Active Chile: Andean Skiing and Atacama Desert Adventures
12 days from £7,250
Explore the tour day by day, from the highlights to the quieter moments in between. Here’s how each day unfolds and what to expect along the way.
Upon arrival in Chile’s capital Santiago, you’ll be taken by private transfer to your comfortable hotel in Vitacura on the city’s outskirts. The afternoon is free to settle in and enjoy the hotel facilities. You may explore the city at your leisure or we can organise an optional walking tour upon request.
Hotel Bidasoa is tucked away on the northern fringe of Santiago in the neighbourhood of Vitacura. With stylish botanical décor and an eco-conscious vibe, it feels like an oasis within the city.
If you’re just passing through Santiago, this is a good choice for an overnight stay as it has all you need. Rooms are elegantly furnished with desks, artwork and large windows.
The deck-garden area has a small lap-pool and welcoming bistro-style bar. There are two restaurants, specialising in vegetarian cuisine and seafood. The hotel has eco-friendly products, recycling and is 95% powered by renewable energy.
Vitacura has a few bars and restaurants within walking distance. Otherwise, upscale Las Condes and Providencia, with their array of restaurants and entertainment, are a short taxi ride away.
A transfer of just over 2 hours (160km) takes you high up into the Andes along the scenic highway connecting Chile with Argentina. Arriving at Portillo, check in to your hotel (after 2pm) and familiarise yourself with the set up here. An orientation tour is usually offered in the evening. We strongly advise you take time to acclimatise: Portillo is at 2,855m above sea level, not too far from Aconcagua – the highest peak in the Andes at just under 7,000m. (Please speak to us if you would like to extend your stay at Portillo).
Portillo is one of Chile’s best known ski resorts and a training site for Northern Hemisphere ski teams in the summer.
At over 2,800m above sea level, the resort caters for all levels and best suits experienced skiers, with some good advanced runs and off-piste skiing. Heli-drops can also be arranged. The distinctive yellow and blue Hotel Portillo certainly cuts a profile against the fabulous Andean backdrop. There are great views towards Lago del Inca from the outdoor heated pool. You can even ski in and out of the property. It’s totally self-contained, with a bustling restaurant, cosy bar, games room, cinema, sauna and fitness room. The vibe here is family-friendly and very sociable, and the après ski scene in Portillo is likely to be focussed on using the leisure facilities and enjoying dinner. In common with most Latin Americans, Chileans eat late into the evening.
Portillo is all yours for the next three days. You can ski in and out of the hotel and there’s about 500 hectares of ski-able terrain to suit all levels here. Experienced skiers will feel most at home. There are 14 lifts and 45 runs: the resort classifies 15% of its terrain as suitable for beginners, 30% intermediate, 30% advanced and 25% expert. Some guests also snowboard at the resort and heli-skiing is on offer between July and September at extra cost. Equipment can be rented and you can sign up for ski classes, also at additional cost.
Portillo is one of Chile’s best known ski resorts and a training site for Northern Hemisphere ski teams in the summer.
At over 2,800m above sea level, the resort caters for all levels and best suits experienced skiers, with some good advanced runs and off-piste skiing. Heli-drops can also be arranged. The distinctive yellow and blue Hotel Portillo certainly cuts a profile against the fabulous Andean backdrop. There are great views towards Lago del Inca from the outdoor heated pool. You can even ski in and out of the property. It’s totally self-contained, with a bustling restaurant, cosy bar, games room, cinema, sauna and fitness room. The vibe here is family-friendly and very sociable, and the après ski scene in Portillo is likely to be focussed on using the leisure facilities and enjoying dinner. In common with most Latin Americans, Chileans eat late into the evening.
Check out and transfer back to Santiago airport for a 2-hour flight to Calama in the Atacama Desert. Arriving in this sun-parched landscape is a dazzling contrast to the slopes of Portillo. You’ll be transferred across the desert (1 hr) to the adobe oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama.
Explora Atacama is surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes, shimmering salt plains and some of the world’s most advanced astronomical research centres.
Explora specialises in its own distinctly unpretentious brand of luxury. You can speed across salt flats on a mountain bike or relax by a pool watching the most vivid sunset you’ll probably ever see.
Your stay includes numerous excursions per day, tailored to your individual interests and fitness. Activities range from climbing and trekking to cycling and horse-riding in the sand dunes, to less strenuous pastimes archaeological tours and sunset trips to the Moon Valley with beautiful sandstone rock formations and striking colours.
The lodge even has its own observatory for night-time observation of the Atacama’s famously starry skies. In between adventures, the grounds are a wonderful place to relax and admire spectacular astronomy. The food is another highlight with menus based on intriguing local dishes using the freshest ingredients unique to this far-flung corner of Chile.
The property donates funds to the Andean Boarding School and Rapa Nui Terevaka Archaeological Outreach. Explora has conservation reserves in both the Atacama Desert and Torres del Paine to preserve endemic flora and fauna, and is planning further reserves in Chile.
San Pedro de Atacama, at 2,400m above sea level sits amidst superb scenery. Although this is the Atacama, the transitional terrain here on the border with Bolivia is a far cry from the flat, featureless desert one might expect. Instead, you’ll find salt-encrusted canyons, a chain of 6000m volcanoes, salt flats, geysers and altiplanic lagoons – and yes, there is the chance to run down a giant sand dune if the urge takes you. During these 4 days you’ll be able to choose from a selection of small-group included activities – from scenic overland drives to short walks and longer treks, biking and horse riding. Excursions can reach altitudes of 4,500m or more, and your team of guides will be able to advise you in which order it’s best to do them. Incidentally, the night sky is famous here, and you can also visit a local observatory. Be sure also to make time to enjoy the hotel’s excellent indoor and outdoor pools and spa.
Explora Atacama is surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes, shimmering salt plains and some of the world’s most advanced astronomical research centres.
Explora specialises in its own distinctly unpretentious brand of luxury. You can speed across salt flats on a mountain bike or relax by a pool watching the most vivid sunset you’ll probably ever see.
Your stay includes numerous excursions per day, tailored to your individual interests and fitness. Activities range from climbing and trekking to cycling and horse-riding in the sand dunes, to less strenuous pastimes archaeological tours and sunset trips to the Moon Valley with beautiful sandstone rock formations and striking colours.
The lodge even has its own observatory for night-time observation of the Atacama’s famously starry skies. In between adventures, the grounds are a wonderful place to relax and admire spectacular astronomy. The food is another highlight with menus based on intriguing local dishes using the freshest ingredients unique to this far-flung corner of Chile.
The property donates funds to the Andean Boarding School and Rapa Nui Terevaka Archaeological Outreach. Explora has conservation reserves in both the Atacama Desert and Torres del Paine to preserve endemic flora and fauna, and is planning further reserves in Chile.
You’ll be transferred (around lunchtime) to the airport at Calama for your return flight to Santiago. Upon arrival it’s just a short stroll from the airport building to your hotel for a final positioning night. Ideal for a short stay, there’s a pool, a good restaurant and plenty of space to relax. If you’d prefer to spend this final night in the city instead, let us know and we’ll arrange it.
The popular chain hotel Holiday Inn Santiago Airport is conveniently located right at the airport, directly in front of the arrivals area. While a functional choice, it’s more than agreeable and surprisingly quiet. Rooms are comfortable with all the amenities to make for a pleasant and restful stay. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, sauna, gym, hot tub and outdoor swimming pool.
The places you’ll stay and explore on this tour. Here’s a closer look at each one and what makes it worth the trip.
Chile - Santiago and the vineyards
Snow-capped Andean peaks overlook cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, historic plazas and sun-drenched vineyards in Santiago Chile – the country’s sophisticated capital and its surrounding wine country. Combining urban culture with world-class wineries, Santiago and vineyards nearby give you the perfect introduction to Chile.
Chile - Atacama Desert
Vast salt flats, steaming geysers, flamingo-filled lagoons and volcanic peaks create a world that feels more like another planet than the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. As the driest non-polar desert on Earth, this is one of South America’s most spectacular destinations for adventure, wildlife and stargazing.
Few places on Earth match up to the variety Chile can offer in one holiday. As summer gets into full swing in Europe and North America, Chile’s higher Andean slopes are blanketed in a fresh carpet of snow and winter sports enthusiasts head for the ski runs high above Santiago. Chile’s well-established ski resorts have always welcomed a steady trickle of adventurous international visitors between late June and mid-September. Our holiday offers you the opportunity to ski this year in the Andes, where you’ll spend 4 days at the resort of Portillo. There’s another excellent reason to head for Chile in the northern summer: it’s the dry season in the high-altitude Atacama region, on the border with Bolivia. For the actively inclined, this is an invigorating spot to go walking, biking or horse riding among volcanoes, altiplanic lakes and horizon-stretching salt flats. This holiday operates every Friday between July and September.
Maggie Wilson
All of our experts have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America, so you will receive unrivalled advice based on unique personal experiences.
The practical detail for this tour, all in one place. Transport, accommodation, what’s included and what to pack, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
- Transport
2 internal flights of 2 hours; 4 road journeys of between 1 and 2½ hours.
- Accommodation
Comfortable hotels of a mid range to upper mid range standard in Santiago and Portillo. First class lodge in San Pedro de Atacama.
- Meals
Full board (9 nights) is included in Portillo and at Explora in Atacama (from dinner on day of arrival to breakfast on day of departure). Breakfast (2 nights) is included in Santiago. Drinks are included at Explora in Atacama.
- Guides
We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 25 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return.
- Summary of Nights
12 days, 11 nights. Santiago (1 night), Portillo ski resort (4 nights), San Pedro de Atacama (5 nights), Santiago (1 night).
This holiday operates every Friday between July and September
- Currency
The unit of currency in Chile is the Chilean peso.
- Daily Spend
A guideline budget of around US$50 per person per day should cover the cost of meals and drinks not included in the holiday itinerary.
- How to Take It
In Chile, we recommend paying for your extras at hotels (including hotel restaurant bills) with US$ cash or by credit card. Such transactions are usually exempt of IVA (sales tax).
Cash machines are available in all major cities and towns, and so taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip, and in most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds.
We recommend that additionally you take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. You can take sterling, but the exchange rate is not always competitive or even available, restricting the number of places where you can change money.
- Tipping
Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.
- Insurance
Travel insurance, including for winter sports, is essential. Chile’s authorities currently require visitors to have travel insurance with coverage for all expenses associated with Covid-19.
Journey Latin America’s recommended insurance company is Campbell Irvine, and their medical and repatriation cover is handled by International Medical Assistance.
Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page.
- Airport Taxes
If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket, and prepaid on regional flights in Chile.
- Climate
This holiday can operate between July and September, which is winter in Chile. It’s often sunny and you can expect daytime highs of around 14-16c in Santiago, falling to just above freezing at night.
San Pedro de Atacama enjoys mild and sunny days with temperatures of up to 21c, with very cold desert nights (often below zero). Snow can affect some of San Pedro’s higher-level attractions in winter.
Portillo has an average annual snowfall of around 7 metres. It is important to note that temperatures and snow seasons in the Andes are very variable and this has been the case especially in the last few years. The resort uses both real and artificial snow depending on conditions. The season begins in late June and lasts through September. July and August are the main winter months in Chile.
- Clothing and Special Equipment
You can rent skis and snowboards, boots and poles at Portillo. We recommend organising this in advance.
If you intend to bring your own ski equipment please let us so we can make any necessary arrangements for transporting or safe keeping them once in Chile.
For San Pedro de Atacama, be sure to pack walking shoes with good support, as terrain can be unstable and rocky.
Protection against the sun is essential throughout. - Visas
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
- Do I need a visa to visit Chile?
British passport holders don’t need a visa for tourist visits. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the start of your trip. If you’re routing through the US, you’ll need an ESTA in advance. Always check the latest entry requirements before you travel, as rules can change.
- How do I get to Chile from the UK?
British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to Santiago, taking around 14.5 hours. There are also connecting routes via Madrid, Paris and other European hubs. We arrange all flights and transfers, and can quote them separately based on your dates.
- What's the best way to travel around Chile?
The country’s length makes domestic flights the most practical way to cover long distances, with most routes connecting through Santiago. Within regions, we arrange private transfers and guided excursions. For scenic stretches like the Lake District or the Carretera Austral, overland travel is part of the experience.
- What currency does Chile use?
The official currency is the Chilean peso. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, and ATMs are available in most towns. Carry some cash for tips, smaller purchases and rural areas. We’ll advise on the latest currency situation before you travel.
- What's the altitude like in Chile?
Most of Chile sits at low to moderate altitude, but parts of the Atacama, including Lauca National Park and areas around San Pedro, reach over 3,000m. Altitude can cause headaches, dizziness and breathlessness, so it’s important to acclimatise gradually, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol on arrival. We plan all itineraries with altitude in mind.
- How long should I spend in Chile?
Two weeks works well for a single focus, such as the Atacama with a few days in Santiago, or Torres del Paine with time in the lake district. To cover Chile’s full range, from desert to Patagonia, allow three weeks or more. We’ll help you build an itinerary that makes the most of your time.
- Do I need vaccinations for Chile?
There are currently no mandatory vaccines for UK travellers visiting Chile, but we always recommend checking the most up-to-date requirements well before travelling. You can do this by visiting TravelHealthPro and FCDO travel pages. Alternatively, you can contact us and speak to one of our experts who can advise on any current considerations for the areas you’re visiting.
- What countries can I combine with Chile?
Chile pairs naturally with Argentina, crossing the Andes from Santiago to Mendoza, or the lakes from Puerto Varas to Bariloche. Bolivia is an easy add-on from the Atacama, with routes through the Salar de Uyuni salt flats. Our Travel Experts can design a multi-country trip around you.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Ski next summer at Portillo, where the season kicks off in July and August.
Watch jets of steam gush out of the earth at the geyser field of El Tatio.
Take a guided tour around the Valley of the Moon with their otherworldly rock formations, before watching an unforgettable sunset from the top of a desert dune.
Soak away your cares in a natural Jacuzzi set in a scenic canyon.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation. Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you will relax in utter comfort
In a quiet neighbourhood of Santiago, Hotel Bidasoa has elegant rooms, a pool deck and two restaurants.
Modern chain hotel just steps from the airport with good facilities, a comfortable place for much-needed rest before or after a long flight.
Papagaio
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