A full trip from northern Chile to southern Chile offers an incredible variety of landscapes, climates, and experiences, from the driest desert in the world to lush forests, towering mountains, glaciers, and pristine fjords. This 14-day itinerary will take you from the deserts of the north to the patagonian wonders of the south, covering all the must-see destinations and activities along the way.
Day 1: Arrival in Arica (Northern Chile)
Arrival: Fly into Arica, the northernmost city in Chile, located on the Pacific coast.
Morning: Take a stroll through the Plaza Colón and the Catedral de Arica. Visit Cerro Morro for panoramic views of the city and the ocean.
Afternoon: Explore the San Marcos Beach or visit the Arica Archaeological Museum to learn about the ancient cultures of the region, including the Chinchorro mummies.
Evening: Enjoy a seaside dinner and spend the night in Arica.
Day 2: Visit to Lauca National Park & Stargazing
Morning: Take a day trip to Lauca National Park (about 3 hours from Arica). The park is home to Lake Chungara, one of the highest lakes in the world, with views of Mount Parinacota and Mount Pomerape. Spot flamingos and other wildlife in the area.
Afternoon: Explore the Salar de Surire and visit the nearby Aymara village of Isluga.
Evening: Head back to Arica for a stargazing tour at a local observatory or in the open desert, as northern Chile offers some of the clearest skies in the world.
Day 3: Drive to San Pedro de Atacama
Morning: Travel south to San Pedro de Atacama, a desert town that will be your base for exploring the Atacama Desert (about 7-8 hours by car from Arica).
Afternoon: Upon arrival, explore the town of San Pedro, with its adobe buildings, handicraft markets, and quaint atmosphere. Visit the San Pedro Church.
Evening: Enjoy dinner in one of the town’s cozy restaurants, and prepare for your desert adventures.
Day 4-5: Explore the Atacama Desert
Day 4:
Morning: Start your exploration with a visit to the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), where you’ll see dramatic landscapes of salt formations, rock formations, and sand dunes.
Afternoon: Continue to Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley), known for its towering sand dunes and barren landscape.
Evening: Visit Laguna Chaxa in the Salar de Atacama for flamingo watching, then head back to San Pedro for the night.
Day 5:
Morning: Early morning visit to the El Tatio Geysers for a sunrise tour of this geothermal field at high altitude.
Afternoon: Visit the Altiplanic Lagoons (Laguna Miscanti and Miñiques), high-altitude lakes surrounded by volcanoes, in the Andes Mountains.
Evening: Join a stargazing tour in San Pedro, where the desert skies are perfect for astronomical observation.
Day 6: Visit to the ALMA Observatory & Drive to Calama
Morning: Take a guided tour of the ALMA Observatory, one of the world’s most advanced astronomical research facilities, located 50 km from San Pedro de Atacama.
Afternoon: Return to San Pedro for a quick break, then drive to Calama (about 1.5 hours), the gateway to northern Chile’s copper mines and home to the Chuquicamata open-pit mine, the largest in the world.
Evening: Overnight in Calama, or you can catch a flight from Calama to Santiago (if you prefer to fly to the next destination).
Day 7: Santiago – Capital of Chile
Morning: Arrive in Santiago, the capital of Chile. Start by exploring the Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city, and visit the Catedral Metropolitana.
Afternoon: Take a cable car ride up to San Cristóbal Hill for panoramic views of Santiago and the surrounding Andes.
Evening: Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Bellavista neighborhood, known for its restaurants, bars, and nightlife.
Day 8: Wine Tour in the Central Valley
Morning: Take a wine tour to the nearby Maipo Valley, home to some of Chile’s most famous wineries. Visit wineries like Concha y Toro or Viña Undurraga, where you’ll learn about Chile’s wine-making history and taste some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère wines.
Afternoon: Continue exploring the wine region with a visit to the Casablanca Valley or Colchagua Valley, depending on your interests.
Evening: Return to Santiago for the night.
Day 9: Drive to Puerto Varas
Morning: Fly from Santiago to Puerto Montt, the gateway to southern Chile (about 1.5-hour flight). From there, take a short drive to Puerto Varas, a beautiful town on the shores of Lake Llanquihue, surrounded by volcanoes.
Afternoon: Stroll along the lake and visit Parque Philippi or take a boat ride on Lake Todos los Santos.
Evening: Enjoy a dinner with a view of Volcán Osorno, one of the most iconic volcanoes in Chile.
Day 10: Explore the Chilean Lake District
Morning: Take a day trip to Frutillar, a charming German-influenced town on the lake, famous for its Museo Colonial Alemán and beautiful gardens.
Afternoon: Continue your exploration with a visit to Puerto Octay, a picturesque lakeside village known for its German heritage and stunning views.
Evening: Return to Puerto Varas for dinner, enjoying a meal with fresh Chilean seafood.
Day 11: Drive to the Carretera Austral
Morning: Begin your drive down the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway), one of the most scenic drives in the world. The road winds through the Patagonian wilderness, offering views of glaciers, fjords, and towering mountains.
Afternoon: Stop in Puyuhuapi, a small village known for its natural hot springs and surrounding forests.
Evening: Overnight in Puyuhuapi or continue to Cochrane for the night.
Day 12: Glaciers and Fjords of Patagonia
Morning: Continue your journey south to Puerto Río Tranquilo and take a boat tour to see the Marble Caves (Cuevas de Mármol), located on Lake General Carrera. These stunning caves are made of marble and have an ethereal blue hue.
Afternoon: Visit the Sierra General National Park and take a short hike to see glaciers and remote Patagonian landscapes.
Evening: Overnight in Puerto Río Tranquilo.
Day 13: Arrival in Puerto Natales
Morning: Continue your drive to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park (about 5 hours from Puerto Río Tranquilo).
Afternoon: Upon arrival in Puerto Natales, explore this quaint town, its waterfront, and the Muelle Historico.
Evening: Enjoy dinner with a view of the surrounding fjords.
Day 14: Torres del Paine National Park
Morning: Spend a full day exploring Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most stunning national parks in the world, known for its towering granite peaks, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and abundant wildlife.
Take a half-day hike to Laguna Base, which offers incredible views of the Torres del Paine.
Afternoon: Alternatively, take a boat trip on Lago Grey to see the Grey Glacier, or do a wildlife safari to spot guanacos, foxes, and pumas.
Evening: Return to Puerto Natales for a farewell dinner.
Alternative Trip including Punta Arenas
Embarking on a journey from northern Chile to southern Chile offers an extraordinary opportunity to explore the country’s incredibly diverse landscapes, from the Atacama Desert in the north to the wild fjords and glaciers of Patagonia in the south. This 14-day itinerary will take you through the highlights of Chile, ending in Punta Arenas, one of the southernmost cities in the world.
Day 1: Arrival in Arica (Northern Chile)
Arrival: Fly into Arica, the northernmost city in Chile, located on the Pacific coast.
Morning: Explore the Plaza Colón, Catedral de Arica, and Cerro Morro for stunning panoramic views of the city and the coast.
Afternoon: Visit the San Marcos Beach or the Arica Archaeological Museum to learn about the ancient cultures of northern Chile, including the Chinchorro mummies.
Evening: Enjoy a seafood dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants and relax for the evening.
Day 2: Lauca National Park & Stargazing
Morning: Travel to Lauca National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, about 3 hours from Arica. This park features the beautiful Lake Chungara, surrounded by Mount Parinacota and Mount Pomerape.
Afternoon: Explore the Salar de Surire and the Aymara villages. This area is perfect for spotting wildlife, such as flamingos and vicunas.
Evening: Head back to Arica for dinner and enjoy stargazing in one of the clearest skies in the world.
Day 3: San Pedro de Atacama
Morning: Drive south (or fly from Arica) to San Pedro de Atacama (7-8 hours by car or 1.5-hour flight), one of the world’s most famous desert towns.
Afternoon: Visit the San Pedro Church, the Plaza de San Pedro, and the local artisan market. Explore the surrounding desert landscapes, including Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley).
Evening: Enjoy the town’s local cuisine, and if you have the energy, go stargazing in one of the nearby observatories.
Day 4-5: Explore the Atacama Desert
Day 4:
Morning: Head out early to the El Tatio Geysers, located 4,300 meters above sea level. This geothermal field is best experienced at sunrise when steam rises from the earth.
Afternoon: Visit the Altiplanic Lagoons (Laguna Miscanti and Miñiques), high-altitude lakes surrounded by volcanoes.
Evening: Enjoy a relaxing evening back in San Pedro.
Day 5:
Morning: Visit Salar de Atacama and Laguna Chaxa to see the flamingo colonies and the vast salt flats.
Afternoon: Explore Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley) and hike or photograph its striking landscapes.
Evening: Consider another stargazing session or visit a local observatory.
Day 6: Travel to Santiago
Morning: Fly from Calama (near San Pedro de Atacama) to Santiago, Chile’s capital.
Afternoon: Explore Santiago’s central attractions, including Plaza de Armas, Catedral Metropolitana, and Cerro San Cristóbal for views of the city and Andes.
Evening: Enjoy dinner in the vibrant Barrio Bellavista, known for its nightlife and restaurants.
Day 7: Wine Tour in the Central Valley
Morning: Take a full-day wine tour to the Maipo Valley or Colchagua Valley, famous for its vineyards and world-class wineries.
Visit wineries such as Viña Concha y Toro or Viña Santa Rita, and enjoy wine tastings and scenic views of the vineyards.
Afternoon: Continue the tour with a visit to Casablanca Valley, another wine region known for white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Evening: Return to Santiago for the night.
Day 8: Drive to Puerto Varas
Morning: Fly from Santiago to Puerto Montt (about 1.5 hours), then drive to the charming town of Puerto Varas (about 20 minutes). Puerto Varas is known for its beautiful views of Lake Llanquihue and Volcán Osorno.
Afternoon: Explore the town and its surroundings. You can visit Parque Philippi for scenic views or take a boat ride on Lake Todos los Santos.
Evening: Enjoy dinner with views of Volcán Osorno at one of the local restaurants.
Day 9: Chilean Lake District
Morning: Take a day trip to the picturesque town of Frutillar, known for its German heritage and the Museo Colonial Alemán.
Afternoon: Continue your exploration to Puerto Octay, a small town on the lake that offers stunning views of the mountains.
Evening: Return to Puerto Varas for the night.
Day 10: Drive to the Carretera Austral
Morning: Start your journey down the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway), one of the most scenic drives in the world. Head south to Puyuhuapi, a village known for its natural hot springs.
Afternoon: Take a short hike in the surrounding Puyuhuapi National Park or visit the Puyuhuapi Hot Springs to relax.
Evening: Overnight in Puyuhuapi or Cochrane, depending on your pace.
Day 11: Glaciers and Fjords of Patagonia
Morning: Continue south along the Carretera Austral. Stop at Puerto Río Tranquilo and take a boat tour to see the Marble Caves (Cuevas de Mármol) on Lake General Carrera. These stunning caves are made of marble and have a unique blue glow.
Afternoon: Explore Los Glaciares National Park or take a short hike to view the Glacier Exploradores.
Evening: Overnight in Puerto Río Tranquilo or Coihaique.
Day 12: Arrival in Punta Arenas
Morning: Continue your journey south to Punta Arenas (about 7 hours from Puerto Río Tranquilo). Punta Arenas is the southernmost city in Chile and a gateway to the Torres del Paine National Park and the Magellanic Strait.
Afternoon: Upon arrival, explore the town’s historical sites, such as the Plaza de Armas, Cementerio Municipal, and the Nao Victoria Museum.
Evening: Enjoy a seafood dinner at a local restaurant, perhaps featuring the famous king crab of Patagonia.
Day 13: Torres del Paine National Park
Morning: Spend the day exploring Torres del Paine National Park, one of the most famous parks in the world, known for its stunning granite peaks, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and diverse wildlife.
Visit Laguna Amarga for the best views of the Torres del Paine, or hike to Laguna Base.
Consider a boat trip to Grey Glacier or a wildlife safari to see guanacos, foxes, and condors.
Evening: Return to Punta Arenas for the night.
Day 14: Departure from Punta Arenas
Morning: Depending on your flight schedule, you can visit the Magellanic Penguin Colony at Isla Magdalena (seasonal), or take a scenic drive to Bahía Inútil for a view of the glaciers and fjords.
Afternoon: Head to the Punta Arenas Airport for your flight back to Santiago or your next destination.
Additional Tips
Weather: Be prepared for varying climates. The northern deserts are hot during the day but cold at night, while southern Chile experiences more temperate weather with occasional rain. Always pack layers, waterproof clothing, and sun protection.
Travel Times: Distances in Chile are vast, especially in the south, so be prepared for long drives or flights.
Altitude: San Pedro de Atacama and the surrounding areas are at high altitudes, so take time to acclimatize to avoid altitude sickness.
The itinerary N 1 offers a thorough exploration of Chile’s diverse landscapes, from the deserts of the north to the glaciers and fjords of Patagonia, with Puerto Natales as your southern gateway.
The itinerary N 2 offers a thorough exploration of Chile’s diverse landscapes, from the deserts of the north to the glaciers and fjords of Patagonia, with Punta Arenas as your southern gateway.
