Ultimate 3 week travel itinerary through Chile
Chile stretches over 4,000 km from the driest desert on earth to the glaciers of Patagonia. This long, slender country is a dream for travelers that love nature, with its large variety of different landscapes. But besides otherworldly landscapes, Chile also ahs world-class wine tasting and bustling cities.
Use this 3-week Chile itinerary to plan an unforgettable journey that takes you from the Atacama Desert to Torres del Paine, with vibrant Santiago, colorful Valparaíso, and the Lake District in between.
Northern Chile: The Atacama Desert
Base: San Pedro de Atacama (fly to Calama from Santiago)
The Atacama Desert is one of the most surreal places on earth, high-altitude world of salt flats, lakes, geysers, and the best starry night sky you’ve ever seen. I’d recommend taking your time here as there’s an incredible variety of landscapes. I’d advise taking at least three full days to explore. It’s best to rent a car. Distances are long and there’s a lot to see. renting a car can get pricey, but if you have to book tours to see everything it also adds up quickly.
Top things to do in the Atacama Desert:
Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley): Sunset over Mars-like dunes and ridges.
El Tatio Geysers: Sunrise steam plumes at 4,000 m.
Laguna Chaxa: Flamingos feeding on vast salt flats.
Lagunas Altiplánicas: Blue lagoons framed by snow-capped peaks.
Stargazing tours: Some of the clearest skies on the planet.
Find my full article on the Atacama Desert here.
Where to stay in San Pedro de Atacama?
Central Chile: Santiago & Valparaíso
Santiago (2 days)
Santiago is a lively city, which houses 40% of the entire countries population. It has lots of good restaurants, food markets and some great museums. Visit Barrio Lastarria & Bellavista for Trendy cafés and street art. Ride the funicular up to Cerro San Cristóbal for panoramic city views and go to Museo de la Memoria for some insight into Chile’s recent history.
Where to stay in Santiago, Chile?
Valparaíso (2 days)
A 1.5-hour drive from Santiago, Valparaíso is Chile’s artistic heart, steep hills covered in murals and pastel houses overlooking the Pacific. Wander through Cerro Alegre & Cerro Concepción to see colorful alleys full of street art. You can also find very cute local galleries if you’d like to take some art home. The city is a bit of a maze. There are ‘Ascensores (funiculars)’ you can take to reach different parts of the city. It’s also just really fun to ride these vintage hillside elevators. There’s also som great surfing near Valparaiso!
Where to stay in Valparaiso?
The Lake District
To explore the lake disctrict base yourself in Puerto Varas or Pucón. You’ll fly into Puerto Montt. The perfect Chile Lake District itinerary includes Green volcanoes, alpine lakes, and charming German-inspired towns.
Top experiences are Llanquihue Lake & Osorno Volcano for Iconic postcard views. Visit Chiloé Island for Colorful stilt houses and rich folklore. Pucón is the adventure capital. Think of hot springs and adventure sports and a hike to the Villarrica Volcano.
Travel tip: The best months are November to March. Weather can shift quickly, so bring waterproof layers.
Optional: Drive the Carretera Austral
If you have the time add driving and camping down the Carretera Austral to your itinerary. It’s supposed to be the most beautiful road trip in the world. I unfortunately got sick during my trip and had to cut something out of my travel plan, but when I come back I’m doing this road trip.
Southern Chile: Patagonia & Torres del Paine
The most well known trek on the Chilean side of Patagonia is the W-Trek. This trek leads you through the famous Torres del Paine National Park. It is possible to do day hikes to parts of the park, but I wouldn’t recommend that. If you travel all the way to the South of Chile, the 5 day W-trek is a must! If you don’t have the time to do the full trek, then at least visit Base Torres and Glacier Grey. After doing the W-trek spend one night at Lake Pehoe. You’ll be able to see a magical sunset and sunrise here.
Find my full article on hiking the W-trek here.
You fly into Punta Arenas and take the bus to Puerto Natales from there. Puerto Natales is the base for exploring the Torres Del Paine National Park and other parts of Patagonia. I did the W-Trek and a horse riding tour.
Travel tip: Reserve park passes and refugios early (Dec–Feb peak season). Patagonian weather is unpredictable. pack for wind and rain.
Where to stay in Puerto Natales?
Hotels on the shore of Lake Pehoé
If you choose to add a night or a few nights on Lake Pehoé, you have a couple of options. Option 1 is the affordable campsite and option 2 is the luxury hotel with meals included.
