Compare Chile & Patagonia Highlights by Vaya Adventures vs Best of Chile from Atacama to Patagonia 2022 Classic Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1: Arrive to Santiago

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Lastarria Boutique Hotel

Arrive to Santiago. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, located in a great area of the pleasant Lastarria neighborhood, one of the best areas of Santiago for walking around.

Day 2: Santiago / Optional Day Excursions

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Lastarria Boutique Hotel

You have a half day privately guided city tour, visiting the colonial and modern highlights, and taking a visit to the Parque Metropolitano (Cerro San Cristobal), where you’ll have a spectacular view from a hilltop of the entire city.  You have dinner on your own at one of Santiago’s great restaurants. (Private day tours down to the coast to visit the colorful port city of Valparaiso, or Pablo Neruda’s house at Isla Negra, or down to the wine country just an hour south of Santiago can also be arranged, either on this day or as an additional day; please inquire if interested.  Overnight multi-day extensions to the wine country and coast can also be arranged as part of this tour.)

Day 3: Fly to Punta Arenas / Puerto Natales

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Weskar Patagonian Lodge

Fly to Punta Arenas, located on the Strait of Magellan. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred north to the small fishing town of Puerto Natales (3 hour drive). Located on the beautiful Last Hope Sound, Puerto Natales is where you will start your trip the following morning into Torres del Paine National Park.  (Note: we can arrange a visit by zodiac out to Isla Magdalena to see the Magellanic Penguin colony; this requires spending the night in Punta Arenas; please inquire if interested.)

Day 4: Catamaran to Balmaceda Glacier / Zodiac into Torres del Paine

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Tierra Patagonia

You start the day with a catamaran trip across the Last Hope Sound to Balmaceda glacier, where you will disembark and have the chance to explore the area on foot. Afterwards, you will continue by zodiac into Torres del Paine.  This is an exceptional and much less commonly traveled way into the Park.  Upon arrival in the Park you will be met for transfer to your lodge for overnight, the unique Ecocamp (first class individual domes with private baths and heat, all the comforts of a hotel but smaller, and with the feel of being closer to the wilderness).

Day 5: Torres del Paine National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Tierra Patagonia

Your stay at the Ecocamp includes guided excursions each day.  Each day there is an option between the active (generally trekking) option and an easier going, less active option.  On the easier going option, there will be opportunities for walking in highlight areas of the Park, but nothing strenuous.  On the active excursions, you will be able to trek for many hours.  You will be able to discuss the options with the guides and staff at the Ecocamp so that you can plan your trip according to your interests.  The excursions run on a fixed schedule every week, so if you want to see as much of the Park as possible, you can also add another night or nights.

Day 6: Torres del Paine National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Tierra Patagonia

Exploring Torres del Paine National Park from the Ecocamp.

Day 7: Torres del Paine National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Tierra Patagonia

Exploring Torres del Paine National Park from the Ecocamp.

Day 8: Depart for Home

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning you will be transferred back to Punta Arenas for your flight back to Santiago where you can connect with your international flight home.  (We can also arrange any extensions to other parts of Chile that you might be interested in, such as the Lake District or Wine Country, or connect this trip with Argentine Patagonia, finishing in Buenos Aires.)

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago

Welcome to Santiago. A picturesque city back dropped by the spectacular, snow-capped Andes, it offers a metropolitan world of museums, top restaurants and historic finds. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening meet your Travel Director and fellow guests at the hotel and enjoy a Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: Valparaiso and the Casablanca Wine Country

Begin your day with a visit to the coastal city of Valparaiso. Explore the UNESCO protected site with a Local Expert as you discover its church-dotted hillsides and unique ampitheatre-like layout.After lunch, visit the Kingston Family Vineyard for a private wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley. Recognised as one of the best wineries in Chile, its varieties have been featured on the wine lists of top restaurants including Aureole in New York.The evening is yours at leisure to relax or have a night out on the town.

Day 3: On to Atacama

Take a transfer to the airport for your flight to Calama, a city based in the Atacama Desert. On arrival you'll head to San Pedro.You’ll then be driven to the Moon Valley for a guided visit. A nod to its name, this moon-like area is made up of dunes, caves and caverns. Learn more about its history and the land formations from a Local Expert.

Day 4: Explore Atacama

This morning, take a guided visit to the Atacama Geysers known as El Tatio Geysers, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Located in the Andes Mountains, you'll be 14,170 feet (4,230 metres) above sea level. Enjoy a visit to the Puritama Hotsprings before taking a scenic drive back to your hotel.

Day 5: Atacama Salt Flats

Explore the Atacama Salt Flats, the largest in Chile. One of the driest parts of the world, the area stretches for over 40,000 square miles (103,600 kilometres). Keep your eyes open for species of wild birds including the Andean and James flamingos on the shores of the Chaxa, Miscanti and Minque Lagoons. This afternoon, make your way to Toconao, a traditional colonial village known for is volcanic rock architecture. Take a stroll through the main square and visit the handicraft stands that sell alpaca textiles.

Day 6: Atacama to Santiago

Wake up for your transfer and flight back to Santiago.Enjoy lunch at El Galeon restaurant, located in the heart of the Central Market.Continue to the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral, traveling to the heart of the city along the famous Alameda, Santiago's vibrant main avenue. Continue your tour by crossing the Mapocho River to reach the bohemian Bellavista district on your way to the San Cristobal Hill.

Day 7: On to Puerto Natales

Fly to Punta Arenas where you'll then drive to Puerto Natales, a port city, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and starting point for explorers in search of the Patagonian fjords. This afternoon, you’ll have leisure time in the day to rest and rejuvenate before heading to dinner.Famous for its spiced meat and seafood dishes, tonight's meal will have you savouring typical Patagonian dishes.

Day 8: Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers Excursion

Wake for a scenic breakfast before starting your day. Torres del Paine National Park boasts jaw-dropping landscapes filled with turquoise lagoons, glaciers, and towering granite horns. Head out on a Balmaceda & Serrano Glacier Cruise to view these majestic ice formations. On return, the rest of your day is at leisure.

Day 9: Torres del Paine National Park

Join your local expert on an excursion of the Torres del Paine National Park. Situated in Chile's Patagonia region, this park is famous for its glaciers, grasslands, imposing mountains and the three granite towers it is named after.This afternoon, explore Torres del Paine with Insight Choice. Choose to join a Patagonian Ranch Cultural Experience and learn about the baqueano (cowboy) way of life. During your time with them, you will learn about their special clothing, saddles and other horse tack. You'll also be shown how to properly saddle a horse, nail a horseshoe and of course how to ride. Alternatively, choose to join a tour of the region's oldest gardens at Resrva Cerro Paine which produces seasonal fruits and vegetables using bio-intensive sustainable methods.Tonight, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you enjoy dinner at your hotel. All the ingredients are produced onsite utilizing sustainable farming techniques.

Day 10: Sightseeing in Torres del Paine

Today you'll spend the day sightseeing in Torres del Paine as you keep a look out for the park's guanacos, a rare creature similar to the llama, as well as Andean condors. Witness the sharp peaks of Cuernos del Paine and marvel at the emerald waters of the park’s lakes. These include Dickson Lake, Lake Pehoé, Sarmiento Lake, Del Toro Lake and Nordenskjöld Lake.After a day exploring, join your Travel Director and new friends as you toast to your travels at a Celebration Dinner with wine.

Day 11: Back to Santiago

It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your trip comes to an end. Head to Punta Arenas where you'll fly to Santiago International Airport for your flight home.