1 Week in Chile - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Chilean Patagonia for Families: Caves, Glaciers & Wildlife

Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Chilean Patagonia on this weeklong adventure, perfect for families with nature-loving young travelers (best for six years and up). After spending two days checking out the highlights of Santiago and Punta Arenas, the rest of the trip is devoted to the wild landscapes surrounding Puerto Natales. Delight the entire family with a day trip to a penguin colony, a boat ride to impressive glaciers, and a tour of Torres del Paine National Park.

Welcome to Chile! Your family-friendly adventure starts in the bustling city of Santiago, where you'll treat little ones to an exciting day of exploration. Wander the bustling Mercado Central, visit the Plaza de Armas, and snap iconic family photos at Santa Lucía Hill. Then, hop on a plane bound south for Punta Arenas and kick start your time in Patagonia by embarking on a short hike in Reserva Nacional Magallanes. It'll be easy to wake the kids the next day, as an exciting trip out to Isla Magdalena to meet the resident penguins is on the agenda, followed by a scenic transfer to Puerto Natales.

After a leisurely evening, you'll embark on a full-day Torres del Paine National Park tour. The entire family will surely be captivated as you wander through Cueva del Milodón, a large cave, admire Salto Grande waterfall, and learn about the local legends of Silla del Diablo (Devil's Chair). There are plenty more adventures to be had over the following days, including a boat tour to the impressive Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers, time at a local estancia (ranch), and an easy trek near Lago Sofia. Then, head back to Santiago with a camera (and hearts) full of family memories. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Family Adventure in Chile's Atacama Desert

Ignite the family's curiosity on this adventure featuring the otherworldly landscapes of the Atacama Desert. Between a stargazing experience, a swim in salty hidden lagoons, a trek through canyons, and a tour of the Valley of the Moon, kids eight and older and adults alike will continuously be fascinated by their surroundings. Plus, with local guides leading the way most days, parents can forget about the logistics and enjoy quality family time instead.

After touching down in Santiago, you'll kick off your trip with a kid-friendly guided tour of the city's highlights, including Catedral Metropolitana and Cerro San Cristóbal. Spend the following day moseying around the neighboring cities of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso before catching a flight to Calama on the morning of Day 3. Continue to the remote outpost of San Pedro de Atacama, and watch your little ones' faces light up as they take in the endless salt flats and otherworldly landscapes. Then, surprise them with the opportunity to stay up late for a stargazing experience in the high plateau region of Altiplano.

Even after the late night, the entire family will wake up excited, as a thrilling trip to the Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache (Hidden Lagoons of Baltinache) is on the agenda. Enjoy swimming in these bright, turquoise lagoons, then embark on a kid-friendly hike along the Río Vilama. Next, bundle up for a trip to the Tatio Geysers and let young ones' imaginations go wild while spotting the geological wonders in El Valle de la Luna (The Valley of the Moon). On your final days, you'll explore the Yerbas Buenas and Rainbow Valley until the time arrives to fly back to Santiago. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Relaxed Family Vacation in Chile: Santiago & Valparaíso

Crafted for families with young children (six plus) and those looking for a slower-paced tour, this relaxed trip in Chile features three days each in Santiago and Valparaíso. Unpack your bags and get to know the capital city on foot, enjoy dining at family-friendly restaurants, and ride funiculars past colorful cliffside homes. Animal-loving kids will also get a kick out of petting friendly alpacas and taking horseback riding lessons on a traditional Chilean ranch. 

Beginning your family vacation in Santiago, you'll unpack your bags and settle in for three exciting days of exploration. Spend the afternoon burning energy at Cerro Santa Lucia and treating young foodies to dinner at the revolving Giratoria Restaurant. Then, enlist the help of a local guide for a kid-friendly tour of Santiago's main attractions before heading to Bali Hai Restaurant to sample national dishes and watch Chilean and Polynesian performances. While based in Santiago, you'll also dedicate a day to visiting the family-friendly Viña San Esteban and meeting alpacas at Quintessence Alpacas.

Next, pack your bags and head west to Valparaíso, a port city likened to San Francisco due to its colorful cliffside homes and network of cable cars. The first two days here are all about exploring as a family, and you'll find there's plenty of time to ride funiculars, play in the sand at Reñaca Beach, and visit charming shops atop Cerro Bellavista. Then, head out of the city to a traditional Chilean estancia, and delight young animal lovers with a chance to go horseback riding. After a celebratory last evening in Valparaíso, the time has arrived to transfer back to Santiago and depart for home. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Family Holiday in Santiago & Easter Island

Treat young explorers (four years and older) on a journey back in time on this adventure featuring Rapa Nui (Easter Island). With five days based on Easter Island, there's plenty of time to discover the mysterious moai (statues), spend quality family time relaxing on Anakena Beach, and watch kids ponder clues that hint at the island's long past. Then, while spending a night in Santiago, bookending your time on Easter Island, you'll also get to know the capital city's vibrant culture and get in some souvenir shopping.

Start your family adventure with a day in Santiago, gently introducing your little ones to a new culture while playing in Bicentenario Park and stopping for dinner at the Casacostanera shopping mall. Then, it's right back to the airport the following day for your long-awaited flight to Rapa Nui (Easter Island). This small island is ideal for slowing down and spending uninterrupted time exploring as a family. Start with a visit to Ahu Tahai and Ahu Akapu, famous moai statues, spend the following day exploring the extinct volcano of Rano Kau, and set aside an afternoon to play in the kid-friendly waters at Anakena Beach.

Your exploration of Easter Island continues with a guided tour focused on the island's cultural highlights, including the Rano Raraku quarry and Ahu Tongariki, both brimming with mysterious moai. Spend the following morning as you please, treating kids to more time at the beach or shopping for souvenirs until it's time to catch a flight back to Santiago. Then, squeeze in a family-friendly tour of Santiago's highlights, including the presidential palace of La Moneda and the lively Plaza de Armas, and let kids burn off any lingering energy at Araucano Park before catching your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Family Adventure in Chile: Santiago, the Lake District & Patagonia

Embark on a weeklong family adventure through Chile, engaging in a thrilling mix of cultural and natural experiences. The itinerary is packed with kid-friendly activities, from exploring Santiago's vibrant cityscape to hiking in the pristine Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia. Get ready for a memorable journey that includes a boat trip to the Serrano Glacier, a tour of Lago Llanquihue's historic towns, and a delicious traditional Patagonian lunch at a local ranch.

After arriving in Santiago, your family adventure begins with a fun-filled day playing in Bicentenario Park. Then, catch a flight to Puerto Montt followed by a transfer to Puerto Varas, and by the afternoon, you'll be embarking on a scenic tour of the towns bordering Lago Llanquihue and treating your little adventurers to tasty pastries at Frutillar tea house. The next day's excursion to Pérez Rosales National Park has plenty of options. Depending on how active your family would like to get, you can choose from various hiking options, opt for a scenic drive or swim, kayak, or take a boat ride on Lago de Todos Los Santos. 

It's back to the airport on the morning of Day 4, this time to Puerto Natales for a fun-filled day strolling the main streets and sampling the kid-favorite hot chocolate and banana milk. Then, put on your adventure hats and devote the following day to Torres del Paine National Park. A private guide will take you to the glacier-fed waterfall of Cascada Paine and on a hike to Mirador Condor. The next morning, hop aboard a boat bound for Bernardo O'Higgins National Park for an epic excursion to Serrano Glacier, topped with lunch at a local estancia, before ending your adventure back in Santiago. Learn more

More Great 1-Week Chile Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Chile? Check out these other one-week Chile itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.