Chile from North to South: Atacama, Lake District, Carretera Austral and Patagonia
From the Atacama Desert to Chilean Patagonia, via Chiloé and the Carretera Austral.
Trip overview
A major journey through Chile connecting Santiago, the Atacama Desert, the Lake District, Chiloé, Aysén and Chilean Patagonia, including a self-drive section along the Carretera Austral.
A north-to-south journey through some of Chile’s most representative landscapes. The programme combines Santiago and Valparaíso, the Atacama Desert, Puerto Varas and Chiloé before entering Aysén for a self-drive section along the Carretera Austral, including the Marble Caves, Exploradores Valley and Queulat National Park. The final stage continues through Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales, with navigation to Isla Magdalena, Torres del Paine and the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers.
Duración
17 days / 16 nights
Travel style
Classic
Season
October to April
Highlights
- Santiago de Chile | Valparaíso and Viña del Mar | San Pedro de Atacama | Valley of the Moon | Piedras Rojas and Altiplano Lagoons | El Tatio Geysers | Puerto Varas | Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla | Chiloé | Carretera Austral | Marble Caves | Exploradores Valley | Queulat National Park | Punta Arenas | Isla Magdalena | Puerto Natales | Torres del Paine | Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers
Ideal for
Day-by-day itinerary
Included
16 nights accommodation with breakfast | Transfers as specified in the programme | Santiago City Tour | Excursion to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar | Excursions in San Pedro de Atacama as per itinerary | Navigation on Todos los Santos Lake to Villa Peulla | Excursion to Chiloé | 4-day 4x4 vehicle rental for the Carretera Austral | Navigation to the Marble Caves | Entrance to the Exploradores Valley viewpoint | Entrance to Queulat National Park | Arrival assistance at Balmaceda Airport for the start of the self-drive section | Navigation to Isla Magdalena | Excursion to Torres del Paine and Milodón Cave | Navigation to the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers | Meals indicated in the programme | Park entrance fees included as specified in the itinerary | Transport for the excursions indicated | Bus ticket Punta Arenas-Puerto Natales-Punta Arenas
Not included
International and domestic flights | Travel insurance | Tips and personal expenses
Optional Experiences
- Visit to a winery in the Casablanca Valley
- Activities in Villa Peulla, including trekking, canopy or horse riding
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this journey best suited to?
FIT clients interested in nature and large-scale landscapes who have enough time to explore several regions of Chile and are comfortable including a self-drive section on the Carretera Austral.
What does the Carretera Austral add to this itinerary?
It brings Aysén and some of its most representative landscapes into the journey, including the Marble Caves, Exploradores Valley and Queulat National Park, adding a less frequently visited region to Chile’s major highlights.
What should we consider before offering this programme?
Some activities depend on season and weather conditions. The Isla Magdalena navigation operates between October and April, navigations are subject to weather conditions, and Queulat National Park is closed on Mondays.
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