Santiago, Desert, and Patagonia: What to Do in Chile for 12 Days

Have a light breakfast because today you’re climbing Santiago’s most famous hill. In Parque Metropolitano, also known as Cerro San Cristóbal, you can take the cable car to the top and enjoy an incredible panoramic view. Up there, don’t miss the Japanese Garden and the Virgen Viewpoint. Bring a camera!

Coming down from the hill, it’s time for something more modern: the Costanera Center, the largest mall in South America. But the truly unmissable spot is the Sky Costanera, a viewpoint 300 meters high. You’ll feel like you can touch the mountains with your hands.

Ready for something more bohemian? Head to La Chascona, one of the houses of the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. It has passageways, strange objects, and a lot of history of love and revolution.

And since you’re here, stay in the Barrio Bellavista, famous for its bars, murals, terraces, and nightlife. The ideal place to try a pisco sour, have a tasty snack, or simply sit and watch the atmosphere.

To visit the Atacama Desert, fly from Santiago to El Loa Airport in Calama (CJC). After a two-hour flight, take a transfer to San Pedro de Atacama, a 90-minute journey with breathtaking views.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a town with dirt streets and adobe architecture. Due to the altitude (2,400 meters above sea level), we recommend taking it easy on the first day. Visit the main church, one of the oldest in the country, and enjoy the local cuisine. At dusk, get ready to see one of the starriest skies in the world. It is essential to use sunscreen, as radiation in the north is extremely high even on clear days.

Can you imagine floating without making any effort? In super salty water lagoons, like Laguna Cejar, you can do it. And be careful: Don’t put your head in the water! The salinity is high.

There are also other lagoons that will amaze you, such as those of Baltinache. Although they are a little further away, every kilometer you travel is worth it, because the contrast of the turquoise water with the white salt crust is incredible.

Return to the town and take advantage of the afternoon to buy Atacameño handicrafts, relax on a terrace, or visit the Museo del Padre Le Paige, which tells the history of the original peoples of the area.

During the night, try a different dinner in one of the restaurants with signature cuisine. You can find dishes with local ingredients such as chañar, algarrobo, rica-rica, and quinoa. All accompanied, of course, by a wine or a good pisco sour.

Take a flight from Santiago to Puerto Natales (Julio Gallardo Aerodrome) or Punta Arenas if there are no direct flights. If you arrive in Punta Arenas, join a bus that will take you in 3 hours to Puerto Natales, your base of operations to see the eighth wonder of the world: the Torres del Paine.

In Puerto Natales, we recommend you to visit the coastal promenade with its sculptures in front of the Señoret canal, try the exquisite Patagonian lamb, southern king crab or southern hake.

And get ready, make your final preparations, because the next day we will head to Torres del Paine. Buy snacks, water, withdraw cash and confirm your reservations or tickets for the park.

Today is the big challenge! The trek to the Base de las Torres del Paine is a demanding route of 18 kilometers (round trip) that takes between 7 and 9 hours. The trail crosses valleys, forests and moraines until reaching the iconic glacial lagoon at the foot of the three majestic granite towers.

It is a challenge of medium-high difficulty, so good physical condition is required. It is vital to dress in layers (waterproof and windproof clothing) and bring energy snacks. You can do it on your own or hire a guided tour. The Patagonian climate is unpredictable; prepare to experience the four seasons in one day. After the descent, rest with the satisfaction of having visited the eighth wonder of the world.

Your last day in Patagonia can begin with a breakfast in front of the sea, in one of the cafes that border the canal. It is time to take a final walk along the historic pier or simply sit and watch how the wind shapes the clouds over the mountains. It is a landscape that is not easily erased from memory.

By mid-morning, begin your return journey. If you flew to Puerto Natales, you can take a direct transfer to the airport. If your flight leaves from Punta Arenas, be sure to leave with enough time, as the journey takes three hours by road.

Then it’s time to take your flight to Santiago. You will have a collection of images that look like they are from another planet: glaciers, mountains golden by the southern sun, guanacos crossing the road and the tranquility that only Patagonia can give.