Your Chilean adventure begins the moment you land at Arturo Merino Benítez Airport. After clearing customs, you will be met and transferred comfortably to your chosen hotel in the city. Take the afternoon to settle in, unpack, and shake off the travel fatigue.
A practical tip for early arrivals: If you have a long flight and arrive in the morning, I recommend booking an early check-in with your hotel in advance, as standard check-in times are typically after 3:00 PM. This ensures you can freshen up and start exploring without delay.
If your flight arrives with daylight to spare, resist the urge to nap. Instead, step outside and let the city introduce itself. For a first taste of Santiago's famous hospitality, consider a stroll through the nearby streets or, as suggested in your itinerary, head straight for the lively Bellavista district. As dusk falls, Bellavista truly comes alive. Find a table at a picada (a traditional, no-frills eatery) or a trendy restaurant, and toast to your arrival with a glass of crisp Chilean Sauvignon Blanc or an earthy Carménère.
After a restful night, fuel up with a good Chilean breakfast, which often includes fresh bread, avocado, and local honey. Today is all about hitting the highlights and getting your bearings in Chile's capital.
if addedto your trip, You will be met for your Santiago City Tour, a journey through 500 years of history. Your exploration will include:
Plaza de Armas: Stand in the symbolic center of the city, where the Spanish founded Santiago in 1541. Feel the vibrant daily life as you observe chess players, families, and the grand architecture that surrounds you, including the Metropolitan Cathedral.
La Moneda Presidential Palace: Admire the stately neoclassical exterior of the seat of the Chilean government. You might even catch the changing of the guard, the Cambio de Guardia.
Mercado Central (Central Market): Immerse yourself in a feast for the senses. Housed in a beautiful iron structure, this market is the perfect place to see the incredible variety of seafood Chile has to offer. (A tip: If you haven't had lunch yet, this is the spot to try a classic paila marina seafood soup).
Cerro San Cristóbal: No visit to Santiago is complete without going up. You'll ascend this towering hill in the heart of the city for the postcard-perfect panoramic view. Gaze out at the urban sprawl contrasting with the stunning, snow-dusted Andes—a view you won't soon forget.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. Perhaps revisit a neighborhood that caught your eye, do some souvenir shopping, or simply relax at a café and watch the world go by.
Accommodation Included
Hotel Boutique Castillo Rojo
Today is a blank canvas, and you get to be the artist. This is your chance to tailor your trip to your passions with one of the optional excursions.
Here’s a closer look at your options to help you decide:
Option 1 : The Coastal Escape (Valparaíso & Viña del Mar)
Vibe: Colorful, artistic, and historic.
The Experience: Journey west to the Pacific coast. Explore Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its labyrinthine hills (cerros) covered in brilliant street art, its historic funiculars, and its bohemian soul. Then, contrast it with the neighboring beach town of Viña del Mar, with its flower-filled clock and manicured gardens. It's a day of dramatic coastline, urban exploration, and incredible photo opportunities.
Insider Note: For this excursion, take a tour, do not drive yourself. The narrow, winding hills of Valparaíso are notoriously difficult for visitors, and parking is scarce.
Option 2: The Wine Lover's Route (Maipo or Casablanca Valley)
Vibe: Refined, scenic, and delicious.
The Experience: Head into the rolling hills to discover why Chilean wine is celebrated worldwide. You can choose the Maipo Valley, the "Bordeaux of South America," known for its robust Cabernet Sauvignons, or the cool-climate Casablanca Valley, which produces exceptional Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.
For a truly unique and personal experience, I highly recommend a private tour of Viña Las Araucarias in the Maipo Valley. You will be hosted by the owner and creator himself, Patricio Ulloa.
Patricio a very passionated wine maker who loves organic wine, will take you on an intimate, behind-the-scenes journey through his organic vineyard. You'll explore the harvest patio, the cellar, the barrel room, and the bottle room. What makes this tour special is the opportunity to taste wines at different stages of fermentation, gaining a rare insight into the winemaker's craft. The experience culminates in a guided tasting of three of his exceptional organic wines, followed by a delicious lunch at his charming estancia. It is a perfect blend of education, passion, and authentic Chilean hospitality.
Option 3: The Cultural Immersion (Santiago's Museums & Gastronomy)
Vibe: Urban, intellectual, and flavorful.
The Experience: Decide to stay in the city and dig deeper. Your day could begin with a visit to the powerful Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos to understand Chile's recent history. Later, explore the trendy boutiques of Barrio Italia or the charming streets of Lastarria. In the evening, indulge in a gourmet food tour or a cooking class, learning the secrets behind a perfect pastel de choclo (corn pie) or empanada.
Accommodation Included
Hotel Boutique Castillo Rojo
Today is a gentle pause before the next great leap. After three days of urban exploration, coastal winds, and Andean wine, your final day in Santiago is a free day to spend exactly as you wish—a quiet moment to catch your breath before flying west to one of the most remote inhabited islands on Earth.
Perhaps you'll use the morning for some last-minute souvenir hunting at the Los Dominicos artisan village, a charming collection of craft workshops tucked against the foothills. Or maybe you'll choose to revisit a favorite corner of Barrio Lastarria for one more long, slow coffee and people-watching session. If energy allows, a stroll through the serene Parque Forestal along the Mapocho River is a lovely way to absorb the city's rhythm one final time.
In the evening, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Easter Island (Rapa Nui) , where 3 nights of mystery, moai, and Pacific magic await.
Accommodation Included
Hotel Boutique Castillo Rojo
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Easter Island / Rapa Nui.
At arrival in Rapa Nui you will be greeted by alocal group with Flower Lee'sand transfer to your hotel.
Enjoy the rest of the day exploring Hanga Roa village.
Today explore the island’s most famous archaeological sites:
Rano Raraku quarry (where the moai were carved)
Ahu Tongariki with its 15 restored statues
Anakena Beach with moai overlooking the ocean
Accommodation Included
Paraíso Sunset Bungalows
Visit:
Rano Kau volcanic crater
Orongo ceremonial village
spectacular coastal viewpoints
Afternoon at leisure.
Accommodation Included
Paraíso Sunset Bungalows
Breakfast.
Free day for optional activities:
cultural tours
hiking
beach relaxation
sunset viewing
Accommodation Included
Paraíso Sunset Bungalows
After three nights of mystery, you will transfer back to the airport for your flight from Easter Island (IPC) back to Santiago (SCL).
Upon arrival in Santiago, you will check in at the Holiday Inn direct located across the arrival hall ( 50yards) direct at the airport for a convenient overnight stay. This ensures you are well-rested, with no city traffic to battle, before picking up your rental car in the morning and beginning the next leg of your Chilean journey.
Accommodation Included
Holiday Inn Santiago Airport Terminal by IHG
Morning: Pick up your rental car at the Santiago airport. Hit the road south, leaving the city behind as you descend into the countryside.
Destination: Santa Cruz (Approx. 2.5-3 hour drive)
Your drive takes you directly into the heart of the Colchagua Valley, Chile's premier wine region. This is not just a stopover; it is an immersion. Check into your hotel, perhaps a charming vineyard lodge or a hacienda-style retreat surrounded by vines.
Spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace. Visit a smaller, family-owned vineyard for a tasting, or dive into the unexpected treasure of the Colchagua Museum. Housed in a beautiful historic building, this museum holds an astonishing collection of pre-Columbian art, Chilean history, and paleontology that rivals anything in Santiago. In the evening, enjoy a long, slow dinner paired with the valley's famous Carménère, watching the sun set over the vines. This is the perfect, relaxed beginning to your road trip.
Accommodation Included
Santa Cruz
Have a nice Breakfast surrounded by vineyards before continuing south.
Destination: Pucón (Approx. 6-7 hour drive, including scenic stops)
Today is a transition day, but a spectacular one. The landscape will shift dramatically as you drive. The dry, golden hills of the wine country will gradually give way to dense bamboo forests, lush farmland, and the first glimpses of the Andes. The air becomes crisper, the green deeper.
You will likely arrive in Pucón in the late afternoon. Settle into your accommodation and take your first walk along the shores of Lago Villarrica, with the perfectly symmetrical, snow-capped Volcán Villarrica looming directly above the town. It is a view that stops you in your tracks. Find a restaurant with a view and toast to the journey ahead.
Accommodation Included
Park Lake Luxury Hotel Pucon
oday is a full day to play in one of Chile's adventure capitals. The choice is entirely yours:
Option A: Hike the Volcano: For the adventurous, a guided ascent of Volcán Villarrica is an unforgettable experience. You will hike on snow and ice to the smoking crater at the summit, peering into the active volcano itself.
Option B: Soak in Thermal Springs: The region around Pucón is dotted with natural hot springs. Spend a blissful day hopping between pools of varying temperatures, surrounded by lush forest and mountain views. Termas Geométricas is a architectural wonder of wooden walkways and steaming waterfalls.
Option C: Explore at Leisure: Take a gentler hike in Huerquehue National Park, home to ancient araucaria trees (monkey puzzle trees) and turquoise lakes. Or simply enjoy the town, rent a kayak on the lake, and soak in the electric atmosphere of this mountain resort.
Accommodation Included
Park Lake Luxury Hotel Pucon
A final coffee in Pucón before hitting the road.
Destination: Puerto Varas (Approx. 4-5 hour drive)
The drive from Pucón to Puerto Varas is widely considered one of the most beautiful in Chile. The road winds past dozens of shimmering lakes, through ancient forests, and offers constant glimpses of the volcanic peaks that define this region. Take your time. Stop at viewpoints. Breathe the air.
You will arrive in Puerto Varas in the afternoon. Perched on the shores of the vast Lago Llanquihue, the town greets you with its iconic German colonial architecture, rose-filled gardens, and the stunning backdrop of Volcán Osorno, which rises from the lake like a perfect Japanese print. Check in, stretch your legs with a walk along the waterfront, and get ready to explore.
Today is your reward for giving yourself a second night i Puerto Varas. You have an entire, unhurried day to explore the crown jewel of the Lake District.
Drive the circuit around Volcán Osorno. If the chairlift is running, take it up to a viewpoint near the summit for a panoramic view of the lake, the ocean, and the chain of volcanoes stretching into Patagonia. Descend and visit the thunderous Saltos del Petrohué, where emerald water explodes through black volcanic lava flows, creating a series of powerful waterfalls with the volcano watching in the background.
For lunch, head to the rustic Refugio Teskion the slopes of the volcano, or drive to the edge of the stunning turquoise Lago Todos los Santos and eat at the historic Hotel Petrohué.
On your way back, detour to the charming town of Frutillar, known for its stunning lakeside theater and beautifully preserved German colonial homes. Enjoy a piece of kuchen (German cake) in a café overlooking the water before returning to Puerto Varas for a farewell dinner.
Accommodation Included
Hotel Bellavista
Savor one last Chilean breakfast with a view of the volcano. Depending on your flight time, you might have a moment for a final stroll along the lakefront or one last cup of coffee.
When you are ready, it is a short and easy 30-minute drive from Puerto Varas to El Tepual Airport in Puerto Montt (PMC). Return your rental car and check in for your flight, carrying with you the memories of moai at sunset, the taste of Carménère, the feel of volcanic ash under your boots, and the image of perfect volcanoes reflected in endless blue lakes.
From the Atacama to Patagonia, from the Pacific to the Andes, you will have driven, hiked, tasted, and explored your way through the very soul of Chile. ¡Buen viaje, and until next time
✅ Roundtrip Airport Transfers
Transfers between the airport and the hotels in Santiago and Easter Island.
✅Hotel Accommodation
Accommodation in selected hotels throughout the journey including daily breakfast.
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
✅ One-Way Rental Car
Self-drive rental vehicle from Santiago to Puerto Montt, allowing you to explore southern Chile at your own pace.
The rental includes:
🔸Basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance
🔸Roadside assistance service
🔸Detailed road map and driving instructions
🔸Local taxes and standard rental coverage
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Flights to Santiago and return flights from Puerto Montt.
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Airline ticket between Santiago and Easter Island.
❌ Fuel cost, road tolls, and traffic fines.
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Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, minibar, and similar.
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Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff, and restaurant services.
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Visa costs or other entry fees, if applicable.
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Chile Discovery Journey
Santiago – Easter Island – Colchagua Valley – Lake District – Puerto Varas
Tour code: 766
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Tour startsSantiago
Tour endsPuerto Montt
Duration14 days / 13nights
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$1,194.00
per person PRICE double occupancy
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