How many days do you need in Santiago, the Atacama Desert & Torres del Paine?
- Most travelers spend 9-11 days in Santiago, the Atacama Desert, and Torres del Paine combined
- Visiting Santiago, the Atacama Desert, and Torres del Paine in 7 or 8 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 12 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Punta Arenas and Puerto Varas
How Many Days to Spend in Chile
Recommended Itineraries for Santiago, the Atacama Desert & Torres del Paine
Recommended Itinerary for 9 Days
| 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 | Cejar Lagoon Excursion, Ojos del Salar & Tebenquiche | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 5 | Tatio Geysers & Machuca Village | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 6 | Fly to Punta Arenas & Transfer to Torres del Paine National Park | Torres del Paine |
| Days 7-8 | Outdoor Adventures in Torres del Paine National Park | Torres del Paine |
| Day 9 | Fly to Santiago, Depart |
Explore two spectacular regions of Chile where few travelers venture on this nine-day itinerary. After checking out Santiago, you'll fly to the Atacama desert—an oasis in the driest part of the world known for geysers, salt flats, and starry skies. From here, head to Patagonia, where you'll experience Torres del Paine National Park via a range of activities while staying in a fully sustainable EcoCamp. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago de Chile, Explore | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama & Optional Activities | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 3 | Moon Valley & Half-Day Astronomic Tour | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 4 | Full-Day Atacama Desert Tour, Lagoons & Salt Flats | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 5 | El Tatio Geysers, Return to Santiago de Chile | Santiago |
| Day 6 | Fly to Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park | Torres del Paine |
| Day 7 | Torres del Paine: Trekking to the Base of the Towers | Puerto Natales |
| Day 8 | Lake Pehoé & Lake Grey | Torres del Paine |
| Day 9 | Free Day in Torres del Paine | Torres del Paine |
| Day 10 | Return to Santiago, Depart |
Experience Chile's beautiful extremes on this 10-day journey. Begin your adventure in the Atacama Desert—a region characterized by its lunar landscapes, geysers, salt flats, and starry skies. Next, head south to Patagonia to experience Torres del Paine National Park. Here, you'll enjoy an in-depth exploration of the park's natural beauty, including a hike to the base of the iconic towers and an up-close look at the majestic Grey Glacier during a boat tour. Read more
Recommended Itinerary for 11 Days
| 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
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
10-Day Itinerary Including 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 | Return to Santiago, Free Afternoon | 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 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 | Tatio Geysers & Machuca Village | 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 | Santiago |
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 & Torres del Paine
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 Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most visited places in Chile—and South America. It's close to both Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas, and you'll often travel via one or both of these cities. This five-day trip will bring you face-to-face with all the best places and is especially great to consider if you're traveling from Santiago. Read more
How to get to 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
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