Experience Chile
Luxury Chile Vacations
Like many of its neighbors, Chile offers an impressive mix of fascinating culture and natural splendor with destinations sure to appear in the top spots on bucket lists of world travelers everywhere. Yet Chile is unique in its ubiquitous collection of lodges, reminiscent of Africa’s best safari experiences, found from the Atacama Desert all the way down to southern Patagonia. Whether it be exotic Easter Island, Colchagua’s vineyards, forests in the Lake Districts or the entrypoint to Antarctica, the Chilean experience is unparalleled.
Santiago, Atacama & Patagonia
Featured Chile Itinerary
Highlights of Chile
Atacama Desert
Beginning from the North, Atacama Desert is known as one of the driest places on the planet. The lack of precipitation generally allows for a good amount of sunshine all year round, making Atacama is a year-long destination. Adventure is abound in the Atacama, with activities for hikers, mountain bikers and even star gazers coming to experience Atacama's renowned astronomical delights. Nearby northern coastal cities such as Arica and Iquique offer some interesting archaeological sites. Though not widely known as a top beach destination, Chile's northern coastline does offer some incredible spots to surf (or just work on a tan).
Central Chile: Santiago and Valparaíso, Skiing and Wine
Chile's central region is home to both Santiago, the nation's capital and its famed nearby beach towns, Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Valparaíso is best known for its colorful seaside homes as well as the famed Chilean poet Pablo Neruda’s summer residence. Less than 30 miles from Santiago in the snow-capped Andes reside some of South America's premier ski mountains. Ski resorts such as Portillo and Valle Nevado can be done in a day trip from Santiago anytime during the ski season from June through October. Chile's famed wine region is also within driving distance from Santiago. The Maipo and Colchagua Valleys are located to the south of the city, while Casablanca and Aconcagua are to the north.
Northern Patagonia: Lake District
Moving south we find ourselves in the northern region of Patagonia, also referred to as the Lake District. The Lake District, known for its volcanoes and emerald-like lagoons, covers quite a significant area of the country and includes destinations such as Pucón, Puerto Varas and Chiloé Island, the last of which is home to the Humboldt penguin. As to be expected, northern Patagonia is not as cold as its southern counterpart, showcasing a more alpine-like terrain ideal for activities such as hiking, kayaking, fly fishing and water rafting.
Southern Patagonia: Torres del Paine and Punta Arenas
Chile's southernmost region is comprised primarily of Torres del Paine National Park, considered by many the crown jewel of Patagonia. From Glacier Grey sea kayaking to the famed Las Torres base trek, Torres del Paine is an absolute must-see for any outdoorsperson. Punta Arenas is the region's largest city and is home to a port boasting cruises to spots such as the nearby Chilean fjords, the Argentinean Patagonia city of Ushuaia and even Antarctica (check out our Antarctica page for more info!).
Easter Island
Last but not least is Easter Island, a five-hour flight from Santiago but far worth the ride for those seeking a truly exotic and exhilarating experience. The easternmost member of the Polynesian triangle, Easter Island boasts a humid, subtropical climate but with milder temperatures than its counterparts, making it a fantastic year-round destination. From hikes to the iconic Moai statues to scuba diving through lava tubes to the Tapati Rapa Nui Festival celebrating indigenous culture, Easter Island offers a singular experience to the curious adventurer.
Patagonia
Atacama
Torres del Paine
Travel Guide
The proximity and the various border crossing points from north to south result in a fantastic opportunity to combine visits to Chile and Argentina. We have an extensive blog post which highlights the best ways of combining Chile and Argentina itineraries. We also offer packages combining the Atacama Desert and northern Chile with the Bolivian salt flats in Uyuni. For those with more time, the journey can be extended north from La Paz to Lake Titicaca, where travelers can cross from Bolivia into Puno, Peru.
Chile is also one of the only countries in the world from which you can depart to Antarctica. So for anyone considering making the trek to the world's coldest and least visited continent, a tour through Chile either before or after makes for the perfect complement.
As a hub for LATAM Airlines and with most US carriers offering several nonstop flights, Santiago is easy to reach and to combine with most destinations in South America.
All Chile Itineraries
9 days / 8 nights
From the deep silence of the terracotta mountains in the Atacama Desert to the endless white of the Uyuni Salt Flat: unravel two of the world’s most fascinating locations in the journey of a lifetime. Travel across one of the remotest regions on Earth in a 4x4 vehicle, led by an expert guide and local driver, for an all-inclusive experience.