📍 Chile

CHILE EPIC: DESERT SILENCE TO GLACIER THUNDER AND FIRE

Desert silence meets glacier thunder, granite peaks pierce the clouds, penguin colonies dot the shores. Chile is a continent's extremes.

≈ 19
Days
9066
Km
8
Stops
📖 6 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Santiago at the foot of the Andes, the Atacama Desert and its stars, Lake District volcanoes and lakes, Torres del Paine and Patagonian glaciers. Chile stretches 4,000 km of striking contrasts.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Santiago

mountain ringed capital city

Santiago - Photo 1Santiago - Photo 2Santiago - Photo 3Santiago - Photo 4Santiago - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Historic center of Santiago (Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, Palacio de la Real Audiencia)
2
La Moneda (esplanade and civic district)
3
Bellavista district (urban stroll)
4
Viña del Mar: Flower clock and waterfront (Avenida Perú)
+3 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Ascent to Cerro Santa Lucía (urban viewpoint)
→
Scenic route Santiago ↔ Valparaíso/Viña (via Curacaví & Casablanca valleys)
→
Maipo wine tasting
+1 Optional activities
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 1556 km
Travel time: 31h07
2
Day

San Pedro De Atacama

desert starry night silence

San Pedro De Atacama - Photo 1San Pedro De Atacama - Photo 2San Pedro De Atacama - Photo 3San Pedro De Atacama - Photo 4San Pedro De Atacama - Photo 5San Pedro De Atacama - Photo 6San Pedro De Atacama - Photo 7San Pedro De Atacama - Photo 8San Pedro De Atacama - Photo 9San Pedro De Atacama - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Transfer Calama → San Pedro de Atacama via Domeyko mountain range
2
Valle de la Luna: amphitheater and dunes
3
Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons (altiplano)
4
Salar de Atacama: Laguna Chaxa (National Flamingo Reserve)
+3 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Flamingo observation (3 species) at the salt flat
→
Thermal bath at geothermal site (weather permitting)
→
Flight Calama → Santiago
+1 Optional activities
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 1552 km
Travel time: 31h02
3
Day

Santiago Airport

Santiago Airport - Photo 1Santiago Airport - Photo 2Santiago Airport - Photo 3Santiago Airport - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Hierbas Buenas: petroglyphs
2
Valle del Arcoíris (multicolored minerals)
3
Río Grande hamlet (colonial architecture)
🎯

Activities

→
Los Pozones Hot Springs (outdoor hot baths)
→
Possible swimming in a park lagoon (weather permitting)
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 861 km
Travel time: 17h14
4
Day

Pucon

lake forest volcanic village

Pucon - Photo 1Pucon - Photo 2Pucon - Photo 3Pucon - Photo 4Pucon - Photo 5Pucon - Photo 6Pucon - Photo 7Pucon - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Flight Santiago → Temuco then road Temuco → Pucón
2
View of Volcán Villarrica (from the city and lake)
3
Ojos del Caburgua (waterfalls and blue lagoon)
4
Marimán Rapids (Trancura River, viewpoint)
+3 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Free time: casino, artisan cafés, local microbreweries
→
Walk along the lakefront with views of Osorno & Calbuco volcanoes
→
Short interpretive hike around the lava flows
+2 Optional activities
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 315 km
Travel time: 6h19
5
Day

Puerto Varas

lake district temperate forest

Puerto Varas - Photo 1Puerto Varas - Photo 2Puerto Varas - Photo 3Puerto Varas - Photo 4Puerto Varas - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Arrival in Puerto Varas (City of Roses) on the shores of Lake Llanquihue
2
Ensenada (shore of Llanquihue)
3
Petrohué Falls (Vicente Pérez Rosales Park)
4
Scenic route to Osorno volcano ski center (viewpoints)
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Bus Punta Arenas → Puerto Natales (late afternoon)
→
Lunch en route in the park (box-lunch type)
→
Wildlife observation (guanacos, rheas) and viewpoints
+1 Optional activities
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 1724 km
Travel time: 34h29
6
Day

Punta Arenas

penguin colony southern city

Punta Arenas - Photo 1Punta Arenas - Photo 2Punta Arenas - Photo 3Punta Arenas - Photo 4Punta Arenas - Photo 5Punta Arenas - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 6
🎯

Activities

→
Free stroll at the end of the day in Santiago (last shopping)
→
Vol prochaine étape
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 250 km
Travel time: 5h
7
Day

Puerto Natales

patagonia glacier gateway

Puerto Natales - Photo 1Puerto Natales - Photo 2Puerto Natales - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Excursion to the Strait of Magellan: Isla Magdalena (Magellanic penguin colony)
🎯

Activities

→
Bus Punta Arenas → Puerto Natales (late afternoon)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 79 km
Travel time: 1h35
8
Day

Torres Del Paine

granite peak glacier park

Torres Del Paine - Photo 1Torres Del Paine - Photo 2Torres Del Paine - Photo 3Torres Del Paine - Photo 4Torres Del Paine - Photo 5Torres Del Paine - Photo 6Torres Del Paine - Photo 7Torres Del Paine - Photo 8Torres Del Paine - Photo 9Torres Del Paine - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Cueva del Milodón (paleontological site)
2
Torres del Paine National Park: Nordenskjöld Lake & Pehoé Lake
3
Salto Grande (waterfall)
4
Viewpoint at Grey Glacier front (from the peninsula or access trail)
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Lunch en route in the park (box-lunch type)
→
Wildlife observation (guanacos, rheas) and viewpoints
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 79 km
Travel time: 1h35
9
Day

Puerto Natales

patagonia glacier gateway

Puerto Natales - Photo 1Puerto Natales - Photo 2Puerto Natales - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Zodiac descent on Río Serrano (panoramas of the Southern Ice Field)
2
Hike to Serrano Glacier front (Bernardo O'Higgins Park)
🎯

Activities

→
Navigation on Fiordo Última Esperanza to Puerto Natales
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 2650 km
Travel time: 52h59
10
Day

Santiago

mountain ringed capital city

Santiago - Photo 1Santiago - Photo 2Santiago - Photo 3Santiago - Photo 4Santiago - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Free time according to flight schedule (urban parks or museums of choice)
🎯

Activities

→
Free stroll at the end of the day in Santiago (last shopping)
→
Vol prochaine étape

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🛡️ Travel advice - Chile

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Summer (December-March): Peak tourist season, warmest weather, ideal for Patagonia, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect hiking conditions.

Fall (March-May): Excellent weather, fewer crowds, wine harvest season, moderate prices, comfortable temperatures, autumn colors.

Winter (June-August): Ski season in Andes, fewer tourists, lowest prices, perfect for deserts and cities, Patagonia challenging but beautiful.

Spring (September-November): Wildflower blooms, moderate weather, good value, excellent for most regions, shoulder season advantages.

Regional Variations: Northern desert year-round, central valley Mediterranean climate, southern regions best in summer, opposite seasons from north.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 15 and 23 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Chile?

World's longest country offers desert, wine regions, and Patagonian wilderness in narrow strip. Experience Atacama Desert, Santiago sophistication, and Easter Island mysteries. The country provides incredible geographical diversity with excellent wine culture and outdoor adventures. Chile offers adventure and culture from Pacific coast to Andes peaks.