Santiago, the Atacama Desert, Torres del Paine & Punta Arenas: Best Itinerary Ideas

How many days do you need in Santiago, the Atacama Desert, Torres del Paine & Punta Arenas?

• Most travelers spend 10-13 days in Santiago, Atacama Desert, Torres del Paine, and Punta Arenas combined
• Visiting Santiago, Atacama Desert, Torres del Paine, and Punta Arenas in 7 to 9 days is possible, but will feel rushed
• With 14 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
• The most common extensions are Puerto Varas, Valparaíso, and Easter Island

How Many Days to Spend in Chile

Recommended Itineraries for Santiago, the Atacama Desert, Torres del Paine & Punta Arenas

Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days

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

Extended Itineraries

13-Day Itinerary Including Easter Island

Is it possible to experience the highlights of a famously diverse and beautiful country like Chile in just under two weeks? In this instance, yes. Over 13 days, you can visit all the wonderful sites that have graced the covers of travel magazines for years. You get it all: the northern Atacama Desert, Patagonia—even the far-flung mystical island of Rapa Nui, better known as Easter Island to us foreigners. So pack a bag, get your hiking gear ready, and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime. Read more

How to travel between Santiago, Atacama Desert, Torres del Paine & Punta Arenas

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 Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is one of those places that isn't easily overseen and attracts many travelers. Except for being just a boat tour away from Magdalena Island (also called Penguin Island), Punta Arenas is also the main stop before heading to Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine. If you're traveling through Chile, then you'll most likely want to include Punta Arenas in your travel plans. 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