Highlights
- Ride cable cars up to some of the finest viewpoints in Santiago
- Hit the wine trail in the gorgeous Casablanca Valley to taste prized vintages
- Experience a one-of-a-kind stay at South America's first luxury tented camp
- Enjoy a packed itinerary of outdoor adventures in Torres del Paine National Park
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago, Private City Tour | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Casablanca Valley Wine Tour | Santiago |
| Day 3 | Fly to Puerto Natales, Transfer to Torres del Paine | Torres del Paine |
| Day 4 | Torres del Paine Activities: Mirador Base Torres Trek | Torres del Paine |
| Day 5 | Torres del Paine Activities: Glaciers, Valleys & Lakes | Torres del Paine |
| Day 6 | Torres del Paine Activities: Horseback Rides, Kayaking & Hiking | Torres del Paine |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Puerto Natales, Fly to Santiago, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, Private City Tour
Welcome to Chile! This is one of two nations that claim the southern cone of South America, a region known as Patagonia. You'll have a few days to experience the wild beauty of this area when you stay in Chile's most famous protected area in Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park. But first, arrive in the capital of Santiago, itself filled with awe-inspiring landmarks worth visiting.
At the airport, your personal driver will meet you for the ride to your hotel, the Singular Santiago. This 5-star luxury hotel sits in the heart of Santiago's historic Lastarria neighborhood, close to the city's major attractions. When you arrive, you can relax in your spacious suite, enjoy a massage at the hotel's spa and wellness center, or perhaps kick back beside the rooftop pool and admire views of the surrounding Andes.
Then, meet a local guide for a three-hour private tour around the city. It begins in the historic center and the Plaza de Armas, Santiago's main square. It's home to the Palacio de la Real Audiencia (Palace of the Royal Court) and the Catedral Metropolitana, an impressive neoclassical building dating to 1753. Also nearby is the Palacio de la Moneda, Chile's opulent presidential palace. Then, hike (or ride a gondola) up Cerro San Cristóbal, a 984-foot (300 m) hill that offers exceptional panoramic views. To cap the day, enjoy dinner in the trendy Bellavista neighborhood.
Day 2: Casablanca Valley Wine Tour
Today, you'll head an hour west of the capital and into the Casablanca Valley. This fertile region near the Pacific coast is ideal for growing grapes, as the sea breezes come in from offshore and provide the perfect weather conditions for them to thrive. It's also an area famous for producing wine through organic, all-natural methods.
You'll tour two wineries on this private trip, and first up is Casa Marín. Besides producing top-quality wines, it's famous for being Chile's first female-founded bodega (winery). The vineyard here sits on rolling hills above the town of Lo Abarca, just over a mile from the Pacific. The tour includes a stroll around the grounds and facilities to get a sense of the terroir, plus a tasting of three wines.
The second winery on the schedule is Viñedo Matetic, a larger, well-known vineyard. Along with a bilingual guide, you'll wander the vineyards while enjoying panoramic views of the valley that surrounds them. After learning a bit about the growing process, the tour culminates with a tasting in the underground cellar, where you can also purchase select bottles. After the tour, you'll transfer back to your hotel in Santiago.
Day 3: Fly to Puerto Natales, Transfer to Torres del Paine
Time for Patagonia! Leave the capital behind this morning as you transfer to the airport for the three-hour flight south into Patagonia and Puerto Natales. This small port city on the Seno Última Esperanza (Last Hope Sound) is famous as a base for nature excursions. At the airport, another driver will take you 1.5 hours north to Torres del Paine, the crown jewel of Chile's national parks. This legendary protected area covers 700 square miles (1,810 sq km) and is renowned for its circuit treks.
Your accommodation is located just a few miles outside of the park. Perched above the shore of Lago del Toro, Patagonia Camp offers the perfect glamping experience to immerse you in the beauty of Patagonia. Not only was this the first luxury camp in South America, but its eco-friendly yurts integrate seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, leaving almost no carbon footprint. The yurts are equipped with comfy beds, central heating, and en suite baths; but the best part is that the camp lies right on the doorstep of Torres del Paine, offering quick access to park activities and adventures.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Torres del Paine Activities: Mirador Base Torres Trek
After an early camp breakfast, you'll head out for a full day of adventures in Torres del Paine. During your time here, Patagonia Camp will organize each day's activities according to your interests. The scenic hiking trails here are near limitless, and you can opt to trek between the park's famous lakes, like Pehoé and Nordenskjöld, or see more highlights at one time on a driving tour in a 4WD vehicle.
Probably the most famous day hike is the 11.2-mile (18 km) trek up to Mirador Base Torres. This self-guided adventure begins with an ascent along a trail up Mount Almirante Nieto, which features stunning views of Lago Nordenskjöld and the Asencio Valley below. After two hours of hiking, you'll reach Refugio & Camping Chileno, where you'll break for lunch.
Then it's another hour of hiking past ancient lenga forests until you arrive at a moraine. The next part is a 45-minute hard scramble to the top and Base Torres. In this spot, three granite pillars jut out of the ground over a silver lagoon and make for the best view in the park. You'll also see the towering peaks of nearby Torre Sur, Torre Central, Torre Norte, Condor's Nest, and Glacier Torre. The trek ends when you hike back down the mountain.
Day 5: Torres del Paine Activities: Glaciers, Valleys & Lakes
If you like, spend the day visiting the park's famous glaciers. One option is a hike to the French Valley—look up, and you'll see its famous hanging glacier overhead. Another option is a trip to Lago Grey. Here, you'll board a catamaran to Grey Glacier, a massive ice floe in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Cruise across the lake until you get close to the glacier, where you'll have fantastic views of its massive ice walls (a prime photo opportunity!). Following the boat tour, you'll take a short guided hike along a windswept beach and through the forest. Then, return to the camp in time for dinner.
Day 6: Torres del Paine Activities: Horseback Rides, Kayaking & Hiking
Day 7: Transfer to Puerto Natales, Fly to Santiago, Depart
It's time to say a bittersweet goodbye to Patagonia this morning. If you like, take one last early hike around and snap some final pictures of the skyline before breaking camp and transferring back to Puerto Natales and the airport. There, you'll board a plane back to Santiago and catch your connecting flight home. Come back soon!
More Great Patagonia Itineraries
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