Chile: 11-Day Santiago, Atacama & Lake District — Desert to Forests

Chile: 11-Day Santiago, Atacama & Lake District — Desert to Forests

Experience Chile’s incredible geographic diversity on this 11-day journey from the world’s driest desert to the lush lake district. Begin in Santiago, Chile’s cosmopolitan capital framed by the Andes, before flying north to the surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert. Then fly south to Puerto Varas in the Chilean Lake District — a land of emerald lakes, snow-capped volcanoes, and German-influenced architecture. This tour showcases the dramatic contrasts that make Chile one of the most geographically diverse countries on Earth.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Santiago. Transfer to hotel in Providencia or Las Condes. Evening walk through Barrio Lastarria — Santiago’s bohemian quarter. Overnight Santiago.

Day 2: Santiago city tour: Plaza de Armas, La Moneda Palace, Cerro San Cristóbal (funicular to the summit for panoramic views of the city and Andes), Bellavista neighborhood. Afternoon visit to a winery in the Maipo Valley. Overnight Santiago.

Day 3: Fly Santiago to Calama (2 hours). Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. Afternoon acclimatization, explore the adobe village. Sunset at Valle de la Luna. Overnight San Pedro.

Day 4: Pre-dawn departure to El Tatio Geysers (4,320m). Breakfast among geysers at sunrise. Visit Machuca village. Afternoon at leisure. Evening stargazing tour. Overnight San Pedro.

Day 5: Atacama Salt Flat and Chaxa Lagoon (flamingos). Altiplanic Lagoons Miscanti & Miñiques at 4,200m. Afternoon visit to Toconao village (volcanic stone architecture). Overnight San Pedro.

Day 6: Rainbow Valley, Yerbas Buenas petroglyphs, sandboarding at Death Valley. Sunset at Kari Viewpoint. Overnight San Pedro.

Day 7: Morning at leisure in San Pedro. Fly Calama to Puerto Montt (via Santiago). Transfer to Puerto Varas — the “City of Roses” on the shores of Lake Llanquihue. Overnight Puerto Varas.

Day 8: Day trip to Petrohué Waterfalls and Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. Boat cruise on Todos los Santos Lake (emerald-green waters framed by Osorno Volcano). Optional hike in the park. Overnight Puerto Varas.

Day 9: Visit Chiloé Island — ferry across Chacao Channel. Explore Castro’s colorful palafitos (stilt houses), historic wooden churches (UNESCO), and the local market. Sample Chiloé’s famous curanto (traditional seafood dish). Return to Puerto Varas. Overnight.

Day 10: Free day in Puerto Varas — optional volcano trekking (Osorno or Calbuco), kayaking on Lake Llanquihue, or explore the German-colonial towns of Frutillar and Puerto Octay. Overnight Puerto Varas.

Day 11: Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport. Fly to Santiago for international connection. Departure.

Inclusions

• 10 nights accommodation (4-star, twin share)
• Daily breakfast
• Internal flights: Santiago–Calama, Calama–Puerto Montt
• All transfers and English-speaking guides
• El Tatio, Valle de la Luna, salt flats, lake district excursions