The stunning Torres del Paine National Park
Caption: The stunning Torres del Paine National Park
Caption: The lunar-like landscape of the Atacama
Caption: Flamingos on Laguna Chaxa with the Licancabur Volcano in the Andes
Caption: Tatio Geysers
Caption: The nature of Patagonia
Caption: Icebergs about in Patagonia
Caption: Santiago, Chile's modern capital city
Caption: The wild expanse of the Atacama
Caption: Valparaíso's colourful streets
Caption: Puerto Natales is the gateway to many of Patagonia's national parks

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Journey Snapshot

Activity level: Level 2 Requires moderate physical activity. You need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing steps and be comfortable with some periods of standing. Not suitable if you have limited mobility or require a wheelchair/mobility scooter.
Destination: Grand Chilean Adventure
Duration: 11 days / 10 nights
Flight information: Please arrange your flights to arrive into Santiago de Chile Airport [SCL] on Day 1 and depart on Day 11
Pickup location: Santiago de Chile Airport [SCL]

Overview

16 - 26 Mar, 2025

Salt deserts to icebergs, lagoons to fjords, soaring mountains to lunar landscapes, Chile's unique geography is a must-discover for nature lovers. Join us as we discover Santiago, the Atacama and Patagonia

Chile stretches some 2,700km along the edge of South America, borederd between the Pacific and the Andes Mountains. Its long expanse, Chile boasts the longest coastline in the world - offers a wide variety of climates and landscapes to match its changing latitudes. It is  a country of breath-taking scenery, full of wildlife, and the landscape varies from volcano-dotted lunar landscapes and deserts to the Patagonian wilderness and enormous glaciers. 

Explore the culture and bustle of Santiago de Chile, the modern capital with an eye to the past before heading north to the volcanic landscape of the Atacama desert, and finally south to the wilds of Patagonia and enjoy its ocean views, majestic snow-capped mountains and unforgettable glaciers.

Chile is a country of the great outdoors, making it a perfect destination for those looking to experience nature in its purest guise!

Itinerary

Itinerary summary: DAY 1 - Welcome to Chile
DAY 2 - Discovering Santiago & Valparaiso
DAY 3 - To the Atacama
DAY 4 - Salt Lagoons & Bubbling Geysers
DAY 5 - The Amazing Atacama
DAY 6 - Return to Santiago
DAY 7 - Puerto Natales & Patagonia
DAY 8 - Glaciers & Fjords of Bernado O’Higgins National Park
DAY 9 - Exploring Torres del Paine National Park
DAY 10 - Northwards to Santiago
DAY 11 - Adios, Chile
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Full Itinerary

DAY 1 - Welcome to Chile

Upon arrival at Santiago, after clearing customs and immigration, you will be met by a Big Journey representative and transferred to your hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure for you to acclimatise, before we meet this evening for a welcome dinner to start our Chilean adventure.

Included meals: Dinner 
Accommodation: Santiago 

DAY 2 - Discovering Santiago & Valparaiso

This morning, we start our day with a guided tour of Santiago, Chile’s capital city. A vibrant and cosmopolitan city, it has become of Latin America’s most modern cities. Boasting numerous museums, theatres, and attractions, we’ll pass by classic sights such as the Moneda Presidential Palace or the Plaza de Armas before heading to the modern, east of the city. Here you’ll find the financial hub, with malls and many international names.

We’ll then head out to the coast, to enjoy lunch at a beachfront restaurant in Valparaiso. Founded in the 16th century and recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valparaiso is a quirky site of historic squares and many ‘cerros’ (hills) covered in colourful houses, funiculars, and street art.

We return to Santiago for an evening at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch 
Accommodation: Santiago 

DAY 3 - To the Atacama

This morning, we depart Santiago as we head to the airport to fly to north-eastern Chile, to Calama. From here we travel overland to San Pedro de Atacama.

Set on an arid plateau at high elevation in the Andes mountains. The dramatic landscape of the area offers both desert and salt flats, craters, volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs, which all form part of the Cordillera de la Sal, the Salt Mountain Range. It is part of the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) in the nearby Los Flamencos National Reserve (Flamingos National Reserve).

Declared a natural sanctuary in 1982, the Valle de la Luna is a lunarlike depression with unusual rock formations, a huge sand dune and pink-streaked mountains. Due to the lack of humidity, there is no life there, which has turned it into one of the planet’s most inhospitable, yet beautiful sites.

We’ll enjoy a tour of the Duna Mayor and the Salt Sculptures known as the Tres Marias (the three Marys) and take in the views from the ‘Coyote Rock’ look out point. Finally, enjoy the colourful sunset as the sun goes down over the Andes before returning to the hotel.

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner 
Accommodation: San Pedro de Atacama 

DAY 4 - Salt Lagoons & Bubbling Geysers

We depart early this morning as we drive to the Tatio Geysers, the largest geothermal field in the southern hemisphere and third largest in the world! At 14,173 ft above sea level, they are also the highest.

Volcanos ring the over 80 geysers, making it quite the sight to see! We arrive before sunrise to see the fumaroles at their best. We continue beyond the park and top near the Putana Wetland to spot fauna such as vicunas and Andean foxes whilst enjoying an al fresco breakfast.

We return to the hotel for lunch at leisure, before heading out this afternoon to explore more of the fascinating landscapes. Cejar Lagoon is a unique sight amid the dusty plains and sandy plateaus of the Atacama.

With salt concentration around 20%, you will find yourself floating effortlessly on the surface of the water here.

We then make our way to Ojos del Salar, two round adjacent freshwater ponds, from which they get their name – Ojos means eyes.

The final stop of the day is Laguna Tebinquinche, a giant lake who’s flat, mirror-like surface reflects the mountains and colour changes in the sky above. Admire the sunset as the colours change over this remarkable landscape.

Included meals: Breakfast 
Accommodation: San Pedro de Atacama 

DAY 5 - The Amazing Atacama

Today we will spend a full day discovering the stunning geography. Amongst the stops we will marvel at the vibrant Altiplanic Lagoons, straddle the Tropic of Capricorn, explore the famous Atacama salt flats, Chaxa Lagoon and enjoy the local charm in Toconao in the Atacama Desert.

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch 
Accommodation: Cumbres San Pedro, San Pedro de Atacama (or similar) 

DAY 6 - Return to Santiago

After breakfast, we depart San Pedro and make our way back to Calama Airport for our flight back to Santiago. Here we will be met and check in to our airport hotel, ready for our flight south to Patagonia the following morning.

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner 
Accommodation: Santiago 

DAY 7 - Puerto Natales & Patagonia

This morning, after breakfast we make our way back to Santiago Airport for our flight to Punta Arenas, located far south in of Chile's Patagonia region and on the Strait of Magellan, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Before the Panama Canal opened in 1914, Punta Arenas prospered as a coal refuelling stop for steamships and as the centre of the Chilean wool industry. We’ll pass through the town on a panoramic tour, seeing the historic port and its mansions built by the wool barons with time for lunch at leisure.

Later, we’ll continue our route from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales, our base for the next few days exploring.

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner 
Accommodation: Puerto Natales 

DAY 8 - Glaciers & Fjords of Bernado O’Higgins National Park

We wrap up warm this morning as we head out to take in vistas of emerald hillsides, rugged mountains, and tall waterfalls as we cruise up the Ultima Esperanza Fjord (the Last Hope Fjord) to see the impressive Balmaceda hanging glacier.

Afterwards, an invigorating walk will lead us through the unspoiled beauty of Bernado O’Higgins National Park to see the spiky Serrano Glacier, nestled above a peaceful lake full of small icebergs.

We’ll enjoy a hearty lunch at a nearby traditional Patagonian restaurant before reboarding our cruise back down the fjord to Puerto Natales.

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch 
Accommodation: Puerto Natales 

DAY 9 - Exploring Torres del Paine National Park

Spectacular wild scenery awaits us today as we head into the acclaimed Torres del Paine National Park. Covering some 935 square miles, the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve boasts an astonishing landscape of turquoise lakes, glaciers, rolling valleys, snow-capped summits, and amazing icebergs.
Its crowning jewels are the horn-like Cuernos del Paine mountains, and the craggy trio of steel-grey granite peaks, the Torres del Paine – the Towers of Pain.

An abundance of wildlife adds to the park’s allure, with approximately 25 species of mammals including the tawny guanaco, a relative of the llama, foxes and the endangered Patagonian huemul deer, as well as pumas. Andean condors swirl in the skies and flightless ostrich-like Lesser Rheas sprint across the grasslands.

At Salto Grande (the large waterfall), we’ll hear the water’s thunderous crash as it makes its way from Lake Nordenskjold to Lake Pehoe and soak in the amazing vistas.

After a day of stunning landscapes, we’ll return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch 
Accommodation: Puerto Natales 

DAY 10 - Northwards to Santiago

We depart Puerto Natales after breakfast as we retrace our steps to Punta Arenas for our flight back north to Santiago
We’ll enjoy one final dinner together in Santiago to round off our week in this fantastic country.

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner 
Accommodation: Santiago 

DAY 11 - Adios, Chile

Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to Chile. After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airport in time for your flights home.

Alternatively, extend your stay on our extension to the amazing Easter Island. See below or contact us for further information

Included meals: Breakfast 
Accommodation: none 

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More information

What's includedWhat's not includedImportant information

What's included

  • Meet & Greet on arrival in Santiago
  • Return internal flights: Santiago de Chile [SCL] - Calama [CJC] / Santiago - Punta Arenas [PUQ]
  • Transfers as detailed in the itinerary in an air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
  • Accommodation as detailed in the itinerary
  • Meals as detailed in the itinerary
  • All activities, visits and excursions as detailed in the itinerary
  • English speaking tour guide
  • Tour Director from The Big Journey Company as well as the local tour guide (subject to minimum group size being reached.)

What's not included

  • ATOL Protection
  • Flights to/from Chile - flight quotations available on request, please contact us for further details
  • Transfers on arrival or departure, to/from the airport(s), outside of the tour dates
  • Drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Visas, travel and medical insurance
  • Any personal items and anything not mentioned under included in price above
  • Any meals not mentioned in itinerary
  • Any optional activities offered
  • Any COVID-related entry or exit requirements

Important information

  • Please note, flights to/from Chile are not included in this package. The Big Journey Company would be happy to provide a quotation for your flights - please contact us for further detail
  • Please let The Big Journey Company know prior to travelling if you have any medical needs or take any medication that we need to be made aware of to ensure that you have a safe and pleasant tour.
  • Check in is after 2 - 3pm and check out is before 10am unless otherwise specified in the itinerary.
  • Cancellation 90 – 0 days prior to departure cancellation fee is 100%. It is your responsibility to ensure the correct travel insurance in place to protect you against the need to cancel your holiday. Deposits are non-refundable.
  • Further terms and conditions apply and will be provided upon request or at the time of booking. The Big Journey Company reserves the right to withdraw any offer prior to accepting a reservation request. This does not affect your statutory rights. This offer is subject to availability and space is limited.
  • Please consult your doctor for advice on vaccinations and innoculations before travel.

The big journey promise

The big journey company was set up with one goal in mind, to share our passion for inspirational cultures, destinations and experiences. Over the last 10 years we have had the privilege to escort thousands of travellers on awe inspiring and sometimes life changing journeys. Our promise to every guest who joins us is that we will do everything possible to make sure your journey not only exceeds expectations but delivers at least one moment of true amazement.

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Holiday tours are operated by The Big Journey Company Limited. Registered in England. Registered office: Marron Bank, Branthwaite, Cumbria, CA14 4SZ. Registered number: 6532140. The Big Journey Company Limited is a member of The Travel Trust Association member number U5675 and holds an Air Travel Organiser’s License number T7282.

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