Signature Chile: Atacama Desert to Patagonian glaciers
12 days from £6,050
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.
Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Las Condes, a modern, upmarket residential and commercial district.
Santiago is a huge metropolis, a mix of the old and the contemporary, with quarters of tree-lined avenues and affluent tranquility and others full of commercial bustle. The historic core, with its Plaza de Armas, presidential palace, museums and other buildings of cultural significance is a short drive away and easy to explore independently.
If you prefer, we can book you a guided walking tour, or we can arrange for you to take the cable car to the top of San Cristobal hill for a panoramic view of the capital and its Andean backdrop. The museum and former residence of Chilean poet laureate Pablo Neruda is also quite close by, in Bellavista.
Solace Santiago is a modern hotel in Providencia, an upscale residential and commercial neighbourhood of Santiago – perfect for a soft landing if you’ve just arrived in Chile.
Unassuming from the outside, Solace is a surprisingly stylish hotel with impressive interiors and facilities which include a bar, restaurant and a small rooftop lap pool with great views across the city. The 80 or so guest rooms echo the modern vibe of the public areas, with air con and crisp, comfortable beds inviting you to rest weary legs after a day in the city.
Positioned on a quite side street in the heart of Santiago’s leafy, vibrant Providencia neighbourhood, the hotel is moments away from everything you need with a host of shops, restaurants and bars within walking distance. Easy Metro connections nearby can transport you throughout the city in minutes. All in all, we think it’s the perfect fit for the mid-range traveller in the Chilean capital.
Transfer to Santiago airport and fly to Calama in the Atacama Desert (2hrs). Continue by road for an hour or so to the agreeable little tourist resort of San Pedro de Atacama. The Atacama’s inhospitable desert landscape is harsh and rugged, but it isn’t an empty wasteland. Volcanoes and geysers steam and hiss into life. Pink flamingos haunt the featureless white salt flats, cacti stride towards the horizon and oases splash the tawny landscape with vigorous vegetation, especially after rare flash rainfall. The culture and settlements echo with the legacy of the desert’s pre and post Columbian inhabitants, with ruined temples and dusty colonial villages.
Afternoon guided excursion to Valle De la Luna (Moon Valley) where, especially in early-evening light, the lunar landscape is astonishingly photogenic. Huge sand dunes sweep across a panorama of salt-encrusted canyons, gullies and eroded rock sculptures such as Las Tres Marias. Walk up to the top of the impressive ‘Gran Duna’ – a popular venue for extreme sports such as sand-boarding – and take your position for arguably the most memorable experience of today’s excursion: the valley’s appearance at sunset – a dazzling artist’s palette of gold and reds.
Cumbres San Pedro is a relatively large and modern property, designed to blend in with the adobe brick character of San Pedro de Atacama. This Chilean property is low rise with appropriate use of earthy tones, natural stone and wood, offset by brightly coloured textiles. The wide-ranging guest rooms are impressively spacious, simply but attractively presented with terraces and the novelty of an alfresco shower.
There’s also a restaurant and spa, while outside you’ll find attractive grounds with three swimming pools and two hot tubs. The hotel is a 20-minute walk (just over 1km) from the centre of San Pedro de Atacama.
This scenic full-day excursion to the high altiplano above San Pedro de Atacama reaches an altitude of over 4,300m. The road heads south, passing the distinctive cone of Lincancabur volcano and cutting across the eastern corner of the Salar de Atacama before reaching the village of Toconao (2,600m), which is typical of the small oasis villages of the area. Figs and quinces and a handsome whitewashed bell tower help give the village its own distinctive character.
Continue to the village of Socaire (3,500m) with its 18th century church set against a field of sunflowers and a market specialising in llama wool knitwear. Next, drive up to Minique and Miscanti lagoons. At over 4,100m above sea level, Minique has deep, dark blue waters while Miscanti is a brilliant azure colour. Stroll along the shores before crossing the Salar de Atacama, the third largest salt flat in the world and home to colonies of Andean, Chilean and James flamingos. Arriving at Laguna Chaxa, you should have the opportunity to observe flamingos and a variety of other birds.
Cumbres San Pedro is a relatively large and modern property, designed to blend in with the adobe brick character of San Pedro de Atacama. This Chilean property is low rise with appropriate use of earthy tones, natural stone and wood, offset by brightly coloured textiles. The wide-ranging guest rooms are impressively spacious, simply but attractively presented with terraces and the novelty of an alfresco shower.
There’s also a restaurant and spa, while outside you’ll find attractive grounds with three swimming pools and two hot tubs. The hotel is a 20-minute walk (just over 1km) from the centre of San Pedro de Atacama.
Rise early for the drive to Tatio geysers, at 4,300m the highest geyser field in the world. Upon arrival, enjoy a picnic-style breakfast and explore with your guide. The geysers are a memorable, surreal sight at sunrise – blow holes send jets of water and steam into a cloudless sky and, as the sun rises, the pools of water turn to shimmering silver.
Cumbres San Pedro is a relatively large and modern property, designed to blend in with the adobe brick character of San Pedro de Atacama. This Chilean property is low rise with appropriate use of earthy tones, natural stone and wood, offset by brightly coloured textiles. The wide-ranging guest rooms are impressively spacious, simply but attractively presented with terraces and the novelty of an alfresco shower.
There’s also a restaurant and spa, while outside you’ll find attractive grounds with three swimming pools and two hot tubs. The hotel is a 20-minute walk (just over 1km) from the centre of San Pedro de Atacama.
Return to Calama and fly via Santiago to Puerto Montt in the southern end of the lake district. From there it’s just a 30 minute drive to Puerto Varas. The town is set amid lush, green, rolling countryside on the shores of Lake Llanquihue 20 km north of Puerto Montt. It was colonised by Germans at the turn of the 20th century and its architecture and sedate style reflects this, but it is now a fast-growing tourist resort. The town’s main attraction is an alpine green lake framed by tree-clad hills and beyond, one of the most perfectly shaped snow-capped volcanoes in the world – Osorno.
This well-regarded hotel commands glorious panoramic views from its position on a hillock overlooking Lake Llanquihue and Osorno volcano in Chile’s idyllic lake district.
Built in typical Patagonian style of wood and stone with a pitched roof, it’s only 5 minutes’ walk from central Puerto Varas along the lakeshore.
Well-equipped rooms are furnished with neutral colours, local wood and décor of a regional ambience. Some have balconies and large windows make the most of the views.
There’s a wonderful lounge with open fires, sheepskin rugs, sofas and huge windows overlooking the lake. The adjacent restaurant has similar views, and offers a range of specialities. There is also a small indoor swimming pool on the top floor.
Take a guided excursion to the Osorno volcano and Petrohue Falls. From Puerto Varas the road takes you east along the edge of Lake Llanquihue, to the small and picturesque village of Ensenada. Set in the shadows of the Osorno Volcano, and surrounded on three sides by forest and overlooking the lake, it looks like a sleepy rural backwater. As the forest becomes increasingly dense, continue to the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, to visit the Petrohue waterfalls. Formed by a lava flow of volcanic rock and set in a 1,000 year-old forest, the falls make an impressive sight. The drive continues towards the almost perfectly conical shaped Osorno volcano. As the road climbs, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the crisp air and wonderful views. Lunch is taken at the ski centre on the volcano before you return to Puerto Varas.
This well-regarded hotel commands glorious panoramic views from its position on a hillock overlooking Lake Llanquihue and Osorno volcano in Chile’s idyllic lake district.
Built in typical Patagonian style of wood and stone with a pitched roof, it’s only 5 minutes’ walk from central Puerto Varas along the lakeshore.
Well-equipped rooms are furnished with neutral colours, local wood and décor of a regional ambience. Some have balconies and large windows make the most of the views.
There’s a wonderful lounge with open fires, sheepskin rugs, sofas and huge windows overlooking the lake. The adjacent restaurant has similar views, and offers a range of specialities. There is also a small indoor swimming pool on the top floor.
At leisure in Puerto Varas. It’s a pleasant place to relax or wander around, but there is also a host of optional activities in the vicinity you may consider, from a visit to the huge larch trees and hidden lakes of Alerce Andino National Park or a drive along the picturesque shores of lake Llanquihue to more active options such as water rafting, cycling, hiking or kayaking through exquisite scenery.
You may also travel further afield to rural Chiloe for an optional full day guided exploration of the traditional island’s valleys, rolling green pastures and rugged west coast with its deserted beaches, quiet farmlands and coastal forest. There are distinctive houses here built on stilts and UNESCO rated wooden churches. If lucky, you’ll also spot penguins in their rookery. Discover the little fishing port of Ancud with its fortress and sweeping views, renowned for its oysters.
This well-regarded hotel commands glorious panoramic views from its position on a hillock overlooking Lake Llanquihue and Osorno volcano in Chile’s idyllic lake district.
Built in typical Patagonian style of wood and stone with a pitched roof, it’s only 5 minutes’ walk from central Puerto Varas along the lakeshore.
Well-equipped rooms are furnished with neutral colours, local wood and décor of a regional ambience. Some have balconies and large windows make the most of the views.
There’s a wonderful lounge with open fires, sheepskin rugs, sofas and huge windows overlooking the lake. The adjacent restaurant has similar views, and offers a range of specialities. There is also a small indoor swimming pool on the top floor.
Return to Puerto Montt airport and fly to Puerto Natales on the shores of Last Hope Sound in southern Patagonia (2hrs).
From Puerto Natales, it’s a scenic 1-hour drive to your accommodation just outside Torres del Paine National Park. The park is dominated by a granite massif of smooth rock towers and icy pinnacles. Milky blue and gem-sharp emerald lakes, sinuous rivers, glaciers and wind-scoured steppes have created a remarkable and unique environment. Declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, the area is a natural habitat of over 150 species of birds (including flamingos, condors, eagles and ostriches) and 25 species of mammal (including guanacos, armadillos, silver foxes and pumas). You’ll spend the next 3 nights in a fully-appointed and centrally heated yurt, perched amidst native Patagonian forests on the shores Lake Toro. After lunch upon arrival, you’ll have the chance to explore your surroundings on one of the many activities which are included in the cost of your stay.
Weaving along a clifftop on the shores of Lago Toro, Patagonia Camp lies just outside Torres del Paine National Park, ensconced in spectacular wilderness scenery. Each of its individual luxury yurts has marvellous views, best enjoyed from private terraces that face out towards the lake and the spires of the spellbinding granite massif which dominates the landscape.
The cosy yurts have the facilities of a good hotel: all are equipped with heating, ensuite bathroom and even a skylight for stargazing. Inside, simple yet stylish décor takes its cues from local materials, textiles and crafts.
The camp was conceived to blend sympathetically with the ancient environment, and the yurts are sheltered from the wind by forests of southern beech. The entire complex is built on wooden stilts and platforms connected by elevated walkways, including the yurts, massage room and the communal building housing the restaurant, bar and lounge – a warm and welcoming space built from honey-coloured wood and criss-crossed by sturdy beams.
Depending on the length of your stay at the camp, there are several exciting excursions you can make by car and on foot. Drive across the windswept plains to see the highlights of the Torres del Paine National Park, stopping to enjoy horizon-bending panoramic views. Hikes through glorious wilderness, to reach waterfalls and crystal lagoons, or viewpoints from which you can survey the ice-carpeted peaks and glaciers calving into gem-clear, fathomless waters.
You have a choice of guided excursions to explore this wonderful wilderness environment from the camp. Some are more energetic than others, but all are immensely rewarding, with half day and full day options to suit most levels. You might choose to walk uphill to the base of the dizzying perpendicular “torres” or towers, hike to the jade green Laguna Verde or to one of a number of scenic look-out points. You might visit the beach at Lago Grey and survey the steep walls of the Grey Glacier, from which blue-tinged icebergs the size of motor launches break off and drift around in the icy waters. Try your hand at kayaking on Lago Toro, or explore the beautiful forest which flourishes right in front of your hotel. You may spot condors, guanacos and other wildlife as you explore Torres del Paine national park.
Weaving along a clifftop on the shores of Lago Toro, Patagonia Camp lies just outside Torres del Paine National Park, ensconced in spectacular wilderness scenery. Each of its individual luxury yurts has marvellous views, best enjoyed from private terraces that face out towards the lake and the spires of the spellbinding granite massif which dominates the landscape.
The cosy yurts have the facilities of a good hotel: all are equipped with heating, ensuite bathroom and even a skylight for stargazing. Inside, simple yet stylish décor takes its cues from local materials, textiles and crafts.
The camp was conceived to blend sympathetically with the ancient environment, and the yurts are sheltered from the wind by forests of southern beech. The entire complex is built on wooden stilts and platforms connected by elevated walkways, including the yurts, massage room and the communal building housing the restaurant, bar and lounge – a warm and welcoming space built from honey-coloured wood and criss-crossed by sturdy beams.
Depending on the length of your stay at the camp, there are several exciting excursions you can make by car and on foot. Drive across the windswept plains to see the highlights of the Torres del Paine National Park, stopping to enjoy horizon-bending panoramic views. Hikes through glorious wilderness, to reach waterfalls and crystal lagoons, or viewpoints from which you can survey the ice-carpeted peaks and glaciers calving into gem-clear, fathomless waters.
Transfer back to Puerto Natales and fly to Santiago (4hrs). Overnight at a hotel conveniently situated adjacent to the airport terminal.
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.
Breakfast is included this morning before check out and making your own way to the international departures terminal.
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.
Chile - Chilean Lake District (south)
Snow-capped volcanoes, blue lakes, ancient forests and lakeside towns with a distinct Bavarian streak: the southern Chilean Lake District is one of the country’s most beautiful regions, and one of the most rewarding to explore. Chilean Lake District holidays combine spectacular scenery with outdoor adventure, and local culture.
Chile - Torres del Paine National Park
Spiralling granite towers, serrated massifs and turquoise lakes define one of the most spectacular national parks, where grasslands give way to glacial valleys, rivers and glassy lagoons. Torres del Paine is Chile’s flagship natural destination, and Torres del Paine holidays remain one of South America’s finest options for hiking, wildlife watching and immersive wilderness experiences.
This comprehensive tour of Chile’s natural highlights is packed full of outdoor experiences, showcasing the amazing diversity of Chile’s landscapes. Travel from the lunar Atacama Desert to Santiago and on to the snow-dipped cones and tumbling streams of the Lake District. Continue to view Patagonia’s gigantic glaciers, icy lagoons and wildlife-filled grasslands.
A slender coastal strip backed by the Andes mountains, Chile has a variety of climate and landscapes to match its changing latitudes. It’s a peaceful and welcoming place with a good infrastructure, and, in spite of the distances, it’s easy to get around. Excellent hotels, which you can enhance with your choice of fresh sea food and delicious wines are all among the ingredients of this superb holiday.
Chris Rendell-Dunn
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.
- Summary of Nights
12 days, 11 nights: Santiago 1, San Pedro de Atacama 3, Puerto Varas 3; Torres del Paine 3; Santiago 1.
- Accommodation
We use a mix of hotel standards from mid-range upwards, choosing accommodation we think is great value, comfortable, well-located and which showcases a touch of local character. Properties will vary in heritage from colonial style, to modern, purpose-built developments, but will all be well-equipped with rooms that have private bathrooms. All accommodation is flexible and can be tailored to meet your specific preferences and requirements.
- Transport
4 internal flights (2-4hrs); 4 road journeys (longest 2 hrs)
- Meals
Breakfast daily, lunch days 3, 6, dinner day 8; full board days 9, 10.
- Guides
Our local, trusted and carefully selected partners understand the expectations of our customers very well, and their staff and guides are consistently singled out for praise by clients on their return. On this holiday, you will be joined by different guides for each activity and or region, ensuring you benefit from specialised expertise and knowledge, often from someone local to the area.
- Optional Excursions
As well as any included activities, this Private Journey includes some free time for optional excursions. As optional excursions are often subject to availability, we recommend you discuss and arrange them with your Travel Expert as early as possible before you depart.
- Altitude
Your stay in San Pedro de Atacama in the Andes is at high altitude (2,407m), while Tatio geysers, at 4,320m, are at the highest location you will visit on this holiday. Please refer to the Country Information page or your briefing dossier, for further information on altitude, including how to avoid and treat altitude sickness.
- 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.
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.
Watch jets of steam gush out of the earth at the geyser field of El Tatio.
Visit a flamingo colony and colourful high-altitude lakes on a drive through the hallucinatory landscapes of the Atacama salt flats.
Take a day trip from Puerto Varas to enjoy sweeping views and crisp mountain air from the slopes of an active volcano.
Breathe in the majesty of Patagonia on foot on a choice of rewarding hikes to natural beauty spots.
See one of the key highlights of Torres del Paine National Park from the water.
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
Luxury yurt camp set along a lakeside cliff with spectacular views, combining a sense of immersion in nature with the comforts of a hotel.
Centrally-located Cabo de Hornos is a classically-styled Punta Arenas hotel with high standards of accommodation and service.
If there’s somewhere you particularly want to go that isn’t included in this tour, we can add on an extension to take you there.
Winery
The Chilean Central Valley, with its rich soils and sunny Mediterranean climate, is Chile’s breadbasket. Orchards flourish, and the slopes of the Andean foothills support vineyards producing world class wines. Several now welcome visitors: here you visit one of the most attractive and luxurious. Day 1: By road to the Casablanca valley (1.5hrs), celebrated among…
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Papagaio
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