The best of the best during a 13-day Chile vacation

Welcome to Chile! Upon landing at Santiago airport, a Cascada representative will quickly transfer you to your hotel to relax before starting your city tour. The tour kicks off in Santiago's Historical Center, highlighting the Metropolitan Cathedral, the old central post office, the neoclassical Justice Tribunal with the Supreme Court, and ex-Congress. We'll then venture down Alameda towards La Moneda Palace and ascend Cerro Santa Lucía for city views. We will end this tour at the Metropolitan Park (San Cristobal Hill) for its breathtaking vistas, accessible by funicular and cableway. You'll be returned to your hotel after the tour.

We'll pick you up at 9:00 AM to start the journey to the beautiful Casablanca Valley, not far from Santiago. The meandering, tree-lined country roads of the enchanting Casablanca Valley are the backdrop for this easy, relaxing bike tour through one of Chile's premier wine-growing regions. We'll bike leisurely along tree-lined roads through some of central Chile's finest vineyards, stopping to learn about the fascinating history of wine in Chile and why the soil and climate here is perfect for production, sample some of the area's superb white wines and enjoy a delicious lunch at Casas del Bosque Vineyard's Restaurant, Tanino.

After a couple of days exploring Chile's central region, we'll make the journey up north! Today we'll check out of the hotel and drive to the airport in a private transfer. After a short scenic flight, we'll arrive in Calama and head to San Pedro de Atacama, in the middle of the desert, where we'll check into your hotel. In the afternoon you'll have a time to acclimatize and explore the town.

Discover the Atacama Salt Flat at Laguna Chaxa, home to graceful flamingos, then visit Socaire before reaching the stunning high-altitude lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques at 4,200 m (13,780 ft). Continue to Toconao to explore its history, traditional architecture, and local crafts. After the excursion, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Experience an unforgettable day in Atacama. At sunrise, visit the impressive Tatio Geysers at 4,300 m and watch steam columns rise in this surreal landscape. Continue to Machuca, a charming high-altitude village known for its culture and traditions. In the afternoon, explore the Moon Valley, its unique geology, the historic Victoria Salt Mine, and the iconic Three Marys formations. End the day at Mars and Moon Valleys, where a sunset toast offers the perfect finale to a journey filled with nature, history, and striking desert scenery.

Today, we set off on a journey from the arid Atacama Desert to the lush Lake District. We'll head to Calama airport, fly to Puerto Montt with a Santiago connection, and drive to Puerto Varas, known for its German architecture and Lake Llanquihue views, where we'll settle into our hotel.

This morning it's time for a white water rafting adventure! We'll head to the Petrohue sector, in Perez Rosales National Park, located at the foot of Osorno Volcano next to the flowing turquoise waters of the Petrohue River. Once we arrive we'll meet our skilled guides who will equip us with the rafting gear needed (wet suit, helmet, paddle jacket and life jacket) and then talk us through safety instructions. We board the rafts and start paddling down this beautiful class III river, enjoying the rapids and the views. After finishing our adventure, we'll have a tasty snack on the river banks and then return to Puerto Varas to spend the afternoon.

From October to March, explore Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park on the full-day Desolación Trek. This active 16 km / 10 mi hike crosses a remarkable variety of landscapes, from native forest and volcanic terrain to sweeping views of the surrounding lakes and snow-capped volcanoes. After completing the hike, visit the Petrohué Falls, where emerald waters rush through dramatic lava formations, before returning to Puerto Varas.

In September and April, the Desolación Trek is replaced by a full-day excursion to Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls, combining panoramic viewpoints over the Lake District with one of the region’s most iconic waterfalls. If road access is closed or weather conditions prevent this excursion from operating safely, a Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas City Tour will be provided instead.

Today, you'll leave your hotel and fly to Puerto Natales (PNT) or Punta Arenas (PUQ), Chile. Upon arrival, we'll drive you to EcoCamp Patagonia in Torres del Paine National Park, with a lunch stop in Puerto Natales. Enjoy scenic views, wild birds, and the Patagonian landscape along the way.

You'll spend the night at EcoCamp, offering stunning views of the Towers. With summer sunsets around 11 PM, you'll have plenty of daylight to admire the surroundings. Over the next two days, choose from three daily excursions of varying difficulty, provided by EcoCamp based on our Wildlife Safari program Excursion Itinerary.

During your stay at EcoCamp, you can choose from several Wildlife Safari excursions, each offering a different way to explore Torres del Paine. Among them, an easier outing crosses the park with views of Paine Grande and Los Cuernos, a walk along Lake Pehoé, a stop at Salto Grande, and lunch at Lake Grey before a boat trip to the glacier. 

Note: The Glacier Grey boat may be canceled in Shoulder Season; an alternative excursion will be arranged.

We'll walk from Ecocamp towards Ascencio Valley on the Tower's eastern face. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. Our challenge comes as we climb the steep moraine, a mass of boulders leading us towards one of the most famous views overlooking the Towers. The towers consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. After an uphill slog, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before us, with the glacial lake visible below. After feasting with a view, we backtrack along the same trail and return to EcoCamp.

It's now time to board an early morning vehicle, sit back, relax and enjoy a scenic ride back to Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas in time to catch the evening flight to Santiago. Once in Santiago, we'll go to a lovely hotel via private transfer and get some well-deserved sleep.

After breakfast, we'll check out of the hotel and drive to the airport via private transfer, where we'll board our flight. Hasta la próxima Chile!