Classic Chile

Suggested Itinerary

Overview

Covering over half the length of the South American continent, Chile is endowed with a staggering profusion of highlights. Squeezed between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean it stretches for over 4,300 kilometres, spanning a landscape that encompasses everything from barren deserts to frozen glaciers.

This incredible journey will take you from the windswept beauty of Patagonia, with its glittering lakes and snow-capped mountains, to the harsh, surreal landscapes of the Atacama in the north,...

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TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Walk and hike between the peaks of Chilean Patagonia
  • Enjoy the natural wonders of the Lake District from Puerto Varas
  • Spot wildlife around the Torres del Paine National Park
  • Visit geysers, petroglyphs and otherworldly landscapers in the Atacama Desert
  • Explore the vibrant capital of Santiago
  • Climb up the Osorno Volcano and to the Petrohué waterfalls in the Lake District

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.

EXPAND ALL ITINERARY DAYS
COLLAPSE ALL ITINERARY DAYS

Day 1 ARRIVE SANTIAGO

Day 1 ARRIVE SANTIAGO

On arrival to Santiago, you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel in the city centre to check in before be taken on an afternoon city tour. Wander through some of Santiago's diverse neighbourhoods to visit highlights such as the Cathedral on Plaza de Armas, the San Francisco Church, the Palacio Cousino and La Moneda Presidential Palace. Then travel by vehicle to visit the main avenues of old Santiago, crossing the bohemian neighbourhood of Bellavista. Next, ride the funicular to the top of San Cristobal Hill to the Statue of the Virgin for a magnificent panoramic view of the city and the Andes Mountain Range. Finally, the tour will take you to the modern parts of Santiago including its chic neighbourhoods, shopping and financial centres.

Luciano K

Day 2 SANTIAGO

Day 2 SANTIAGO

Today you are free to explore the city at your own leisure. There are a few optional excursions available including a visit to Valparaiso, Chile's oldest port, and the beach town of Vina del Mar. The upper and lower sections of the city are connected by 15 funicular elevators that were built at the turn of the 20th century and still provide good service to this day. During your city tour you will travel to a viewing platform by one of them, as well as visiting the parliamentary building and Plaza Sotomayor's memorial to the heroes of the War of the Pacific. Then travel along the coast to the lively city of Vina del Mar, also known as the 'Garden city' for its municipal parks and green spaces. At the end of the day, return to Santiago. 

Luciano K
Breakfast

Day 3 SANTIAGO - PUERTO NATALES

Day 3 SANTIAGO - PUERTO NATALES

Transfer to the airport for your flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. On arrival you will be met and taken to the bus station for your transfer to Puerto Natales by public bus.

Breakfast

Day 4 TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

Day 4 TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

After being picked up from the hotel in Puerto Natales begin your transfer towards the national park with a visit to the Mylodon Cave, discovered by a German explorer in 1895, where a skin piece of the prehistoric ‘Mylodon’ animal was found. Then, continue on to the village of Cerro Castillo, the heart of the sheep farming business in the area. Weather permitting there should be lots of viewpoints to stop at for some excellent shots of the national park’s peaks. Before reaching the entrance of the park you will also have some time around Sarmiento Lake and the Amarga Lagoon where the park’s wildlife is often spotted. Once inside the national park, enjoy views of the Nördenskjold and Pehoe lakes and the Salto Grande waterfall. Lunch and some rest time will be followed by an hour’s hike to reach the Grey Lake where you can admire the icebergs that have broken off from Grey Glacier, evidence of the last ice age here in Patagonia. Head to your hotel in Torres del Paine National Park after the tour.

Hosteria Las Torres Patagonia
Breakfast

Day 5 TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK 

Day 5 TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK 

Day to arrange excursions in the National Park through your hotel.

Hosteria Las Torres Patagonia
Breakfast

Day 6 TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK – PUERTO VARAS

Day 6 TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK – PUERTO VARAS

This morning you will be transferred back to the airport in Punta Arenas, a journey of approximately five hours, by private vehicle to Puerto Natales and then public bus on to Punta Arenas. Fly to Puerto Montt in the Lake District where your transfer will be waiting to take you to your accommodation in Puerto Varas.

Hotel Cumbres Puerto Varas
Breakfast

Day 7 PUERTO VARAS

Day 7 PUERTO VARAS

The tour starts out bordering the Llanquihue Lake. On the way, you will pass by the mouth of Rio Pescado as well as the villages of La Poza and Los Riscos until you reach Ensenada, a small village from where the Osorno Volcano climb begins. Reach the Ski y Montaña Volcan Osorno Center (1,240m) before continuing on to the Petrohué Falls to walk on the boardwalks. See how the river flows over large masses of crystallized lava, formed by the volcano’s eruptions. Lovely views can be admired of the river's beautiful turquoise-blue waters. The trip ends at Todos los Santos Lake, from where you will be taken back to your hotel.

Hotel Cumbres Puerto Varas
Breakfast

Day 8 PUERTO VARAS

Day 8 PUERTO VARAS

Day free to enjoy the Lake District and Puerto Varas.

Hotel Cumbres Puerto Varas
Breakfast

Day 9 PUERTO VARAS - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

Day 9 PUERTO VARAS - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

This morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Calama, via Santiago. Upon arrival in Calama, you will be met and taken to your hotel in the small town of San Pedro de Atacama, where you will spend the next three nights.

Altiplanico San Pedro De Atacama
Breakfast

Day 10 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

Day 10 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

Over the next couple of days you will be able to experience the sights and sounds of the Atacama Desert with the hotel’s expert guides. There are a wide range of excursions to choose from (to be paid locally) catering for all levels of fitness, for example trekking in the Salt Mountain range and the Guatin and Puritama ravines, visiting the petroglyphs of Yervas Buenas and the Rio Grande village, not forgetting the Cejar Lagoon, Moon and Death Valleys and the sunrise trips to the Tatio Geysers.

Altiplanico San Pedro De Atacama
Breakfast

Day 11 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

Day 11 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

Day free to arrange excursions into the Atacama Desert or independently explore the town.

Altiplanico San Pedro De Atacama
Breakfast

Day 12 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – SANTIAGO

Day 12 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – SANTIAGO

Today you will be met at your hotel and transferred out of the Atacama Desert to Calama, where you will board your flight to Santiago and connect to your onward flight home.

Breakfast

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Hotel Rating

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.

GUIDELINE PRICE & WHAT’S INCLUDED

12 days from £4,305

MEALS

As specified in the itinerary, sampling some of the country's finest cuisine.

TRANSPORT

Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers.

ENTRANCE FEES

Tours and admission fees, including tickets specified in the itinerary.

EXPERT TEAM

Licensed English-speaking guides and a support team available 24/7.

ACCOMMODATION

As specified in the itinerary, using some of our favourite local properties.

WILD MILES

This tour will earn you 14478 Wild Miles

ACCOMMODATION

Ultra
The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury
Luxury
Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience
Premium
Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience
Superior
Good quality service and overall comfort
Simple
No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places

Wild Miles Club

When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:

Blue More than 10,000 points 2.5% discount
Bronze More than 30,000 points 5% discount
Silver More than 45,000 points 7.5% discount
Gold More than 60,000 points 10% discount

This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.

Positive Impact of this Trip

Tree
Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip
Community
Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects
Wind Turbine
A contribution to renewable energy projects

WHEN TO GO

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.

WHY WILD FRONTIERS?

Meet the expert, Richard

Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640

Chile is about passion. Passion for wine, horses, wilderness and love. As immortal Chilean poet Pablo Neruda wrote, “If nothing saves us from death, at least love should save us from life.

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