Travelers to Chile typically plan a trip for 10 to 14 days when combining Santiago, Torres del Paine, and Puerto Varas with Punta Arenas. For travelers wanting to visit Santiago, Torres del Paine, and Puerto Varas exclusively, plan about 10 days for a well-paced trip. A fast-paced highlights trip is possible in a week to nine days for travelers with limited time. Check out kimkim's favorite Santiago, Torres del Paine, and Puerto Varas trips below.

How many days do you need in Santiago, Torres del Paine & Puerto Varas?

  • Most travelers spend 10 days in Santiago, Torres del Paine, and Puerto Varas combined
  • Visiting Santiago, Torres del Paine, and Puerto Varas in 7 to 9 days is possible but will feel rushed
  • With 11 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
  • The most common extensions are Punta Arenas, Atacama Desert, and Puerto Natales

How Many Days to Spend in Chile

Recommended Itineraries for Santiago, Torres del Paine & Puerto Varas

Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days

Catch a sunrise at Lake Pehoe on your multi-day trek
Catch a sunrise at Lake Pehoe on your multi-day trek
Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrival in Santiago Santiago
Day 2 Fly to Puerto Montt & Transfer to Puerto Varas Puerto Varas
Day 3 Explore Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Puerto Varas
Day 4 Puerto Varas to Puerto Natales Puerto Natales
Day 5 Puerto Natales - Torres Del Paine & W Trek - Day 1/5 Torres del Paine
Day 6 W Trek - Day 2/5 Torres del Paine
Day 7 W Trek - Day 3/5 Torres del Paine
Day 8 W Trek - Day 4/5 Torres del Paine
Day 9 W Trek - Day 5/5 Torres del Paine
Day 10 Return to Santiago - Departure  


This 10-day tour combines Chile's most picturesque attractions with a nice mix of relaxation and physical exertion. After starting in the cosmopolitan capital, you'll head to a lakeside village (adorned with a snowcapped volcano) before continuing south to Patagonia. Then it's time for the "W Trek" in Torres del Paine, one of the most scenic national parks in the world. Here you'll hike past turquoise lakes, emerald forests, roaring rivers, and a massive glacier to get to the best view in the house: Paine Massif. Read more

Plan your trip to Chile
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Extended Itineraries

11-Day Itinerary Including Atacama Desert (& Puerto Natales)

Explore Chile's Atacama Desert
Explore Chile's Atacama Desert
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 Fly Back to Santiago  


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 Punta Arenas (& Puerto Natales)

Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park
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, Torres del Paine & 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

How to get to Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most visited places in Chile—and South America. It's close to both Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas, and you'll often travel via one or both of these cities. This five-day trip will bring you face-to-face with all the best places and is especially great to consider if you're traveling from Santiago. Read more

Map

Map of Santiago, Torres del Paine & Puerto Varas: Best Itinerary Ideas
Map of Santiago, Torres del Paine & Puerto Varas: Best Itinerary Ideas