The capital
Almost every trip begins in Santiago, a modern city with the Andes as its backdrop. Give it at least three days for the hills, museums, markets and barrios, and a day for the vineyards of the Maipo Valley or the Cajón del Maipo canyon.
The coast
Valparaíso is about ninety minutes away by bus: a UNESCO listed port of steep hills, funiculars, murals and seafood, with the beach resort of Viña del Mar next door. Stay at least one night.
The desert
Fly north to Calama for San Pedro de Atacama, a small adobe town surrounded by salt flats, lagoons, geysers and some of the clearest skies on earth. Allow three to five nights, and plan for the altitude.
The Lake District
In the south, the Lake District around Puerto Varas and Pucón is all volcanoes, lakes, forests and hot springs, with the island of Chiloé close by.
Patagonia
At the far end of the country, Torres del Paine offers some of the finest hiking in the world, from day walks to the W Trek. Base yourself in Puerto Natales.
Beyond the classics
With more time, add Easter Island (Rapa Nui) and its moai statues, five hours by plane into the Pacific; the Elqui Valley for pisco and stargazing; the Carretera Austral road through northern Patagonia; or Punta Arenas and its penguin colonies. Our places to visit list covers several of these too.
How long you need
Chile is over four thousand kilometres long. Use domestic flights to link regions and allow two weeks for a trip that combines Santiago, the coast, the desert and one southern region. Build your route with the free trip planner.