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Introducing Chile

Chile is one of the most naturally and culturally diverse places in the world, stretching 2,500 miles across Andean peaks, dramatic coastline, and the otherworldly Atacama Desert. Along the way, you’ll find award-winning wineries in the Colchagua Valley and the bohemian enclave of Valparaiso—not to mention Santiago de Chile, one of South America’s most dynamic cities. 

When is the best time to visit?
Visit during Chile’s spring in September, October, or November to see the country come alive with color or during their fall, which happens March through May. Many attractions are closed during their winter season in July and August. Learn more

Where should I go in Chile?
Stargaze in the Southern Hemisphere’s clearest skies, ski or snowboard in the Andes, explore the iconic statues of Easter Island, explore the colorful streets of Valparaiso, watch the sunset over the dunes of the Atacama Desert, and soak in the deeply azure fjords where the mountains drop dramatically straight to the water. Learn more 

How many days do I need?
Travelers should really take their time and try not to rush through Chile. 10 days might even feel like too few, so if possible at least 2 weeks is best. Learn more

Getting Around in Chile
Chile is nearly 3,000 miles long, and most travelers use a combination of domestic flights and road transfers to maximize their time in the country. Fly between regions using major transport hubs (like Santiago and Atacama, for example), and then drive within any region you'd like to explore. Learn more

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 6 days · 7 days · 8 days · 9 days · 10 days · 11 days · 12 days · 13 days · 14 days · 15 days

Chile Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) close to San Pedro de Atacama
Map of Wonders of Chile - 14 Days
Wonders of Chile - 14 Days

On this two week trip, you’ll visit many of the classic places that have made Chile an iconic country for travelers and mountaineers alike. You’ll journey to places like the Atacama Desert and the Patagonian glaciers as you discover a land of myths and mountains. You’ll also have the chance to stay in Santiago and Valparaíso to get a sense of Chile’s city life.

Atacama Desert, Chile
Map of Discover the Atacama Desert - 4 Days
Discover the Atacama Desert - 4 Days

Spend four days taking advantage of the natural beauty of the town and hinterlands of San Pedro de Atacama. Visit geysers, volcanoes, valleys and salt flats on this trip around the arid Chilean plateau and be wowed by the formidable grandeur of the Andes at every turn.

Patagonia's Torres del Paine National Park
Map of Patagonia & Atacama Desert - 10 Days
Patagonia & Atacama Desert - 10 Days

Explore regions on both ends of Chile's latitudinal spectrum with this 10-day itinerary. After getting a taste of Santiago, fly north to the Atacama desert—an oasis in the driest part in the world known for geysers, moonscapes, and starry skies. Then fly all the way south to Patagonia's Punta Arenas where you'll meet a penguin colony before finishing in Torres del Paine National Park for a range of activities and wildlife viewing.

Marble Caves
Map of Atacama Desert & Marble Caves Adventure - 7 Days
Atacama Desert & Marble Caves Adventure - 7 Days

On this itinerary, you'll get to experience the two most beautiful regions of Chile: the northern Atacama Desert and southern Patagonia. Your adventure begins in the capital city of Santiago, where you'll glean insight into the culture on a city tour. Then it's off to the north and the otherworldly desert landscapes of Atacama. You'll visit geysers, lunar valleys, and even do some high-altitude stargazing. Finally, you'll head to Chile's unspoiled Patagonia region, where you'll visit one of the most unique sites on the continent: the marble caves of Lago General Carrera.

Panoramic view of Andean peaks and a mineral-rich lagoon in the Atacama region.
Map of Hiking the Atacama Desert - 10 Days
Hiking the Atacama Desert - 10 Days

This 10-day trip takes you into some of Chile’s most dramatic landscapes. Multi-hued valleys, rocky canyons, towering sand dunes and azure-colored lagoons set the stage for big adventures in the otherworldly scenery of the Atacama Desert. The evenings are spectacular, with dramatic sunsets followed by night skies cluttered with stars.

Explore Santiago, Chile
Map of Santiago & Atacama Desert - 9 Days
Santiago & Atacama Desert - 9 Days

Immerse yourself in the colorful tiny town of San Pedro de Atacama and discover geysers, volcanoes, valleys, and salt flats amidst the arid Chilean desert. Lose yourself in the cosmopolitan city of Santiago, walk through its many squares, and marvel at the diverse architecture that makes this city a unique metropolis in Latin America all while being wowed by the grandeur of the Andes.

Make the Most of Your Time in Chile

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Torres del Paine National Park
How Many Days to Spend in Chile

Spend 10 days in Chile, and you'll be glad you did: it's enough to experience some of the famously long coastline, go wine tasting, and even venture down to the wilds of...

A pristine laguna in the Atacama Desert, Chile
Map of 1 Week in Chile - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Chile - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas

If you have a week to spend in Chile, take advantage of your time and visit more than one region. Beginning in Santiago, venture to the Atacama Desert for stargazing, to the...

Mountain scenery and city life in Santiago, Chile
Map of 10 Days in Chile - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Chile - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With ten days in Chile, you have time to visit more than one region. On these five unique itineraries, you'll combine a visit to Santiago with active adventures in the Atacama...

The Marble Caves of Chilean Patagonia
Map of 2 Weeks in Chile - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Chile - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas

If you have two weeks in Chile, you can visit a range of diverse landscapes or focus your energy on one region, like Patagonia. Explore the natural wonders of Chile, from the...

Chile Travel Essentials

All you need to know to get started planning the perfect trip
Mountains in Torres del Paine National Park. Summer in the south of Chile.
Best Time of Year to Visit Chile

Stretching for more than 2600 miles along the western side of South America, Chile is a narrow country of dramatic extremes. You’ll find bone dry deserts in the north, glacial...

Torrest Del Paine and Pehoe Lake
Best Things to Do in Chile

Home to Andean peaks, dramatic coastlines and otherworldly deserts, Chile has an astonishing variety of landscapes that set the scene for unforgettable adventures. You can trek...

Chile Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Chile Destination Guides

Detailed travel guides for the main regions of the country
Geysers of El Tatio at sunrise.
Highlights of Northern Chile

Home to red-rock deserts, craggy mountain peaks and sparkling coastlines, northern Chile offers boundless adventures for avid travelers. You can spend your days wandering...

Our Latest Chile Content

Wine lovers will want to visit Chile's Casablanca Valley, in the Valparaíso region
10 Days in Chile & Argentina - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With 10 days in Chile and Argentina, you can discover the highlights of three to four locations, like the Andean Triangle on a natural wonders and history-filled itinerary, or head to the Lake District and spend your days hiking under a picture-perfect volcano and alongside glassy lakes. Those looking to lose track of time exploring Patagonia's dramatic landscapes should opt for a trip featuring Torres del Paine National Park, while wine lovers shouldn't miss time in Mendoza and Valparaíso.

Discover the highlights of Patagonia and visit Laguna de los Tres
Map of Journey Through Chilean & Argentine Patagonia - 10 Days
Journey Through Chilean & Argentine Patagonia - 10 Days

Experience the highlights of Patagonia, a region that encompasses both Chile and Argentina, on this scenic 10-day adventure. In the former, you'll begin in the capital of Santiago and enjoy city tours before jetting south to Puerto Natales, the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. After hiking among the park's mountain lakes and thundering waterfalls, you'll cross into Argentine Patagonia for glacier tours and estancia visits before ending the trip to Buenos Aires with a tango show.

Wooden pier in Frutillar with a view of the Lago Llanquihue in Chile's Lake District
Map of Discover the Lake District of Chile & Argentina - 10 Days
Discover the Lake District of Chile & Argentina - 10 Days

Spend 10 days discovering the sweet spot just above Patagonia, known as the Lake District. Straddling both Argentina and Chile, this wild alpine region is known for its sprawling azure lakes, snow-capped volcanoes, rushing rivers, and rich Indigenous history. You'll experience all of this and more as you witness the mighty Osorno volcano, the mountain retreat of Bariloche, and the waterfalls of Petrohué—plus city tours in Santiago and Buenos Aires.

Chile Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Chile map: Top 10 Regions in Chile: Where to Go & What to See
Top 10 Regions in Chile: Where to Go & What to See
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Chile map: 2 Weeks in Chile - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Chile - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Chile map: 10 Days in Chile - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Chile - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Chile
Travel specialist Erin Wiley
active 1 day ago

Erin Wiley

Travel simply makes people happy and I want to be a part of that. If I am not traveling myself then I want to surround myself with people who are. Originally from Michigan, I grew up camping...

read more...
Travel specialist Emilce Alonso
active 1 day ago

Emilce Alonso

I'm from Cordoba, Argentina. I had the opportunity to travel a lot through it and beyond. I really enjoy getting to know new places, like typical food, music and meeting people. I love the...

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Travel specialist Lorena Huidobro
active 1 day ago

Lorena Huidobro

I believe that those of us who love to travel tend to have a more open mind and free spirit. Being open to experience new adventures, explore the unknown, see the beauty in the simple things,...

read more...
Travel specialist Kristy Tizon
active 1 day ago

Kristy Tizon

Kristy, a Peruvian-American originally from Los Angeles but now based in Lima, Peru, has a deep passion for travel. She founded Miski Travels, a travel agency that offers customized trips to...

read more...

Related Destinations

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Why travelers love kimkim

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Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

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Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.

100% satisfaction guarantee
Kimkim offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not fully satisfied with us, we’ll work with you to make it right.
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A portion of every kimkim trip goes toward the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Learn more
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Seller of Travel Registration number: CST #2136279-40.
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

Trip Reviews for Chile

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Great trip to Atacama and Uyuni
Chile | May 18 - May 28, 2023

Steve
Steve P.
San Fernando, CA | Reviewed on May 30, 2023

Overall, the trip was wonderful and amazing. The experience of a lifetime.

Angel was great to deal with from start to finish. In planning the trip, listening to my wants and needs, and then providing tours accordingly. During the trio he was readily available and responsive whenever a question came up or problem occurred.

The big thing for me which would have made the trip go more smoothly and be more enjoyable as a result is more communication ahead of time about what’s next. Whether... read more

Overall, the trip was wonderful and amazing. The experience of a lifetime.

Angel was great to deal with from start to finish. In planning the trip, listening to my wants and needs, and then providing tours accordingly. During the trio he was readily available and responsive whenever a question came up or problem occurred.

The big thing for me which would have made the trip go more smoothly and be more enjoyable as a result is more communication ahead of time about what’s next. Whether that would be in the form of a much more detailed itinerary before departure, or at the very least, detailed information the evening before each tour. This should include vouchers for lodging and tours, tour operator names and contact information, pick up times and locations, what to bring, required park admission fees, etc. I felt like I was flying blind on several occasions throughout the trip. Maybe this is not unusual, but it hasn’t been that way for me on other international trips, including ones to Chile.

The other thing which could have really been a problem but fortunately wasn’t, was the lack of advance information provided to me about the border crossing from Chile into Bolivia for the Uyuni Salt Flats tour, where I was notified late of some requirements and not told about $160USD tourist visa (which I did don't have when I arrived at the border). As my travel agent, KimKim should have known necessary requirements for a client who is a US resident who is traveling between Chile and Bolivia. This problem could and should have been avoided.

There were other smaller missteps along the way, including problems with transportation to and from SCL to my hotel, some inaccurate tour descriptions (for example, the hike to Puribore Hot Springs - they’re not really hot springs and the water is not even hot), concern for safety as well as comfort on the ride back from Uyuni to San Pedro, miscommunication or lack of communication from individual tour operators about pick up times and/or what to bring. I have provided Angel with detailed explanations of all of the above.

In the end, despite the fact that this was without question the trip of a lifetime, and Angel was there whenever I needed him and responded right away, I am not sure if I would book another trip with KimKim as I definitely feel many of the problems I encountered along the way could have easily been avoided. If I were to book again with KimKim I would at least know going in what potential problems to be on the lookout for.

Hotel Reviews
Hostel Villamar
Uyuni

By US Hotel standards this would probably be considered a one-star hotel. It is a hostel, though, and was clean and comfortable with hot water and decent food. That's all we really needed.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Diego de Velazquez
Santiago

Hotel was fine. It was clean and centrally located in a good neighborhood.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Diego de Almagro San Pedro

One should not go to San Pedro expecting 5 star accommodations. This hotel was fine. It was clean and spacious and located only minutes from the center of town. It is a big property with a pool (though water was cold and I didn't see any one swim during my 6 day stay). Food in restaurant was good. Staff helpful and generally bi-lingual.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Colcha K hostel
Salar de Uyuni

This hostel was actually nicer and seemingly newer than Villamar. It was clean and comfortable with a nice dining room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Astronomical Tour - Atacama Desert
San Pedro de Atacama

One of the highlights of the trip. Highly recommend.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guides were very knowledgeable and spoke good English for those who didn't understand Spanish. Only reason I didn't rate this a 5 is because the driver got lost en route to the desert while trying to locate guests who weren't where they were supposed to be. We wasted a lot of time (like about 30 minutes) driving around at night on narrow dirt roads in a bus.
Transport
Goodbye Atacama transfer to Rea National Park - Uyuni Tour Day 1
Bolivia

The tour itself was great and the sites along the way to Uyuni amazing. The reason for my lower rating is because of border crossing issues which I detailed in my general review comments.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
David Cruz, our driver and guide, was fantastic. Especially at the Salt Flat. He knew exactly how to set up "perspective" pictures and brought a lot of toys along which made the experience extra special.
Transport
As noted in my general trip comments, transportation from Uyuni back to San Pedro was cramped and was the only time on the trip where I felt somewhat unsafe due to driving off road at night in the middle of nowhere with no cell service.
Petrified City and Altiplanic Lagoons - Uyuni Tour Day 2
Bolivia

Felt like we were building and building to the climax of reaching our final destination - the salt flat itself. Sights along the way were all good.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Uyuni Saltflat and Cactus Island - Uyuni Tour Day 3
Bolivia

This was the reason for the whole trip. It was pretty great. We spent too much time in Cochoni Town at the end of the trip and would have liked to spend more time in Uyuni itself. Train Graveyard was fine, though nothing special.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Uyuni to San Pedro Atacama Day 4
Bolivia

This was really just about the return trip, sitting in the back of a Toyota Land Cruiser and a two hour border crossing. It would have been great to have more information ahead of time to know what to expect.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Very cramped, no AC in our vehicle.
Visit the Tatio Geysers - Morning tour
Chile

This was one of the highlights of the trip. Our guide, Carolina, was terrific. Very knowledgeable, moved people along so we could get to the "best spot" just as the sun came up, spoke good English for those who did not know Spanish.

Quality of Experience
I've been to Yellowstone Geyers and this was better!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Carolina A+
Transport
Guatin Trek & Puripobre Hot Springs
Chile

This tour was a bit of a letdown. I've done a lot of hikes in the US and around the world, and as a hike it was fine, but nothing special. The description made it seem like a real great place - a "must do" type of activity. It was not. Also, the hot springs were not hot. They not really even hot springs, but rather pools in a river that is a combination of a thermal and a mountain river, which is why the water is only Luke-warm. For my needs on this day, a regular hike was fine. But I had expected it to be much more.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide didn't really offer any insights into the region. He seemed to be there only to tell us where to go.
Transport
Half Day Tour - Baltinache Hidden Lagoons
Chile

This was a nice tour at an off-the-beaten-path site. It is definitely not a "must do" but I'm glad I got to see it. The water was very cold, and it was a cool morning, so I (and many others on the trip) did not end up floating in the salt water.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Visit to "Valle de La luna "
Chile

Valle de La Luna was a highlight of the trip. It is a "must do" if you are visiting Atacama, but I found the tour (as did everyone I spoke to) to be a little bit of a tourist trap. You are on the bus most of the time. You stop, get off the bus, snap pictures and move on. While on the bus you are driving past amazing spots. I could have spent an hour at any one of them taking pictures and enjoying nature. The tour was described as 6 hours. It was 2 1/2 start to finish, including a snack break. I wish it had been longer. Felt like a little bit of a rip off. Tour guide Carolina, who was also my guide for the Geyser tour, was very knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Trip- Red Rocks, Lagunas Altiplanicas & Atacama Salt Flats.
San Pedro de Atacama

This was a great day. I wish it had been sunny (we had overcast/cool weather) but the tour was good in spite of the weather. Only complaint is that I did not get any advance text or information from the tour provider about pick up time or what to bring. I (and others) had to purchase hat and gloves along the way, which I would have brought with me had I known we might encounter snow at the higher elevation.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Angel Gutierrez
Angel
Angel Gutierrez
Local specialist in Santiago & Quito | Replied on May 30, 2023

Thank you very much for all the details, Steve!
Our mission is to be better every day and this is so helpful to accomplish it :)
I am happy that this was "The experience of a lifetime"
My team and I are really grateful for all this!
Best Wishes,
Angel.

All the trip was amazing. The places were inc...
Chile | May 21 - May 28, 2023

Juan Antonio
Juan Antonio M.
Peru | Reviewed on May 30, 2023

All the trip was amazing. The places were incredible and unbelievable. I’ll book again from kimkim

Local specialist: Ana Maibach

Having a personal representative is like having a guardian angel
Chile | May 2 - May 21, 2023

Mark
Mark S.
Dowling, MI | Reviewed on May 22, 2023

We spent three weeks exploring Chile (north, south, center and Easter Island). All of this was booked through kimkim. As kimkim relies on third party tour operators, you can imagine that there can be a few hiccups here and there, but it's how our personal representative (Jesse) handled those hiccups that was most impressive. Any time we had a question, request or concern, she was there to help. Having Jesse every step of the way was like having a guardian angel watching over us. We would... read more

We spent three weeks exploring Chile (north, south, center and Easter Island). All of this was booked through kimkim. As kimkim relies on third party tour operators, you can imagine that there can be a few hiccups here and there, but it's how our personal representative (Jesse) handled those hiccups that was most impressive. Any time we had a question, request or concern, she was there to help. Having Jesse every step of the way was like having a guardian angel watching over us. We would definitely recommend kimkim for planning and booking a Chile vacation.

Hotel Reviews
Apart Hotel Valle Exploradores
Puerto Río Tranquilo, Aysen

Small hotel, with a slight language barrier with the staff, however, very friendly and brings breakfast to your room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Cabo De Hornos
Punta Arenas

Upscale Boutique Hotel with a very nice restaurant in the heart of the financial district of Punta Arenas.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn Santiago - Airport Terminal
Santiago

It's literally AT the airport, but no airplane noise!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Taha Tai
Easter Island

Nice hotel, close to all of the restaurants and our activities!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Renaissance Santiago Hotel
Santiago
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Cumbres San Pedro
San Pedro de Atacama

Lovely resort hotel, not exactly downtown. The hotel has a shuttle that stops at 9 PM. Overall good experience.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Costaustralis
Puerto Natales

We were there for four nights. The breakfast is a very nice breakfast. I would make sure you have breakfast and bring snacks and lunch if you're doing the Torres del Paine hike.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Stargazing Tour
San Pedro de Atacama

The stargazing tour was changed to moon gazing due to the weather and lack of stars. The tour was eventually canceled, but a refund was received.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Marble Caves Boat Tour
Chile

The original tour operator closed for winter, but an alternative tour was found. Nice private experience on the boat tour, exploring the unique marble caves.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking in the Magellan Strait
Chile

The tour was canceled due to weather conditions and replaced with Punta Arenas City Tour. The city tour was basic and overpriced compared to the original kayaking tour. The city tour included visiting a hill for a panoramic view and a short tour of a cemetery.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full-Day Tour of Torres del Paine National Park & Surroundings
Chile

Extremely challenging hike and the guide's pace was very fast. Some participants struggled with the pace and intensity of the hike. We suggest bringing breakfast/snacks for the hike due to its demanding nature.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Orongo Morning Tour and Ahu Akivi Afternoon Tour
Easter Island

Great experiences exploring the history and culture of Easter Island. We enjoyed the excursions and the opportunity to see the unique moai statues up close.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip to Viña del Mar & Valparaíso
Santiago

We enjoyed the tour, exploring the vibrant coastal cities of Viña del Mar & Valparaíso!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hike in Torres del Paine National Park
Chile
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boat Trip to Glacier Grey
Chile
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rano Raraku and Anakena Tour
Easter Island
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jesse Barrera
Jesse
Jesse Barrera
Local specialist in Santiago | Replied on May 22, 2023

Thank you so much for the kind review! I'm very happy you enjoyed and that I was able to contribute to better your experience :)

All the best in your future travels,
Jesse