12-day journey through Chile’s highlights from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia

Tour/Activity , Chile

About this activity

Chile highlights: Santiago, Atacama Desert, Moon Valley, Salar de Atacama, El Tatio, Puerto Varas, Osorno, Patagonia, Torres del Paine, glaciers, Punta Arenas. 12 days - Monthly departures

Your Travel Experience with Galapagos PRO

Day 1

Transfer to hotel in Santiago

Meet and greet at Santiago airport followed by transfer to your hotel in the city center.

Santiago city tour

Discover Chile’s vibrant capital on a comprehensive city tour. In the historic center, you will see La Moneda presidential palace and the Plaza de Armas with its impressive cathedral. Experience the contrast between colonial architecture and modern skyline. The highlight is Cerro San Cristóbal, offering panoramic views over the city and the Andes.

Day 1 - 2

Overnight stay at your hotel in Santiago.

Day 2

Transfer to Santiago airport

Transfer from your hotel to Santiago airport.

Flight from Santiago to Calama

Domestic flight to Calama in northern Chile (not included).

Transfer to San Pedro de Atacama

Transfer from Calama airport through the desert landscape to San Pedro de Atacama.

San Pedro & Moon Valley

Explore the charming desert village of San Pedro de Atacama with its adobe houses. In the afternoon, visit the spectacular Moon Valley, where unusual rock and salt formations create an almost otherworldly landscape, especially at sunset.

Day 2 - 5

Overnight stay in San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 3

Salar de Atacama & Quitor Fortress

Today you explore cultural and natural highlights of the Atacama Desert. Visit the historic Pukará de Quitor fortress and learn about the Atacameño culture. Continue to the Salar de Atacama, where flamingos can be observed in a unique salt lagoon landscape, and visit the village of Toconao.

Day 4

El Tatio Geysers

Early morning excursion to the El Tatio geysers, one of the highest geothermal fields in the world. In the cold morning air, steam columns rise dramatically, creating a spectacular natural display.

  • For safety reasons and in accordance with current regulations, children under the age of 9 are not permitted to visit the Tatio Geysers.
  • The Cejar Lagoon can only be visited in the afternoon and is closed on Tuesdays.
  • The Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley) is closed on Mondays.

Day 5

Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport

Flight from Calama to Puerto Montt

Flight via Santiago to Puerto Montt (not included).

Puerto Montt city tour & transfer to Puerto Varas

Upon arrival, enjoy a short city tour of Puerto Montt. Afterwards, continue to Puerto Varas on Lake Llanquihue, known for its German colonial heritage and stunning volcanic scenery.

Day 5 - 7

Overnight in Puerto Varas.

Day 6

Petrohué Waterfalls & Osorno Volcano

Excursion to the turquoise Petrohué waterfalls in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, followed by a visit to Osorno Volcano with spectacular views of lakes and volcanoes.

Day 7

Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt

Transfer from your hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt airport.

Flight from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas

Flight from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas (not included).

Bus to Puerto Natales & transfer to hotel

Public bus journey from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales through the vast Patagonian steppe, followed by transfer from the bus station to your hotel.

Day 7 - 10

Overnight in Puerto Natales.

Day 8

Torres del Paine National Park

Full-day excursion to Torres del Paine National Park featuring spectacular landscapes, glaciers, lakes, and the famous granite towers.

Day 9

Balmaceda & Serrano Glaciers

Boat excursion to Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers (from 2026/27) through the fjords of Patagonia.

Day 10

Journey to Punta Arenas with city tour & airport transfer

Transfer from your hotel in Puerto Natales to the bus station, followed by a public bus journey through the Patagonian steppe to Punta Arenas. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour of this historic port city and learn about its maritime heritage and its role as a gateway to Antarctica. Afterwards, transfer to Punta Arenas airport.

Flight from Punta Arenas to Santiago

Flight from Punta Arenas to Santiago (not included).

Transfer to hotel in Santiago

Transfer from Santiago airport to your hotel.

Day 10 - 12

Overnight in Santiago.

Day 11

Free day in Santiago or optional excursion to Valparaíso

Enjoy a free day in Santiago to explore the city at your own pace, stroll through neighborhoods like Lastarria or Bellavista, or discover local cuisine.

Alternatively, join an optional full-day excursion to Valparaíso, Chile’s oldest port city, known for its colorful houses, historic funiculars, and stunning views over the Pacific Ocean (not included in price).

Day 12

Transfer to Santiago airport

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Arts & Culture
Nature & Wildlife