Ultimate Chilean Adventure - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, Half-Day City Tour

Welcome to Chile's lively capital, Santiago! The city offers a dynamic blend of history, culture, and modernity set against the backdrop of the Andes mountains. Meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel to check in and get ready for a city tour. Start at Mercado Central to wander the aisles, engage with vendors, and sample traditional Chilean dishes like ceviche, empanadas, and grilled fish, all prepared with the freshest ingredients.

Then, head to Plaza de Armas, a lively plaza surrounded by the Museo Histórico Nacional (National Museum of History), Correo Central (Central Post Office), and Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral), a neoclassical church with imposing columns, twin bell towers, and arched windows. Your last stop is either Cerro Santa Lucía or Cerro San Cristóbal, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city's urban sprawl, historic architecture, and landmarks like Gran Torre Santiago, Latin America's tallest building.

Day 2: Day Trip to Viña del Mar & Valparaíso

Set off on a full-day tour of Chile's Pacific coast this morning, starting with a 1.5-hour transfer to Viña del Mar, a resort city teeming with shopping complexes, commercial high-rises, boutiques, and well-manicured gardens. The city's modern image is the result of reconstruction efforts following the numerous earthquakes the Chilean coast has endured over the years, but you can still find 20th-century landmarks, like Palacio Vergara and Castillo Wulff, here. Sit down for a seaside lunch at one of the many upscale restaurants before continuing to the neighboring city of Valparaíso.

Discover the colorful city's old plazas of Sotomayor and Aníbal Pinto before taking a ride on the Ascensor Reina Victoria, a historic funicular built in 1902. Go from the lower streets of the bustling city to the hilly neighborhoods of Cerro Concepción, Cerro Alegre, and Cerro Florida. On Cerro Bellavista, you'll find La Sebastiana, a museum that was once the home of the famed Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. After enjoying one last look at the vibrant houses and shimmering Pacific Ocean, transfer back to your hotel in Santiago.

Day 3: Fly to Punta Arenas, Enjoy a Free Afternoon

Say goodbye to Santiago this morning as you transfer to the airport for a 3.5-hour flight to Punta Arenas, the southernmost city in Chile. Located along the shores of the Strait of Magellan, this windswept port city is known as the gateway to Patagonia and Antarctica. When you arrive, meet your driver outside the airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish, so if you want to go sightseeing, a good place to start is Mirador Cerro de la Cruz for panoramic views of the city. 

Just a short walk from the city center, this scenic viewpoint provides an unmatched outlook over the city's colorful rooftops, the vast expanse of the Strait of Magellan, and, on clear days, even the distant shores of Tierra del Fuego. Continue to Plaza de Armas, a bustling square surrounded by important landmarks, like the Monumento Hernando De Magallanes, which honors the famous explorer, and the Catedral de Punta Arenas. Admire the cathedral's mix of colonial and neoclassical architecture, then step inside to see the intricate stained glass windows that cast colorful light across the space. 

Day 4: Visit the Penguin Colony on Isla Magdalena 

Wake up bright and early for a transfer to a pier on the Strait of Magellan for a 1.5-hour boat ride to Isla Magdalena. This small island is home to one of Chile's largest colonies of Magellanic penguins, with up to 170,000 of these charismatic birds nesting there. When you arrive, disembark and spend one hour on shore, where you can walk along designated paths to an old lighthouse that offers sweeping views of the strait. Along the way, you'll get a close-up look at the penguins waddling around their burrows, building their nests, and preening their feathers.

Keep an eye on the waters as well, as you may spot penguins swimming or diving to catch fish. Besides penguins, you can spot other wildlife, such as seagulls and cormorants. Depending on weather conditions, you may pass Isla Marta on your way back to the mainland to see the resident South American sea lions on the rocky shores. You can often watch these playful animals basking in the sun, swimming in the strait, or engaging in social interactions with each other. After returning to your hotel in Punta Arenas, the rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish.

Day 5: Hike in the Reserva Nacional Magallanes, Bus to Puerto Natales

Start your day with an active adventure as you make your way to the Reserva Nacional Magallanes, a vast reserve that protects native species of lenga and coigue trees just 15 minutes outside of the city. You'll get a close-up look at some of these trees as you set off on a self-guided hike along the 2.2-mile (3.6 km) Circuito Las Lengas. The trail is relatively flat and easy, so you can enjoy views of the Strait of Magellan, rolling hills, and distant snowcapped peaks as you walk. You may also see wildlife like foxes, guanacos, chinchillas, and bird species, including the Andean condor.

After the hike, transfer to the bus station for a three-hour ride to Puerto Natales, a charming town set along the shores of the Última Esperanza Sound. Upon arrival, a driver will take you to your hotel for check in and some free time to relax or explore the city. You can go for a stroll along the waterfront promenade for a better look at the towering peaks and calm waters of the fjord. The promenade is dotted with benches where you can sit and take in the peaceful scenery. When you get hungry, visit a local restaurant to try Patagonian cuisine, like cordero Patagónico (slow-roasted lamb).

Day 6: Full-Day Tour of Torres del Paine National Park & Surroundings

Puerto Natales is known as the gateway to the iconic Torres del Paine National Park, which you'll visit today. On the 1-2-hour transfer to this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, you'll pass Silla del Diablo, an armchair-like rock formation, and stop at Cueva del Mylodon. Inside the series of impressive caves, you'll find a life-sized replica of a mylodon, a giant herbivore that became extinct in the late Pleistocene era. Back in the car, pass rolling hills, shimmering lagoons, and towering peaks before arriving at the national park.

Head straight to Mirador Lago Grey for panoramic views of Grey Glacier, the Paine Massif mountain range, and Lago Toro in the distance. A couple of miles farther on, you'll see Cuernos del Paine, iconic granite peaks named for their distinctive horn-like shape. From here, you'll enjoy a leisurely walk around Lago Grey, and if the weather permits, you'll stop at the Mirador del Península Grey for uninterrupted views of the lake.

After the trek, enjoy a break and picnic lunch in the park before continuing to Salto Grande, a dramatic cascade where the Río Paine flows swiftly over a series of rocky cliffs. Then, make your way to Mirador Lago Nordenskjöld and take in views of the turquoise waters and surrounding peaks. Your last stop is Laguna Amarga, a striking lagoon known for its captivating shades of blue and green. After admiring the picturesque scene, return to Puerto Natales for the night, passing by Mirador Lago Sarmiento on the way back.

Day 7: Horseback Ride or Nature Walk at a Patagonian Ranch

Hop on a boat and enjoy a scenic 30-minute ride along the Última Esperanza Sound to get to a beautiful Patagonian ranch. As the boat glides over the calm, azure waters, you'll be surrounded by towering cliffs and dramatic mountain scenery, with glaciers shimmering in the distance. When you arrive at the ranch, enjoy a hot cup of coffee before choosing between a horseback ride, a nature walk with bird-watching, or simply relaxing in the ranch.

If you choose a horseback ride, you'll follow an experienced wrangler along the scenic trails, allowing you to take in panoramic views of rolling hills, vibrant wildflowers, and crystal-clear rivers. You may also spot glimpses of local wildlife, such as guanacos or condors soaring above. Those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground can enjoy similar views with a better chance of seeing colorful birds. Keep your eyes peeled for the Magellanic woodpecker, Chilean flamingoes, or the elusive Patagonian snipe. Around midday, return to Puerto Natales by boat and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.

Day 8: Fly to Puerto Montt, Transfer to Puerto Varas, Explore at Leisure

Day 9: Day Trip to Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales

Spend the day exploring Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales, nestled between the Andes mountains and the pristine waters of Lago Todos los Santos just 45 minutes outside of the city. The scenic drive will take you through lush forests as you ascend 4,068 feet (1,240 m) above sea level to the Volcán Osorno Centro de Ski y Montaña. The ski center provides uninterrupted views of the sparkling lake, Volcan Calbuco, and even the Pacific Ocean in the distance. After spending an hour enjoying the sights, take a ride on the Estación Primavera or Estación Glaciar for more awe-inspiring views.

Then, head to Petrohué to wander through an evergreen forest that offers glimpses of Volcan Osorno and the turquoise Río Petrohué. As you walk, you'll come across the Saltos del Río Petrohué, a series of waterfalls cascading over crystallized lava that's been around for centuries. End the tour with a boat cruise across Lago Todos Los Santos, surrounded by pristine forests, mountains, and volcanoes. Keep an eye out for birds, like ducks, herons, and condors flying overhead, or mammals, such as deer and the elusive fox, in the surrounding forest before transferring back to your hotel.

Day 10: Kayak Excursion on Lago Llanquihue

Your penultimate day in Chile takes you on a half-day kayaking excursion on a hidden lagoon. Start with a 15-minute transfer to the calm waters of Lago Llanquihue, where you can board your kayak and start paddling. You'll be treated to panoramic views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes rising in the distance, their snowcapped peak reflecting on the lake's surface. Along the shoreline, you may see small towns, lush forests, and an array of birdlife, including swans and ducks. After two hours on the water, transfer back to the city and enjoy a free afternoon. 

Day 11: Fly to Santiago, Depart

Bid farewell to the Lake District today as your driver drops you off at the airport in Puerto Montt for the 1.5-hour flight back to Santiago, where you can catch your onward flight home. If you have a window seat, you'll get one last look at Lago Llanquihue and the surrounding volcanoes when you take off. As you approach Santiago, the landscape transitions into the arid foothills of the Andes, where snowcapped peaks dominate the horizon. Safe travels!