Santiago, Chiloé, the Lake District & Patagonia
Discover some of the natural and cultural highlights of Chile.
Days: 10 | From: $7,500/per person
- Includes accommodations at first class hotels that reflect the best of local culture
- Includes excursions and tours with superb private guides
Start in metropolitan Santiago, Chile’s capital city, then travel south to Chiloé, an archipelago with colorful architecture and charming small towns. Explore the pristine lakes and towering volcanoes of the Lake District, and finish your trip in spectacular Torres del Paine National Park.
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We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.
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At a glance
- Santiago
1 night: discover Chile’s bustling capital city - Chiloé
2 nights: delight in the traditional way of life on the island of Chiloé - Puerto Varas
2 nights: appreciate the sparkling water and lush countryside of the Lake District - Puerto Natales
1 night: discover the stark beauty of the Last Hope Sound - Torres del Paine
3 nights: visit an exceptional lodge in one of the world's most beautiful parks
All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.
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Sample itinerary
Welcome to Santiago
Arrive to Santiago, Chile’s metropolitan capital, where your private guide will take you to your boutique hotel in the charming Lastarria neighborhood. Lastarria is a nice area for walking around, with quiet streets, flowering trees, attractive colonial architecture, and a variety of restaurants and boutiques.
There are plenty of things to see and do in the Santiago area. Take a private tour of Santiago, either on your arrival day or as a one-day extension, or add a trip (day or overnight) to nearby wine country or the historic port city of Valparaíso. Just let us know your interests.
Accommodations: Hotel Magnolia
Hotel Magnolia is set in a renovated 1929 mansion in downtown Santiago, close to Santa Lucia Hill, museums, the historic center, and Barrio Lastarria. Designed by award-winning architect Cazú Zegers, who also designed traveler-favorite hotel Tierra Patagonia, the Hotel Magnolia seamlessly blends preserved historic marble and vintage furnishings with modern amenities. The 42-room hotel offers a restaurant, bar, library, and rooftop lounge with panoramic views.
Alternative lodging options: Casa Bueras Lastarria Boutique, Singular SantiagoFly to Colorful Chiloé, Traditional Islands in the Chilean Lake District
Fly south to Chiloé, an archipelago in the Chilean Lake District that has preserved a traditional way of life and a distinct cultural identity. Your private guide will take you to your boutique hotel in Castro, where you will have the afternoon at leisure to explore the colorful town and enjoy some of the area’s excellent seafood.
Accommodations: Palafito 1326
Built in a barrio of fishermen and craftsmen, this 12-room hotel presents a modern version of the classic palafito – the stilted wood house that personifies the Chiloé archipelago. Larch shingles and hand-carved doors from the original building harmonize with traditional wool Chilote blankets and sculptures, while large windows provide views of the bay of Castro, the capital of Chiloé Province. The roof offers panoramic views of the boats crossing the inland sea, and the motion of the tides. This hotel is simple but tasteful, and a great way to get a feel for life in this charming region.
*Includes: BreakfastExplore the Charming Historic Towns of the Chiloé Archipelago
Spend the day with your local private guide, getting an insider’s perspective on this enchanting area. Explore the historic towns of Castro and Dalcahue before taking a ferry ride to Achao to see its remarkable wooden church, thought to be the oldest in the Chiloé Archipelago. The wooden churches of Chiloé have been designated a part of the UNESCO World Heritage list for their outstanding architecture and unique fusion of European and indigenous cultural traditions.
Travel by Land and Sea to Puerto Varas
Enjoy a private scenic journey via land and ferry to Puerto Varas, a small town at the edge of Lake Llanquihue. During certain parts of the year you’ll be able to stop at a small penguin colony along the way. The Lake District is a unique area of Chile, with architecture, food, and landscapes that can’t be found anywhere else in the country.
Accommodations: Cumbres Puerto Varas
With a privileged lakefront location, this refined and comfortable hotel sits close to the Puerto Varas city center and offers panoramic views of Lake Llanquihue and the towering Osorno volcano. The 92-room hotel offers a restaurant and enclosed winter garden, both with lake views. A top option in this area.
*Includes: BreakfastAlternative lodging options: Casa Molino, Los Caiquenes
Iconic Osorno Volcano and Lake Todos Los Santos
Set out to Osorno Volcano, a snowcapped peak that towers over the area, for some optional easy trekking. Afterward, spend a couple hours navigating around Lake Todos Los Santos, one of the lakes that gives this part of Chile its reputation as one of the most beautiful places in South America.
There are plenty of excursion options in this area, including more active and adventurous ones such as hiking, road or mountain biking, sea kayaking, rafting, horseback riding, and more. For very active travelers, one highly-recommended alternative is the Paso Desolación trail hike.
The Windswept Strait of Magellan and Last Hope Sound
Fly south to Punta Arenas (or fly directly to Puerto Natales on select seasonal flights) and enjoy a scenic private transfer to your hotel, set just outside Puerto Natales. Located at the opening of the Última Esperanza Sound, Puerto Natales is a picturesque small village and the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park.
Accommodations: Simple Patagonia
The Simple Patagonia Hotel is designed to highlight the sweeping landscape surrounding it. The architecture is simple, dominated by large spaces and panoramic windows, and complemented by the warmth of native wood and comfortable, rustic furnishings. The 11-room hotel offers a bar and a restaurant serving traditional Patagonian dishes.
*Includes: BreakfastAlternative lodging options: Weskar Patagonian Lodge, Singular Patagonia
Navigate to Balmaceda Glacier / Zodiac into Torres del Paine
Cross the Last Hope Sound by boat to Balmaceda glacier, disembarking there to explore the area on foot. Continue by a smaller zodiac boat along the Serrano River into Torres del Paine National Park. Enjoy a traditional Patagonian lunch before driving to your lodge. This is an exceptional and much less commonly traveled way into the park.
Accommodations: Tierra Patagonia
An exceptional option in the area of Torres del Paine National Park, Tierra Patagonia Hotel sits on a bluff where the pampa meets Lake Sarmiento, with views across the lake to the peaks of the Paine Massif from all rooms. The beautifully well-designed building seems to emerge from the hillside and blends harmoniously with the landscape. Patagonian details decorate its three suites, 34 superior rooms and three standard rooms. The hotel has a restaurant and bar, library lounge, spa with heated pool and hot tub, and one of the loveliest views in Torres del Paine.
*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAlternative lodging options: Patagonia Camp, EcoCamp Patagonia, Awasi Patagonia, Explora Patagonia, and others
Explore Torres del Paine National Park
Enjoy guided excursions each day to see the park’s iconic sites, such as the soaring granite towers from which it takes its name. Each day you can choose from active excursions, such as hiking, and more relaxed ones, such as driving tours and scenic walks. The guides at your lodge will discuss the options with you and help you plan a trip that matches your interests.
Depart for Home or Your Next Destination
Today you will say goodbye to your local guide and head to the airport for your flight home or to your next destination.
Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary
Add a few extra nights in Santiago or visit the coastal city of Valparaíso. We can arrange a variety of activities, including city tours, wine tours, culinary excursions, visits to historical sites, and active options such as hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Explore the glaciers and fjords at the bottom of South America with the possibility of stepping foot on Cape Horn by taking a small ship Patagonia cruise on the Stella Australis or Ventus Australis.
Stay a few nights on a vineyard in the Casablanca, San Antonio or Colchagua wine valleys. Tour and taste the wines from small boutique wineries or bike from one to another and enjoy the culinary tastes of Chilean wine country.
Extend your visit with some time at Easter Island or in the Atacama desert.
Include some downtime for rest and relaxation! Some free time to unwind or have a massage will allow you to feel refreshed and ready for the remainder of your trip. Many of our properties include excellent spas or wellness centers. We can help arrange these services or include properties that offer health & wellness amenities.
Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
Reviews From This Trip
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