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 $5549
13 days
ex flights
Patagonia tailor made vacation, 14 days
Be awed by beautiful Patagonian wilderness on this trip
From
£2974
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
Patagonia tailor made tour, self guided
Self-guided vacation in stunning Patagonian mountains.
From
US $2850
13 days
ex flights
Chile vacation, 21 days south to north
Atacama Desert, Patagonian Rainforest & National Parks
From
£3399
21 days
ex flights
Chile and Argentina tour
Santiago, Lake District, Patagonia, Glaciers & Buenos Aires
From
£2395
14 days
ex flights
Chile highlights tour, 10 days
10-days: Santiago, Atacama, Patagonia & Torres del Paine
From
£2550
10 days
ex flights
Small group adventure vacation to Patagonia
Explore the spectacular wilderness and mountains of Patagonia
From
£3659
20 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
Patagonia self-drive vacaton
10 days - Torres del Paine, Calafate & Perito Moreno
From
£1895
10 days
ex flights
Antarctic cruise and hiking in Chile
Walk in Atacama and Patagonia before cruising Antarctica
From
£13725
4 weeks
ex flights
Patagonia expedition vacation, small group
Explore and trek through Torres del Paine National Park
From
US $3950
11 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
Paine and Fitz Roy trek, trekking vacation
Spectacular Andes scenery from glacial lakes to towering granite peaks
From
US $6690 to US $6890
15 days
ex flights
Easter Island vacation
Explore Easter Island, home of the Moai Statues
From
US $1295 to US $1450
5 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
Patagonia highlights vacation
Explore the wild, mountainous south of Argentina and Chile
From
US $5349 to US $5549
13 days
ex flights
Lima to Santiago overland vacation
Travel through Peru Bolivia & Chile
From
US $3485 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
Bolivia, Chile and Argentina overland truck tour
Discover the diversity of Bolivia, Argentina and Chile
From
£1090 to £1220
21 days
ex flights
Patagonian adventure vacation in Chile and Argentina
Discover stunning Patagonia
From
£2580 to £2865
12 days
ex flights
Peru to Chile small group vacation
From Peru’s capital on the Pacific coast into the high Andes
From
US $2820 to US $5639
21 days
ex flights
Winter in Patagonia vacation
Explore the wilderness in solitude on Winter Patagonia.
From
US $2690
7 days
ex flights
Sea kayaking in Patagonia, Chile
Adventure, freedom and challenge in a remote setting
From
US $1960
6 days
ex flights
Cycling the Lake District of Chile and Argentina
Amazing cycling through Argentina and Chile
From
US $3749 to US $3979
13 days
ex flights
South America highlights tour
Laguna Colorada, Uyuni, Potosi, Sucre, La Paz, Titicaca
From
US $1768 to US $4903
8 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
Chile & Patagonia vacation
Explore Chile's stunning landscapes & vibrant culture
From
US $3249
9 days
ex flights
Chilean Patagonia tour
12 day tailor made trip to the less-visited south of Chile
From
£3045
12 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 $5549
13 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 17 Nov, 15 Dec
2020: 12 Jan, 2 Feb, 9 Feb, 23 Feb, 1 Mar, 15 Mar, 18 Oct, 1 Nov, 15 Nov, 29 Nov, 13 Dec
2019: 17 Nov, 15 Dec
2020: 12 Jan, 2 Feb, 9 Feb, 23 Feb, 1 Mar, 15 Mar, 18 Oct, 1 Nov, 15 Nov, 29 Nov, 13 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. Our guide will have you prepared and packing in no time at all.
Discover Chile like a local with our guide, which takes you from Neruda to the Mapuches, via the Andes and Atacama, Patagonia and potatoes... lots of potatoes.
See our top things to do in Chile, from the landscapes of Patagonia and Atacama, to the glaciers, geysers and hot springs that feature on Andean treks.
The landscape of Chile’s Atacama Desert is almost Martian in appearance, to the point that 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 July 2019, when the sun will be completely blotted out by the moon for an amazing four minutes and more.
Easter Island vacations are an opportunity to discover the history and culture, as well as those famous moai sculptures, of one of the world’s most remote and intriguing destinations.
Traveling in Chile with kids isn't as challenging as it might sound. Discover which activities we recommend and get tips for family travel from our Latin American experts.
Get insider Chile travel advice from our responsible travelers and our experts, and check out our health and safety section to ensure your trip runs smoothly.
Find out why selling off Patagonia, plus deforestation and mining are important issues in Chile. We share tips on what you, as a traveler, can do to help.
protection
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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