Chile map & itineraries
Stretching the distance from Norway to Nigeria creates a diverse array of contrasting places to visit in Chile. The only option here is north or south – east-west just doesn’t really happen in Chile. To reach its fjords and glaciers, fertile valleys and lakes, lush forests or spectacular desert, you’re likely to have to factor in a flight or two – though this will offer spectacular aerial views of snow-blanketed volcanoes and craggy, splintered coastline. Roads are in great condition in Chile though, and the scenery will make any long drives whizz by as you enjoy the panorama of gradients rising from surf-washed Pacific beaches to jagged 6,000m Andean peaks. And at the northern tip, a vast, dramatic plateau – the Altiplano – is a breathtaking step up to the clouds.
Our Chile Vacations
Chile adventure vacation
Chile's best: the Atacama Desert, Lake District and Patagonia
From
US $5279 to US $5679
13 days
ex flights
Patagonia tailor made vacation, 14 days
Be awed by beautiful Patagonian wilderness on this trip
From
£3158
14 days
ex flights
Rio Futaleufu rafting vacation in Chile
Raft deep canyons and pristine wilderness of Patagonia
From
US $3800
9 days
ex flights
Chile vacation, 21 days south to north
Atacama Desert, Patagonian Rainforest & National Parks
From
£3399
21 days
ex flights
Patagonia self-drive vacaton
10 days - Torres del Paine, Calafate & Perito Moreno
From
£1950
10 days
ex flights
Patagonia tailor made tour, self guided
Self-guided vacation in stunning Patagonian mountains.
From
US $2850
13 days
ex flights
Tour of Patagonia, El Calafate & Torres del Paine
Patagonia's best - Torres del Paine and Perito Moreno Glacier.
From
US $625 to US $875
5 days
ex flights
Small group adventure vacation to Patagonia
Explore the spectacular wilderness and mountains of Patagonia
From
£4042
20 days
ex flights
Chile and Argentina tour
Santiago, Lake District, Patagonia, Glaciers & Buenos Aires
From
£2595
14 days
ex flights
Chile highlights tour, 10 days
10-days: Santiago, Atacama, Patagonia & Torres del Paine
From
£2795
10 days
ex flights
Patagonia highlights vacation
Explore the wild, mountainous south of Argentina and Chile
From
US $5349 to US $5579
13 days
ex flights
Chile tailor made vacation, north to south
Highlights of Chile in wine country, Atacama, and Patagonia
From
US $3445 to US $3775
13 days
ex flights
Photography vacation on Easter Island
Photograph one of the world's most isolated inhabited islands
From
US $5392
5 days
ex flights
Easter Island vacation
Explore Easter Island, home of the Moai Statues
From
US $1295 to US $1450
5 days
ex flights
Patagonia expedition vacation, small group
Explore and trek through Torres del Paine National Park
From
US $3199
10 days
ex flights
Patagonia small group vacation
Explore Patagonia's National Parks by foot and small-ship.
From
US $5730 to US $7789
12 days
ex flights
Antarctic cruise and hiking in Chile
Walk in Atacama and Patagonia before cruising Antarctica
From
£13725
4 weeks
ex flights
Paine and Fitz Roy trek, trekking vacation
Spectacular Andes scenery from glacial lakes to towering granite peaks
From
US $6690
15 days
ex flights
Lima to Santiago overland vacation
Travel through Peru Bolivia & Chile
From
US $3360 to US $4199
21 days
ex flights
Patagonia luxury adventure vacation
Luxury hotels and adventure in Patagonia
From
US $4327 to US $4887
11 days
ex flights
Argentina and Chile vacation
Explore Argentina and Chile on our Puna and Atacama experience
From
£4195 to £4485
13 days
ex flights
Chilean Patagonia tour
12 day tailor made trip to the less-visited south of Chile
From
£3045
12 days
ex flights
Atacama Desert self drive vacation in Chile
Fly & drive vacation in Chile's Atacama Desert
From
£1450
7 days
ex flights
Chile and Argentina cycling vacation
Cycle from Atacama to Salta
From
US $4349 to US $4579
13 days
ex flights
Chile off the beaten track vacation
Explore a little visited part of Patagonia
From
£3783
14 days
ex flights
Bolivia, Chile and Argentina vacation
A short but fulfilling adventure across the continent.
From
US $2452 to US $3469
14 days
ex flights
Chile tour, classic Chile
From mountains to desert - Chile's wild highlights
From
US $5395
15 days
ex flights
Patagonia trekking tour
Natural beauty, dramatic vistas and cosmopolitan cities.
From
US $4255 to US $4960
10 days
ex flights
Atacama Desert tour, private departure
Explore geyers and hike the landscape in the Atacama Desert
From
US $1155
4 days
ex flights
1. Atacama Desert
2. Aysén
3. Central Valley
4. Chiloé Island
5. Easter Island
6. Juan Fernandez Archipelago
7. Lake District
8. Lauca National Park
9. Santiago
10. Tierra del Fuego
11. Torres del Paine
12. Valparaiso
2. Aysén
3. Central Valley
4. Chiloé Island
5. Easter Island
6. Juan Fernandez Archipelago
7. Lake District
8. Lauca National Park
9. Santiago
10. Tierra del Fuego
11. Torres del Paine
12. Valparaiso
Atacama Desert
1. Atacama Desert
The world's highest active volcano – the 6,893m Volcan Ojos del Salado – is just one towering hot-top around the geothermal wonderland of the Nevado de Tres Cruces National Park in the Atacama Desert. Minerals create lakes with otherworldly hues, while hot springs bubble amid rugged plains and salt flats. The coastal town Caldera provides a charming getaway, with a little pier and good fish restaurants.
Aysén
2. Aysén
Chile’s most sparsely populated region blends islands, fjords, glaciers and ice fields with South America’s second largest lake – famous for the phenomenal “Marble Cathedral” caves that beckon kayakers. Queulat National Park protects the “Enchanted Forest” – a myth-ridden cold climate “rainforest” with glacial waterfalls and – some claim – fairies! What is definitely real are its brilliant rafting and hiking.
Central Valley
3. Central Valley
The charms of Chile's fertile heartland extend far beyond its famous gaucho cowboys. The waterfalls of the Radal Siete Tazas National Park vie with the thundering Salto del Laja cascades for drama, while the Nevados de Chillán are idyllic hot springs in prime hiking and skiing country. Relax on wine routes through areas like Colchaqua or hit the surf beaches around Pichilemu.
Chiloé Island
4. Chiloé Island
Chiloé's inhabitants still tell stories of mysterious ghost ships and seductive mermaids that seem totally appropriate to a jaw-dropping isle with otherworldly fauna, old wooden churches and fairytale cottages wreathed in wood smoke. Life depends on the sea here, providing a gourmet bounty – the most famous dish is the classic Chilean meat-and-fish stew curanto, traditionally cooked in an earth oven.
Easter Island
5. Easter Island
The haunting moai monoliths fashioned by the island's ancient Rapa Nui culture are true global icons, carved from an atmospheric quarry at Rano Raraku. Peer into the crater of the extinct Rano Kau volcano then visit the tribal village of Orongo. If you come late January or early February, the Tapati Rapa Nui festival brings a carnival vibe to the main settlement of Hanga Roa.
Juan Fernandez Archipelago
6. Juan Fernandez Archipelago
Isla Robinson Crusoe is the star of the Juan Fernandez archipelago, an otherwise uninhabited group of islands 675km out in the Pacific west of Valparaiso. Check out its castaway – and pirate – links, hike mountains draped with lush forests, and recharge in fishing hamlets majoring in lobster. There's brilliant diving too – plus a fascinating traditional cult of 'The Birdman'.
Lake District
7. Lake District
Chile's answer to the Swiss Alps is chocolate-box beautiful, with slivers of lake between snow-tipped volcanoes and verdant valleys. German settlers brought beer and bakeries, but this is also the heartland of the Mapuche, adding a potent weave of native culture to an idyllic landscape where visitors can enjoy kayaking, white water rafting, volcano hikes and hot springs.
Lauca National Park
8. Lauca National Park
Chile's highest national park drapes across northern highlands, 4,000m-6,000m up – a landscape of lonely altiplano lakes and jetting geysers, roamed by herds of wild vicuña, llama and alpaca. The interconnected Cotacotani lakes glitter in a dark lava field, while Lago Chungara washes the foot of a 6,330m volcano. The tiny village of Parinacota is the park's evocative HQ, huddled around a gorgeous church.
Santiago
9. Santiago
Chile's 500-year-old colonial capital sits on a wide plane with a magnificent Andean backdrop. Not as famous as Rio or Buenos Aires but with its own proud identity among its 7 million citizens, Santiago's highlights include the bohemian quarter Bellavista, the bustling central colonial square Plaza de Armas, two fantastic food markets and a superb Pre-Columbian museum.
Tierra del Fuego
10. Tierra del Fuego
Divided from mainland Patagonia by the Magellan Strait, the 'Land of Fire' is named after the native Yamana fires first spotted by the eponymous explorer. Explore the forested peaks of the Cordillera Darwin, the lakes of Isla Grande, or tackle the tough 70km mountain hiking trail on Isla Navarino – where Puerto Toro bags the title of world's most southerly town – albeit one consisting of 36 inhabitants.
Torres del Paine
11. Torres del Paine
Patagonia’s most iconic backdrop is the jewel in its crown, dominated by immense, granite towers. The classic “W” circuit takes you up to the base of the towers, past the bright turquoise Nordenskjöld Lake and into the gorgeous French Valley, with well-equipped refugios along the way – or campsites for the truly rugged.
Valparaiso
12. Valparaiso
One of South America's most enchanting cities, Valparaiso remains something of a secret – a tangle of gaudily-coloured tumbledown houses draped across steep hills offering stunning viewpoints over a wide Pacific bay. Characterful vintage funicular lifts (ascensores) get people up and down. As well as surface beauty, the city enjoys a reputation as a bohemian idyll, with small cafes, quirky art shops and hidden bars.
Our top Chile Vacation
Chile adventure vacation
Chile's best: the Atacama Desert, Lake District and Patagonia
From
US $5279 to US $5679
13 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 18 Oct, 1 Nov, 8 Nov, 15 Nov, 29 Nov, 13 Dec, 20 Dec
2021: 3 Jan, 10 Jan, 17 Jan, 24 Jan, 31 Jan, 7 Feb, 14 Feb, 21 Feb, 14 Mar, 17 Oct, 31 Oct, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov, 12 Dec, 19 Dec
2020: 18 Oct, 1 Nov, 8 Nov, 15 Nov, 29 Nov, 13 Dec, 20 Dec
2021: 3 Jan, 10 Jan, 17 Jan, 24 Jan, 31 Jan, 7 Feb, 14 Feb, 21 Feb, 14 Mar, 17 Oct, 31 Oct, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov, 12 Dec, 19 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Chile or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Chile sample itineraries
Chile adventure vacation (15 days):
Santiago > Valparaiso > (flight) Atacama Desert > San Pedro de Atacama > Salar de Atacama > El Tatio geysers > (flight) Lake District > (flight) Punta Arenas > Torres del Paine National Park > Puerto Natales > Punta Arenas > (flight) Santiago
Santiago > Valparaiso > (flight) Atacama Desert > San Pedro de Atacama > Salar de Atacama > El Tatio geysers > (flight) Lake District > (flight) Punta Arenas > Torres del Paine National Park > Puerto Natales > Punta Arenas > (flight) Santiago
Atacama & Patagonia, 16 days:
Santiago > (flight) Atacama Desert > Andes > El Tatio geysers > (flight) Santiago > (flight) Punta Arenas > Puerto Natales > Torres del Paine National Park > Punta Arenas > (flight) Santiago
Santiago > (flight) Atacama Desert > Andes > El Tatio geysers > (flight) Santiago > (flight) Punta Arenas > Puerto Natales > Torres del Paine National Park > Punta Arenas > (flight) Santiago
Chile travel times
The following times give you a rough idea of the travel times between the main attractions in Chile.
Santiago – Valparaiso: 1½ hrs by bus or train
The 'W' circuit in Torres del Paine: 4 days on foot
Santiago – Calama (for San Pedro de Atacama): 2 hrs by air, then 1 hr by car
Santiago – Punta Arenas (Patagonia): 2½ hrs by air
Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales (for Torres del Paine): 3½ by car
More about Chile
The best time to visit Chile depends on whether you're heading to Patagonia, Atacama or Santiago.
Discover Chile like a local with our guide taking you from Neruda to the Mapuches, via the Andes. Atacama and Patagonia.
See our top things to do in Chile, from the landscapes of Patagonia and Atacama, to epic Andean treks.
The landscape of Chile’s Atacama Desert is almost Martian in appearance, and it has been used in numerous Hollywood movies!
If you've always wanted to witness a total solar eclipse, then start planning a trip to Chile in December 2020.
Easter Island vacations are an opportunity to discover a fascinating history and culture, as well as those famous moai sculptures.
Traveling in Chile with kids isn't as challenging as it might sound - read on for insider tips and great activity ideas.
Get insider Chile travel advice from our responsible travelers and our experts, and check out our health and safety section too.
Learn why selling off Patagonia, plus deforestation and mining are important issues in Chile, and how you as a traveler can help.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Christopher Michel] [Atacama Desert: Alexandre Micheloud]
[Aysén: Javier Vieras]
[Central Valley: Alessandro Caproni]
[Chiloé Island: Miguel Vieira]
[Easter Island: Thomas Griggs]
[Juan Fernandez Archipelago: Serpentus]
[Lake District: felixpixa]
[Lauca National Park: Alastair Rae]
[Santiago: Deensel]
[Tierra del Fuego: Petr Meissner]
[Valparaiso: Mariamichelle]
[Sample Itineraries: Kurt Cotoaga]
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