot wildlife like sea lions or even dolphins. Puerto Natales is also home to several species of birds, and any birders in the family are sure to be entranced by sightings of Andean condors, swans, or flamingoes.

Visit the Museum of Patagonia and see exhibits on the region's geology, flora and fauna, and Indigenous people, or head just outside town to Puerto Bories, a former industrial complex that has been transformed into a cultural center that showcases the town's history and heritage. Tonight, take advantage of what Puerto Natales is famous for—seafood! Enjoy a meal of crab, octopus, or salmon at one of the many local restaurants. 

Day 4: Family Excursion to Torres del Paine National Park 

The day starts early as your guides collect you from your hotel and take you out for a family adventure into Torres del Paine National Park. Encompassing more than 700 square miles (1800 sq km), the park is known for its endless hiking trails, pristine blue glaciers, and impressive mountains. You'll start by visiting the Milodón Cave, a natural monument located about 15 miles (25 km) from town that features a series of three caves where the remains of a prehistoric giant sloth were found. After seeing the caves, continue into the park.

Your park tour starts in the Lago Grey sector, where you'll walk along the lakeshore, taking in the astounding sight of glacier ice floating nearby, and to a viewpoint, where you'll see panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The hike is considered moderately challenging, and while there are no age restrictions for kids, you may want to bring a pack or carrier for the littlest ones. It can also get windy by the lake, so make sure everyone is dressed for the weather!

After hiking the lake, you'll break for lunch, then drive to the Salto Grande sector of the park. Visit Paine Waterfall, a beautiful area with turquoise waters that come from the Río Paine, and hike to the Lago Nordenskjöld viewpoint and Laguna Amarga. While out on the trails, tell the kids to keep their eyes peeled for wildlife. It's not uncommon to see deer, guanaco (a type of wild llama), foxes, and skunks. Just before returning to Puerto Natales, your guides will make a stop at Lago Sarmiento, where you can take advantage of some great family photo ops. 

Day 5: Guided Tour of Bahía Esperanza Reserve

Today you'll visit Estancia Bahía Esperanza, a ranch that is part of a more than 5,000-acre (2,200 ha) reserve located on the Antonio Varas Peninsula. While the peninsula is connected to the continent by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, it's only accessible by sea, making it an exclusive and somewhat off-the-beaten-path place to discover. Meet with your guides and board a boat that takes you across the Seno Última Esperanza, then disembark to explore the reserve. 

The park sits almost perfectly in the transition area between the rainy climate of the Patagonian fjords and the dry climate of the continent, which brings many migratory and resident birds to the area. There are more than 30 different species of birdlife here, and the climate also keeps the reserve lush and green, with upward of 13 different identifiable trees and shrubs. 

Your family will have the option to hike around on your own, with several choices in trails of varying distances and degrees of difficulty, or you can take part in a horseback riding tour that takes you along several trails. There are also mountain bike or e-bike rentals and tours available if you prefer. Let the kids explore the diverse geography, hike or bike up to the Seno Última Esperanza monument, and see the blue waters of Laguna Junquillos. Enjoy a picnic lunch prior to returning to Puerto Natales.

Day 6: Sailing Adventure to Grey Glacier 

Get a closer look at Torres del Paine National Park's Grey Glacier today, part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and located in the western sector of the park. Lago Grey fronts this massive body of ice and is nearly 4 miles (6 km) wide, with an impressive height that fluctuates between 100–130 feet (30-40 m). After meeting with your guides in the morning, you'll drive into the park, and your family will board the Grey III catamaran and head across the lake to the glacier.

Along the way, you're likely to pass by floating icebergs on the lake. You'll notice that the ice is often different colors depending on the light, with varying shades of blue that are affected by how the ice is compacted and the amount of sediment it contains. Eventually, you'll approach the glacier wall, taking in the majestic beauty of this ice giant rising from the lake. You'll spend some time viewing the glacier, and your guides will share information about the geology and history of the area. The kids might even see some calving ice crashing into the lake! Return to Puerto Natales in time for dinner.

Day 7: Cave Paintings of Cerro Benítez 

Travel back in time with a visit to the cave paintings of Cerro Benítez. Located inside the Estancia Ernesto Helmer and part of an archaeological park, the caves here are perfect for beginning spelunkers and history buffs. Your guides will collect you from your hotel, and you'll make the 15-mile (24 km) drive to the park. Here, your family will begin hiking through the valley, surrounded by forests and mountains, and hearing the calls of condors that soar overhead. The hike is approximately 6 miles (9 km) and is considered moderate in difficulty, so active kids should have no problem managing it. 

Summit Cerro Benítez, which offers views of the Eberhard Fjord and Señoret Channel, then enter the caves, starting with a visit to Ventana Cave, or Cave of the Window. From here, you'll enter the hidden Escondida Cave, which requires a headlamp and a quick crawl through the narrow entrance. Inside, the cave stretches to 13 feet (4 m), and your family will see and learn about the stalactites that grow here due to salt and mineral accumulation. Finish with a walk through the forest to the eaves of Dos Herraduras, where you'll see the incredibly-preserved cave paintings from eons ago.

Day 8: Fly to Santiago, Family Fun at Kids Play Café

It's back to Santiago today, as your private driver collects you from your hotel and takes you to the airport for your flight. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel, where you'll have time to see more of the city sights on your own. If the kids are in need of some playtime, you can visit some of Santiago's Play Cafés. Located just outside the downtown area, these family-friendly spaces offer activities and toys to keep little ones occupied while the adults can relax with a refreshing beverage and snacks. 

There's a small entrance fee per child, granting access to an array of exciting toys, games, and activities designed to engage and entertain. The kids can dive into their free play while you engage with other parents from around the city and exchange travel stories and tips, creating a lively and social atmosphere. Finish the day with a visit to one of Santiago's parks (perhaps revisiting one of your favorites from your initial park tour!) as your family winds down amid the peaceful fountains, gardens, and greenery. 

Day 9: Family Tour of the Metropolitan Zoo 

Get an up close and personal view of Chile's wildlife with a guided visit to the Metropolitan Zoo, also known as the Chilean National Zoo. The park encompasses just over 12 acres (5 ha) and has more than 1,000 different animals, which include not only Chilean wildlife but also those species that are not native to the country. The zoo's focus centers around animal care, wildlife conservation, and environmental enrichment, with programs that offer insight into the protection of Chile's wildlife and the preservation of their natural habitats. 

Meet with your guide in the morning, spending time with the many animals that call the zoo home. Visit jaguars, llamas, condors, penguins, and lemurs, as well as non-native species such as giraffes, elephants, and kangaroos. The family can explore the cinema house, where there are entertaining documentaries about the animal world, and your guide will share information and education on the zoo's conservation efforts. Afterward, make your way back to your hotel and enjoy your last evening in Chile with dinner at a parrilla (steakhouse), where you'll find delicious steaks and other local dishes.