3-Week Chile Austral Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Chile Austral tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaChile Austral travel expert at TourRadar

• 19 Day South America Itinerary, incl. Patagonia and Buenos Aires

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Santiago, Chile

    Start exploring Chile's capital through the unique neighborhoods of Italia and Lastarria. Visit Cerro San Cristobal before 10 AM to avoid crowds and get the best views. The San Cristobal funicular is about $5 round trip and saves you from a tough uphill climb. Check out La Vega Market in the morning or early afternoon. Go before 2 PM when it's quieter and watch your belongings.

    
  • Days 4-7

    Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine

    Take a flight to Punta Arenas and rent a car for the 3-hour drive to Puerto Natales. Buy your Torres del Paine park tickets online ($35 per person) to skip the entrance lines. Plan 8-9 hours for the Base Torres hike and start by 7 AM. Pack multiple layers since the weather changes quickly. One experienced hiker notes: "The final hour to Base Torres is pure scree - trekking poles were essential for the descent." For Grey Glacier views, leave your car at Hotel Lago Grey and follow the marked trail. Go before noon to avoid strong afternoon winds. If you're doing the Mirador Francés hike, take the first Lago Pehoé ferry around 9 AM. Book early during peak season.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Punta Arenas to Ushuaia

    Drop off your rental car in Punta Arenas and take the ferry across the Magellan Strait. Bring warm clothes if you want to enjoy the views from the deck. The bus ride to Ushuaia takes about 12 hours including border stops. Check if you need cash for Argentina's entry fee based on your passport.

    
  • Days 10-13

    Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego

    The Martial Glacier trail offers great views but can get slippery. Wear good boots and consider the chairlift up for $15. Book morning Beagle Channel boat trips when the water is calmer. A recent visitor shares: "The 9 AM sailing gave us perfect light for photos of the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse."

    
  • Days 14-18

    Buenos Aires

    Finish your trip in Argentina's exciting capital. Visit Recoleta Cemetery (free admission) before 11 AM to avoid the tour groups. See El Caminito in La Boca early for the best photos of colorful street art and smaller crowds. Skip tourist tango shows and try a local milonga instead. Salon Canning in Palermo is popular with locals.

    

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• 16 Days in Patagonia, incl. Santiago and Buenos Aires

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Santiago de Chile

    Start your journey in Chile's capital. Head up to Cerro San Cristóbal by funicular before 10 AM to beat the crowds and enjoy city views. Visit Plaza de Armas and the colorful Bellavista area with its street art. Plan your walking tours for the morning since Santiago heats up by midday. End your evenings in the trendy Lastarria district for dinner.

    
  • Day 4

    Santiago to Puerto Natales

    Take a morning flight to Punta Arenas (3.5 hours) and drive north to Puerto Natales (3 hours) through Patagonian landscapes. Make sure to get gas in Punta Arenas since stations are limited on the route. Stay near Manuel Bulnes street in Puerto Natales to be close to tour companies.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Torres del Paine National Park

    Use Puerto Natales as your base. Leave at 7 AM for the Torres Base hike, which takes about 8 hours round trip. Bring plenty of layers since the weather changes quickly. Take the Grey Glacier boat tour on Day 6 but book early as spots fill up fast. If the weather is good on Day 7, explore the French Valley.

    
  • Days 8-11

    Ushuaia

    Take the bus from Puerto Natales to Ushuaia (12 hours including border crossing). Pack snacks and warm clothes for the ride. Visit the End of the World Train and Tierra del Fuego National Park. Schedule your Beagle Channel cruise for morning when the water is calmer. Take time to hike Martial Glacier for great views of the channel.

    
  • Days 12-15

    Buenos Aires

    Fly to Buenos Aires (4 hours) to explore neighborhoods like San Telmo and Palermo. The city is most active at night, so plan accordingly. Reserve your spot at a tango show well in advance, especially at popular venues like Café Tortoni. A recent visitor noted: "The Sunday market in San Telmo is incredible, but get there by 10 AM before tourist crowds arrive. The best antiques are found early."

    
  • Day 16

    Departure

    Plan to leave for Ezeiza Airport at least 4 hours before your flight. The drive from downtown takes about an hour but Buenos Aires traffic can be unpredictable.

    

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• 17 Day Chile Itinerary, incl. Santiago and Patagonia

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Santiago de Chile

    Start in Chile's capital city. The Italia district offers hidden courtyard cafés and antique stores while the elegant Lastarria neighborhood features 20th-century architecture and lively flea markets. La Vega Market is perfect for local produce. If you're looking to try Chile's national drink, head to Chipe Libre for a pisco sour but take it easy - they're stronger than they taste!

    
  • Days 4-6

    Valparaíso

    A quick 1.5-hour drive brings you to 'Valpo,' a vibrant port city. The historic elevators connect the city's hills, with El Peral offering the best route to Cerro Concepción. Walk through the bohemian neighborhoods of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción in the early morning before other tourists arrive. Plan to visit Pablo Neruda's house, La Sebastiana, in the late afternoon when the light creates perfect photo opportunities of the bay. Entry costs $15.

    
  • Days 7-11

    Patagonia & Torres del Paine

    Take a 3.5-hour flight to Punta Arenas, then drive 4 hours to Puerto Natales. The famous Torres hike is demanding - it's an 18km round trip with serious elevation gain. Start early at 7 AM to avoid strong afternoon winds and bring plenty of layers since the weather changes quickly. One hiker noted: "The last hour scrambling over rocks was tough, but seeing those towers reflecting in the turquoise lagoon made every step worth it. Bring proper hiking poles—you'll need them on the descent."

    
  • Days 12-15

    Atacama Desert

    Fly to Calama in the evening and take a 2-hour shuttle to San Pedro de Atacama. The stark desert landscape offers a complete change from Patagonia's green vistas. Book your stargazing tours before you arrive - the Atacama's night skies are the clearest worldwide. The El Tatio geysers look best at sunrise, but plan carefully. The 4 AM departure and high altitude (14,000 ft) can be challenging. Give yourself at least 24 hours in San Pedro to adjust to the elevation.

    
  • Days 16-17

    Return Journey

    Head back to Calama for your flight home. Get to the airport 2.5 hours early as the small airport gets busy and check-in takes time. If you need to connect through Santiago, consider booking an airport hotel for overnight layovers.

    

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