Santiago and Atacama Desert Chile trip

Welcome to Chile and the beginning of your Chile travel experience. Upon arrival at Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), meet your private driver for a comfortable transfer to your hotel.

Take time to settle in and ease into the rhythm of the city. Wander through nearby streets and enjoy your first taste of Chilean cuisine at a local café or wine bar.

This relaxed first day helps you adjust, get acquainted with Santiago, and prepare for the authentic, tailor-made experiences that await you across Chile.

Dive into the historic heart of Santiago as your guide meets you at the hotel for an engaging city exploration. Begin at La Moneda Palace, then stroll through Plaza de Armas, where live music and local treats like sopaipillas and refreshing mote con huesillo capture the spirit of everyday life.

Continue to Santa Lucía Hill, pausing at Castillo Hidalgo, before heading up San Cristóbal Hill for sweeping views over the city and the Andes, crowned by the iconic Virgin Mary statue.

Conclude the day in lively Providencia, where parks, museums, vibrant bars, excellent restaurants, and the Costanera Center, South America’s tallest building, showcase Santiago’s modern energy before returning to your hotel.

Today, your Chile journey continues from Santiago into the picturesque Curacaví and Casablanca Valleys, one of the best places to visit in Chile for wine lovers. Known for world-class white wines and elegant cool-climate reds, this renowned wine region offers both beautiful landscapes and exceptional vintages.

Arrive at the winery’s visitor center for a guided walk through the vineyards, where you will learn about local viticultural traditions and sustainable techniques while enjoying sweeping valley views.

Continue inside the impressive tank and barrel rooms to follow each stage of the winemaking process, ending with a curated tasting that highlights the distinct character and terroir-driven flavors that make the Casablanca Valley a true standout in Chilean wine country.

Shape this day at your own pace as you explore more of Santiago. Ride up San Cristóbal Hill for sweeping city views, scenic trails, and gardens, then visit the Costanera Center for panoramic vistas and world-class shopping.

Wander through the colorful streets of Bellavista, known for its lively bars and creative restaurants, or relax in Bicentenario Park beside its tranquil lagoon.

Step into Santiago’s history at Santa Lucía Hill and Hidalgo Castle, then continue through downtown landmarks including the Santiago Cathedral, La Moneda Palace, and Mapocho Train Station. Along the way, sample authentic local flavors such as completos, sopaipillas, and refreshing mote con huesillo.

Enjoy a day of pure tranquility in Cajón del Maipo, relaxing in the rustic Valle de Colina hot springs set against the dramatic backdrop of the Andes. Sink into mineral-rich pools formed by natural calcium deposits, where steaming waters and sweeping mountain views create a deeply restorative experience.

Travel along the scenic Route to the Volcano from San Gabriel, watching for native flora and wildlife along the way. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a comfortable bathing suit, respect the natural environment, and let the peaceful surroundings renew both body and mind.

In the early morning, your driver will collect you from your hotel in Santiago and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Calama. Upon arrival, a local driver will take you across the striking desert landscapes to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama, marking the next chapter of your Chile itinerary.

In the evening, experience one of the Atacama Desert’s most magical highlights with a shared stargazing tour beneath some of the clearest skies on Earth. From a secluded observation site, your expert guide will introduce you to the southern night sky, revealing colorful stars, nebulae, star clusters, and nearby galaxies.

Set out from San Pedro de Atacama toward the high Andes, beginning at the Licancabur viewpoint, where you enjoy breakfast with spectacular views of the surrounding volcanoes. Continue to the Quepiaco River wetland, a striking oasis of vivid green vegetation set against the dramatic mountain backdrop.

Next, stop at the Pacana viewpoint and admire the towering Monjes de la Pacana rock formations rising from the desert plateau. Travel onward to the remote Quisquiro Salt Flat, a high-altitude landscape of vast silence and sweeping views, perfect for a peaceful pause.

On the return journey, take in the vibrant hues of the Aguas Calientes Salt Flat, where colorful waters contrast beautifully with the surrounding desert.

Set out from San Pedro de Atacama toward the striking Red Rocks Lagoon (Aguas Calientes Salt Flat), one of the most dramatic landscapes of the Atacama Desert. Walk among vivid crimson rock formations and brilliant salt flats, where the intense colors create an almost otherworldly panorama.

Continue to Chaxa Lagoon in the heart of the Atacama Salt Flat, where flamingos feed in mirrorlike waters surrounded by vast desert horizons. The journey then leads through the Andean village of Socaire to the stunning Altiplanic Lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques.

Along the way, learn about the region’s unique high-altitude flora and fauna and pause at the Tropic of Capricorn for memorable photo opportunities.

Experience the magic of the Atacama Salt Flat as you visit Laguna Cejar and Piedra Lagoon, where turquoise waters, golden grasses, and distant volcanoes create a striking desert panorama. Float effortlessly in the highly saline waters of Piedra Lagoon, then refresh in the nearby dressing rooms and showers.

Continue to the Ojos del Salar, two deep freshwater pools set in the middle of the desert landscape. End the day at Laguna Tebiquinche, walking along the salt-crusted shoreline as the sky, desert, and distant mountains merge into one of the Atacama’s most unforgettable sunsets.

Begin your day before sunrise with a journey from San Pedro de Atacama to the El Tatio Geysers, one of the world’s highest geothermal fields. In the crisp morning air, watch more than 80 geysers release dramatic columns of steam and hot water while enjoying a warm breakfast surrounded by the Andean landscape.

Walk among bubbling pools and steaming vents, then stop along the Putana River and in the small village of Machuca, where you can sample traditional local snacks.

In the afternoon, continue to the surreal landscapes of Valle de la Luna. Walk across salt and clay ridges, take in panoramic viewpoints shaped by wind and time, and end the day with cocktails and snacks as the desert sky glows pink and purple at sunset before returning to San Pedro.

Today, your Chile trip gently comes to a close. A comfortable shuttle will take you from San Pedro de Atacama across the vast desert landscapes to Calama Airport (CJC) for your flight to Santiago.

Upon arrival, connect with your international departure. Leave Chile with lasting memories of star-filled skies, otherworldly valleys, and the warm hospitality that made your journey truly unforgettable.