Itinerary
- Day 1
Santiago
Your private driver picks you up at Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport and heads into Santiago, about 30 minutes from the city center. Once you're settled at your hotel, the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. San Cristobal Hill offers city views, while Costanera Center has shopping and dining. The Bellavista Neighborhood has galleries and cafes, Bicentenario Park is great for walking around, and Santa Lucia Hill gives another perspective of the city. Downtown Santiago has colonial architecture and museums if you want to wander. Grab some local food like completos (loaded hot dogs) or sopaipillas (fried pastries) from street vendors while you're out.
Optional Activities
- Visit San Cristobal Hill (cable car ride, zoo, hiking trails, swimming pools)
- Explore Costanera Center (largest building in Latin America, largest shopping mall in Chile)
- Discover Bellavista Neighborhood (bars and restaurants)
- Stroll through Bicentenario Park (beautiful park with lagoon)
- Visit Santa Lucia Hill (historical site with Hidalgo Castle)
- Explore Downtown Santiago (Santiago Cathedral, Presidential Building La Moneda, Mapocho Train Station)
- Sample local food (Completos, Sopaipillas, Mote Con Huesillo)
Landmarks/POIs San Cristobal Hill Costanera Center Bellavista Neighborhood Bicentenario Park Santa Lucia Hill Hidalgo Castle Santiago Cathedral La Moneda Mapocho Train Station - Day 2
Vina del Mar - Algarrobo
Head to Valparaiso for the day, where you'll visit La Sebastiana, the house museum of Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda. The audio guide walks you through the quirky collection of objects he gathered. After that, wander through Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepcion with their colorful buildings and steep streets. Stop by Plaza Sotomayor and check out the port activity. Then drive to Vina del Mar to see the famous Flower Clock and relax on the beach. Later, grab lunch at a beachfront restaurant in the Sal Alfonso del Mar Complex, which has Latin America's largest swimming pool. The whole trip takes you back to Santiago by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit La Sebastiana (Pablo Neruda House Museum with audio guide)
- Explore Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepcion in Valparaiso
- Visit Plaza Sotomayor
- Drive by Valparaiso Port
- Panoramic visit to Vina del Mar
- See the Flower Clock in Vina del Mar
- Visit traditional beaches in Vina del Mar
Optional Activities
- Purchase souvenirs at La Sebastiana museum store
- Lunch in Algarrobo (available at Sal Alfonso del Mar Complex restaurant)
Landmarks/POIs La Sebastiana Cerro Alegre Cerro Concepcion Plaza Sotomayor Flower Clock Sal Alfonso del Mar Complex - Day 3
Stargazing
Your driver picks you up early to get you to Santiago Airport for a flight to Calama. Once you land, another driver meets you and takes you to San Pedro de Atacama, dropping you at your hotel. That evening between 8 PM and 10 PM depending on the season, you'll head out to an observing site for an astronomy tour. The guides point out stars of different ages and colors, double stars, variable star systems, nebulae, and star clusters plus nearby galaxies. A professional photographer captures shots of you with the night sky as your backdrop before returning you to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Stargazing astronomy tour (observation of stars, doubles, variable solar systems, nebulae, star clusters, and nearby galaxies)
- Professional photography session with night sky background
- Day 4
Valle de la Luna
Spend the morning exploring San Pedro de Atacama on your own. The town sits at 2,450 meters in the Antofagasta region surrounded by desert, salt flats, volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs. Renting a bike lets you check out local handicraft shops and try regional food while photographing the landscape. In the afternoon, head to El Valle de la Luna to see massive salt and clay formations shaped by wind over centuries. Watch the sunset paint the sky pink, then purple, then black. You'll have a cocktail and snacks there, then get dropped at Plaza Turis Tour to either walk back to your hotel or grab a taxi.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit El Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon)
- Sunset viewing at scenic location in El Valle de la Luna
- Cocktail and snacks at El Valle de la Luna
Optional Activities
- Rent a bike to explore San Pedro de Atacama town
- Shop for local handicrafts
- Try typical local cuisine
Landmarks/POIs El Valle de la Luna Plaza Turis Tour - Day 5
Yerbas Buenas - Rainbow Valley - Salt Flats Lagoons
Drive west from San Pedro de Atacama to Yerbas Buenas, a historically significant area with important petroglyph groups. The ancient carvings show camelids, birds, monkeys, and dogs left by indigenous traders heading from Argentina and Bolivia to the Pacific coast. Next, explore Rainbow Valley on a 1-hour walk each way through colorful rocks formed by different minerals. You'll see the Salado River and its small valley too. After lunch, visit several lagoons in the Atacama salt flat: Cejar Lagoon and Piedra Lagoon where you float like you're in the Dead Sea, Ojos del Salar with two freshwater wells in the middle of the desert, and Tebinquinche Lagoon where the sky and salt flats meet.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs
- Hike to Rainbow Valley (approximately 1 hour each way)
- Visit Salado River area
- Visit Cejar Lagoon
- Visit Piedra Lagoon with swimming
- Visit Ojos del Salar
- Visit Tebinquinche Lagoon
Landmarks/POIs Yerbas Buenas Rainbow Valley Salado River Cejar Lagoon Piedra Lagoon Ojos del Salar Tebinquinche Lagoon - Day 6
San Pedro de Atacama to Puerto Varas
Your driver transfers you from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport for a flight to Puerto Montt via Santiago. When you arrive in Puerto Montt, an English-speaking guide meets you for a 30-minute drive north to Puerto Varas. The afternoon is yours to check out this southern Chilean town. Relax by the lake, try local German-Chilean cuisine like El Crudo (raw meat dressed with lemon juice), or visit the Pablo Fierro or Antonio Felmer Museums to learn about the region's culture. Grab coffee at a lakeside spot overlooking Llanquihue Lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic drive from Puerto Montt to Puerto Varas
Optional Activities
- Relax by Llanquihue Lake
- Try local German-Chilean cuisine (including El Crudo)
- Visit Pablo Fierro Museum
- Visit Antonio Felmer Museum
- Enjoy coffee at lakeside location
Landmarks/POIs Llanquihue Lake - Day 7
Petrahu\u00e9 to Villa Peulla
Leave your hotel in Puerto Varas and drive to Petrohue to board a boat for a scenic journey across Todos los Santos Lake to Villa Peulla. The emerald-green water offers views of Osorno Volcano, Puntiagudo Volcano, and Cerro Tronador when weather cooperates. You'll arrive at Villa Peulla, an ecological lodge, around noon. The afternoon is free for optional activities like ziplining through the forest canopy, horseback riding, 4x4 safaris, rafting, kayaking, or walks to waterfalls. Spend the evening relaxing at the lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat cruise across Todos los Santos Lake from Petrohu\u00e9 to Villa Peulla
Optional Activities
- Lunch at Villa Peulla (available at additional cost)
- Ziplining the forest canopy and Cascada de los Novios
- Visit The Ferns Waterfall
- 4x4 Adventure
- Rafting the R\u00edo Negro and R\u00edo Peulla
- Kayaking the R\u00edo Negro
- Scenic horseback riding
- Visit Las Mellizas Waterfall
Landmarks/POIs Todos los Santos Lake Osorno Volcano Puntiagudo Volcano Cerro Tronador Cascada de los Novios The Ferns Waterfall R\u00edo Negro R\u00edo Peulla Las Mellizas Waterfall - Day 8
Puelo Hot Springs
Drive from Villa Peulla to Ralun in the Reloncavi Estuary, going through native forests near Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. Visit Cochamo, a typical southern Chilean town surrounded by evergreen Valdivian rainforest in Los Lagos Region. Then continue to Puelo where the Puelo River starts from Lake Puelo in Argentina. End your day at Sol Hot Springs with 10 thermal pools made of stone and connected by 300 meters of walkways. Water temperatures range from 96.8°F to 113°F, sourced from a natural spring at 140°F. Soak in the pools and take in the landscape before heading back to the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Cochamo village
- Bathe in Sol Hot Springs thermal pools (10 pools with temperatures 96.8\u00b0F - 113\u00b0F)
Landmarks/POIs Reloncavi Estuary Vicente P\u00e9rez Rosales National Park Cochamo Puelo River Lake Puelo Sol Hot Springs - Day 9
Hiking Excursions
Explore Puerto Varas and the Lake District on your own with lots of hiking options to choose from. Full-day hikes include Osorno Volcano at 8 to 10 hours with about 1.5 hours drive. Shorter options are Vicente Perez Rosales National Park's Petrohue Waterfalls at 3 to 4 hours with 1 hour drive, Alerce Andino National Park's Laguna Sargazo at 4 to 6 hours with 1.5 to 2 hours drive, Saltos de Petrohue at 1 to 2 hours with 1 hour drive, or Llanquihue Lake walks which you can start right from town. Each trail gives you different views of lakes, waterfalls, and volcanic landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Osorno Volcano hike (full day, 8-10 hours, approximately 1.5 hours drive from Puerto Varas)
- Vicente P\u00e9rez Rosales National Park - Petrohu\u00e9 Waterfalls hike (half day, 3-4 hours, approximately 1 hour drive)
- Alerce Andino National Park - Laguna Sargazo hike (half to full day, 4-6 hours, approximately 1.5-2 hours drive)
- Saltos de Petrohu\u00e9 walk (1-2 hours, approximately 1 hour drive)
- Peulla excursion (full day including ferry ride, approximately 2 hours by ferry and 2 hours by road)
- Llanquihue Lake walks (varies depending on chosen route, immediate access from Puerto Varas)
Landmarks/POIs Osorno Volcano Vicente P\u00e9rez Rosales National Park Petrohu\u00e9 Waterfalls Alerce Andino National Park Laguna Sargazo Saltos de Petrohu\u00e9 Llanquihue Lake - Day 10
Puerto Varas to Valdivia
Travel to Valdivia, a town famous for beer festivals and rivers. Start your exploration at the Fluvial Fair where local fishermen and gardeners sell their catch and produce (you might spot sea lions on the riverbank). Check out Costanera Avenue and the historic fortresses Torreones El Barro and Canelo, which were built to defend against indigenous groups and pirates. Cross the Pedro de Valdivia Bridge to Teja Island. On the island, see Austral University, the Botanical Garden, and Lotus Lagoon at Saval Park. If you want, visit Fuerte Niebla with its Castle of Pure and Clean Concepcion de Monfort de Lemus and museum. Check into your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Fluvial Fair
- Visit Costanera Avenue
- Visit Torreones El Barro fortress
- Visit Canelo fortress
- Cross Pedro de Valdivia Bridge to Teja Island
- Explore Austral University area
- Visit Botanical Garden
- Visit Lotus Lagoon at Saval Park
Optional Activities
- Visit Fuerte Niebla
- Explore Castle of Pure and Clean Concepci\u00f3n de Monfort de Lemus museum
Landmarks/POIs Fluvial Fair Costanera Avenue Torreones El Barro Canelo fortress Pedro de Valdivia Bridge Teja Island Austral University Botanical Garden Saval Park Lotus Lagoon Fuerte Niebla Castle of Pure and Clean Concepci\u00f3n de Monfort de Lemus - Day 11
Lake Ranco Area
Spend the day exploring the Lake Ranco Area on your own. The landscapes work well for all ages and fitness levels. Wander through rich forests and check out diverse plant and animal life. Find viewpoints with panoramic vistas and relax at refreshing waterfalls. Visit glacial-origin beaches surrounded by southern Chile's impressive nature. Walk through majestic forests and along crystal-clear waters. Every part of the day offers chances to get outside and see what the area has to offer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hike through nearby rich forests
- Visit panoramic viewpoints
- Relax at waterfalls in the area
- Enjoy beaches of glacial origin
Landmarks/POIs Lake Ranco - Day 12
Valdivia to Puc\u00f3n
Leave Valdivia and drive to Pucon, the main town in the Lake Region, about 3 to 4 hours away. You have two scenic route options. Route 1 goes north on Ruta 5 through Freire to Villarrica (optional lake stop) then to Pucon. Route 2 takes T-35 to Los Lagos, then T-39 through Panguipulli (good for lunch and local food), adding 90 minutes with possible stops at Conarripe, Lican Ray, or Villarrica. Once you arrive, the evening and night are yours to explore Pucon on your own. Located on Lake Villarrica's eastern shore, this resort town has casino gambling, bars, restaurants, possible music concerts and cultural shows, sunset spots, handicraft shops, and regional cuisine to try.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stop by Villarrica lake
- Stop in Panguipulli town
- Enjoy Panguipulli lake and local food
- Stop at Co\u00f1aripe
- Stop at Lican Ray
- Visit Puc\u00f3n casino
- Enjoy gambling, drinks, and food at casino
- Attend music concerts or cultural shows in Puc\u00f3n
- Watch sunset in Puc\u00f3n
- Shop for local handicrafts in Puc\u00f3n
- Try typical local cuisine in Puc\u00f3n
Landmarks/POIs Lake Villarrica Villarrica Panguipulli Co\u00f1aripe Lican Ray Puc\u00f3n Casino - Day 13
Valdivia to Puc\u00f3n
Leave Valdivia and drive to Pucon, the main town in the Lake Region, about 3 to 4 hours away. You have two scenic route options. Route 1 goes north on Ruta 5 through Freire to Villarrica (optional lake stop) then to Pucon. Route 2 takes T-35 to Los Lagos, then T-39 through Panguipulli (good for lunch and local food), adding 90 minutes with possible stops at Conarripe, Lican Ray, or Villarrica. Once you arrive, the evening and night are yours to explore Pucon on your own. Located on Lake Villarrica's eastern shore, this resort town has casino gambling, bars, restaurants, possible music concerts and cultural shows, sunset spots, handicraft shops, and regional cuisine to try.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stop by Villarrica lake
- Stop in Panguipulli town
- Enjoy Panguipulli lake and local food
- Stop at Co\u00f1aripe
- Stop at Lican Ray
- Visit Puc\u00f3n casino
- Enjoy gambling, drinks, and food at casino
- Attend music concerts or cultural shows in Puc\u00f3n
- Watch sunset in Puc\u00f3n
- Shop for local handicrafts in Puc\u00f3n
- Try typical local cuisine in Puc\u00f3n
Landmarks/POIs Lake Villarrica Villarrica Panguipulli Co\u00f1aripe Lican Ray Puc\u00f3n Casino - Day 14
Puc\u00f3n
Explore Pucon on your own with plenty to do on Lake Villarrica's eastern shore. Rent a bike to ride along the lakeshore, relax on the beach, and try water activities like swimming, kayaking, or short boat rides with volcano views across the water. Alternatively, go horseback riding through trails and rural roads at the foot of Villarrica Forest Reserve, entering the Quelhue Mapuche Community, crossing the Pitraco River twice, and finishing at the Trancura River for about 3 hours. Along the way you'll see local plants, animals, and views of Lanin, Villarrica, and Quetrupillan volcanoes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Rent a bike to explore lakeshore
- Relax and sunbathe by the lake
- Swimming in Lake Villarrica
- Kayaking on Lake Villarrica
- Short boat rides on Lake Villarrica
- Horseback riding circuit (approximately 3 hours) through Villarrica Forest Reserve trails, Quelhue Mapuche Community, Pitraco River, and Trancura River banks with volcano views
Landmarks/POIs Lake Villarrica Villarrica Volcano Villarrica Forest Reserve Quelhue Mapuche Community Pitraco River Trancura River Lan\u00edn Volcano Quetrupill\u00e1n Volcano - Day 15
Conguillio National Park
Join a full-day guided tour of Conguillio National Park in the Araucania region at the foot of Llaima and Sierra Nevada volcanoes. Your hotel pickup is 6 AM for approximately a 3-hour drive through Villarrica, Cunco, and Melipeuco. Once in the park, you'll tour the volcanic landscape by vehicle to the first lagoon and have breakfast on the shores. Visit Rainbow Lagoon, formed over 300 years ago by a Llaima volcano eruption. Take the approximately 3-hour Sierra Nevada Trail to a viewpoint with views of Llaima volcano, Conguillio Lake, and White River. If time allows, cross to Captren Lagoon before returning to Pucon. The whole area is surrounded by Araucarias, native forests, lakes, lagoons, and lava scoria.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on lagoon shores at Conguillio National Park)
Included Activities
- Conguillio National Park tour
- Breakfast at lagoon shore
- Visit Rainbow Lagoon
- Hike Sierra Nevada Trail (approximately 3 hours) to viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Visit Captren Lagoon (if time permits)
Landmarks/POIs Conguillio National Park Llaima Volcano Sierra Nevada Volcano Rainbow Lagoon Conguillio Lake White River Captren Lagoon Sierra Nevada Trail - Day 16
Puc\u00f3n to Santiago
Leave the Lake Region and drive to Araucania Airport in Temuco, about 90 minutes away. Plan to arrive 2.5 hours before your flight so there's time to drop off a rental car. Fly to Santiago and transfer to your hotel. Later in the evening, you have a reservation at Giratorio, a top restaurant on the 18th floor with incredible 360-degree views of Santiago. The restaurant rotates slowly so you see the entire city without moving. Food isn't included in your package, so order from the menu and pay there. If your hotel is nearby, you can walk, otherwise ask the front desk to call a taxi.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Reservation at Giratorio restaurant (Santiago)
- 360-degree rotating restaurant view of Santiago
Optional Activities
- Order food at Giratorio restaurant (available a la carte, traveler pays)
Landmarks/POIs Giratorio Restaurant - Day 17
Culinary Tour and Cooking Class
Join a private culinary tour exploring Santiago's traditional food markets including La Vega and Mercado Central. Hunt for specialty products not in regular supermarkets and pick up ingredients for your cooking class later. Mercado Central, ranked fifth-best food market globally by National Geographic, features an art nouveau canopy from 1872 with incredible displays of sea creatures. La Vega has been a market since colonial times and brings in fresh produce from the Chilean Central Valley. Later you'll participate in a private cooking session learning local recipes and techniques. Lunch features the dishes you've prepared, paired with a pisco sour cocktail and tastings of selected Chilean wines like Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch featuring dishes prepared during private cooking class)
Included Activities
- Visit Mercado Central (fifth-best food market worldwide per National Geographic)
- Visit La Vega market
- Hunt for specialty ingredients in food markets
- Private cooking class learning local recipes and techniques
- Lunch featuring prepared dishes
- Pisco sour cocktail
- Chilean wine tasting (Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc)
Landmarks/POIs Mercado Central La Vega Market - Day 18
Departure
Your Chilean adventure ends today. Your private driver takes you to Santiago International Airport based on your flight departure time. International flights require arrival 3 hours before departure, while national flights need 2 hours before departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
