Chile: Fire & Ice
Travel Destinations: Chile, Patagonia
14 Day Itinerary | Santiago, Torres del Paine, San Pedro de Atacama
Immerse yourself in the wonders of Chile’s wildlands, a dynamic expanse of geysers, glaciers, and desert beauty.
• Experience unforgettable all-encompassing adventure in Atacama.
• Hike into the heart of Torres del Paine’s legendary beauty.
• Kayak the vibrant blue glaciers of stunning Grey Lake.
• Sample the best wines at Santiago’s Santa Rita vineyard.
Independent Travel
Independent trips are either entire trips you take privately or solo extensions to a group tour.
Adventure
Explore thrilling and challenging destinations, engaging in activities such as hiking, trekking, and adrenaline-pumping experiences.
Premium
Elevate your journey with style and sophistication, offering top-notch experiences without breaking the bank.
Flexible
With no pre-set departure dates, choose when you want to go and for how long.
At A Glance
Day 1 – Santiago
• Airport Transfer with Meet & Greet
• Chile Welcome Package
Day 2 – Santiago
• City Tour & VIP Visit to the Pre-Columbian Museum
Day 3 – Santiago
• History of Valparaiso in the Age of Sail & Celestial Navigation
Day 4 – Torres del Paine
• Airport transfer
• Fly to Punta Arenas
• Transfer to hotel in Torres del Paine National Park
Day 5 – Torres del Paine
• Half-day hiking excursion
• Optional spa services
Day 6 – Torres del Paine
• Kayaking on Lake Grey excursion
Day 7 – Torres del Paine
• Full-day hiking excursion
Day 8 – Santiago
• Airport transfer
• Fly to Santiago
• Transfer to hotel
Day 9 – Santiago
• Santa Rita Vineyard visit
Day 10 – San Pedro de Atacama
• Airport transfer
• Fly to Calama
• Transfer to hotel
Day 11 – San Pedro de Atacama
• Short Overland Excursions at Lower Elevation
• Astronomy Session
Day 12 – San Pedro de Atacama
• Short Hiking Excursions at Lower Elevation
• Optional Spa Services
Day 13 – San Pedro de Atacama
• Long Overland Excursions at Higher Elevation
Day 14 – San Pedro de Atacama
• Airport Transfer
Itinerary
Day 1 – Santiago
To ensure your comfort, an English-speaking guide will be waiting for you outside of Customs holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will direct you to your awaiting vehicle and driver, and accompany you to your hotel to assist with check-in.
To accommodate early flight arrivals into Santiago, an early check-in will be arranged at your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 2 – Santiago
Explore Chile’s fascinating past in a privately guided tour of its capital city Santiago. Your adventure begins with a visit to La Moneda; a colonial plantation house that was turned into the Government Palace, where you learn about its historical and current significance. Next, stroll down the pedestrian streets of Huérfanos and Ahumada, the hub of Santiago’s commercial activity, and get a glimpse of the city’s modern life. Afterwards, visit the main square also known as Plaza de Armas. The square was the centerpiece of Santiago’s initial layout and you will be treated to views of remarkable buildings, including the Metropolitan Cathedral. The tour continues as you make your way to the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. Here you get a unique opportunity to hear a lecture about some of the intriguing societies that have lived in this remote part of the world. As you explore the museum, see its impressive collection of artifacts from all over Latin America, including items originating from Easter Island. Your tour concludes with a private transfer back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 – Santiago
There is no better place to take in the vastness of the mighty Pacific Ocean than from the western shores of South America. This seemingly endless body of water holds stories of sailors and explorers who were brave enough to venture out into the sea in search of new territories. Today, explore the coastal city of Valparaiso in a privately guided tour, digging deep below the surface as you learn about celestial navigation in both Polynesian and European seafaring history. Gain insight into the role that Valparaiso played in the commerce and control of the Americas by foreign nations. The city’s strategic location made it the last port on this side of the Pacific before reaching the treacherous waters of the Magellan Straight. Often the target of pirates and privateers such as Sir Francis Drake, Valparaiso reveals its true face and proves that there is more to it than meets the eye. As you make your way through the city, your knowledgeable guide will unearth Valparaiso’s fascinating history. Your tour concludes with a private transfer back to your accommodation in Santiago.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 – Torres del Paine National Park
Join your professional driver and English-speaking guide for a private airport transfer.
Board a direct flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas. Approximate travel time is three hours and 30 minutes. Please note that flights are not included in the price and must be purchased separately.
Upon your arrival to the Punta Arenas airport, you will be met by a driver for a shared transfer to the hotel. Please note that this transfer is complimentary for guests of your hotel only.
Your hotel offers a true home-away-from-home lodge for exploration, an oasis where adventure travel and luxury are combined. When you arrive, the on-site team will create a bespoke excursion plan for you. While sitting by the fireplace in front of the lodge’s giant, hand-painted map, you’ll find your bearings in the park and pin-point the places you’d like to see. The expert guides will get to know your physical activity level and your personal interests, so you can explore Torres del Paine your way. Whether you prefer to explore on foot, horseback, bike, or boat, the lodge’s all-encompassing portfolio of activities delves into every corner of Torres del Paine. From hiking trips to wilderness bike rides, horseback adventures to kayaking expeditions, you’re guaranteed to find the best excursions, trips and tours in Patagonia to suit your needs.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 – Torres del Paine National Park
Join a small group of fellow adventurers in a guided half-day hike through your scenic surrounds. Take a leisurely tour through your hotel’s own backyard, exploring the beautiful outer edges of the Torres del Paine National Park, close to the border between Argentina and Chile. For a moderate-easy hiking option, journey along the Hunter’s Trail and witness remnants of the indigenous Aonikenk culture. Marvel at sightings of wildlife, including guanacos, foxes and maybe a soaring Andean condor. Opt to discover ancient geological formations at Lake Sarmiento, offering a varied walk over both flat and slightly steeper terrain before you reach the shores. Lake Sarmiento is the home of formations called thrombolites, which were formed early on in the history of the world’s geology.
The Torres del Paine Massif’s silhouette serves as a backdrop the spa at your hotel For pure bliss, visit the outdoor hot tub, or opt to make the invigorating switch between the steam room and indoor pool. Encased in tall glass walls, you’ll feel effortlessly connected to Patagonia all the while enjoying the spa and wellness facilities. Enter a zen-like state in the treatment rooms, with aromatherapy oils, peaceful sounds and soft lighting. The spa’s wellness space, which includes a yoga studio and separate relaxation rooms for men and women, is clad in warm, locally sourced wood and stone, while treatments and therapies use all-natural ingredients. Take your pick from an extensive list of facials, massages, body wraps, scrubs and alternative therapies, designed to open up your ‘prana’, or ‘life force’. Please note: Your treatment is not included and will be paid for on location. Reservations are confirmed at the time of booking and are subject to availability.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Torres del Paine National Park
Navigate the serene glacial waters of Lake Grey in a guided kayaking excursion. The first part of the day is spent on the lake, among giant ice pieces which have broken off the main glacier and landed at the far end of the lake. In the afternoon, conditions permitting, you’ll take your kayak down the river towards the Serrano area. Observe how sunlight pierces the ice blocks and the color changes from deep blue to a sparkling mass. In the distance, you’ll hear the crack and heave of the famed Grey Glacier.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Torres del Paine National Park
Spend a full day trekking through an incredible remote wilderness. Those seeking a moderate adventure can immerse themselves in the beauty of the Grey Peninsula. Hike through a beautiful lenga forest and cross the Pingo River on a hanging bridge before making the descent to Lake Grey and trekking along the pebble shore. For a more strenuous challenge, take the path less traveled along the Paso de Agostini, a little known trail situated away from the crowds, boasting the iconic Paine Massif as its backdrop. This journey takes you to a viewpoint to see the largest lake in the area, Lago del Toro, as well as the winding Paine River and the imposing mountains across the horizon of stunning Patagonia. For the ultimate hiking challenge, the path to the base of the Three Towers is legendary for being one of the world’s great “bucket list” hikes. The effort of this severe ascent is rewarded by the view of the iconic magnificence of the Towers (after which Torres del Paine is named) at the top. Take the time to appreciate both the isolation and grandeur of these mountains, a site which evokes its own sense of perspective.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Santiago
You will be met by a professional driver for your shared transfer to Punta Arenas Airport. Board a direct flight from Punta Arenas to Santiago. Approximate travel time is three hours and 30 minutes. Your flight may operate with a stop in Puerto Montt. Please note that flights are not included in the price and must be purchased separately.
You will be privately transferred to your hotel from Santiago International Airport alongside an English-speaking representative and a private driver.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9 – Santiago
Immerse yourself in the stunning Santa Rita Winery and gain insight into its history. Located in the foothills of Alto Jahuel, Buin, the winery is a meeting point for tradition, Chilean history, culture, and cuisine. Santa Rita’s restaurant has also been declared a National Monument and is known as “Doña Paula” in honor of Paula Jaraquemada, one of Chile’s most beloved historic patriots. Next, indulge in some of the most acclaimed wines of Santa Rita. Delight your tastebuds before touring the winery´s museum called “Museo Andino”. Here you’ll discover a collection of 1,800 pieces of pre-Columbian art collected over 40 years.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 – San Pedro de Atacama
You will be privately transferred from your hotel to the Santiago International Airport alongside an English-speaking representative and a private driver.
Board a flight from Santiago to El Loa Airport in Calama. Approximate travel time is two hours. Please note that flights are not included in the price and must be purchased separately.
Transfer by minivan for about 1 hour through the Atacama desert. Located between the Pacific Ocean and the Cordillera de los Andes, Atacama is an immense extension of land and mystery.
Located in the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, your hotel invites you to experience days of unparalleled adventure through the desert, the Andes highlands, and its surrounds. On arrival, you’ll meet the dedicated staff before touring the grounds and settling in to your accommodations. Then, a guide will provide an orientation of the area, and recommend which of the resort’s 40 excursions may be best for you. Your guide will base their suggestions on your interests, fitness level, and the weather forecast to create a personalized plan for your stay. Clients travelling together may wish to participate in different activities or simply relax and take in the views. Through a series of unforgettable adventures, you’ll be able to discover the deepest mysteries of the desert: its contrasts, geography, the sky, wildlife and culture. As your hotel specializes in horseback riding excursions, it is highly recommended to saddle up and take advantage of this kind of spectacular outing. Please note that your acclimatization to Atacama’s altitude level will play an important factor in scheduling excursions. Activities at higher elevations (ie. treks to the Tatio Geysers) are only possible after a few days of acclimation.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 – San Pedro de Atacama
Join a guided small group tour for a short overland excursion, ideal for early days of acclimatization. Enjoy a half-day journey to Toconao, located to the south of San Pedro de Atacama, followed by a visit to the Los Flamencos National Reserve, an ideal place for bird watching within Atacama’s Salt Flat. Alternately, experience the best of the Salt Ridge to see typical desert landscapes: open reddish clay grounds, sand dunes, and sedimentary rock formations. Opt to learn about Atacameño history and culture as you tour the village of Tulor, one of the first settlements. Along the way, stop at an archeological deposit to view ceramic pieces and other historical artifacts fit for a museum.
Scan the stars during an informative session on the wonders of the night sky. Your hotel offers nightly astronomy sessions developed in their own observatory, offering a unique way of exploring one of the clearest skies in the world. Listen to a brief explanation of the stars and the main constellations before observing them through a first-class Meade 16-in telescope. Marvel at a dazzling display of the universe’s astronomical treasures, twinkling from up above.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 – San Pedro de Atacama
Short hikes at lower elevation levels are ideal while acclimatizing to Atacama’s altitude. Join your guide and a small group of fellow hikers to wander otherworldly landscapes. Walk along the edges of the Salt Ridge, with views to the oasis, the salt field and the mountain ranges that define the geography of this destination. Visit the Moon Valley and moon-like landscapes with rock formations, natural sculptures and huge sand dunes. Journey along Kari creek, a canyon carved by the erosion of water and surrounded by sedimentary walls of clay, plaster, and salt. The recommended introduction to the Atacama region is an ascent up the Salt Ridge. En-route, marvel at petroglyphs and the lush valley landscapes contrasting with the colors of the Cordillera de la Sal and the Andes Mountain Range.
Indulge in pure pampering with a spa service at your hotel. Surrounded by pampas grass and other local flora, your hotel’s four pools offer an ideal respite after a a day of exhilarating exploration. Enjoy a blissful massage and discover a new level of inner peace, outer harmony, and revitalized energy. Please note: Your treatment is not included and will be paid for on location. Reservations are confirmed at the time of booking and are subject to availability.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 – San Pedro de Atacama
Venture into one of Chile’s most enigmatic territories through a series of immersive overland excursions at higher elevations. Join a guided small group tour to experience the cultural richness of fascinating Atacama. Journey to the Argentinian border and appreciate multicolored landscapes and the Andean Plateau Salt Flats. Explore a variety of ecological floors and walk over 4,000 meters above sea level. Opt to visit Talabre, home to the archeological site of Kezala with petroglyphs as old as 800 – 400 B.C. Alternately, board a van to the Yerbas Buenas archeological site located in the Domeyko Mountain Range. Marvel at different styles of petroglyphs before exploring one of the most beautiful towns in Atacama – Río Grande.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 – San Pedro de Atacama
Enjoy a shared complimentary transfer from your hotel to Calama. Board a direct flight from Calama to Santiago. Approximate travel time is two hours. Please note that flights are not included in the price and must be purchased separately.
Meals included: Breakfast
Captivating Moments
Get captivated by a stunning collection of sample images from this trip.
Additional Information
This sample itinerary is meant to inspire your next trip. It is ready to be customized to suit your interests, tastes and budget so you can connect with local cultures and experience authentic travel on your own terms and departing whenever you choose. Itinerary details and availability are subject to change, please inquire for up-to-date information and pricing.
What’s Included
• A fully customized itinerary based on your interests and schedule
• 24/7 in-destination support from our local office
• All accommodation stays, tours and transfers for scheduled activities are covered, unless otherwise listed in the itinerary
• A private driver for tours and transfers (in some countries our local private guides also act as your driver – your Destination Expert will discuss with you if applicable)
• Local private guides or shared tours that take you through your itinerary highlights and experiences, your final itinerary will confirm the type of tour
• A greeting at the airport or at your accommodation from one of our representatives – your expert will confirm your meet and greet location with you
• One suitcase and one carry-on per person for trip transfers
What’s Not Included
• Your international airfare – please do let your expert know if you’d like to receive pricing from our Air Team
• Travel insurance, which we offer and can be purchased after you’ve booked your tour
• Visas (unless noted)
• Excess baggage charges, and where applicable, baggage not included in your fare
• Early check-in or late check-out from hotels (unless otherwise specified)
• Optional enhancements like room or flight upgrades, optional tours, or local camera or video fees
• Passport fees, immunization costs, and local departure taxes (when applicable)
Book This Trip
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