How many days do you need in Santiago & Puerto Varas?
- Most travelers spend 6-8 days in Santiago and Puerto Varas combined
- Visiting Santiago and Puerto Varas in 5 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 9 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Torres del Paine, San Pedro de Atacama, and Atacama Desert
How Many Days to Spend in Chile
Recommended Itineraries for Santiago & Puerto Varas
Recommended Itinerary for 1 Week
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Santiago, Welcome to Santiago | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Full Day Excursion to Cajon de Maipo | Santiago |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Puerto Varas | Puerto Varas |
| Day 4 | Trekking to Osorno Volcano & Paso Desolación | Puerto Varas |
| Day 5 | Kayaking on the Reloncaví Fjord | Puerto Varas |
| Day 6 | Trekking in Alerce Andino National Park | Puerto Varas |
| Day 7 | Return to Santiago, Depart |
Snowcapped volcanoes, pristine mountain lakes, and quiet hiking trails await you on this active weeklong adventure around northern Chilean Patagonia. After a day of sightseeing in Santiago, spend the rest of the trip exploring the great outdoors in Puerto Varas. You'll trek through spectacular landscapes, kayak on a fjord, spot rare birds, enjoy a traditional lunch on a family farm, and much more! Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
11-Day Itinerary Including Atacama Desert, Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Santiago | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Fly to San Pedro de Atacama & Stargazing Tour | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 3 | Cejar Lagoon, Ojos del Salar & Tebenquiche | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 4 | Atacama Desert - Tatio Geysers & Machuca Village | San Pedro de Atacama |
| Day 5 | Fly from Calama to Puerto Montt - Transfer to Puerto Varas | Puerto Varas |
| Day 6 | Osorno Volcano & Petrohué Falls | Puerto Varas |
| Day 7 | Chiloé Day Trip | Puerto Varas |
| Day 8 | Puerto Varas to Puerto Natales | Puerto Natales |
| Day 9 | Mount Balmaceda & Serrano Glacier | Puerto Natales |
| Day 10 | Torres del Paine Day Tour | Puerto Natales |
| Day 11 | Return to Santiago, Depart |
Travelers flock to Chile from all over the world to visit three principal regions, and this 11-day itinerary has all of them covered. First, it's a trip to the north of the country and the Atacama Desert, where you'll do some stargazing and tour the otherworldly landscapes. Then it's a flight to the southern Lake District and its enormous lakes, wild rivers, and snowcapped volcanoes. Finally, you'll end up in the far south, in Patagonia, where you'll spend a day exploring the most famous national park in the country: Torres del Paine. Read more
2-Week Itinerary Including Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine & Punta Arenas
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Santiago & City Tour | Santiago |
| Day 2 | Daily Trip to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar | Santiago |
| Day 3 | Wine not? - Visit a Chilean winery | Santiago |
| Day 4 | To the edge of the world - Reaching Patagonia | Punta Arenas |
| Day 5 | Catching up with the Penguins - Navigation to Isla Magdalena | Puerto Natales |
| Day 6 | Be enchanted - It's Torres del Paine we're talking about! | Puerto Natales |
| Day 7 | Navigate through the wonders of Patagonia | Puerto Natales |
| Day 8 | To the Lake District - The green heart of Chile | Puerto Varas |
| Day 9 | Volcanoes, lakes and waterfalls - The quintessential Lake District | Puerto Varas |
| Day 10 | Discovering Chiloé - Between mistery and tradition | Puerto Varas |
| Day 11 | Trekking in Alerce Andino National Park | Puerto Varas |
| Day 12 | The capital awaits - Back to Santiago | Santiago |
| Day 13 | Santiago at your own pace - Time at leisure | Santiago |
| Day 14 | Leaving Chile, just to come back in the future |
Make your way around a series of unforgettable natural attractions—including national parks, mountain peaks, icy glaciers, penguin colonies, pristine lagoons, and more—on this two-week tour around Chilean Patagonia and the Lake District. Bookended on both sides with a few days in the bustling capital city of Santiago, the itinerary takes you first to Patagonia and the cities of Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales, gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. Move on to the Lake District, side-tripping to the mythical island of Chiloé. Trek through native forests to waterfalls and marvel at volcanoes before heading back to Santiago, where the trip comes to a close. Read more
How to travel between Santiago & Puerto Varas
How to get from Santiago to Puerto Varas
Flying is the most convenient way to travel the 630 miles (1,016 km) between Santiago de Chile and Puerto Varas. Expect a 1.5-hour plane ride and a 30-minute drive from the Puerto Montt Airport. Shuttle buses are also available at the airport and take approximately the same amount of time as driving. Read more
How to get to Santiago de Chile
Santiago is one of the most visited cities in Chile and in South America. Depending on where you're coming from, the city may be best reached by car, plane, and sometimes by bus. Read more
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