Santiago, Chiloé, the Lake District & Patagonia

Discover some of the natural and cultural highlights of Chile.

Days: 10 | From: $7,750/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.

Talk to a Vaya Travel Specialist

We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

5-Star Reviews

We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.

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
  • 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.

5-Star Reviews

Find out why our discerning travelers consistently rate us with 5-stars.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: 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 Santiago

Day 2: Fly 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: Breakfast

Day 3: Explore 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.

Accommodations: Palafito 1326

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: 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: Hotel AWA , 2 nights

Located outside the town of Puerto Varas, Hotel AWA offers panoramic views of Lake Llanquihue and Osorno Volcano. Rooms are equipped with a fireplace and whirlpool bath, and the hotel has a restaurant, spa, and heated pool.

*Includes: Breakfast

Alternative lodging options:
Casa Molino , Los Caiquenes

Day 5: 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.

Accommodations: Hotel AWA

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: The Windswept Strait of Magellan and Last Hope Sound

Fly south to Punta Arenas and enjoy a scenic private transfer to your hotel, set just outside of the Torres del Paine National Park Entrance. Surrounded on all sides by rolling pampa blanketed in evergreen shrubs, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of Lake Sarmiento with the Paine Massif filling the horizon above it.

Accommodations: Tierra Patagonia , 3 nights

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

Alternative lodging options:
Weskar Patagonian Lodge , Singular Patagonia

Days 7-8: 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.

Accommodations: Tierra Patagonia , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: 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.

*Includes: Breakfast

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.

Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
Contact Us +1 (800) 342-1796

This was a very enriching trip. Lots of variety. Great guides took us to places we never would have reached on our own and provided interesting information.

Terry Richmond

We thoroughly enjoyed this second trip to Chile.

Neena & Dinesh Shah

Our two week trip through Chile were wonderful. Everything exceeded our expectations and all the logistics worked out perfectly.

Marci & Lawrence Wright

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