Atacama Sunset, Chile

Highlights of Chile

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

11 Days

Prices Start from

£6,995pp(ex. flights)

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.

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 while staying at properties which showcase the beauty of their surroundings.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Torres Del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile 1

Torres del Paine

Endless Patagonian vistas, accessible on foot, bike or horseback.

Puma, Patagonia, Chile 2

Wild Chile

Track puma and spot Andean condor in the Patagonian wilderness.

View from Valle De La Muerte, Atacama Desert, Chile 3

Atacama Desert

Explore the otherworldly damask terrain and immense ebony skies of the Atacama Desert.

Osorno Volcano, Lake District, Chile 4

Chilean Lakes

Kayak below snow topped volcanoes amidst the alpine landscapes of the Chilean Lakes.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Santiago (The Singular Santiago)

  • Day 2

    Santiago - Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas (Awa Hotel)

  • Days 3-4

    Puerto Varas (Awa Hotel)

  • Day 5

    Puerto Montt - Punta Arenas - Torres del Paine (Explora Torres del Paine)

  • Day 6-7

    Torres del Paine (Explora Torres del Paine)

  • Day 8

    Torres del Paine - Punta Arenas - Calama - San Pedro de Atacama (Explora Atacama)

  • Days 9-10

    San Pedro de Atacama (Explora Atacama)

  • Day 11

    San Pedro de Atacama - Calama - Santiago

Day 1

Santiago (The Singular Santiago)

Arrive Santiago and transfer to your accommodation in the city. This afternoon take a private tour of the city on foot to explore some of the historic buildings and local markets, a lovely introduction to Chile.

Day 2

Santiago - Puerto Montt - Puerto Varas (Awa Hotel)

Fly from Santiago to Puerto Montt and transfer around 60 minutes to your accommodation on the shores of Lake Llanquihue in the Chilean Lake District.

Days 3-4

Puerto Varas (Awa Hotel)

Spend the next two days exploring the Los Lagos region and the National Parks within it. Kayak and paddle board or hop on bikes to circumnavigate the lake. Go hiking, bird watching, visit the city of Puerto Varas or get a closer view of the neighbouring Osorno Volcano.

Day 5

Puerto Montt - Punta Arenas - Torres del Paine (Explora Torres del Paine)

Transfer around 60 minutes to Puerto Montt for your flight to Punta Arenas and onward five hour drive into the spectacular landscapes of Torres del Paine.

Day 6-7

Torres del Paine (Explora Torres del Paine)

Spend two days exploring via an array of trails which can be navigated on foot or by horseback. Take a cruise across Lake Pehoé, join explorations to the Grey Glacier or head out on a puma-tracking adventure.

Day 8

Torres del Paine - Punta Arenas - Calama - San Pedro de Atacama (Explora Atacama)

Transfer around five hours to Punta Arenas for your flight to Calama from where you will travel into the Atacama Desert.

Days 9-10

San Pedro de Atacama (Explora Atacama)

Spend two days exploring the desert region. Embark on guided hikes or volcano and crater ascents, saddle up for a horseback adventure across the arid plains, tackle a high mountain ascent or sit back for an afternoon of bird-watching.

Day 11

San Pedro de Atacama - Calama - Santiago

Transfer around 80 minutes to Calama airport for your flight to Santiago for onward travel.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

View of Osorno Volcano, Lake District, Chile
View of Osorno Volcano, Lake District, Chile

The Chilean Lake District

Spend time amongst the snow-capped volcanoes and glacial lakes of the lush green Lake District, heading out to try anything from sailing and kayaking on glistening lakes to biking and horse riding in the national parks. The more adventurous can try white water rafting on grade II to IV rapids, while leisurely amblers can walk among 4000-year-old alerce trees, followed by an afternoon spent in a pretty resort town.

Serrano River, Torres del Paine, Chile
Serrano River, Torres del Paine, Chile

Chilean Patagonia

In the far south of Chile lies the iconic and impressive Torres del Paine National Park, renowned for its meandering rivers, ice-blue lakes, huge glaciers and the iconic jagged granite peaks of the Cordillera Paine. The most spectacular place for trekking, wildlife-spotting and photography, this gem of Chilean Patagonia is the place to be to witness electric blue icebergs and aquamarine lakes.

Mountains, Views, Craters, Walking, Awasi Atacama, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

The Atacama Desert

The landscapes of the Atacama Desert are striking – volcanoes, geysers, flamingo-filled lagoons and moon-like landscapes abound, and at night the skies above are lit by seemingly infinite numbers of stars. An area of rich vibrant colours, this unique desert boasts a myriad of earthy oranges, lagoon blues and pink sunsets that make for spectacular photographs and even better backdrops for active explorations on horseback, on foot or by 4×4.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

The Singular Santiago £££££

  • Chile
  • City

Positioned in Santiago’s historic and bohemian neighbourhood of Lastarria, The Singular Santiago fuses neoclassical architectural influences with contemporary artworks and sleek interior aesthetics. Its chic rooftop boasts a sophisticated bar and a dazzling plunge pool, while its award-winning chandelier-clad restaurant offers one of the most memorable French culinary experiences in the city.

View Property

Awa Hotel £££££

  • Chile

Combining contemporary architecture with the traditional materials of the region, Awa Hotel is a striking building set within 50 acres of private land, in a magical lakeside setting. Facing the hotel is the imposing Osorno Volcano and all of the 16 spacious rooms boast views of the lake and volcano.

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Explora Torres del Paine £££££

  • Chile
  • Wilderness

Benefitting from unrivalled views of the looming, snow-capped peaks of the Paine Massif mountain range, Explora Torres del Paine is a sleek base for exploration set amongst an isolated and silent landscape. Its 50 rooms boast a streamlined and simple design so as not to draw attention away from the epic views of the surrounding waterfalls, lakes, rolling valleys and the indescribable Paine Massif mountain range. A warming indoor aromatherapy spa is perched on the edge of a lake in its own building and features a heated pool and sauna as well as four open-air jacuzzis with views to the Paine River.

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Explora Atacama £££££

  • Chile
  • 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 at once authentic and comfortable in feeling, boasting large copper tubs, cosy handcrafted blankets, local materials and hand-selected furnishings. With views that range from the private stables to grazing paddocks to the milky pink volcanoes on the horizon, the surrounding landscapes ensure nights of deep and restful sleep after long days of exploration.

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How does this holiday make a positive impact?

Your stay at Explora Atacama directly contributes to the Council of Atacameño People, supporting the education of indigenous Lickan Antay youth, to whom secondary school education is not available. The project provides accommodation and catering at the boarding school to 25 local and regional students each year.

The gardens at Awa Hotel began through a desire to supply their kitchen (and guests) with the freshest produce, as well as to encourage small-scale agriculture in the Lakes Region. Every element and plant in the garden design plays a role, from providing food, to wind blocks, and benefiting insects. Fifty percent of produce is used in their menu, with future plans to produce enough to also provide the local community.

Explora Lodges are committed to conserving the land, nature and culture within which they are privileged to have their properties. The Puritama Explora Conservation Reserve is a protected area within the Atacama Desert, spanning 8,000 hectares. The reserve allows ongoing monitoring and research of many species that are critical to the diverse ecosystem, including the elusive and endangered Andean cat.

Easter Islands

Fly west to spend time on Easter Island, one of the most isolated and unique islands on Earth. With infinite views over the Pacific Ocean and dotted with clusters of wild horses, the island presents opportunities to dive in some of the world’s clearest waters, cycle through prairies and learn more about Polynesian culture.

3 days - Price on request

Ariel view of Ahu Tongariki, Easter Island, Chile
Easter Island, Chile

Chilean Winelands

Spend the night at one of Chile’s finest vineyards estates – take a tasting tour to sample varieties from Cabernet Sauvignon to Carménère, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot or take a picnic and meander through the vines by bike or on horseback.

2 days - Price on request

Vineyard Path, Colchagua Valley, Chile
Chile

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A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £6,995 Per person

When to travel

Chile in January

January and February is the peak season in Chile as it is the height of the summer. Weather can be ideal throughout the country, although the Atacama Desert can occasionally experience unusual rainfall at this time.

Chile in February

January and February is the peak season in Chile as it is the height of the summer. Weather can be ideal throughout the country, although the Atacama Desert can occasionally experience unusual rainfall at this time.

Chile in March

Heading into the autumn, this is a shoulder season for most of the country. This can make for a lovely time to visit as peak prices come down and the crowds ease slightly.

Chile in April

April to August is the winter season throughout Chile, bringing in heavy rains. The southern part of the country will begin experiencing snow which can make areas inaccessible.

Chile in May

April to August is the winter season throughout Chile, bringing in heavy rains. The southern part of the country will begin experiencing snow which can make areas inaccessible.

Chile in June

April to August is the winter season throughout Chile, bringing in heavy rains. The southern part of the country will begin experiencing snow which can make areas inaccessible.

Chile in July

April to August is the winter season throughout Chile, bringing in heavy rains. The southern part of the country will begin experiencing snow which can make areas inaccessible.

Chile in August

April to August is the winter season throughout Chile, bringing in heavy rains. The southern part of the country will begin experiencing snow which can make areas inaccessible.

Chile in September

As the snow begins to melt and days get warmer, this can be a delightful time to visit the central valleys and north of the country.

Chile in October

October marks the start of spring in the lake district. Although you can expect rain, the flowers begin to bloom across the stunning landscapes and temperatures begin to rise.

Chile in November

November is a good time to visit, as spring is in full bloom across the country. Just before the peak season begins in December, there are fewer crowds.

Chile in December

December begins the peak season for travel to Chile, with the climate in its prime for visiting most of the popular destinations. We advise that you begin planning well in advance for travel during this time as many hotels can book up.

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