Highlights
- See historic sites and visit trendy neighborhoods in Santiago
- Tour the Casablanca Valley's vineyards and visit Chile's first female-owned winery
- Discover remote luxury at the 5-star Singular Patagonia near Puerto Natales
- Dive into the wilds of Torres del Paine with private activities and excursions
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Santiago, Explore the Chilean Capital | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Casablanca Valley Wine Tasting Tour | Santiago |
| Day 3 | Scenic Day Trip to the Maipo Valley | Santiago |
| Day 4 | Fly to Puerto Natales, Transfer to The Singular Patagonia | Puerto Natales |
| Day 5 | The Singular Patagonia: Explore Torres del Paine National Park | Puerto Natales |
| Day 6 | The Singular Patagonia: Optional Torres del Paine Activities | Puerto Natales |
| Day 7 | The Singular Patagonia: Morning Activities, Fly to Santiago & Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, Explore the Chilean Capital
Welcome to Chile! This narrow country on the western edge of South America is fast becoming a global tourism destination. It's due in no small part to the country's diverse ecosystems, vast Patagonian wilds, dazzling northern deserts, long coastline, and world-class wine scene. You'll arrive in the capital of Santiago, a massive city cradled amid the snowcapped peaks of the Andes.
A driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to The Singular Patagonia, a 5-star luxury hotel in Santiago's historic Lastarria neighborhood. After checking in, you can relax in your suite or enjoy a massage at the hotel spa. Don't get too comfortable because soon you'll leave on a private city tour. Your English-speaking guide will take you to La Moneda, Chile's opulent presidential palace. Next up is Plaza de Armas, the main square. It's home to the 19th-century Palacio de la Real Audiencia (Palace of the Royal Court) and the Catedral Metropolitana, an impressive neoclassical building that dates to 1753.
For panoramic views, hike (or ride a gondola) up Cerro San Cristóbal, a hill that rises 984 feet (300 m) over the city. Another great lookout is at Cerro Santa Lucia, a lovely park and remnant of an ancient volcano. Conquistadores used it as a lookout in the 16th century, and it was here that Pedro de Valdivia officially founded Santiago in 1541. A great local experience is a visit to Mercado Central, a large municipal market with restaurants and vendors selling fresh fish and seafood. Later, you can grab dinner at one of the cool eateries in Santiago's bohemian Bellavista neighborhood.
Day 2: Casablanca Valley Wine Tasting Tour
Rise and shine! This morning, you're off on both a scenic and tasty private tour of the Casablanca Valley. This fertile region located about an hour west of Santiago, near the Pacific coast, is ideal for grape growing, as the sea breezes come in from offshore and provide the perfect weather conditions for the berries to thrive. The area is also famous for producing organic wines through all-natural methods.
On this trip, you'll visit two outstanding wineries, and the first is Casa Marín. Situated on rolling hills a mere mile from the Pacific, this operation is known for producing top-quality wines and for being Chile's first female-founded bodega (winery). The tour includes a stroll around the vineyards to get a sense of the terroir, followed by a tasting of three wines.
The second winery on the schedule is Viñedo Matetic, a larger vineyard. A bilingual guide will lead you on a tour of the grounds, including through vineyards, where you'll enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding valley. After learning a bit about the growing process, the tour culminates with a tasting in the underground cellar, where you can also purchase select bottles. At the end of the afternoon, you'll return to your hotel.
Day 3: Scenic Day Trip to the Maipo Valley
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Escape city life this morning on a full-day private tour of the neighboring Maipo Valley. Located a mere 45 minutes southeast of Santiago, this region is famous for its hills and vineyards. First, you'll pass through the town of San José de Maipo, the base for excursions into the famous Cajón del Maipo gorge. From there, you'll drive up into the mountains and enjoy dramatic views of rugged massifs and snowcapped peaks. After reaching 9,843 feet (3,000 m) above sea level, exit the vehicle at the shores of the Embalse de Yeso, a turquoise reservoir nestled in the Andes.
There will be ample time to marvel at this landscape and snap photos of the panoramic vistas. You'll also walk around the shore as your expert guide offers insight into the geology of the area, as well as the history of the reservoir, a result of damming the Río Yeso back in 1964. For lunch, pull up a seat near the water and enjoy a picnic paired with top Chilean wines. Afterward, you'll transfer back to Santiago.
Day 4: Fly to Puerto Natales, Transfer to The Singular Patagonia
Say goodbye to Santiago as you meet your driver in the morning for the transfer to the airport. There, you'll catch a three-hour flight south to Puerto Natales. This small port city on the Seno Última Esperanza (Last Hope Sound) is famous as a base for nature excursions to Torres del Paine, the crown jewel of Chile's national parks. This legendary protected area covers 700 square miles (1,810 sq km) and is renowned for its circuit treks.
Upon arrival, a driver will pick you up for the ride to The Singular Patagonia, a 5-star luxury hotel located just north of the city on the shores of the sound. Set in a historic building from the industrial era, The Singular has been converted into a model of luxury, with each of its elegant rooms and suites offering views of the sound and mountains. If you like, soothe your muscles after the previous day's excursions with a session at the hotel spa. Or learn a bit of regional Patagonian history at the on-site museum.
After settling in, you can head out on an optional tour. One fun activity is a horseback ride across rugged Patagonian landscapes to a historic estancia (ranch). Or, take the edge off the flight with a leisurely stroll along the promenade fronting the silver waters of the Seno Última Esperanza. In the distance, you'll see the peaks of Cerro Benitez and Cerro Toro, and the sunset views are phenomenal.
Day 5: The Singular Patagonia: Explore Torres del Paine National Park
Today you'll take your pick of The Singular Patagonia's wide variety of all-inclusive tours and excursions. A great place to start is with the hotel's most popular adventure in the incomparable Torres del Paine National Park—a day trek to Mirador Base Torres. It starts with a 1.5-hour transfer by vehicle into the park, and from there, you'll embark on the 11.2-mile (18 km) trek. Start with a hike along a trail up Mount Almirante Nieto, which features stunning views of Lago Nordenskjöld and the Asencio Valley below. After two hours of hiking, you'll reach Refugio & Camping Chileno, where you'll break for lunch.
Then it's another hour of hiking past ancient lenga forests until you arrive at a moraine, followed by a 45-minute hard scramble to the top and Base Torres. In this spot, three granite pillars jut out of the ground over a silver lagoon and make for the best view in the park. You'll also see the towering peaks of nearby Torre Sur, Torre Central, Torre Norte, Condor's Nest, and Glacier Torre. After hiking back down the mountain, transfer back to the hotel, where you can refuel with a menu of French haute cuisine blended with the freshest local Patagonian ingredients in The Singular Patagonia's stylish restaurant.
Day 6: The Singular Patagonia: Torres del Paine Activities
If you can't wait to explore more of Torres del Paine, opt for a half-day trek around some of the most stunning landscapes in the park. Leave in the morning on a return trip into the park and Pudeto area, located in the heart of the park's lake district. From there, it's a short walk to Salto Grande, a raging aquamarine cascade that channels water between lakes Nordenskjöld and Pehoé. The rest of the tour involves a 3.7-mile (6 km) hike around a great panorama of landscapes featuring the mountains of Los Cuernos and Paine Grande with its French Glacier hanging down.
If you got your fill of trekking yesterday, other options include horseback riding, mountain biking, fly fishing, and kayaking excursions. For a more relaxing experience, opt for a fjord cruise where you can sit back and soak up the windswept Patagonian scenery from a different vantage point, or head to the hotel spa for sumptuous, holistic-inspired treatments with a dazzling view over the Seno Última Esperanza.
Day 7: The Singular Patagonia: Morning Activities, Fly to Santiago & Depart
More Great Chile Itineraries
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