Guided Atacama Desert, Lake District and Torres del Paine Tour

Upon arrival at Santiago airport, a transfer will take you to your hotel to drop off luggage and meet your fellow travelers. You’ll then embark on a city tour to catch a glimpse of Chile’s metropolitan capital Santiago: visiting Santa Lucia Hill, the Buenas Artes National Museum, and the central market with its colorful hustle and bustle. You’ll also take in the Plaza de Armas, the presidential palace “La Moneda”, the church San Francisco and the district Lastarria.

After breakfast, a transfer takes you back to the airport to board a northbound flight to the mining city of Calama in the Atacama Desert. Upon arrival, you’ll make your way directly to the charming oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. During leisure time in the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to explore its lively streets at your own pace.

After an invigorating breakfast, you’ll visit the Atacama Salt Flats and Chaxa Lagoon. On the way, you’ll stop in the indigenous village of Toconao, where you’ll visit the beautiful plaza and church.

Later, arrive at the Salar de Atacama, Chile’s largest salt flat, which originated millions of years ago by the upheaval of the Andes and the Domeyko cordillera. The octagonal salt crusts in the middle of the world’s driest desert are truly an impressive sight. Here you can also observe three different species of flamingos, which feed on salt brine.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Moon Valley. It is located about 18km (11 mi) west of San Pedro de Atacama and part of the nature reserve Los Flamencos, which is co-administered by indigenous communities. This surreal place, one of the most spectacular in the Atacama Desert, owes its name to the unique geological formations that resemble a lunar landscape. Explore this beautiful natural wonder of Chile and visit the strange creatures that nature has created from salt and clay.

On the outskirts of San Pedro de Atacama, there are several small villages of Atacameño indigenous communities (in their language they are called the Lick-Antay). These villages are also referred to as Ayllus – meaning an organized structure of neighborhood assistance based on the land rights of common ancestors, which emphasizes the importance of community cooperation.

Today you’ll visit the municipality Ayllu de Coyo, where you can get to know two Atacameño families as they guide you along their traditional paths. You’ll witness the local irrigation system, animal husbandry and the production of their typical handicrafts.

In the afternoon, a unique experience awaits: the traditional caravan of the Atacameño people. This walk with llamas allows you to relive this centuries-old way of transport in the desert, while your guide tells you all about this symbolic Andean animal.

This day is at leisure, allowing you to relax or visit other attractions in the area. A visit to the geysers of El Tatio comes highly recommended!

After breakfast, a transfer takes you back to Calama Airport, from where you’ll fly via Santiago to Puerto Montt in the Chilean lake region, more than 2000km (1200 mi) further south. From here, you’ll continue your journey to the “City of Roses” Puerto Varas.

Beautifully situated on the shores of Llanquihue Lake, this touristic town has started booming in recent years.

After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a scenic ride along Llanquihue Lake to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. Here, you’ll visit the famous rapids of the Petrohué River, one of the wildest in Chile. Roaring loudly, the river rushes through its uneven bed, surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

It is then time to continue to nearby All Saints Lake, (“Todos Los Santos”) located at the foot of Osorno Volcano. With its emerald-green water, many visitors consider it the most beautiful lake in all of Chile. After a walk along the lava beach, you’ll move on to the small village of Las Cascadas. Here you’ll meet a German immigrant family that has maintained its customs and language skills for five generations. We indulge in a typical rural lunch and discover the eventful history of this family and the German immigrants in the 19th century.

In the afternoon, you’ll continue your exploration of the area and reach the charming lakeside village of Frutillar, offering spectacular views of the volcanoes. Here, you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere emanating from the traditional painted houses, lively gardens, tearooms, and the modern Teatro del Lago. The open-air museum of German immigration allows you to learn even more about the area’s colonization.

Today you’ll travel to the homeland of the Huilliche indigenous people, the southern brother tribe of the Mapuche natives. In the coastal area of San Juan de la Costa, you’ll learn about their local traditions while enjoying beautifully pristine coastal landscapes.

After lunch with a local family, enjoy a hike through the ancient native Valdivian rainforest, which has been preserved in good conditions. Here you’ll meet the family of Lonko (tribal leader) Carlos Paillamanque and learn more about the cosmovision and way of life of the Huilliche and Mapuche. In the afternoon, make your way back to Puerto Varas.

In the morning, a transfer takes you to the airport in Puerto Montt. After a two-and-a-half-hour flight, you’ll land in Punta Arenas, one of the most southern (and at the same time windiest) cities in the world! The afternoon at leisure is a good opportunity for exploring the city’s main points of interest.

Today you’ll embark on a journey into the Patagonian heartland. The route takes you through the typical pampa landscape of the Magallanes region, past huge Patagonian estancias (sheep farms). In the afternoon, you’ll reach the stunning Torres del Paine National Park, undoubtedly, an absolute highlight of every Chile vacation! It is here, where the vastness of the Patagonian steppe meets the steep peaks of the South Cordillera, that nature shows its most breathtaking side.

Today is dedicated to exploring Torres del Paine National Park, one of South America’s most impressive natural attractions. 2000-meter-high peaks rise out of the vast steppe abruptly; huge glaciers, deep blue lakes and wind-blown, gnarled southern beeches paint and unforgettable picture. Thundering rivers flow into the valley as waterfall and the primeval wilderness is a unique refuge for rare animals such as guanacos, Andean foxes, flamingos and condors. On a short hiking trail, you’ll reach the viewpoint at Grey Lake, where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the eponymous glacier.

Your tour finishes in Puerto Natales, where you’ll spend one final night and can enjoy a delicisous meal to celebrate the adventure, now come and gone.

Note: As an alternative, it is possible to do a challenging hike today to the Paine Towers base (the “Torres”) independently. Guided hikes can be organized with a supplement.

After breakfast, you’ll return to the airport in Punta Arenas, where it’s time to say goodbye. From here, it is possible to take a flight back home (via Santiago) or continue with your onwards travels.