Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Chile – Santiago – Chiloe Island – Patagonia – Torres del Paine
100% customisable for you
Your Chilean adventure starts today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and enjoy some nibbles in the lounge before boarding your overnight flight to Santiago, which will take around 14-and-a-half-hours.
When you arrive in Santiago the next morning, you’ll be met and privately transferred to your hotel in the trendy Bellavista district. After a few hours spent settling in, the afternoon is yours to explore. Stroll through the neighbourhood and the nearby Lastarria and Bella Artes districts, or head to the beautiful Cerro Santa Lucia Park, just a short walk away.
A private transfer will whisk you back to the airport this morning to catch your two-hour flight to Castro, a pretty city on the island of Chiloe.
Once you’ve touched down, collect your rental car and check in for two nights at a charming hotel. Spend the rest of the day soaking up the views over the water before venturing out for a tasty dinner – our clued-up Concierge is on hand to recommend some hidden gems.
Chiloe is an island full of charm, primarily known for its palafitos, colourful houses built on stilts. A single paved road winds its way across the island, past rolling hills, small farms and meadows home to flamingos, black swans and ducks.
A must-see while you’re here is the Dalcahue craft market, about 15 miles north of Castro, where you’ll find replicas of churches and wooden houses, traditional ponchos and regional utensils. If you’re after a little more culture, you could also visit Dalcahue’s ethnographic museum, marvel at its UNESCO-listed church or stroll through the pretty main square.
To get to know Chiloe in depth, we can also arrange a private tour along the island’s Heritage Route, stopping at wooden churches and traditional villages.
Hit the road this morning as you journey to the Rilan Peninsula, a 30-minute drive from Castro. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to stop in Chonchi, a small fishing village, to admire its heritage houses. Built during the second half of the 19th century, when the cypress wood industry was booming, these traditional wooden houses have survived earthquakes and fires that have struck the region over the years. Stop at Centenario Street to see 15 historic houses, including the Alvarez Peres House, the Hotel Huildin and the Casa Gomez Pinto. Chonchi is also home to the UNESCO-listed San Carlos de Borroneo church, which is open to visitors.
Later, check into your new hotel on the outskirts of Castro, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. Spend the rest of the afternoon soaking up the sun in the gardens and enjoying a traditional dinner al fresco.
Set on the easternmost tip of Chiloe Island, the Rilan Peninsula boasts sprawling green spaces and rolling hills. Here, you can witness nature preserved by isolation and take a moment to disconnect.
While you’re here, you might also like to hop across to Quinchao Island, the second largest island in the Chiloe archipelago, just a short ferry ride from Dalcahue. When you arrive, head to the pretty town of Curaco de Velez, stopping at Errazuriz Street to marvel at its colourful houses, then head to Changuitad viewpoint for panoramic views over the island. Culture lovers can visit Quinchao and Santa Mario de Loreto, two UNESCO-listed churches, while waterbabies can take a dip or catch some sun on the beaches of Guijarros.
If that’s not quite enough, we can arrange a horseback riding trip across the peninsula, too.
Before catching the ferry to Puerto Varas today, there’s time to visit some of Chiloe's famous churches along the Church Route, which spans 87 miles and takes around three hours. Built in the 17th century to support the evangelisation of the ‘New World’, these grand churches are among the oldest wooden structures in the world, blending Spanish colonial design with the island's native wood construction techniques.
Later, board the ferry to Puerto Varas, which takes around 30 minutes. When you arrive, check into your hotel and soak up the beauty of Chile’s Lake District, from the pearl-white Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus church and the shimmering Lake Llanquihue to the snow-capped peak of Osorno Volcano. Come evening, treat yourself to a sundowner on the terrace, surrounded by beautiful scenery and the sounds of nature.
This morning, drive 30 minutes to Puerto Montt, where you’ll return your rental car and transfer to the port to embark on an exciting cruise through Patagonia.
The next four days are all about experiencing the Patagonian fjords. This scenic sailing experience connects northern and southern Patagonia, passing through breathtaking landscapes from the Gulf of Penas to Puerto Natales. As you soak up the glacial scenery, you’ll also be treated to delicious food and excellent service from the friendly crew.
Along the way, you’ll traverse the Gulf of Corcovado at dawn, with the snow-capped volcanic cones of Corcovado and Yanteles as a backdrop. In good weather, you might even be lucky enough to spot whales as they cut through the water.
Next, the cruise crosses the Messier Channel, where you’ll spot the cargo ship Capitan Leonidas, which has been beached on Bajo Cotopaxi island since the 1970s. Today, the wreck is used as a navigational lighthouse and landmark for sailors.
Later, pass through the Strait of Angostura Inglesa to the fishing village of Puerto Eden, home to the last remaining population of Alacaluf Indians in Chile.
On the fourth and final day of your cruise, watch the sunrise over the Santa Maria Channel before continuing along the Angostura White, the narrowest channel on the route. Your journey comes to an end at Puerto Natales, a pretty town in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, known as the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park.
After one last leisurely lunch, disembark and meet a private driver, who’ll take you to the rental agency to collect your car. Check into your a hotel in the town centre and spend the rest of the day relaxing – or, if you’re still raring to go, head out on a private guided tour of Puerto Natales.
Today, drive to Torres del Paine National Park, where you’ll be staying for the next few days. As you venture further into remote landscapes, watch as the three iconic peaks of the Torres del Paine mountain range come into view in the distance. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the park boasts a distinctive ecosystem, featuring deep blue lakes, majestic peaks and towering white glaciers.
Fancy yourself a keen hiker? You’re in luck: there are numerous trails to choose from, each varying in difficulty and length. The trails crisscross the diverse landscape, passing a number of idyllic lakes – Sarmiento, Nordernskjold, Pehoe, Grey and Toro.
You could also pay a visit to the Cuernos del Paine, three spectacular peaks best viewed from the Nordernskjold viewpoint or the shores of Lake Pehoe. Longer hikes allow you to reach the famous Torres peaks that gave the park its name, the highest of which reaches over 9,000ft.
This evening, check into your lodge, which is based within the park.
On your second day in the national park, there are even more hiking trails to explore. If you fancy something a little lighter, take the 12-mile Laguna Cebolla trail, which winds through flowering meadows and past free-roaming horses and guanacos.
Alternatively, you could tackle the Ferrier viewpoint, best suited for experienced hikers. This challenging trail, which includes over 2,000ft of elevation gain over one mile, traverses some of the park's most beautiful forests, revealing panoramic views of the Zapata and Grey glaciers, the Pingo River and the Baguales mountain range.
Another must-see for hikers is the Grey viewpoint, which offers breathtaking views over the eponymous Grey Glacier, which can be reached via a catamaran crossing of Lake Pehoe and a seven-mile hike.
We’ve left today free for you to explore the rest of the park. If you fancy resting your legs, we can also arrange a boat trip on Lago Grey, soaking up views over the iconic Grey Glacier with a pisco sour in hand.
Once you’re well and truly knackered, hop back in the car and return to Puerto Natales for an overnight stay.
After a hearty breakfast, head to Puerto Natales airport and return your rental car before boarding your three-and-a-half-hour flight back to Santiago.
When you arrive, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the night. Enjoy your last evening in Chile to the fullest – take a nighttime stroll along the colourful streets, spotting street art and soaking in the bohemian atmosphere, and toast to your trip with dinner at one of the many restaurants. To truly round off your trip with a bang, enjoy a show or head to one of the lively bars on Pio Nono Street.
This morning, enjoy one last tasty breakfast before being privately transferred back to Santiago Airport for your overnight flight home. The journey will take around 14 hours, and you’ll touch down in the UK the following day, ready to regale your friends and family with tales of your Chilean adventures.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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