Essential Chile: Santiago & Atacama – 7 Days

Breakfast at the hotel.

Discover Santiago’s unique blend of history and modernity on this half-day city tour. Visit the iconic Santa Lucía Hill for panoramic views, then explore the historic center, including La Moneda Palace, Plaza de Armas, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Continue through the bohemian Bellavista District. Enjoy a brief stop at a lapis lazuli workshop, Chile’s iconic semi-precious stone with optional shopping. The tour concludes with visits to Bicentenario Park and the modern financial district known as Sanhattan.  After the tour, return to your hotel.

• Night in Santiago.

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the scheduled time, pick-up from your hotel to begin the journey towards the central coast. Along the way, we make a short stop in the Casablanca Valley, famous for its wine production, where you will enjoy a panoramic visit to Rio Tinto Winery and a wine tasting experience.
We then continue to Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage city, known for its vibrant hillsides, colorful houses, murals, and unique architecture. We visit Cerro Alegre and Cerro Bellavista, two of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods. You will also stop at the exterior viewpoint of La Sebastiana, one of the former homes of renowned Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, offering spectacular panoramic views over the bay.

.Afterward, we continue to Viña del Mar, the “Garden City,” where we visit the famous Flower Clock and enjoy a stop at the beach area. Free time for lunch at a local restaurant (not included). We also visit the square featuring a Moai statue from Easter Island, one of the most distinctive cultural symbols of Chile. At the end of the tour, return to the hotel.

• Night in Santiago.

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Calama. Upon arrival, reception and private transfer to San Pedro de Atacama scenic journey of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes through the remarkable landscapes of northern Chile.

In the afternoon, we begin our adventure in the Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna). Pick-up from your hotel, you will explore one of the most iconic landscapes of the Atacama Desert, located within the impressive Salt Mountain Range (Cordillera de la Sal)..

The excursion includes visits to unique natural formations such as the Great Dune, the Amphitheater, and the famous Three Marys, fascinating salt and clay sculptures shaped by millions of years of erosion. We then continue to Ckari Viewpoint, one of the most breathtaking panoramic spots in the desert, offering extraordinary views of the surrounding landscape. The experience concludes with an unforgettable sunset, as the desert transforms into stunning shades of gold, orange, and red, creating one of the most spectacular natural displays in the world. There will be time to take photographs and fully appreciate the scenery before returning to San Pedro de Atacama.

• Night in San Pedro de Atacama.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today, we explore the stunning Andean highlands, surrounded by volcanoes, salt flats, and breathtaking desert landscapes. Our first stop is Red Rocks (Piedras Rojas), where vibrant reddish volcanic formations contrast beautifully with turquoise waters. We then continue to the spectacular Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons, located over 4,000 meters above sea level and framed by dramatic scenery. Along the way, there will be opportunities for photographs and short breaks. Later, we visit Chaxa Lagoon, within Los Flamencos National Reserve, to observe flamingos and native birdlife in their natural habitat before returning to San Pedro de Atacama.

• Night in San Pedro de Atacama.

Early in the morning, we depart toward the Andean Altiplano to visit one of the world’s most important geothermal fields: the Tatio Geysers.

Upon arrival, you will enjoy an approximately 40-minute walk through the geothermal area, where active fumaroles and steam vents create a spectacular natural display at sunrise. The dramatic contrast between the cold morning temperatures and the geothermal activity offers one of the most remarkable sights in the Atacama Desert.

Following the visit, breakfast will be served amidst the stunning high-altitude scenery. The excursion continues to the Putana Wetlands, home to a variety of native Andean wildlife, before concluding in the traditional village of Machuca (closed on Tuesdays), where you will have the opportunity to learn about the local culture and lifestyle of the Altiplano communities.

• Night in San Pedro de Atacama.

Important: This is a high-altitude excursion and is recommended only after proper acclimatization. Temperatures can be extremely cold, reaching as low as -20°C (-4°F) during the winter months; therefore, appropriate warm clothing is essential.

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the scheduled time, pick-up and transfer to Calama Airport (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes) to take your flight back to Santiago and connect with your international flight.