How many days do you need in Santiago & the Atacama Desert?
- Most travelers spend 7-8 days in Santiago and the Atacama Desert combined
- Visiting Santiago and the Atacama Desert in 4 to 6 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 9 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Torres del Paine, Valparaíso, and Puerto Varas
How Many Days to Spend in Chile
Recommended Itineraries for Santiago & the Atacama Desert
Recommended Itinerary for 1 Week
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago, Guided City Tour | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Valparaíso, Wine & City Tour | Santiago |
| Day 3 | Maipo Valley Full-Day Tour | Santiago |
| Day 4 | Fly to Calama & Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 5 | Full-Day Atacama Desert Tour, Lagoons & Salt Flats | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 6 | Tatio Geysers & Machuca Village | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 7 | Return to Santiago, Depart |
This week-long itinerary allows you to experience the major cities and wine regions of central Chile as well as the arid desert landscapes in the country's north. First, you'll arrive in Santiago and take a city tour before discovering the nearby wilderness and wine country. Then it's a trip to the coastal seaport and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Valparaíso. Afterward, you'll jet off to the Atacama Desert in the north, where you'll visit the indigenous villages, geysers, painted mountains, salt flats, and lunar landscapes for which the region is deservedly famous. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 8 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago de Chile, Explore | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Santiago City Tour | Santiago |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Valparaíso, Wine & City Tour | Santiago |
| Day 4 | Maipo Valley Full-Day Tour | Santiago |
| Day 5 | Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama via Calama & Stargazing Tour | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 6 | Atacama Desert Tour: Lagoons & Salt Flats | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 7 | Explore Yerbas Buenas, Rainbow Valley, Moon & Death Valley | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 8 | Return to Santiago via El Tatio Geysers, Depart |
This itinerary allows you to experience the major cities and wine regions of central Chile as well as the arid desert landscapes in the country's north. First, you'll arrive in Santiago and take a city tour before discovering the nearby wilderness and wine country. Then it's a trip to the coastal seaport and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Valparaíso. Afterward, you'll jet off to the Atacama Desert in the north, where you'll visit the Indigenous villages, geysers, painted mountains, salt flats, and lunar landscapes for which the region is deservedly famous. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
10-Day Itinerary Including Torres del Paine & Punta Arenas
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago de Chile, Explore | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama & Stargazing Tour | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 3 | Full-Day Atacama Desert Tour, Lagoons & Salt Flats | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 4 | Tatio Geysers & Machuca Village | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 5 | Return to Santiago, Free Afternoon | Santiago |
| Day 6 | Fly to Punta Arenas, Optional Activities | Punta Arenas |
| Day 7 | Magdalena Penguin Colony, Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park | Torres del Paine |
| Days 8-9 | Tour Options in Torres del Paine National Park | Torres del Paine |
| Day 10 | Return to Punta Arenas, Depart | Santiago |
Explore regions on both ends of Chile's latitudinal spectrum with this 10-day itinerary. After getting a taste of Santiago, fly north to the Atacama desert—an oasis in the driest part of the world known for geysers, moonscapes, and starry skies. Then fly all the way south to Patagonia's Punta Arenas, where you'll meet a penguin colony before finishing in Torres del Paine National Park for a range of activities and wildlife viewing. Read more
11-Day Itinerary Including Torres del Paine
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago, Free Afternoon | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Fly to San Pedro de Atacama & Stargazing in the Desert | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 3 | E-Bike through the Salt Mountain Range & Buggy Safari | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 4 | Sunrise at Tatio Geysers & Valley of the Moon Tour | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 5 | Hike the Summit of Toco Mount | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 6 | Fly to Puerto Natales via Santiago | Puerto Natales |
| Day 7 | Hike in Torres del Paine National Park | Puerto Natales |
| Day 8 | Rock Climbing in Patagonia | Puerto Natales |
| Day 9 | Cross Torres del Paine from End to End | Puerto Natales |
| Day 10 | Trek to the Peak of Mount Ferrier | Puerto Natales |
| Day 11 | Return to Santiago, Depart |
Explore some of South America's most astonishing landscapes on this 11-day nature tour of Chile. First, head north to Atacama to ride e-bikes and buggies through the desert, watch the sunrise over steaming geysers, and gaze at stars through powerful telescopes. Then, go south to the glacial terrain of Patagonia to spend several days climbing and hiking through lakes, forests, and peaks in Torres del Paine National Park. Read more
11-Day Itinerary Including Torres del Paine & Puerto Varas
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago de Chile, Explore | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama & Stargazing Tour | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 3 | Cejar Lagoon Excursion, Ojos del Salar & Tebenquiche | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 4 | Tatio Geysers & Machuca Village | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Puerto Varas, Guided Tour & Petrohue Waterfalls | Puerto Varas |
| Day 6 | Osorno Volcano & Petrohué Falls | Puerto Varas |
| Day 7 | Day Trip to Chiloé | Puerto Varas |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Puerto Natales, Explore | Puerto Natales |
| Day 9 | Exploring the Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers | Puerto Natales |
| Day 10 | Torres del Paine Day Tour | Puerto Natales |
| Day 11 | Return to Santiago, Depart |
Travelers flock to Chile from all over the world to visit three principal regions, and this 11-day itinerary has all of them covered. First, it's a trip to the north of the country and the Atacama Desert, where you'll do some stargazing and tour the otherworldly landscapes. Then it's a flight to the southern Lake District and its enormous lakes, wild rivers, and snowcapped volcanoes. Finally, you'll end up in the far south, in Patagonia, where you'll spend a day exploring the most famous national park in the country: Torres del Paine. Read more
How to travel between Santiago & the Atacama Desert
How to get to Santiago de Chile
Santiago is one of the most visited cities in Chile and in South America. Depending on where you're coming from, the city may be best reached by car, plane, and sometimes by bus. Read more
How to get to the Atacama
The Atacama Desert, or San Pedro de Atacama, is known for its majestic desert located in the north of Chile, close to Antofagasta. Read more
Map
