Santiago, Atacama Desert & Marble Caves Adventure- 10 Days

Highlights

• Taste Chilean specialties at a private chef's home in Santiago
• See flamingoes in their natural habitat at Los Flamencos National Reserve
• Witness the cosmos at the Ahlarkapin Observatory in the Atacama Desert
• Sip whisky over a chunk of glacier ice on a Patagonian cruise

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, City Tour & Chilean Dinner

Welcome to Chile! You'll land in the mountain-wrapped capital of Santiago, where a private driver will be waiting to whisk you to your hotel for the night. Drop off your bags, take a minute to freshen up, and hit the ground running with a 3.5-hour tour of the city, starting at its beating heart, Mercado Central. You'll get the chance to interact with locals, both suppliers and buyers, while sampling tidbits of local ingredients, like exotic fruit, along the way. 

Next, take a stroll around the historic Plaza de Armas, founded in 1541 by Pedro de Gamboa and flanked by the Catedral Metropolitana. After ogling its impressive neoclassical bell towers, head for a bird's-eye view of the cityscape at Cerro Santa Lucía. End your first night in Santiago with a culinary experience to remember. You'll have the chance to step inside a local chef's home where a gourmet Chilean dinner will be cooked right in front of you. Paired with regional wine—and the potential for traditional music—this will truly be a memorable evening.

Day 2: Day Trip to Viña del Mar & Valparaíso

Leave the capital behind today for a day trip to Chile's Pacific coast. Your first stop is Viña del Mar, a ritzy resort town that owes its modern facade to the numerous earthquakes that rocked its shores, resulting in the need to rebuild. Still, some remnants of the 20th century remain, including the Germanic Wulff Castle, overlooking the sea, and the Quinta Vergara, a Venetian-Gothic palace that was once the home of Viña del Mar's founder. After exploring, settle into one of the oceanfront restaurants for specialties like caldillo de congrio (sea eel soup).

Before you know it, you'll arrive in Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and irresistible artsy enclave that's best known for its colorful architecture. Navigate the hills by hopping on the electric trolley, which connects the grand Plaza Sotomayor to Plaza Aníbal Pinto, before one final push upward on the Reina Victoria Funicular. From here, you can gradually explore the kaleidoscopic neighborhoods of Cerro Alegre, Cerro Florida, and Cerro Concepción, dotted with steeples and cobbled squares. La Sebastiana, once the home of Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, is a must-see.

Day 3: Fly to San Pedro de Atacama, Free Time to Explore

It's a new day and a new region of Chile to explore! A driver will be waiting to take you to the airport for your two-hour flight to the town of Calama. This is just a stopping point as you meet your private driver for another 1.5-hour drive to San Pedro de Atacama, the base for exploring the Atacama Desert. Along the way, you'll witness your first glimpses of this fascinating landscape, from salt flats and snowcapped Andean peaks to the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon) with its terracotta-hued terrain and whimsical rock formations. 

Spend the rest of the day however you wish, whether you want to relax after a long journey or go exploring. You can walk across the entire village in just 15 minutes, but there are plenty of things to see if you do venture out. Admire the adobe-style homes and traces of traditional Atacameño culture, and pop into the second-oldest church in Chile at the Church of San Pedro de Atacama. Built in the 16th century, this whitewashed chapel sits in the center of town. The Meteorite Museum offers visitors the chance to touch the stars, with information about the origins of the solar system and real meteorites on display.

Day 4: Atacama Desert Excursion

Today is all about exploring the Atacama Desert. Grab breakfast and meet your guide to head to your first destination of the day, Laguna Chaxa. Situated in the Salar de Atacama, the largest salt flat in Chile and one of the driest places in the world, this saltwater lagoon is an important habitat for flamingoes, protected by the nearby Los Flamencos National Park. Set against the stark, indigo blue of the lagoon and surrounded by snowy peaks, the flamingoes vibrant pink feathers are a photographer's dream.

Stop for lunch in the traditional adobe town of Socaire—and be sure to drink plenty of fluids—because you're headed to the high-altitude lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, situated at a dizzying 13,779 feet (4,199 m) in elevation. You'll enjoy panoramic views before heading back down to the oasis village of Toconao. Known for cultivating fruits and vegetables, despite its location in the driest desert on earth, Toconao has been settled for more than 12,000 years. Stroll the town's charming streets in search of handicraft souvenirs and admire the quaint three-story bell tower at its heart.

Day 5: Explore the Tatio Geysers

Rise and shine bright and early this morning; you'll need to wake before the sun rises to witness one of the Atacama Desert's most fascinating sights. Bundle up in warm clothes and join your driver for the 1.5-hour transfer to the Geysers del Tatio, the world's highest geomagnetic field, dotted with volcanic geysers. Perched at 14,173 feet (4,320 m), this is also the third-largest geyser field in the world. 

The benefit of arriving before sunrise is that you'll see the steam rising from these volcanic vents into the sky. Activity here also happens to peak between the hours of 5:30 and 7:30 am, with torrents of geothermal water shooting into the air over 32 feet (10 m) at times. But statistics aside, this ethereal landscape is enchanting. You'll get to savor a scenic breakfast before heading back to San Pedro de Atacama, spotting llamas and flamingoes along the way. Spend the rest of the day however you like, resting after your early morning or continuing to explore the town.

Day 6: Valle de la Luna & Stargazing Excursion

It's your last full day in the Atacama Desert, and you're going out with a bang with two different tours that showcase the beauty of this region of Chile. Just outside of San Pedro de Atacama, head for the Valle de la Luna first. You'll explore these lunar landscapes in the afternoon, starting with the Cordillera de la Sal. Witness the "Salt Mountains" interesting topography, including Las Tres Marias, a unique geologic formation created by millions of years of erosion. Watch as these landscapes come alive with color as the sunset paints the desert in shades of ocher and vermilion.

The Atacama Desert is one of the best places in the world to go stargazing, and the party is just getting started as darkness falls. This region's distinct combination of high altitude, arid climate, and lack of light pollution make it the perfect spot for a high-powered telescope. You'll pay a visit to the Ahlarkapin Observatory, learning more about what the stars meant to the Atacama people, the science of astrology, and looking at the cosmos through one of the largest private telescopes in the world.

Day 7: Fly to Balmaceda, Transfer to Puerto Río Tranquilo

Wave goodbye to the rugged scenery of the Atacama Desert this morning as you trade its dry landscapes for the temperate climate of Chilean Patagonia. A private driver will be waiting to drive you one hour back to the airport in Calama to catch your flight to Balmaceda. It will be a long travel day, with a layover in Santiago, but before you know it, you'll land in this Patagonian paradise and tiny village of just 500 people.

After stepping off the plane, you'll meet your driver for a four-hour journey by car to Puerto Río Tranquilo. Tucked along the dazzling blue Lago General Carrera, you'll call this waterfront village home for the next three nights. On your approach, you'll drive along the Río Murta with its basaltic lava flows and into the Cerro Castillo National Park with its ancient Nothofagus forest, lagoons, and snowy peaks. This scenery is just a taste of what you can expect over the next few days.

Day 8: Capillas de Mármol Kayaking Excursion

Most visitors stay in Puerto Río Tranquilo solely to explore the Capillas de Mármol. Also known in English as the Marble Caves, that's exactly where you'll spend your first day in Patagonia. Hop in a kayak with your guide to get an up-close look at these colorful rock formations that rise straight out of the turquoise water of Lago General Carrera. 

You'll paddle into the Catedral de Mármol, the inner chamber where water and wind have eroded these marble deposits over thousands of years. Resembling waves of undulating rock in shades of turquoise, pale green, and gray, you'll explore the nooks and crannies of the cave system, rock overhangs, megalithic fissures, and archways with a local guide. The glacial water below gives these geologic formations their magnificent glow. As you paddle your way along the shoreline, you'll also see marble islands seemingly set adrift in the lake.

Day 9: Tour of San Rafael National Park

It's your last full day in Chile, and you'll go out with a bang, exploring the Bahía Exploradores. Located 53 miles (86 km) west of Puerto Río Tranquilo, this region of Patagonia is a vast network of fjords, glacial streams, and rivers that crisscross the rugged landscapes. Situated at the confluence of the Exploradores, Oscuro, and La Teresa rivers, this area is also rich in wildlife like pudus (the world's smallest deer) and pumas. Board a boat that will make its way to the Laguna San Rafael, a two-hour journey through the Laguna San Rafael National Park.

Enjoy breakfast on board as you cruise down the Río Exploradores delta before arriving at the lagoon and the San Rafael Glacier. You'll see mammoth chunks of floating ice, bobbing up and down in the lagoon, that have sheared off from the glacier. Animals can also be spotted along the way, including otters, sea lions, and condors. Celebrate your excursion with a box lunch and an afternoon glass of whisky, served over a chunk of ice straight from the glacier, before returning back to Puerto Río Tranquilo later in the afternoon.

Day 10: Fly to Santiago, Depart 

Wave farewell to Chilean Patagonia today as you ascend into the clouds on a 2.5-hour flight back to Santiago, where you'll connect with your departing flight. Viajes seguros! Safe travels!

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