Summary
Short description
Discover the stunning landscapes of Chile's deserts, mountains and coast
British Airways Sale
The British Airways Sale is now on, with superb savings to a wide range of worldwide destinations. Book by 25 January 2025.
Highlights
- Discover Santiago with an included tour of the Chilean capital
- Explore the otherworldly landscapes of the Atacama Desert
- Head south to the granite spires of Torres del Paine National Park
- End your holiday in artsy Valparaíso, where crumbling mansions look out to an endless Pacific horizon
- Choose between two levels of hand-picked hotels and lodges
In Brief
- 1 Night Santiago
- 3 Nights San Pedro de Atacama
- 1 Night Punta Arenas
- 3 Nights Torres del Paine National Park
- 2 Nights Valparaíso
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Activity adventure | City | History & culture | Natural world | Wildlife
From the austere landscapes of the north to the granite spires of the Patagonian south and the cities of Santiago and Valparaíso in between, this tailor-made journey takes in the best of Chile’s history, heritage, landscapes and wildlife. Then, following an included tour of the capital, you’ll make your way north to dry deserts where gurgling hot springs and spurting geysers are framed by snow-dusted volcanoes and mineral-rich lakes. After a further night in the capital, you’ll head south to the granite spires of Torres del Paine National Park; the glaciated realm of guanacos and condors, it's one of Latin America’s most spectacular sights. End with a two-night stay in artsy Valparaíso, where crumbling mansions look out to sweeping Pacific views.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK/Santiago
Start your trip in style with included UK airport lounge access before your overnight flight to Santiago.
Day
2
Santiago
Arrive in Chile's capital where you’ll be met and transferred to your chosen hotel before embarking on a half-day tour of the city. Focusing on the social and cultural legacy of Chile's turbulent past, you’ll visit the Palacio de La Moneda, the Museum of Human Rights, the National Stadium, Villa Grimaldi Peace Park and the General Cemetery to learn about the events that lead to the controversial military coup of 1973 and the years of dictatorial rule under Augusto Pinochet.
Stay: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria, Santiago (Superior) or The Singular, Santiago (Deluxe)
Days
3-5
San Pedro de Atacama
After breakfast, transfer to Santiago airport and board a plane for your flight north to Calama. On arrival, transfer to San Pedro de Atacama and check in to your hotel. Over the next three days you'll choose from any number of excursions to explore the abundant natural wonders of the world’s driest non-polar desert. From sunset views in the Valle de la Luna to walking tours of San Pedro de Atacama, the pre-Columbian village of Tulor and the Pukara de Quitor fortress, you’ll discover the history, heritage and geology of Northern Chile’s immense landscapes. El Tatio Geysers – a geothermal field flanked by soaring peaks – are best viewed at sunrise while the tiny settlement of Machuca, at 3,400m above sea level, perfectly demonstrates the austere nature of life in one of the world’s most unforgiving environments.
Stay: Hotel Cumbres San Pedro de Atacama (Superior) or Nayara Alto Atacama (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Punta Arenas
A transfer to Calama airport is followed by a flight to Punta Arenas, gateway to the Torres del Paine National Park.
Stay: Hotel La Yegua Loca (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
7-9
Torres del Paine National Park
A transfer this morning brings you to Torres del Paine National Park. Pass Laguna Amarga and Lake Pehoé and enjoy striking views of the Paine Massif, Almirante Nieto, and the famous Torres del Paine as you look out for native wildlife including guanacos, flamingos, condors and eagles. It's something of a mecca for trekkers and wildlife enthusiasts, and a programme of optional excursions, depending on your choice of hotel, will showcase everything from creaking glaciers and cobalt-blue lakes to those famous granite spires. In between excursions, take time to simply relax and enjoy some of Chile's most spectacular landscapes from the comfort of your luxury lodge.
Stay: Patagonia Camp, Nr Torres del Paine National Park (Superior) or Tierra Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park (Deluxe)
Meals: B L D
Days
10-11
Valparaíso
Return north to Santiago where you’ll be met for the hour-and-a-half drive to coastal Valparaíso. At once colourful and charmingly chaotic, this Pacific Coast city is one part industrial port town and one part artistic enclave; a still-flourishing community of painters and poets continue to make their homes, and livings, among its multi-hued tumbledown neighbourhoods, winding escaleras (stairways) and cobbled laneways. Stroll to the city’s UNESCO-listed sights on a guided walking tour and join locals on funiculars and trolleybuses as you make your way past crumbling mansions to jumbled cerros (hills) and sweeping views of the ocean below.
Stay: Hotel Zero (Superior) or Casa Higueras (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Days
12-13
Santiago/UK
Return by car to Santiago for a final time where you’ll board your overnight flight to the UK, arriving on day 13.
Meals: Breakfast included
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
13-day tailor-made holiday
from £6,475 pp incl. flights
Superior
Low Season
from £6,475 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £7,490 pp. incl. flights
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Return flights from London to Santiago de Chile
- Domestic flights between Santiago, Calama and Punta Arenas
- Private transfers in Quito and Valparaiso, shared transfers in Atacama and Patagonia
- 4 nights accommodation in 4* (Superior) hotels/lodges on a B&B basis in Santiago and Valparaiso
- 6 nights accommodation in 4* (Superior) lodges on a full-board, and with 'Open Bar' in Patagonia
- Private half-day city tour of Santiago
- Private walking tour of Valparaiso
- Shared excursions in Atacama and Patagonia
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
Meet our experts
Speak to a tailor-made specialist on
Adjust your itinerary with our recommended extensions
Explore remote Easter Island (Rapa Nui) on this four-day extension from Chile’s capital, Santiago. You'll visit the mysterious stone moai, the ancient quarry at Rano Raraku, the relaxing beach at Anekena and the ceremonial village of Orongo, amongst more.
Explore the incredible beauty of Chile's Atacama Salt Flat, then make for Bolivia's multi-hued mineral lakes, filled with flamingos before ending in Bolivia's capital La Paz.