Chile from north to south

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Santiago

  Upon your arrival at Santiago airport, you will be greeted and taken to the hotel of your choice. In the afternoon, you can take the opportunity to go on a city tour of Santiago, starting with the historic downtown area to visit the main square, the cathedral, the main post office, and the Santiago city hall. You will also see the "Moneda", which is the seat of the head of state. We will then take you to East Santiago, where you can appreciate its modern buildings, including offices, apartments, shopping centers, and trendy restaurants. You will later return to your hotel to relax and have a good night's sleep.

• day 2

  Direction Calama

  

  After an early breakfast, you will take a flight from Santiago airport to Calama, in the Atacama Desert. You will be welcomed at El Loa airport in Calama and driven to the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama via the Domeyko mountain range. In the afternoon, you will be taken on an excursion to the Valley of the Moon, passing through the Salt Mountain Range. You will visit the large sand dunes, the amphitheater, and the natural salt monument "Las Tres Marías." This excursion ends with a magical sunset over the valley. Your driver will take you to your lodge in San Pedro for the night.

• day 3

  Discovery of the Atacama Desert

  This morning, today's excursion will take place in the high lagoon plains of Miscanti and Miñiques. After lunch in the town of Socaire, you will be taken to the Atacama Salt Flat to admire the highland lagoons reflecting the immensity of this place, including the Chaxa Lagoon and the national flamingo reserve, where you will find three of the six different species of flamingos that exist in the world. This excursion continues to the town of Toconao, located 37 km from San Pedro de Atacama, where you will visit the San Lucas church and the Campanario tower. Overnight in San Pedro.

• day 4

  Excursion to the Tatio geysers

  

  Early in the morning, you will go on an excursion for a unique experience to the Geysers Del Tatio. The highest geyser field in the world erupts every day at dawn, shooting high clouds of steam. You will also walk through the region to observe various other geothermal activities. After a light breakfast, you can then bathe in a thermal water pool. Later in the day, you will return to San Pedro, passing through the village of Machuca, once dedicated to llama grazing and now known for its adobe constructions, cactus wood, straw buildings, as well as its Andean crafts. You will also visit the Cejar Lagoon, located in the heart of the Atacama Salt Flat. The high concentration of salt and lithium in this lake makes swimming easier than in the Dead Sea. Here, you can bathe, swim, and float in the midst of a magnificent landscape.

• day 5

  Flight to Punta Arenas

  On this new day, you will take a new flight to Punta Arenas, in the heart of Chilean Patagonia, via Santiago. Upon landing, you will be welcomed and driven into the city, where you will have a free day to explore the city.

• day 6

  Visit to Magdalena Island

  Today, you will sail through the Strait of Magellan to Magdalena Island. You will disembark on the island to interact with the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the world. Later, you will return to Punta Arenas and take the afternoon bus to the city of Puerto Natales (250 km), where you will spend the night.

• day 7

  Excursion to Torres del Paine National Park

  

  You will experience the long-awaited adventure during a trip to Patagonia, that of an excursion to Torres del Paine. You will visit, among others, the Milodon Cave, where well-preserved remains of this prehistoric herbivore, which existed 12,000 years ago, were discovered. From there, the journey will continue to Torres del Paine National Park, where you will visit the Nordenskjold, Pehoe, and Salto Grande lakes. You will continue with a hike through a forest offering a viewpoint over the Grey Glacier, with its impressive ice floes. You can also enjoy some leisure time in the heart of the Amarga lagoon. You will return to Puerto Natales at the end of the day.

• day 8

  Hiking at the Perito Moreno Glacier

  At dawn, this morning, you will take a flight to El Calafate, in Argentine Patagonia, for a hike on the famous Perito Moreno glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This glacier is unique in that it is one of only three glaciers in Patagonia that is not retreating. Return to Puerto Natales for the night. Optional: Overnight in El Calafate and, the next day, transfer by bus to Puerto Natales, then from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas airport. In this case, the transfer from the hotel in El Calafate to the bus station is not included.

• day 9

  Free day in Santiago.

  After a local breakfast, you will return to Santiago. You can enjoy this last day freely and at your own pace in the heart of the Chilean capital.

• day 10

  Return flight

  These 10 days were short, but they allowed you to discover Chile from north to south, passing through must-see stops that make up the natural and cultural wealth of this fascinating country. You return with extraordinary and unforgettable memories. At the scheduled time, your driver will take you to the airport to catch your international return flight.