8 Days • 7 Nights
Atacama Desert & Santiago
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- The surreal Atacama, the driest desert on earth
- Steaming El Tatio geysers at dawn
- Salt flats, flamingos and altiplanic lagoons
- Dramatic sunsets in the Valley of the Moon
- World-class stargazing
- Santiago and its Andean wine country
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in the capital, ringed by the Andes, with a welcome dinner of Chilean cuisine and wine.
A guided tour of Santiago and an afternoon in a nearby wine valley for tastings and a vineyard lunch beneath the Andes.
You fly north to Calama and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. Take it easy to acclimatise, with an afternoon in the Valley of the Moon for a spectacular sunset over the dunes and rock formations.
An early excursion to the El Tatio geysers, steaming at dawn at over 4,000 metres, with hot springs, Andean villages and vicunas along the way, and an afternoon at leisure.
A day exploring the vast Atacama salt flat with its flamingos, and the beautiful altiplanic lagoons beneath snow-capped volcanoes, ending with world-class stargazing.
A day exploring further desert wonders, the colourful Rainbow Valley, petroglyphs, hidden gorges and oases, with a final Atacama sunset.
You fly back to Santiago for a final night, with time to explore the capital or the coast, and a farewell dinner.
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight, full of desert wonder.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 7 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a wine-country lunch
- Airport and internal transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking guides
- Domestic flights as specified
- National park and attraction entry fees as per itinerary
- a Santiago and wine tour, a full programme of Atacama desert excursions and domestic flights
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most nationalities, including UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian passport holders, do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival; a passport valid for at least six months is required. We confirm details for your nationality
- Currency: The currency is the Chilean Peso; cards are widely accepted in cities and resorts, but carry cash for markets, small vendors and remote areas such as the Atacama and Patagonia. We advise on current money matters
- Vast distances: Chile is extraordinarily long, over 4,000 km, so itineraries rely on domestic flights between regions such as Santiago, the Atacama and Patagonia; these are arranged and included where specified
- Seasons reversed: Chile is in the southern hemisphere, so summer (December to February) is warm and ideal for Patagonia and the Lake District, while the Atacama and the wine country are wonderful year-round
- Atacama altitude: San Pedro de Atacama sits high (around 2,400 metres) with excursions much higher, so allow time to acclimatise, ascend gradually, stay hydrated and take it easy on the high-altitude days
- Patagonia weather: Patagonia is famously windy and changeable even in summer, so pack warm, waterproof layers, a hat and sturdy footwear; the best season for trekking is roughly October to April
- Getting around & tipping: Cities are walkable with taxis and rideshares; tipping around ten percent is customary in restaurants and appreciated by guides and drivers. Spanish is the language, though English is common in tourism
- Health & power: No vaccinations are required for most travellers; bring strong sun protection for the desert and high altitude, and warm layers for Patagonia and cold desert nights. Power is 220V with type C and L plugs, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Atacama suitable for non-hikers?
Yes — most Atacama excursions involve short walks and plenty of scenic driving, with dramatic landscapes accessible to most travellers. More active options like biking and longer hikes can be added, and we tailor the pace, especially given the altitude.
Why is the Atacama famous for stargazing?
The Atacama's high altitude, extreme dryness and near-total absence of light pollution give it some of the clearest skies on earth, making it a global centre for astronomy. Our stargazing sessions reveal the southern sky in breathtaking detail.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner, a wine-country lunch or full board at remote lodges in the Atacama and Patagonia. Other meals are left free with our recommendations.
Are domestic flights included?
Yes — the domestic flights between regions specified in your itinerary, such as Santiago to the Atacama or Patagonia, are arranged and included, along with all airport and hotel transfers, so your journey is seamless.
Do I need a visa for Chile?
Most nationalities do not need a visa for tourism and receive up to 90 days on arrival with a passport valid for at least six months. We confirm the requirement for your nationality when you book.
When is the best time to visit Chile?
It depends on the regions, summer (December to February) is best for Patagonia and the Lake District, while the Atacama desert and the wine country are wonderful year-round. We advise on the best timing for your route.
How do we manage the altitude in the Atacama?
San Pedro de Atacama is high, with excursions higher still, so we pace the itinerary to aid acclimatisation and schedule the highest sites for later in your stay. You should rest, hydrate and take it easy; we advise fully.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of desert, Patagonia, wine and cities, add Easter Island or the Lake District, change the pace and tailor hotels to your interests and budget.
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