Santiago, Torres del Paine, Puerto Varas & Punta Arenas: Best Itinerary Ideas

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

• Most travelers spend 10-14 days in Santiago, Torres del Paine, Puerto Varas, and Punta Arenas combined
• Visiting Santiago, Torres del Paine, Puerto Varas, and Punta Arenas in 7 to 9 days is possible but will feel rushed
• With 15 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
• The most common extension is the Atacama Desert

How Many Days to Spend in Chile

Recommended Itineraries for Santiago, Torres del Paine, Puerto Varas & Punta Arenas

Recommended Itinerary for 10 Days

Check off three spectacular regions of Chile on this active 10-day itinerary. After touring the capital of Santiago, and the vineyards of the Maipo Valley, fly to Puerto Montt and transfer to Puerto Varas in the Lake District for snowcapped volcanoes and plunging waterfalls. Finish off on the southern tip of the continent for cycling, kayaking, hiking, and horseback riding, surrounded by Patagonian scenery in Torres del Paine National Park. Read more

Recommended Itinerary for 12 Days

This extensive 12-day itinerary covers the major highlights of central and southern Chile: the Lake District and Torres del Paine National Park. The Lake District is justifiably famous for its charming villages, Prussian-blue lakes, and snowcapped volcanoes. Torres del Paine, on the other hand, is the crown jewel of national parks in Patagonia, and here you will embark on a multi-day hike known as the W Trek. Throw in a visit to a Patagonian penguin colony and a jaunt to the mystical and beautiful island of Chiloé, and you have the perfect recipe for the trip of a lifetime. Read more

Extended Itineraries

15-Day Itinerary Including the Atacama Desert

To first-timers in Chile, visiting this country is like happening upon a great secret. Its natural beauty is as diverse as it is extensive. Throughout the length of this narrow, 2,653-mile (4,270 km) country, there are high-altitude deserts, a lake region abounding with volcanoes and wild rivers, and of course, the primal and unspoiled beauty that is Chilean Patagonia. You'll get to visit all three of these regions on this extensive 15-day itinerary, plus you'll even find time for wine tasting. Read more

How to travel between Santiago, Torres del Paine, Puerto Varas & Punta Arenas

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 Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is one of those places that isn't easily overseen and attracts many travelers. Except for being just a boat tour away from Magdalena Island (also called Penguin Island), Punta Arenas is also the main stop before heading to Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine. If you're traveling through Chile, then you'll most likely want to include Punta Arenas in your travel plans. 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