Which 14-Day Chile Itinerary is Best for You?
Each itinerary focuses on a different part of Chile, offering a mix of culture, adventure, and breathtaking landscapes.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Itinerary | Locations Covered | Perfect For... |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Santiago & Atacama |
Santiago, Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Atacama Desert |
Culture, history, desert landscapes |
|
2. Santiago & Lake District |
Santiago, Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Pucon, Puerto Varas |
Nature lovers, hiking, volcanoes |
|
3. Patagonia Adventure |
Puerto Varas, Torres del Paine, Puerto Natales |
Adventure seekers, epic landscapes |
Itinerary 1: Santiago & Atacama Desert
This itinerary combines cultural highlights in central Chile with the otherworldly landscapes of the Atacama Desert. You’ll explore Santiago’s historic sites and vibrant neighborhoods, take in the street art and coastal charm of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, enjoy wine tasting in Maipo Valley, and then head north to experience salt flats, geysers, and some of the best stargazing on the planet.
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1-2 |
Santiago |
Free walking tour, Sky Costanera, San Cristóbal Hill |
|
3-4 |
Valparaíso & Viña del Mar |
Street art, funiculars, coastal views |
|
5-6 |
Maipo Valley |
Wine tasting at top vineyards |
|
7 |
Travel to Atacama |
Acclimatization, town exploration |
|
8-9 |
Valle de la Luna & Stargazing |
Sunset views, observatory tour |
|
10 |
El Tatio Geysers & Lagunas Altiplánicas |
Sunrise geysers, salt flats, flamingos |
|
11-12 |
Salar de Atacama & Laguna Cejar |
Floating in a salt lagoon, desert landscapes |
|
13-14 |
Return to Santiago |
Final city explorations or flight home |
Days 1-2 - Santiago
- Explore Plaza de Armas, La Moneda Palace, and historic districts.
- Take the San Cristóbal Hill funicular for city views.
- Visit Sky Costanera, the tallest building in Latin America.
Days 3-4 - Valparaíso & Viña del Mar
- Wander through Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, known for street art.
- Ride a funicular for panoramic ocean views.
- Relax on Viña del Mar’s beaches and try fresh seafood.
Days 5-6 - Maipo Valley
- Take a wine-tasting tour at top vineyards.
- Enjoy vineyard lunches paired with Chilean wines.
- Visit traditional wineries and learn about the wine-making process.
Days 7-14 - Atacama Desert
- Day 7: Fly to San Pedro de Atacama, acclimatize and explore town.
- Day 8-9: Explore Valle de la Luna, experience sunset landscapes, and go stargazing.
- Day 10: Visit El Tatio Geysers at sunrise, explore Lagunas Altiplánicas.
- Day 11-12: Float in Laguna Cejar, see flamingos at Salar de Atacama.
- Day 13-14: Return to Santiago, visit Bellavista district, or shop before departure.
If you have a week to spend in Chile, head to the page below:
“Joe turned our fragmented ideas into a seamless itinerary. His expert advice saved us time, money, and stress – making our 3-month trip feel easy.”
Sam & Amy – 3 Months In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Unsure how to pick the best route
✔ Spent hours researching… and still feeling lost
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
Itinerary 2: Santiago & Lake District
This itinerary balances city life, coastal beauty, and natural wonders. You’ll start by exploring Santiago and Valparaíso, enjoy the beaches of Viña del Mar, and relax with wine tasting in Maipo Valley. Then, you’ll head south to the Lake District, where snow-capped volcanoes, lush forests, and crystal-clear lakes create the perfect setting for adventure.
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1-2 |
Santiago |
Free walking tour, Bellavista, Lastarria, markets |
|
3-4 |
Valparaíso & Viña del Mar |
Colorful streets, ocean views, seafood dining |
|
5-6 |
Maipo Valley |
Wine tasting, relaxing countryside retreat |
|
7 |
Travel to Pucon |
Scenic bus ride, explore town |
|
8-9 |
Villarrica Volcano & Hot Springs |
Hike, thermal baths |
|
10-11 |
Puerto Varas & Llanquihue Lake |
Osorno Volcano, Petrohué Falls |
|
12-14 |
Frutillar & Alerce Andino |
German culture, ancient forests, waterfalls |
Days 1-6 - Santiago, Valparaíso & Maipo Valley
- Follow the same Santiago and Valparaíso itinerary as Itinerary 1.
- Enjoy a wine retreat in Maipo Valley, staying at a vineyard.
Days 7-14 - Lake District
- Day 7: Take a scenic bus or flight to Pucon, explore the lakeside town.
- Days 8-9: Hike Villarrica Volcano or relax in Geometric Hot Springs.
- Days 10-11: Visit Puerto Varas, see Osorno Volcano, explore Petrohué Falls.
- Days 12-14: Tour Frutillar, visit Alerce Andino National Park, and enjoy lakefront views.
If you have three weeks to a month to spend in Chile, check out the posts below:
“Joe saved us so many hours of research and planning. His expertise turned our stress into a clear, custom itinerary we could actually enjoy.”
Maeve & Martin – 6 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Unsure how to pick the best route
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
Itinerary 3: Patagonia Adventure
This itinerary is for adventurers and nature lovers who want to experience Chile’s most breathtaking landscapes. You’ll explore the stunning Lake District, then venture further south to Torres del Paine, home to some of the best hiking in the world. From volcanoes to glaciers, this route captures the essence of Chilean Patagonia.
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1-2 |
Puerto Varas |
Llanquihue Lake, Osorno Volcano, Petrohué Falls |
|
3-4 |
Frutillar & Puerto Montt |
German heritage, Teatro del Lago |
|
5-6 |
Travel to Puerto Natales |
Scenic ferry, prepare for Torres del Paine |
|
7-11 |
Torres del Paine National Park |
W Trek highlights, Grey Glacier, Base of the Towers |
|
12-14 |
Return to Puerto Natales & Santiago |
Relaxation, final city explorations, flight home |
Days 1-4 - Puerto Varas & Frutillar
- Explore Puerto Varas’ lakefront, admire Osorno Volcano.
- Visit Petrohué Falls and take a boat tour on Todos los Santos Lake.
- Visit Frutillar, known for its German architecture and scenic lake views.
Days 5-14 - Patagonia & Torres del Paine
- Days 5-6: Travel to Puerto Natales, the base for Torres del Paine.
- Days 7-11: Trek the W Circuit, visiting Mirador Base Torres and Grey Glacier.
- Days 12-14: Return to Puerto Natales, fly to Santiago, and explore before departure.
If you want to know how many days you need in Chile, head to the post below:
My Final Thoughts
Each of these two-week Chile itineraries offers a unique experience, whether you want to explore the driest desert in the world, hike among volcanoes and forests, or trek through Patagonia’s most famous landscapes. Which one suits your travel style?
This itinerary combines cultural highlights in central Chile with the otherworldly landscapes of the Atacama Desert. You’ll explore Santiago’s historic sites and vibrant neighborhoods, take in the street art and coastal charm of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, enjoy wine tasting in Maipo Valley, and then head north to experience salt flats, geysers, and some of the best stargazing on the planet.
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
