Chile

North Chile

San Pedro de Atacama

  • Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) and Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley).
  • El Tatio Geysers (early morning visit) and thermal baths (Termas de Puritama).
  • Lagunas Altiplánicas (Miscanti and Miñiques).
  • Stargazing at night, one of the best places in earth for it.
  • Salar de Atacama and Laguna Chaxa (flamingo watching).
  • Optional: Take a 3-day tour through the altiplano to the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia. *Really Recommended.

Iquique

  • Cavancha beach and surfing.
  • Paragliding over the city and coast.
  • Historic city center and the Regional Museum.
  • Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (ghost towns).
  • Zofri (duty-free zone) for shopping.

Arica

  • El Morro de Arica (historic landmark).
  • Beaches and surfing (El Laucho, Chinchorro).
  • Azapa Valley (archaeological sites, including mummies).
  • Lluta Valley (geoglyphs).
  • Birdwatching at El Rio Lluta wetlands.

Parque Nacional Lauca

  • Lago Chungará (high-altitude lake).
  • Volcán Parinacota and Volcán Pomerape.
  • Wildlife watching (vicuñas, llamas, flamingos).
  • Hiking and trekking.
  • Village of Parinacota (Andean culture).

Central Valley

Santiago

  • Historic city center (Plaza de Armas, Metropolitan Cathedral).
  • Cerro San Cristóbal (city views, funicular, zoo).
  • Neighborhoods like Bellavista and Lastarria (culture, nightlife).
  • Museums (Pre-Columbian Art Museum, Museum of Memory and Human Rights).
  • Wine tours in nearby valleys (Maipo, Casablanca).
  • Day trip to Laguna del Inca (Portillo).

Cajón del Maipo

  • Iconic Cabernet Sauvignon tastings at renowned wineries like Concha y Toro and Santa Rita.
  • Hiking and trekking.
  • Termas Baños Morales (hot springs).
  • Free camping at Embalse El Yeso.

Casablanca Valley Wine Region

  • Cool-climate wines, specializing in Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
  • Beautiful landscapes and coastal breezes influence the grapes.
  • Wine tours and tastings.

Colchagua Valley Wine Region

  • Full-bodied red wines, especially Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Visit the Colchagua Valley Wine Route.
  • Santa Cruz town and museum.

Valparaíso

  • Colorful hills and funiculars (Cerro Alegre, Cerro Concepción).
  • Street art and murals.
  • Historic port area.
  • Pablo Neruda's house (La Sebastiana).
  • Seafood restaurants.

Viña del Mar

  • Beaches (Reñaca, Playa del Norte).
  • Flower clock (Reloj de Flores).
  • Quinta Vergara (botanical garden, music festival).
  • Casino and nightlife.
  • Seafood and coastal dining.

Lake District

Pucón

  • Villarrica Volcano hiking/climbing.
  • Hot springs (Termas Geométricas, Termas de Huife).
  • Lake Villarrica activities (kayaking, sailing).
  • Huerquehue National Park trekking.
  • Waterfalls such as Ojos del Caburgua, Saltos del Rio Turbio, Cascada el Claro.

Puerto Varas

  • Lake Llanquihue views and activities.
  • Osorno Volcano excursions.
  • Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park (Petrohué Falls, Todos los Santos Lake).
  • Saltos del Petrohué rafting/kayaking.
  • Frutillar (German heritage town) beautiful views.

Chiloé Island

  • Wooden churches (UNESCO World Heritage sites).
  • Castro (palafitos, colorful houses).
  • Chiloé National Park (hiking, wildlife).
  • Penguin colonies (Islotes de Puñihuil).
  • Cuisine (curanto).

Puerto Montt

  • Gateway to Chilean Patagonia and the Lake District.
  • Angelmo Fish Market.
  • Tenglo Island views.
  • Boat trips through the fjords.
  • Starting point for the Carretera Austral.

Futaleufú

  • World-class whitewater rafting.
  • Patagonian landscapes and trekking.
  • Fishing and kayaking.
  • Quiet mountain town.

Patagonia

Carretera Austral (Southern Highway 7)

  • Road trip through remote Patagonia.
  • Starting Point: Puerto Montt (gateway to the Carretera Austral).
  • Caleta La Arena/Puelche Ferry (first ferry crossing).
  • Hornopiren (access to Hornopiren National Park).
  • Chaiten (rebuilt town after volcanic eruption).
  • Futaleufú (world-class whitewater rafting).
  • Pumalin Douglas Tompkins National Park (hiking, forests).
  • Villa Santa Lucía (small town, historical significance).
  • Puyuhuapi (hot springs, fjords, Queulat National Park).
  • Queulat National Park (Hanging Glacier).
  • Coyhaique (regional capital, gateway to national parks).
  • Cerro Castillo (hiking, mountain views).
  • Lago General Carrera (kayaking, Marble Caves).
  • Cochrane (gateway to Tamango National Reserve and Patagonia national park).
  • Caleta Tortel (wooden walkways, unique village).
  • Villa O'Higgins (southern end, O'Higgins Glacier, access to Argentinian Patagonia).

Torres del Paine National Park

  • "W" Trek and "O" Circuit hiking (Reserve camping in advance). *W-trek Really Recomended.
  • Reserve campsites in Chileno, Frances, and Paine Grande (2 nights) for W trek.
  • Torres del Paine base of the towers viewpoint.
  • Don't miss Mirador Britanico.
  • Wildlife watching (guanacos, pumas).

Punta Arenas

  • Magdalena Island penguin colony.
  • Nao Victoria Museum.
  • City views from Cerro de la Cruz.
  • Gateway to Antarctic cruises.
  • Regional Museum of Magallanes.

Suggested Travel Itinerary

Chile - 11 Weeks

Days 1-7: Santiago & Maipo Valley

  • Arrive in Santiago.
  • Explore the historic city center, Cerro San Cristóbal.
  • Day trip to Laguna del Inca (Portillo).
  • Explore the Maipo Valley wine region (wine tasting, vineyard tours).
  • Camping at Embalse El Yeso.

Days 8-13: Valparaíso & Viña del Mar

  • Travel to Valparaíso.
  • Explore colorful hills and funiculars.
  • Street art and murals, historic port area.
  • Pablo Neruda's house (La Sebastiana).
  • Travel to Viña del Mar.
  • Beaches and flower clock.
  • Quinta Vergara, casino, and coastal dining.

Days 14-30: Lake District

  • Fly from Santiago to Puerto Montt or take a night bus to Pucon.
  • Explore Pucón and Villarrica Volcano.
  • Hot springs, lake activities, Huerquehue National Park.
  • Explore Puerto Varas, Lake Llanquihue, Osorno Volcano.
  • Day trips to Frutillar and Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park.
  • Explore Chiloé Island (wooden churches, Castro).
  • Chiloé National Park, penguin colonies.
  • Further exploration of the Lake District's natural beauty.

Days 31-60: Carretera Austral

  • Begin your Carretera Austral adventure from Puerto Montt.
  • Road trip through remote Patagonia.
  • Caleta La Arena/Puelche Ferry, Hornopiren.
  • Chaiten, Futaleufú (rafting).
  • Pumalin Douglas Tompkins National Park.
  • Villa Santa Lucía, Puyuhuapi (hot springs).
  • Queulat National Park (Hanging Glacier).
  • Coyhaique, Cerro Castillo.
  • Lago General Carrera (Marble Caves).
  • Cochrane, Caleta Tortel, Villa O'Higgins.
  • The road ends in Villa O'Higgins, so from here most people continue through the Argentinian side traveling through el Chalten and Calafate to arrive to Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine).

Days 61-70: Torres del Paine & Punta Arenas

  • Travel to Puerto Natales to start the "W" Trek or "O" Circuit in Torres del Paine (reserve ahead).
  • Explore Punta Arenas, Magdalena Island penguin colony.
  • Nao Victoria Museum, Regional Museum of Magallanes.

Days 71-77: San Pedro de Atacama

  • Fly from Punta Arenas to Calama.
  • Explore San Pedro de Atacama: Valle de la Luna, El Tatio Geysers.
  • Lagunas Altiplánicas, Salar de Atacama.
  • Stargazing at night in one of the darkest skyes in the world.
  • Optional: Take a 3-day tour through the altiplano to the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia. *Really Recomended.