Menu
  • Santiago

    Santiago

    Surrounded by hills, energetic Santiago is the beating heart of Chile and home to 40% of its people...
  • Atacama Desert

    Atacama Desert

    Covering over 1,000km of land from the Pacific coast to the Bolivian border, the Atacama desert is home to a range of otherworldly landscapes which leave even the most world-weary travellers breathless — though the high altitude could also be to blame for that...
  • The Lakes District

    The Lakes District

    Known for its conical volcanoes and its shimmering lakes, this region of central Chile and Argentina offers accessible and easy-going hiking with spectacular views, quiet villages and a laid back pace of life...
  • Chiloé Island

    Chiloé Island

    The largest island in the Chiloé Archipelago (and the second largest in Chile), Chiloé Island is a must-visit for many tourists travelling to Chile’s beautiful Lake District region...
  • Puerto Natales

    Puerto Natales

    This small fishing town has been transformed in recent decades into a hikers’ paradise — popular shopping includes Gore-Tex and trail mix — thanks in large part to nearby Torres del Paine National Park...
  • Torres del Paine National Park

    Torres del Paine National Park

    Tucked away in the southernmost corner of Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of place...
  • Santiago

    Santiago

    Surrounded by hills, energetic Santiago is the beating heart of Chile and home to 40% of its people...

Experience the very best of Chile in just two weeks. From Santiago, take a trip to the Atacama Desert and spend a few days exploring the area. From here head south to the scenic Lakes District, then on to Chiloé Island and the classic city of Ancud before arriving in Puerto Natales, the gateway to spectacular Patagonia. Spend a few days enjoying easy-going hikes and guided activities in Torres del Paine before heading back to Santiago.

Key information

Destinations Patagonia, Chile
Activity Family, Nature & Wildlife, Culture
Physical Level Easy
Season Season January - December

Suggested itinerary

Get to know Chile’s lively capital city

Get to know Chile’s lively capital city

Day 1–2 in Santiago

Surrounded by hills, energetic Santiago is the beating heart of Chile and home to 40% of its people. The best way to explore Santiago is simply by strolling around its unique neighbourhoods, starting with the museum, malls and architecture of the Centro.

Don't miss

Climb San Cristobal Hill in Santiago

Climb San Cristobal Hill in Santiago

Take the cable car or walk up to San Cristobal Hill for a stunning panorama of the city. It’s a great way to see the city before going on to explore its vibrant street art, galleries, beautiful parks and colonial architecture up close, perhaps via a bike tour. Look out for Plaza de Armas and La Moneda Presidential Palace.

Explore Atacama’s otherworldly landscapes

Explore Atacama’s otherworldly landscapes

Day 3–5 in Atacama Desert

Covering over 1,000km of land from the Pacific coast to the Bolivian border, the Atacama desert is home to a range of otherworldly landscapes which leave even the most world-weary travellers breathless — though the high altitude could also be to blame for that. The region is a photographer’s dream, with seemingly endless salt flats giving way to volcanos, active geysers and vibrant turquoise lagoons filled with flamingos. Don’t miss a sunset (or sunrise) in the appropriately named Valle de la Luna, which is only 11 miles from the small town of San Pedro de Atacama.

Marvel at snowcapped volcanoes in the Lakes District

Marvel at snowcapped volcanoes in the Lakes District

Day 6–8 in The Lakes District

Known for its conical volcanoes and its shimmering lakes, this region of central Chile and Argentina offers accessible and easy-going hiking with spectacular views, quiet villages and a laid back pace of life. The region was the former home to the Mapuche people, who managed to fight off both the Incas and Spanish colonialists for 350 years before finally falling to the Chilean Army in the 1880s. Over the following century, Swiss, Austrian and German settlers transformed the area, influencing the architecture and cuisine of towns like Argentina’s Bariloche and Chile’s Puerto Varas, where tourists can visit quaint Swiss-style chocolate shops before enjoying a day of hiking or kayaking on a nearby lake.

Step back in time on Chiloé Island

Step back in time on Chiloé Island

Day 9–10 in Chiloé Island

The largest island in the Chiloé Archipelago (and the second largest in Chile), Chiloé Island is a must-visit for many tourists travelling to Chile’s beautiful Lake District region. With wild, mountainous national parks and dense forests, the island is a favourite amongst outdoor enthusiasts, but it has much more to offer than just untouched nature. Home to the seafaring Chilote people, the island has its own unique folklore and cuisine, with unique UNESCO-listed wooden churches and charming palafitos – colourfully painted houses perched on stilts over the water.

Visit hiking paradise Puerto Natales

Visit hiking paradise Puerto Natales

Day 11 in Puerto Natales

This small fishing town has been transformed in recent decades into a hikers’ paradise — popular shopping includes Gore-Tex and trail mix — thanks in large part to nearby Torres del Paine National Park. Head to one of the many cosy corrugated-tin hostels, drop off your suitcase and get hiking in Chile’s most iconic national park, or join a boat tour of the Patagonian fjords.

Hike “the W” in Torres del Paine

Hike “the W” in Torres del Paine

Day 12–15 in Torres del Paine National Park

Tucked away in the southernmost corner of Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of place.

The national park merits its reputation as a world-renowned hiking destination. It brims with classic routes with postcard vistas and lesser-known trails for solitude seekers. The hiking here ranges from easy to challenging, from short day hikes to long circuits of up to ten days.

There are many ways to experience Torres del Paine. Shoestring-budget backpackers rough it at campsites or in simple dorm-style refugios, packing in all their own food and gear. Mid-range travellers seek the convenience of a guided and fully supported adventure, as well as the company of a small group. Luxury travellers indulge in upscale resorts that offer private, tailored excursions into nature. There’s really something for everyone in the park.

Return to Santiago and depart

Return to Santiago and depart

Day 16 in Santiago

Head back to Santiago for your onward departure.

Other itineraries you might like

Argentina, Chile

Cross-border Patagonia

The wilds of Patagonia

Approx. 11 days
South America, Antarctica

Chilean Patagonia To Antarctica Cruise

Patagonia Fjords & Antarctica itinerary

Approx. 18 days
South America, Antarctica

Antarctica Cruise from Chile Itinerary

19-day cruise from Chile to Antarctica

Approx. 19 days
Patagonia, Argentina, Chile

Argentina & Chile Explorer

The best of Patagonia and the Lake District

Approx. 10 days
Patagonia, Chile

Chile Fjord Cruise

Glacial lakes and mountains

Approx. 13 days
Patagonia, Chile

Classic Chile

Otherworldy scenery, vineyards and lively Santiago

Approx. 14 days

Why Horizon Guides?

Impartial guidebooks

Impartial travel guides

Our guides are written by the leading experts in their destinations. We never take payment for positive coverage so you can count on us for impartial travel advice.

Expert itineraries

Expert itineraries

Suggested itineraries and routes to help you scratch beneath the surface, avoid the tourist traps, and plan an authentic, responsible and enjoyable journey.

Specialist advice

Specialist advice

Get friendly, expert travel advice and custom itineraries from some of the world's best tour operators, with no spam, pressure or commitment to book.