Chile in 8 days: from Santiago to the Atacama Desert.
Updated on 29 de April, 2026
Santiago, Atacama, and Wine Valleys
8 DAYS
Live an unforgettable experience exploring the contrasts of Chile. From the energy of Santiago and the bohemian charm of Valparaíso, to the mystique of the Atacama Desert with its geysers and altiplanic lagoons. This eight-day itinerary is designed for those seeking luxury, culture, and unique natural landscapes in the heart of the Southern Cone. Your adventure begins here!
DISTANCE
3,000 km
DAYS
8 days
LANDSCAPES
SEASON
ATTRACTIONS
Inicio del itinerario
Attractions included on this day
Day 1
Welcome to Santiago: Panoramic Views and Gastronomy
Welcome to Chile! Your adventure begins in Santiago, the vibrant capital guarded by the imposing Andes Mountains.
After landing and checking into your accommodation, start with a local lunch followed by a city tour of the city’s most emblematic spots: Visit Plaza de Armas, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and La Moneda Palace to understand the country’s past and present.
The highlight of the afternoon will be the ascent to Cerro San Cristóbal; from its summit, in Metropolitan Park, you’ll enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains.
To conclude this first day, you can enjoy dinner in the bohemian Bellavista neighborhood or in the Vitacura area, where signature Chilean gastronomy takes center stage.
Attractions included on this day
Day 1
Welcome to Santiago: Panoramic Views and Gastronomy
Welcome to Chile! Your adventure begins in Santiago, the vibrant capital guarded by the imposing Andes Mountains.
After landing and checking into your accommodation, start with a local lunch followed by a city tour of the city’s most emblematic spots: Visit Plaza de Armas, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and La Moneda Palace to understand the country’s past and present.
The highlight of the afternoon will be the ascent to Cerro San Cristóbal; from its summit, in Metropolitan Park, you’ll enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains.
To conclude this first day, you can enjoy dinner in the bohemian Bellavista neighborhood or in the Vitacura area, where signature Chilean gastronomy takes center stage.
Attractions included on this day
Day 2
Valparaíso and Viña del Mar
On the second day, we leave the capital to meet the breeze of the Pacific Ocean. Our destination is the mythical city of Valparaíso, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We will explore its most emblematic hills, such as Alegre and Concepción, famous for their historic funiculars, European architecture, and colorful urban art murals. You must also ride its impressive funiculars.
The experience becomes immersive as you participate in a typical Chilean cooking class at the port. You’ll learn the secrets of local seafood products and the preparation of traditional dishes before tasting them in front of the bay.
Dedicate the second part of your day to the “Garden City,” Viña del Mar. Here we will visit the iconic Flower Clock, Quinta Vergara, and walk along the waterfront, feeling the energy of the sea and observing the area’s modern architecture. As the sun sets, we will return to Santiago.
Attractions included on this day
Day 2
Valparaíso and Viña del Mar
On the second day, we leave the capital to meet the breeze of the Pacific Ocean. Our destination is the mythical city of Valparaíso, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We will explore its most emblematic hills, such as Alegre and Concepción, famous for their historic funiculars, European architecture, and colorful urban art murals. You must also ride its impressive funiculars.
The experience becomes immersive as you participate in a typical Chilean cooking class at the port. You’ll learn the secrets of local seafood products and the preparation of traditional dishes before tasting them in front of the bay.
Dedicate the second part of your day to the “Garden City,” Viña del Mar. Here we will visit the iconic Flower Clock, Quinta Vergara, and walk along the waterfront, feeling the energy of the sea and observing the area’s modern architecture. As the sun sets, we will return to Santiago.
Attractions included on this day
Day 3
Off to the Atacama Desert
In the morning, fly from Santiago to Calama to delve into the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world. After a brief land transfer of approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, you will arrive at the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, a town of adobe architecture and dirt streets. Enjoy a traditional lunch with local ingredients before the adventure ahead.
Explore the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain Range) by visiting the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley). This natural sanctuary offers lunar-like landscapes, with salt and clay formations and gigantic dunes stretching to the horizon. Here you can walk among natural geological sculptures and contemplate an unforgettable sunset, where the colors of the relief change from ocher to crimson as the sun sets.
To end the day, have dinner in the historic center and get a good rest before continuing your adventure.
Attractions included on this day
Day 3
Off to the Atacama Desert
In the morning, fly from Santiago to Calama to delve into the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world. After a brief land transfer of approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, you will arrive at the oasis of San Pedro de Atacama, a town of adobe architecture and dirt streets. Enjoy a traditional lunch with local ingredients before the adventure ahead.
Explore the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain Range) by visiting the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley). This natural sanctuary offers lunar-like landscapes, with salt and clay formations and gigantic dunes stretching to the horizon. Here you can walk among natural geological sculptures and contemplate an unforgettable sunset, where the colors of the relief change from ocher to crimson as the sun sets.
To end the day, have dinner in the historic center and get a good rest before continuing your adventure.
Attractions included on this day
Day 4
Salt Lagoons and Astrotourism
Start the day with a community tourism experience to learn about the customs and agricultural techniques of the Lickanantay people in the community of Toconao or in the surroundings of San Pedro. This activity offers a direct approach to local culture, culminating in a lunch prepared by the community using local ingredients.
In the afternoon, transfer to the Salar de Atacama to visit Laguna Cejar. Due to its high salt concentration, you can experience floating in its turquoise waters surrounded by a desert landscape. Afterward, head to the Ojos del Salar (Eyes of the Salt Flat) and Laguna Tebenquiche, an extensive mirror of water offering views of the Andes Mountains during sunset.
To conclude the day, participate in an astrotourism session in the heart of the desert. Under one of the clearest skies on the planet, you can enjoy an outdoor dinner while observing constellations and learning about the Andean worldview.
Photo: Courtesy.
Attractions included on this day
Day 4
Salt Lagoons and Astrotourism
Start the day with a community tourism experience to learn about the customs and agricultural techniques of the Lickanantay people in the community of Toconao or in the surroundings of San Pedro. This activity offers a direct approach to local culture, culminating in a lunch prepared by the community using local ingredients.
In the afternoon, transfer to the Salar de Atacama to visit Laguna Cejar. Due to its high salt concentration, you can experience floating in its turquoise waters surrounded by a desert landscape. Afterward, head to the Ojos del Salar (Eyes of the Salt Flat) and Laguna Tebenquiche, an extensive mirror of water offering views of the Andes Mountains during sunset.
To conclude the day, participate in an astrotourism session in the heart of the desert. Under one of the clearest skies on the planet, you can enjoy an outdoor dinner while observing constellations and learning about the Andean worldview.
Photo: Courtesy.
Attractions included on this day
Day 5
Piedras Rojas and Altiplanic Lagoons
Begin your journey to the deep altiplano to visit Piedras Rojas (Red Rocks), a set of reddish geological formations located on the shores of Salar de Aguas Calientes. This landscape, situated over 4,000 meters high, stands out for the visual contrast between the oxidized tone of the rocks and the turquoise of the surrounding lagoons.
To optimize the journey and acclimatization, it is advisable to have lunch between visits in the town of Socaire. This will allow you to rest before continuing to the Altiplanic Lagoons, Miscanti and Miñiques. These intensely blue lagoons are located at the foot of imposing volcanoes and are part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve.
For dinner, we recommend trying some of the signature cuisine of San Pedro de Atacama. Its star product is oven-roasted lamb loin, usually prepared with a crust of desert herbs like rica-rica and accompanied by creamy quinoa or Andean potatoes.
Attractions included on this day
Day 5
Piedras Rojas and Altiplanic Lagoons
Begin your journey to the deep altiplano to visit Piedras Rojas (Red Rocks), a set of reddish geological formations located on the shores of Salar de Aguas Calientes. This landscape, situated over 4,000 meters high, stands out for the visual contrast between the oxidized tone of the rocks and the turquoise of the surrounding lagoons.
To optimize the journey and acclimatization, it is advisable to have lunch between visits in the town of Socaire. This will allow you to rest before continuing to the Altiplanic Lagoons, Miscanti and Miñiques. These intensely blue lagoons are located at the foot of imposing volcanoes and are part of the Los Flamencos National Reserve.
For dinner, we recommend trying some of the signature cuisine of San Pedro de Atacama. Its star product is oven-roasted lamb loin, usually prepared with a crust of desert herbs like rica-rica and accompanied by creamy quinoa or Andean potatoes.
Attractions included on this day
Day 6
El Tatio Geysers and Return to Santiago
Start the day early (around 5:00 AM) to visit the El Tatio Geysers, the highest geothermal field in the world. As the sun rises, observe the columns of steam emerging from the earth and enjoy a light breakfast surrounded by Andean landscapes.
During the descent, stop to observe the local fauna in the wetlands, where vicuñas and altiplanic birds often appear. After checking out of your hotel, transfer to Calama airport to return to Santiago. Make sure your flight is after 5:00 PM to avoid unnecessary risks.
Attractions included on this day
Day 6
El Tatio Geysers and Return to Santiago
Start the day early (around 5:00 AM) to visit the El Tatio Geysers, the highest geothermal field in the world. As the sun rises, observe the columns of steam emerging from the earth and enjoy a light breakfast surrounded by Andean landscapes.
During the descent, stop to observe the local fauna in the wetlands, where vicuñas and altiplanic birds often appear. After checking out of your hotel, transfer to Calama airport to return to Santiago. Make sure your flight is after 5:00 PM to avoid unnecessary risks.
Attractions included on this day
Day 7
Discover the Wines of Chile
Back in Santiago, we will dedicate our seventh day to discovering why Chile has the best wines in the world. For this, we will take a tour to the Casablanca Valley, where you can take a technical biodynamic viticulture tour.
This is an experience focused on the management of the vineyard as a closed ecosystem. During the visit, you can analyze soil management without synthetic fertilizers, the use of animals for biological weed control, and the application of natural preparations according to the lunar calendar.
After a pairing lunch that highlights the acidity and freshness of local wines, it’s time to return to Santiago. We recommend dining in Vitacura’s gastronomic hub, where avant-garde cuisine uses preservation and slow-cooking techniques to highlight endemic ingredients.
Attractions included on this day
Day 7
Discover the Wines of Chile
Back in Santiago, we will dedicate our seventh day to discovering why Chile has the best wines in the world. For this, we will take a tour to the Casablanca Valley, where you can take a technical biodynamic viticulture tour.
This is an experience focused on the management of the vineyard as a closed ecosystem. During the visit, you can analyze soil management without synthetic fertilizers, the use of animals for biological weed control, and the application of natural preparations according to the lunar calendar.
After a pairing lunch that highlights the acidity and freshness of local wines, it’s time to return to Santiago. We recommend dining in Vitacura’s gastronomic hub, where avant-garde cuisine uses preservation and slow-cooking techniques to highlight endemic ingredients.
Day 8
End of the Adventure
We hope you enjoyed your adventure in Chile! You can use this last day to explore the surroundings of your accommodation before taking a return flight to your home city.
Alternatively, you can continue discovering the wonders of our country. From Arica to Magallanes, you will find magical destinations such as the Seis Miles, Chiloé, Rapa Nui, or Torres del Paine, where you can live an unforgettable adventure.
Photo: Timothy Dhalleine.
Day 8
End of the Adventure
We hope you enjoyed your adventure in Chile! You can use this last day to explore the surroundings of your accommodation before taking a return flight to your home city.
Alternatively, you can continue discovering the wonders of our country. From Arica to Magallanes, you will find magical destinations such as the Seis Miles, Chiloé, Rapa Nui, or Torres del Paine, where you can live an unforgettable adventure.
Photo: Timothy Dhalleine.
What you should know
How to get there by air
Enter the country through Santiago International Airport. To visit the north, take a two-hour flight to Calama, the closest airport to San Pedro de Atacama.
From Calama, the journey to San Pedro de Atacama takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by land. Note that there is wide availability of flights between Santiago and the rest of the country’s airports, both outbound and inbound.
How to get there by land
Connectivity between Santiago, Casablanca, and Valparaíso is via Route 68, a high-standard highway where you can travel by private vehicle, bus, or through a tour (recommended for visiting the wineries).
In Atacama, the Calama-San Pedro journey is via Route 23, a paved road. Once in San Pedro de Atacama, we recommend taking local tours to explore the different destinations.
Climate and clothing
Santiago and Valparaíso have a cool Mediterranean climate. In Atacama, the thermal oscillation is extreme: sunny days and freezing nights. For excursions to the puna (high-altitude areas like El Tatio or Piedras Rojas), it is imperative to dress in layers (“onion system”).
This includes a thermal base layer, windbreakers, and high-mountain parkas, as temperatures can drop below zero despite the intense midday sun.
Must-Know Tips
For a safe experience, it is essential to hire only tourism services registered with SERNATUR, ensuring certified guides and formal transport. For puna (altitude sickness), stay hydrated, avoid heavy meals, and move calmly in the altiplano.
In the capital, confidently use the Santiago Metro; its network is modern, efficient, and the fastest way to cross the city. Don’t forget your charged transport card and high-spectrum sunscreen.
