Spend 10 days in Chile, and you'll be glad you did: it's enough to experience some of the famously long coastlines, go wine tasting, and even venture down to the wilds of Patagonia. Or, choose to dive deep into a region—spend your entire trip in the Atacama Desert or tackle a multi-day trek in Torres del Paine. Add a week to do it all, but if you're short on time, don't worry—a few days is all you need to check out the colorful capital city and its surrounds.
Just because you only have five days in Chile doesn't mean you have to limit yourself to one destination. Pair your visit to Santiago with an active adventure in the Lake District or the Atacama Desert, a gourmet excursion to Chilean wine regions, a side trip to the colorful port city of Valparaiso, even a side trip to Easter Island. Find out how with these five unique itineraries.
With six days in Chile, you can get a taste of Santiago and spend a few days in one other region. Explore Pucón and the Araucaria forest, visit Valparaíso and Viña del Mar in Central Chile, trek through the Atacama Desert or Torres del Paine in Patagonia, or discover the ancient stones of Easter Island—all in these five itineraries below.
If you have a week to spend in Chile, take advantage of your time and visit more than one region. Beginning in Santiago, venture to the Atacama Desert for stargazing, to the Andes for skiing and snowboarding, to Chile's wine regions for food and wine tastings, or to Easter Island for hiking around the Moai. Find out how with these five unique itineraries.
With one week in Chile, you and your family can use Puerto Natales as a base to discover the impressive glaciers, mountains, and wildlife the country is famous for, or pack in the activities on a kid-friendly itinerary featuring the otherworldly landscapes of the Atacama Desert. Those seeking a more relaxed paced tour will find Santiago and Valparaíso, or Easter Island, the ideal places to stay, while nature-loving families hike, boat, and tour around Torres del Paine and Bernardo O'Higgins National Parks.
One week is enough time to visit 2-3 regions in Chile. Luxury travelers keen on culture and cuisine will enjoy a cooking class, street art, and spa treatments in Santiago. Those seeking elevated outdoor experiences will appreciate a Cochamó helicopter tour and hike, an Atacama Desert balloon ride and stargazing, or a choice of activities in Torres del Paine National Park while at the 5-star Singular Patagonia. Travelers eager to visit Easter Island can indulge in private tours and gourmet meals at Explora Rapa Nui.
In eight days, you can combine exploration of the Santiago area with one other major region—the Lake District, Atacama Desert, Patagonia, or Easter Island. Close to the capital, you can enjoy the culture of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, and wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley. For the adventurous, hiking, biking, kayaking, and wildlife tours await via the trip plans outlined below.
Nine days in Chile is enough time to pair a few days in the Santiago area (including day trips) with one or two more regions. Consider splitting your time between the capital city and the Atacama Desert, or head south from Santiago to the glaciers and wildlife of Chilean Patagonia. Active travelers can hike and bike their way through the national parks of Pucón, and those seeking adventure can hop a flight to Easter Island. Learn more in the itineraries below.
With 10 days in Chile, you can enjoy a mix of relaxation and adventure on a highlights tour of Santiago, the Lake District, and Patagonia, while those looking to tick off the famous W Trek will delight in five days on the trail hiking from one refugio to the next. Wine enthusiasts will love a slower-paced journey around the picturesque vineyards of Chile and Argentina. Or, for the hearty adventurer, head to the Atacama Desert to explore its sand dunes, salt flats, and craggy canyons.
Ten days in Chile is an excellent amount of time to discover the country's natural wonders while indulging in luxury comforts and exclusive experiences. If it's your first visit, split your time between Santiago, the Atacama Desert, and the Lake District. Or, focus on Torres del Paine National Park if you're an avid hiker. Swapping in Easter Island is a great option to uncover ancient mysteries while staying in Pucón and Puerto Varas offers a chance to delve into the Lake District's pristine landscapes.
With 10 days in Chile and Argentina, you can discover the highlights of three to four locations, like the Andean Triangle on a natural wonders and history-filled itinerary, or head to the Lake District and spend your days hiking under a picture-perfect volcano and alongside glassy lakes. Those looking to lose track of time exploring Patagonia's dramatic landscapes should opt for a trip featuring Torres del Paine National Park, while wine lovers shouldn't miss time in Mendoza and Valparaíso.
With 10 days in Chile, you can take your family on a grand adventure in the Lake District and Patagonia and fill your days with hiking, kayaking, and boat trips. Or focus on northern Chile and spend time delving into the region's natural and cultural highlights. If you have wildlife-loving kids, be sure to include time on Isla Magdalena and a visit to a Chilean ranch on your itinerary while families with budding adventurers split their time between the Atacama Desert and Torres del Paine National Park.
An 11-day visit to Chile awards you with enough time to discover a few areas per trip, with several day excursions out of Santiago, too. By anchoring your travels in the capital, you can board short, domestic flights to hop from region to region—including Patagonia, Easter Island, and the Atacama Desert—with just enough time to cross over into another country, like nearby Bolivia.
With 12 days in Chile, you can enjoy a well-rounded adventure of three regions, which range from Patagonia and the Atacama Desert to the Lake District and Easter Island. While domestic flights transport you to specific regions for several days at a time, when stationed in Santiago, you have the freedom to venture out on day trips to coastal towns, like Viña del Mar and Valparaíso, and nearby valleys, such as Casablanca and Maipo. Experience the culinary, scenic, and historical highlights of Chile in these five trip plans below.
With 13 days, you can comfortably discover four regions of Chile—with several day excursions launching from the capital city (wineries and coastal cities) and Chilean Patagonian (island wildlife tours). Quick, domestic flights keep traveling time-efficient, so you can spend more of your days enjoying the great outdoors. Explore Santiago, the Pacific Coast, Torres del Paine, the Atacama Desert, Easter Island, the Lake District, and even cross the border into Argentine Patagonia, in these five trip plan ideas.
With two weeks in Chile, you can experience the wonders of Torres del Paine and the Lake District on a classic highlights luxury tour. Or, if you're seeking a leisurely pace, swap in the Atacama Desert and Santiago's wineries. Travelers eager to take the trail less traveled without compromising on creature comforts will find the remote village of Puerto Guadal the perfect base, while active adventurers can embark on a north-to-south tour featuring epic hiking excursions and the country's finest cuisine.
With two weeks in Chile, you and your family can embark on a classic tour and discover the must-see highlights of the Atacama Desert, Easter Island, and Patagonia. Or, spend time in Santiago and Valparaíso and treat young explorers to a cultural-focused trip. Families seeking a more relaxed pace will find an itinerary incorporating sandy beaches, hot springs, and sailing excursions the ideal fit, while those who prefer keeping on the move can opt for a speedy tour around Chile's natural wonders from north to south.
If you have two weeks in Chile, you can visit a range of diverse landscapes or focus your energy on one region, like Patagonia. Explore the natural wonders of Chile, from the Atacama Desert to the glaciers of Torres del Paine National Park, take a boat tour through the Marble Caves, taste wines made at coastal wineries, and wander through the colorful streets of Valparaíso on these four unique itineraries.
In 15 days, you can see the entire country on a fast-paced expedition from San Pedro de Atacama in the north to Puerto Natales in the south, as well as Easter Island. Alternatively, skip Easter Island and cover the mainland highlights from the Atacama Desert to Torres del Paine or from tip to tail and reach Punta Arenas, the "Gateway to Antarctica." Or, stick to one region, such as Patagonia or the Lake District, for the whole duration to get a more immersive experience in one part of the country.
Chile is a large country, so it's best to focus on four regions for your 16-day trip. Active travelers can kayak on Lago Llanquihue, snorkel at Anakena Beach, and tackle a glacier hike in Torres del Paine National Park. Those who prefer a slower pace will enjoy stargazing in Atacama and soaking in the Pucón hot springs. Animal lovers can observe penguins on Isla Magdalena and spot condors at Laguna Sofia. A tour of sacred sites on Rapa Nui and a cooking class on Chiloé Island are highlights for culture enthusiasts.
