Popular Destinations

Our Destinations

Holiday Types

More Holiday Types

About

Our Content

Travelling Safely

When to Go

Best time to Go

All best time to visit guides

Torres del Paine over Pehoe Lake in Chile

Chile Holidays

There’s something to capture the imagination in any direction. For those looking to discover the extraordinary, we can immerse you in windswept Patagonia or take you to the mysterious Easter Island.

It is a joy to travel from the Atacama Desert in the north to Torres del Paine National Park in the south and admire the vast diversity of the country’s wild landscapes.

Accommodation and food are far from wild, and there are some fantastic options even in isolated areas. From the moment you step off the plane, Chile has a warm European feel which is instantly reassuring and a great start to your holiday in Chile. The streets of Santiago have a familiar atmosphere until you look up and see the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Travel outside Santiago, and you are transported into a world of stark contrasts which cannot fail to stimulate the senses – the scenery is incredible.

Maximise every moment

Choose from our collection of curated experiences that will help us to create a bespoke and memorable journey for you.

Chile

Chile – Paws for thought

Torres del Paine is home to one of the largest puma populations in the world, with the Laguna Amarga region being where sightings are most prolific. Accompanied by an expert guide, hike through Patagonia’s wilderness, learning to read the signs that a puma is nearby. Visit Estancia Cerro Guido, where ongoing research and camera traps help track these elusive predators. Nothing will get the adrenaline pumping through your veins faster than your first spot of a wild puma.

Horse riding close to Moon Valley, Atacama Desert, Chile

Riding in the Desert

Riding through Chile’s Atacama Desert close to the Moon Valley on a light chestnut mare named Constantina was an afternoon well spent. The landscape was seemingly endless and little gustnadoes swirled all around.

Twilight in Valparaiso

I was not a particular fan of Valparaiso, but then again, busy streets have never been of much interest to me. That was until nightfall. The winding avenues glowed orange under street lamps, artful graffitis peeked from the shadows, and the harbour was lit as though by fireflies.

Horse with Paine Massif, Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Picnic in Patagonia

Taking a leisurely lunch break next to a dazzling lake in Torres del Paine National Park, I watched my horse slumber against a backdrop of the cloud-masked Paine Massif. On this chilly day, the hot stew and red wine made for a welcome al-fresco snack.

Hot Air Baloon from above, Atacama Desert, Chile

Now Illegal Atacama Ballooning

My trip to the Atacama Desert coincided with the last week of legal hot air ballooning over the vast moon-like landscape. The local Atacamaneans had won their legal battle to ban the sky-bound jaunts, so I was one of the last to see this epic place from above.

Meeting the Atacamaneans

Walking through the streets of San Pedro de Atacama, the tiny gateway village to the Atacama Desert, I was struck by the friendliness of the local Atacamaneans. What’s more, their fascinating market was a treasure trove of handmade blankets and carved totems.

Spotting a Puma Family

As far as I was concerned, the chances of spotting a puma were slim. Elusive and skulking, these cats have a way of camouflaging themselves into the Patagonian landscape. Suddenly our 4×4 ground to a halt and, to my utter amazement, our guide pointed out a mother puma and her two cubs cutting a soft track between grey stones less than 20 metres away.

Hiking in Patagonia

While in the eastern sector of Torres del Paine, I hiked past herds of guanacos as Andean condors swirled overhead to an ancient Aonikenk cave known for its 4,000-year-old wall paintings.

Carretera Austral scenic view, Aysen Region, Chile

Carretera Austral Road Trip

Driving a 4×4 along the Carretera Austral, through hidden landscapes and stunning snow-capped scenery, was a wild and remote off-the-beaten-track experience.

Quetrus lagoon in Tagua Tagua Park, Chile

Off-Piste Patagonia

Exploring the wilderness of ancient forest, lagoon, rivers, waterfalls and rugged mountains of Tagua Tagua Park felt like a real privilege and that I had stumbled upon a secret part of Patagonia.

First time visitor? Start here.

Highlights of Chile

Explore the length of this filament of a country, full of vast and varied landscapes, from the finger-like granite peaks of the Torres del Paine National Park in the south to the lunar-like Atacama Desert in the north, with time spent among the snow-capped volcanoes and hot springs of the Chilean Lake District.

11 days

from £6,995 pp

View holiday details

Idea

Chile

Drive the Carretera Austral

This self-drive adventure follows one of the world’s greatest routes – the Carretera Austral. Without another car in sight, and only the tell-tale sign of dust in the distance to let you know that humanity is still out there, this is an…

12 days from £4,995pp

Carretera Austral, Cerro Castillo, Patagonia, Chile

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Chile

Chile & Argentina – Cruise the Patagonian Fjords

Journey through the fjords and channels of southern Patagonia, via Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego, to the tip of South America, before exploring the glaciers and soaring peaks of Argentina.

10 days from £5,350pp

View across water to Darwin Range of mountains, Australis Cruise, Fjords of Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia

View Cruise

Idea

Bolivia

Deserts and Salt Flats of Chile and Bolivia

This immersive overland adventure is brimming with other worldly beauty. Cross the altiplano, exploring the Atacama Desert in Chile, the vast salt flats of Uyuni in Bolivia and everything in between. Follow a section of an ancient Inca trail and traverse remote…

12 days from £10,795pp

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Chile

Highlights of Chile

Encompassing the lakes and volcanoes of the Lake District, the windswept wilderness of Patagonia and the shimmering salt flats and geysers of the Atacama Desert, this journey through Chile illuminates the stark contrasts and incredible diversity of the longest country in the world…

11 days from £6,995pp

View Holiday Idea

Need inspiration?
Browse our Chile holiday ideas.

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made Chile holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Idea

Chile

Drive the Carretera Austral

12 days from £4,995pp

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Chile

Chile & Argentina – Cruise the Patagonian Fjords

Journey through the fjords and channels of southern Patagonia, via Cape Horn and Tierra del Fuego, to the tip of South America, before exploring the glaciers and soaring peaks of Argentina.

10 days from £5,350pp

View Cruise

Idea

Bolivia

Deserts and Salt Flats of Chile and Bolivia

12 days from £10,795pp

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Chile

Highlights of Chile

11 days from £6,995pp

View Holiday Idea

View all holiday ideas View all cruises

The most incredible adventure

I can only say it was the most incredible adventure from beginning to end and every single day offered something totally new, exciting and different. All the accommodation was fabulous and again all very different and unique. Loved every moment of every day. You did a fantastic job putting it all together.

Where to Stay

Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.

Chile

Hotel Casa Higueras

£££££

Perched on an impressive hillside vantage point that overlooks the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Valparaiso and its bay, Hotel Casa Higueras is a former 1920s mansion house turned charming boutique hotel. Hidden behind a simple…

Swimming Pool, Hotel Casa Higueras, Valparaiso, Chile

View Property

Americas - South

Lakutaia Lodge

Wilderness
£££££

Lakutaia Lodge is the southernmost hotel in the world, located at Puerto Williams on Navarino Island. The lodge has 24 comfortable rooms as well as a restaurant serving Chilean wines and regional food. The hotel has…

View Property

Chile

Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa

Wilderness
£££££

Overlooking Lake Sarmiento and the majestic granite towers of Torres del Paine National Park, Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa is a native lenga wood structure that rises discreetly from the earth at the “End of the…

View Property

Chile

Hotel Antumalal

£££££

Concealed within a remarkable 14-acre private park, Hotel Antumalal is a boutique property that benefits from its own private beach and staggering panoramic views over Lake Villarrica. Sculpted from native rock, the on-site spa offers an…

View Property

Chile

Explora Atacama

Wilderness
£££££

Designed to blend seamlessly with the colours and materials of the desert, Explora Atacama combines contemporary architecture with old stable yard-style accommodation blocks. Its 50 rooms, each accessed by crossing an original stone courtyard, are all…

View Property

Chile

Hotel Puelche

£££££

Hotel Puelche is a mountain-style property situated in a stunning location just a short walking distance from the charming city of Puerto Varas. The Hotel is a great base from which to explore the local Lake…

Exterior Front View, Hotel Puelche, Puerto Varas, Chile

View Property

More luxury accommodation

Explore our Chile travel guide →

This destination travel guide will help you explore the country and everything it has to offer.

After checking out the guide you will be ready to select from our choice of itineraries to start planning your own adventure.

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

View Profile

Paul Bird

Combining the arid Atacama Desert and iconic Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonia, the dramatic contrasts of its landscapes make Chile one of Paul’s most treasured travel destinations.

Talk with our experts

01285 880 980

Contact Us

Start planning your trip

01285 880 980

Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Where would you like to go?(Required)

Name(Required)

Title First Last

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?

More about Steppes