Chile - Discovery – Self-guided tour – 21 days / 20 nights
Highlights:
• Hiking in the National Park Torres del Paine ;
• Myths and legends of the Island of Chiloé ;
• Lakes and volcanoes of central Chile ;
• The fauna of the Los Flamencos National Reserve ;
• Tatio geysers and sunset over the Moon Valley ;
Nature :
- Culture :

Encounters :

Starting from $3759 USD*
A country of geographical extremes, Chile’s diversity is reflected both in its landscape and its people. This is a trip to experience Chile’s many wonders, moving first south and ending in the North of the country. Explore the Chilean Patagonia, a region typified by the southernmost glaciers, fractured fjords, placid lakes and lush forests. Drive through the mysterious and mythical island of Chiloe on your own vehicle and explore the virgin forest along the wild Pacific coast. Reach the Lake District, a beautiful patchwork of lakes and volcanoes. Your trip will end with San Pedro de Atacama, a small oasis village in the middle of the lunar-like Atacama Desert, with amazing starry-filled skies.
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ITINERARY
Day 1 – SANTIAGO
Arrival by international flight
Arrive in Santiago by international flight. You are met at the airport by our driver and transferred to your hotel. Wander around the capital city with a member of our team, soaking up the atmosphere and visiting some interesting sites: Bellavista, a bohemian neighbourhood, Plaza de Armas with its colonial architecture and Cerro Santa Lucia with its scenic view over the city and the Andes.
- Transport : private transfer 45min
- Accommodation: aparthotel
- Included meals : none
Day 2 – PATAGONIA….
Flight Santiago de Chile > Punta Arenas
Our driver will pick you up in the morning to take you to the airport. Arrive in Punta Arenas by midday. A driver will take you directly to your hotel in Puerto Natales. This is a small town facing the Andes on the shores of Seno Ultima Esperanza, at the southern end of the Chilean Fjords. The rest of the day is yours to explore of the city.
- Transport : private transfer 45min
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals : none
Day 3 – DAY IN ESTANCIA
Departure for Estancia Mercedes. A full day in the countryside; estancias are excellent places for all types of outdoor activities, including horseback riding. It is an opportunity to experience the unique "huaso" culture in a beautiful setting. A chance to see huasos as they go about their daily activities, such as shearing sheep or marking of animals. Enjoy a wonderful "asado" in the evening. Return to Puerto Natales at the end of the day.
- Transport : van 1h30
- Accommodation : hotel
- Included meals : breakfast and dinner
Day 4 –TOREES DEL PAINE – LAKE GREY
Early departure for Torres Del Paine National Park. Along the way, you get to appreciate ñandus and guanacos in their natural environment. Arrive at the pier on Lake Grey at 11am. During the crossing, you will be able to appreciate icebergs floating on the lake. The final destination is the Grey glacier, an extensive natural ice construction of unique beauty. In the afternoon, a short hike along Lake Grey to reach your refuge.
- Transport : private transfer 2h + Boat 1h
- Accommodation : refuge
- Included meals : breakfast and dinner
- Trekking : 4 - 5 hours easy hike
Day 5 – LAGO PEHOE – TORRE REFUGE
Embark on a catamaran for some spectacular views of the calm waters of Lake Pehoé in the morning. Hike to Salto Grande (waterfall), with the eye-catching view of the huge Horns of Torres del Paine. Salto Grande is an impressive waterfall where the water drops more than 10 meters from the blue waters of Lake Nordenskjold into what eventually turns into Lake Pehoé. From the Salto Grande waterfall the trail continues to the picture-perfect Nordenskjöld Lake.
- Transport : catamaran 30min + bus 1h
- Accommodation : refuge
- Included meals : breakfast, cold lunch and dinner
Day 6 – TORRES DEL PAINE – PUNTA ARENAS
Very early departure for Torres Del Paine National Park. Take an impressive trail winding its way towards the famous vertical granite face towering more than 1.000 meters, overlooking a small glacier mounted on a glacial lake. Return to your vehicle by mid-afternoon to make your way back to Punta Arenas where you will arrive in the late afternoon.
- Transport : private transfer 4h
- Accommodation : hotel
- Included meals : breakfast and cold lunch
- Trekking : 7 - 8 h ; 900m change in altitude
Day 7 – PUNTA ARENAS - PUERTO MONTT - ANCUD - CASTRO
Flight Punta Arenas > Puerto Montt
Rental car
Fly from Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt where you pick up your rental car. Drive to the city of Ancud, through the Pacific coast to appreciate some marine life. By mid-afternoon, the fishermen of Puñihuil will guide you through some local marine life including penguins, sea lions, dolphins, sea otters, pelicans and a variety of other seabirds. These fishermen, aware of the negative impact of fishing on biodiversity have created an association for the protection and development of natural heritage through tourism as a new source of income. Join the Oyarzo family near the town of Castro in the afternoon. Small scale farmers they live of livestock and the sea.
- Transport : rental car – 194 km 3h30
- Accommodation : host family (basic comfort)
- Included meals : breakfast and dinner
Day 8 – CHILOE NATIONAL PARK
Rental car
Head for Chiloé National Park in the morning, discover the virgin forest along the wild Pacific coast. You may have a chance to meet the miners who settled on the coast during the gold mining days. You will spend the night at the Hotel Palafitos de Cucao.
- Transportation: rental car – 50km 1h
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals: breakfast
Day 9 – CUCAO TO CASTRO
Rental car
A free day for you in Castro. We will recommend some artisans and associations so you can immerse yourself in the local culture. Maria Elena will welcome you in the evening with a good dinner.
- Transportation: rental car – 50km 1h
- Accommodation: host family (basic comfort)
- Included meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 10 – CASTRO – PUERTO MONTT – PUERTO VARAS – PETREHUE – P. VARAS
Rental car
Enjoy a hearty farmer breakfast before heading to Puerto Montt. Later, take a free afternoon in Puerto Varas. We highly recommend the spectacular waterfalls Saltos of Petrohue, at the foot of the imposing Volcano Osorno in the Andes Precordillera .Overnight in Puerto Varas.
- Transport : rental car – 191km 4h
- Accommodation : hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Day 11 – PUERTO VARAS – HUILO HUILO
Rental car
Travel to Huilo Huilo, a biological reserve in the middle of the Patagonian rainforest of Chile. A unique experience in harmony with nature. You can enjoy the park’s facilities, go horse riding or visit the spa.
- Transport : rental car – 350km 4h30
- Accommodation : hotel
- Included meals : breakfast and dinner
- Activities are not included
Day 12 – HUILO HUILO - GEOMÉTRICAS HOT SPRINGS
Rental car
On your way to Pucon, pass by the Geométricas Hot Springs, the result of an ambitious project by an architect in harmony with nature; a good choice for some fabulous relaxing time. By late afternoon you will reach Pucon, a beautiful little village nestled at the base of a volcano along the shores of Lake Villarrica.
- Transport : rental car 164km 3h
- Accommodation : hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
- Entrance to the Hot Springs not included
Day 13 – HUERQUEHUE NATIONAL PARK
Rental car
We recommend you to visit the National Park of Huerquehue, located near the town of Pucon. Soak up the special atmosphere of an ancient Araucaria forest; appreciate these stunning trees commonly known as “monkey puzzle” and three splendid lagoons. The hike is not very difficult but it takes between 2 to 3 hour climbing before reaching the lagoons. Araucarias are sacred trees to the Mapuche who harvest and use its "piñones" or seeds in the preparation of various traditional dishes.
- Transportation: rental car 50km 1h20
- Accommodation: lodge
- Included meals: breakfast
- Trekking: 4 - 5 hour easy hike, 400m change in altitude
Day 14 – VILLARRICA NATIONAL PARK – ASCENT OF THE VOLCANO
Rental car
Option 1: Depart by van to climb Villarrica volcano, a perfect cone covered with snow, overlooking Lake Villarrica. This climb offers you an amazing view on the entire chain of the region’s volcanoes. The climb will take 6 to 7hours, an easy hike to reach the summit at 2847 m. You will climb down in 2 hours by the same path.
Option 2: Paddle through the white water rapids with an amazing scenery (Trancura River Rafting) or cycle through the surrounding area.
- Transportation: van 40min to the volcano
- Accommodation: lodge
- Included meals: breakfast
- Trekking: 8 - 9 hour easy hike, 1300m change in altitude
Day 15 – VILLARRICA – TEMUCO – CALAMA – SAN PEDRO
Flight Temuco > Santiago de Chile > Calama
Rental car
Depart early in the morning for Villarica’s airport where you return your rental car. You will fly north to south so watch out for the change in temperature. Once in Calama, you will be in the heart of the driest desert in the world, the Atacama Desert. On arrival a van will be waiting to take you directly to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama where you will arrive at the end of the day.
- Transport : rental car 130km 1h45 + van 2h
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Day 16 – MOON VALLEY (2400M high)
Free morning to visit the town of San Pedro de Atacama. Discover the Ayllus village area, composed of several communities (or oasis) around San Pedro de Atacama. We recommend you to visit the museum Le Paige, an opportunity to learn about the culture of the Atacama people. In the afternoon venture in the Valley of the Moon to admire some amazing natural formations result of the intense erosion. Hike to the salt caves Las Tres Marias: these formations, composed of gravel, clay, salt, gems and quarts, are estimated to be approximately one million years old. Sunset on the salt mountain range before heading back to your hotel.
- Transport : van 1h30
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Day 17 – TATIO GEYSERS (4320 m high)
Very early departure to reach the Tatio Geysers before sunrise. An impressive show will then gradually unfold, the temperature of the air will fall, and the water vapour will start spurting out several meters above the ground. Return to San Pedro de Atacama and pass through the small village of Machuca where you can appreciate the traditional architecture of a high altitude village, together with its fauna and flora. Return to San Pedro de Atacama in the afternoon.
- Transport : van 4h30
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Day 18 – ALTIPLANIC LAGOONS (2400M high)
Explore the beautiful lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques, part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve. Located at an elevation of 4200 m above sea level, these lagoons sit at the base of the two volcanos and were separated from each other by a lava flow from an eruption. Enjoy the stunning views of this breeding ground for flamingos!
- Transport : van 5h
- Accommodation: hotel
- Included meals : breakfast
Day 19 – SAN PEDRO TO VALPARAISO
Flight Calama > Santiago de Chile
Free morning in San Pedro de Atacama then around midday a van will take you from your hotel directly to Calama’s airport. Arrive in Santiago by late afternoon and drive to Valparaiso by private transfer.
- Transport : private transfer1h45
- Accommodation: bed & breakfast
- Included meals : breakfast
Day 20 – VALPARAISO
Free day in Valparaiso. This is a harbour open to the ocean and surrounded by twelve hills upon which many colourful houses have flourished. You will visit the Cerro Alegre area, acknowledged World Heritage Site (UNESCO). This open sky museum will take you to discover narrow streets filled with frescoes painted by the artists of the city.
- Transport : private transfer 1h45
- Accommodation: bed & breakfast
- Included meals : breakfast
- Entrance to the sites and museums not included
Day 21 – FINAL DAY IN CHILE
Your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport 3 hours before departure of your flight.
- Transportation: private transfer 45m
- Included meals: breakfast
End of the adventure in Chile……
This program is only given as an indication. It can be changed during your journey. Transhumans reserves the right, directly or through its local partners, to substitute transportation, accommodation, a route for another, as well as dates and departure times, without the participants being able to claim any compensation.