Relaxed Family Trip to Chile: Santiago, Easter Island, Lake District & Atacama Desert - 14 Days

Highlights

• Discover Easter Island's natural wonders and mysterious statues
• Explore the beauty of Chile's Lake District with kid-friendly excursions
• Take a family-focused food tour of Santiago's best street food
• Stargaze under the world's clearest skies in the Atacama Desert

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Santiago, Visit Araucano Park

Welcome to Santiago! Chile's vibrant and relaxed capital teems with culture, history, and family-friendly activities. Nestled against the picturesque backdrop of the Andes mountains, you'll find enchanting parks and plazas, world-class museums, and a laid-back pace perfect for kids of all ages. Meet your driver at the airport and make the short journey to your hotel. Settle in after your flight, and when you're ready, head out with your family to explore.

Start with a visit to Parque Araucano, one of the Las Condes district's largest green areas. It's perfect for a post-flight stretch of the legs and an excellent place for the little ones to run off some holiday excitement. Pack snacks and relax among the trees and picnic tables while the kids explore the playgrounds. The nearby "dancing waters," where water jets meet colored lights and music, are perfect for some kid-friendly aquatic fun and a family cool-down.

If the little ones are animal lovers, don't miss the Selva Viva Zoo, where you'll find a number of tropical animals, including lizards, birds, snakes, and butterflies, making themselves at home among the zoo's exotic plants. Once you're done at the park, either return to your hotel for some downtime or head out to eat. The Casacostanera shopping mall is a good first-night option. An elegant complex with a boutique feel, you'll find a range of excellent local and international family-friendly restaurants and all the major brands for any last-minute purchases for your trip.

Day 2: Explore & Relax in the Maipo Valley

Ease yourselves gently into your Chilean adventure and discover the fertile San José de Maipo region with a full-day family trip to the Maipo Valley. You'll start your day at a pool nestled alongside the Río Maipo, where you can splash around with the kids and enjoy the relaxing views across the valley. How you spend the rest of the day is up to you. Hang out poolside, take a walk with the kids to spot the local wildlife, or take part in a yoga session in the Maipo Forest. 

Lunch at the resort and indulge in a variety of freshly prepared authentic dishes accompanied by some of the country's most prestigious wines. Chile's first vines were planted in the Maipo Valley in the 1540s, and the region is often referred to as the "Bordeaux of South America." Whether you're traveling with little ones or older kids with an appetite for adventure, today's itinerary will be shaped by your family's interests. At the end of the day, your driver will take you back to Santiago.

Day 3: Fly to Easter Island, Sunset Tour

Continue your South American experience this morning with an early flight to one of the world's most remote islands, formed by volcanic rock 2.5 million years ago. Easter Island, known as Rapa Nui to the locals, is famous for it's over 900 towering moái stone statues and its fascinating mix of ancient culture and breathtaking natural beauty. Your flight arrives in the early afternoon, and you and your young explorers will receive a memorable welcome of flower necklaces and refreshing drinks from the locals. 

Settle into your accommodation and spend the next few hours relaxing or wandering around the island. Compact in size (63 sq mi/ 163 sq km), the island is easily explorable, and its gentle pace, rolling hills, and wildlife make it perfect for kids. 

Enjoy an early dinner, and as golden hour approaches, meet your guide for a short drive to two nearby ahu (ceremonial platforms), Ahu Tahai and Ahu Akapu, both well-known spots for watching the sunset while marveling at the iconic moái figures. You'll get to choose which of the platforms you'd prefer to watch the sunset from. Ahu Tahai is the most popular choice as the sun sets directly behind the statues here. However, if you want to avoid the crowds, opt for Ahu Akapu.

Day 4: Orongo Village & Volcano Tour 

Kick off today's adventures by exploring the extinct volcano of Rano Kau. You and the kids will take a guided drive to the top of the volcano, where you'll have time to explore the crater lake and discover the area's unique microclimate and geological features. It's a memorable spot with panoramic views over the island and plenty of natural wonders to entertain the kids. 

Your next stop is the clifftop ceremonial village of Orongo, famous as the site of the island's "Birdman" era. A belief system that took root on Rapa Nui in the 1500s, the cult of the Birdman was an annual competition held by islanders to see who would be crowned the next chief. Fascinate the kids with tales of how the men would swim to the islet of Motu Nui to collect the first tern's egg of the season, return to Rapa Nui, and climb the sea cliff of Rano Kau to Orongo, where the winner would be crowned. You'll have the chance to see many ancient Birdman-related rock carvings as you explore the village.

Afterward, you and your family will continue to Ahu Vinapú, a pre-Inca archaeological site with various Moái and basalt slab structures amid the gently rolling hills. Your final stop is Ana Kai Tangata, a remarkable cave with ancient paintings of the terns that relate to the Birdman mythology on the cave's ceiling. Return to your hotel, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you choose. Depending on your preference, horseback riding, trekking up to Maunga Terevaka (the island's highest point), or visiting the local Anthropological Museum are all popular options.

Day 5: Anekana Beach Day

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before packing your swimsuits and getting ready for a classic beach day. Your driver will pick you up and take you to Anakena Beach, the island's most extensive stretch of sand, where in different lights, the fine white coral sands will sometimes appear as a beautiful shade of pink. With the coconut palms swaying in the background, it's an idyllic place to spend quality family time, either swimming in the calm sea, sunbathing, or playing along the shore.

Stop for lunch at one of the nearby restaurants, where you'll find plenty of delicious fresh seafood, and spend the afternoon either snorkeling with the kids or visiting the nearby moái platforms at Ahu Ature Huki and Ahu Nau Nau. When you're ready, your driver will take you back to your accommodation in time to enjoy your last evening on the island. 

Day 6: Free Morning in Easter Island, Fly to Santiago

It's your last morning on Rapa Nui before your afternoon flight back to Santiago, and you have several options. Visit your favorite moái sites one last time, sip coffee while admiring the landscape, shop for souvenirs in Hanga Roa (the island's main town), or stroll along the harbor, grab an ice cream, and enjoy the gentle ebb and flow of island life. At the appointed time, your driver will take you to the airport to catch your flight to Santiago, where you'll get settled into your hotel for the evening. 

Day 7: Santiago Family Food Tour

Bring your appetite to today's tour as you and your family discover Chile's capital city one bite at a time with your English-speaking guide. Visit renowned foody sites, including La Vega, a market famous for its fresh fruit and vegetables, and Mercado Central, a bustling hive deemed the fifth-best food market in the world by National Geographic. Introduce the kids to new flavors as you sample traditional Chilean street food, including empanadas, sopaipillas (fried pumpkin dough with honey), and the child-friendly mote con huesillos, a refreshing peach juice drink.

Approach La Moneda, the presidential palace, and the Plaza de Armas, where you'll soak up the vibrant atmosphere and the kids can enjoy the live music. It's the perfect spot to sample the region's classic cocktail, the pisco sour. After the tour, make the most of your last full day in Santiago with a cable car trip to the top of Cerro San Cristóbal, a hill that sits 984 feet (300 m) above the city with panoramic views. The trendy neighborhood of Bellavista, with its array of funky cafés and international eateries, makes the perfect location for a memorable family dinner.

Day 8: Fly to Puerto Varas & the Lake District

It's an early start this morning as you and your family catch a two-hour flight to Puerto Montt in southern Chile's Lake District, the gateway to the Andes and the Patagonian fjords. Upon arrival, meet your driver and make the short 14-mile (23 km) transfer to your hotel in the picturesque town of Puerto Varas. Set on the scenic shores of Lago Llanquihue and backed by the snowcapped volcanoes of Osorno and Calbuco, the city is a charming blend of German colonial architecture and Indigenous Mapuche culture. 

Settle in at your accommodation, and the rest of the day is yours to relax. Stretch your legs post-flight and stroll through the flower-lined streets of the Old Town, shop for souvenirs, or relax at one of the town's waterfront cafés and gaze at the snowcapped peaks. 

Day 9: Visit Cochamó Town, Relax at Termas del Sol Hotsprings

Spend a relaxing day discovering the scenery east of Puerto Varas today as your driver takes you and your family east toward Ralún in the Reloncaví Estuary. Admire the views of the forest as you pass by the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park and carry on south until you reach Cochamó, a typical southern Chilean town in the middle of the evergreen Valdivian rainforest with several incredible nearby hikes.

Your destination is Termas del Sol in Puelo, a beautifully constructed thermal spa comprising 10 pools that vary in shape, size, and temperature from 96.8ºF and 113ºF (35ºC and 45ºC) and emerge from a natural source at 140ºF (60ºC). Absorb the tranquil surroundings, and admire the terrific views surrounding the 984 feet (300 m) of walkways that allow for a perfect blend of discovery and downtime with the family. Kids will adore the delicious stone-baked pizzas served at lunchtime, and you'll return to your hotel pampered and recharged, ready for tomorrow's adventures. 

Day 10: Visit Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, Tour Lago Llanquihue 

Today, you and your family will explore the wonders of the Vincente Perez Rosales National Park. Meet your driver and head first to the Saltos del Petrohué, a breathtaking chute-like system of rapids. Depending on the kids' ages, drive or hike the easy 30-minute walk through the forest to several lookout points. Keep your camera close at hand as you reach the spot where the turquoise waters of the RÍo Petrohué cross a centuries-old large mass of crystallized lava. Against the backdrop of the Osorno volcano, it deserves its reputation as one of the country's most beautiful spots. 

Continue to Lago Todos Los Santos, where you can sail across the water surrounded by forests, mountains, and volcanoes or choose from various activities, including kayaking, swimming, and fishing. When you're ready, your driver will take you back to Puerto Varas, where the rest of the evening is yours to spend as you choose. 

Day 11: Fly to San Pedro de Atacama, Astronomy in the Atacama Desert

It's an early start today—but worth it, as you and the kids fly, via Puerto Montt, to Calama, in the north of Chile, for the final leg of your family trip. Your destination is the Atacama, the world's oldest and driest desert. It's also the best place on Earth to view the night skies. Your adventure begins as soon as you arrive in Calama when your driver takes you through startling scenery to your accommodation in the remote San Pedro de Atacama, the gateway for adventures in the desert. You'll have time to grab a bite to eat with the kids and get settled before tonight's excursion.

At 8 pm, you'll meet your guide and take a short drive to the Altiplano, which reaches 12,000 feet (3,660 m) above sea level and gives perfect conditions for stargazing. Discover the basics of astronomy as night falls so you and the kids know what to look out for in the night skies. Using high-powered telescopes and binoculars, your guide will help you spot nebulae, galaxies, and an array of celestial objects. Even to the naked eye, the stars here are exceptional. It's a memorable experience that will remain with you and your little astronomers for years to come. 

Day 12: Half-Day Family Adventure to the Baltinache Hidden Lagoons

Surprise the kids this morning with an unexpected swimming trip in the middle of the desert! After breakfast, pack your swimsuits and meet your driver for a trip to the Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache (Hidden Lagoons of Batinache). Drive through the arid otherworldly terrain of Atacama's Cordillera del Sal (Salt Mountain Range) and arrive at the startling seven bright turquoise lagoons. Here you'll have the opportunity to bob and float with the kids in the salt-laden waters. Be sure to take a few snaps of the striking location and soak up the peaceful surroundings before returning to your hotel.

Day 13: Free Morning in San Pedro, Visit the Valley of the Moon

Enjoy a leisurely wake-up and breakfast today as you spend an easygoing morning in San Pedro ahead of this afternoon's excursion. There's plenty to occupy the kids and build on their recent stargazing experience, with a meteorite museum home to 4.5 billion-year-old space rocks and an archaeological museum with plenty of artifacts to discover. Otherwise, grab a cool drink at one of the local cafés and browse the souvenir shops. You'll have time to enjoy a family lunch at one of the local eateries before this afternoon's trip.

Your next excursion is a guided trip to El Valle de la Luna (The Valley of the Moon). Be sure to bring plenty of water, as the striking valley is home to some of the world's most inhospitable terrain. Although the area's landscape of salt and clay bears no life and no humidity, it's a brilliant place for families to explore. Your guide will show you several short, gentle walks through the lunar-like landscape, where the kids can have fun pretending they're walking on the surface of the moon.

Spend time discovering the area's various geological wonders, including salt caves and stone formations carved out by wind and salt over millions of years. Then, as afternoon fades and the sun dips, watch the sunset paint the mountains and desert valleys in shades of pink and purple, creating a memorable finish to your last night in Chile. Afterward, your driver will take you back to your hotel in San Pedro, where you can dine at one of the local eateries and recount the favorite moments of your trip.

Day 14: Fly to Santiago, Depart

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