My 1-Month Chile Travel Itinerary: Visiting Northern & Central Chile Travel Guide

One month in Chile sounds like a long time, but when you’re talking about a country that is 4,300 kilometres in length, that’s a whole lot of ground to cover!

When we were first planning our trip to Chile I naively thought a month would be plenty of time to travel the full length of the country. I really wanted to make it all the way down to Patagonia (and beyond) and looking at a map it seemed doable; in reality, one month was barely enough time to cover half the length of the country.

Our travels primarily focused on Northern and Central Chile with a quick hop over to Easter Island, and while I may not have gotten to see the majestic mountain ranges further south, I feel like I got a pretty good taste of the country. For anyone planning a similar trip, here’s a breakdown of my month-long Chile travel itinerary:

Chile Travel Guide: Top Things To Do, See, Eat, Drink & Experience in Chile

Arica

// 2 days //

We crossed over to Arica from Bolivia by bus and used our 2 short days in the city to catch up on rest and enjoy the warm temperatures. After a few weeks braving the altitude with cups of coca tea and woollen alpaca sweaters, we were ready to enjoy the ocean breeze and bask in the sunshine. Since Arica sits right on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, this proved to be the perfect place to unwind.

As you can probably tell from the lack of photos from Arica, we weren’t feeling particularly ambitious in terms of sightseeing, but if you are up for some exploring, you can climb El Morro de Arica, a hill that looms 110 meters over the city; visit Iglesia San Marcos, which was designed by Gustave Eiffel (yes, the same one responsible for the Eiffel Tower); or stop by Museo de Sitio Colon 10, which is a small museum featuring 32 mummies that were excavated on site.

Another alternative is getting a taxi to drive you out to Museo Arqueologico San Miguel de Azapa, which is located 12 kilometres outside of Arica. This museum is home to some of the oldest mummies in the world!

We filled our brief visit to the city with lots of walks and foodie outings, and coincidentally ended up discovering one of the best restaurants we have ever eaten at! If you find yourself in Arica, you have to go to El Chalan. They specialize in Peruvian food, and after eating dinner here on my first night, I ended up coming back again and again. Their shrimp risotto is to die for – so rich and creamy – and I also loved their ceviche which was made to perfection and transported me right back to Lima.

San Pedro de Atacama

// 4 days //

From there it was onwards to the Atacama Desert. The town of San Pedro is quite sleepy and there isn’t a whole lot to do here aside from enjoying the cafes, people watching in the square, and visiting the adobe church. That being said, you don’t come to San Pedro to spend your time in the town! This place is meant to be used as a base while you enjoy some really cool day trips around the desert.

Some of our favourite day trips included a sunrise tour of El Tatio Geysers, complete with a soak in the hot springs and a delicious pancake breakfast; a sunset tour of The Valley of the Moon, featuring breathtaking landscapes set aglow by the setting sun; and Sam also did a full day tour of the Altiplanic Lagoons, where he got to see white and pink flamingoes.

If you luck out with clear skies you can also consider a Stargazing Tour, where you get to spot stars, planets, and constellations using fixed telescopes. Just keep in mind that these tours are weather dependant and they tend to fill up fast.

Santiago

// 7 days //

We passed through Santiago a total of 3 times on our travels through Chile – mostly to catch buses and planes. Our time in the city amounted to about a week, but in retrospect, I’d argue you can cover most of Santiago in 3-4 solid days.

First up, let’s start with the views. Santiago boasts the Andes in the horizon (and while the air can be quite smoggy!) you can still get some pretty cool panoramic views of the mountain range from either Sky Costanera or by riding the funicular to the top of Cerro San Cristobal.

I would also recommend visiting Cerro Santa Lucia, an ancient volcano turned park in the heart of the city. The hill is home to Neptune’s Fountain, Hidalgo’s Castle, and plenty of spiralling staircases and winding trails. Another option for a green escape in the heart of the city is Parque Forestal, an urban park that runs along the Mapocho River.

For the art lovers, there’s no shortage of museums including the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art, which are back to back. Or if it’s history you crave, you can choose from the National History Museum, the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, or the Museum of Memory and Human Rights.

As for food experiences, one of our favourite dishes we tried in Santiago was the chorrillana. To me, this is the Chilean version of a Canadian gourmet poutine. Just picture a heaping plate of french fries topped off with fried onions, sausage, shaved beef, olives, eggs and just about anything you can imagine.

Valparaiso

// 4 days //

Visiting Valparaiso felt like floating through a rainbow. This has got to be one of the most colourful cities in the world!

Since Valparaiso is all about the street art, we started our visit by joining the Free Walking Tour to help us get familiar with the city. The tour mainly focused on Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre, where we spotted some really cool murals.

No visit to a port city would have been complete without a tour of the harbour, so we also managed to squeeze that into the schedule. We lucked out with a few unusually sunny days, so we decided to do the 30 minute tour that departs from Muelle Prat. The cost was 3,000 Chilean Pesos and we got to see giant container ships, tug boats, and navy vessels, while the guide talked about the port’s history.

Another cool place to check out in Valparaiso is La Sebastiana. This was the home of Pablo Neruda, Chile’s most famed poet and writer, and it has a pretty eclectic decor. La Sebastiana is 5 stories high and it’s quite artsy and eccentric inside. Upon admission you’ll get a headset, so make sure you turn it on to hear all about Neruda’s dress-up dinner parties where he would often go through several costume changes to stump his already inebriated guests.

Viña del Mar

// 1 day //

Since Viña del Mar is only 8 kilometres away from Valparaiso, we hopped on the metro and took the 15 minute ride out to the popular seaside resort.

We opted for a super relaxed day, so instead of ticking off attractions, we just walked along the Costanera with the sea breeze whipping in our hair, enjoyed the cool sand at the beach, and then grabbed seafood for lunch. Once again, you can probably tell we weren’t feeling particularly ambitious by the lack of photos here!

If you come with more time, you may also want to visit Wulff Castle, which is perched right by the sea; go for a walk through Parque Quinta Vergara, one of the many parks that gives Viña del Mar its status as a Garden City; or spend an afternoon at the Museum of Archaeology and History Francis Fonck, which boasts a moai and an extensive collection of artifacts from Easter Island.

But now let’s talk about music; every year during the third week of February, Viña del Mar hosts the largest and best known music festival in all of Latin America: Festival Internacional de la Canción de Viña del Mar. They’ve had singers like Shakira, Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Marc Anthony, and Carlos Santana grace the stage, so if you’re into Latin music it might be worth planning your visit to coincide with this event (just keep in mind you’ll have to book things really far in advance!)

Easter Island

// 7 days //

And now for one of the absolute highlights, let’s talk about the magical place that is Easter Island. I’ve already written about how you can travel Easter Island on a budget and I’m working on another massive post that breaks down my one week itinerary, but in the meantime, here’s a look at what we got up to.

Aside from seeing moai, I wanted to climb volcanoes (duh!), so on our first day on the island we walked to the outskirts of town and found the trail that leads up to Rano Kau. This extinct volcano sits on the southern tip of the island and it’s one of the coolest things I have ever seen. While you can’t set foot inside the crater – that’s a protected area – you can get some amazing views of the wetlands. Rano Kau has its own microclimate and its own vegetation which differs from the rest of the island. From here, you can continue on to Orongo Village, a stone village and ceremonial centre which is just a bit further up the road.

One of the best decisions we made on Easter Island was renting a car for a few days. This gave us the mobility and flexibility to cruise around the island wherever and whenever we wanted. We drove out to Rano Roraku to see the moai quarry, we went to Ahu Tongariki to watch the sunrise over the 15 moai, we visited Ahu Akivi to see the only moai on the island that look out to sea, we dipped our toes in Anakena Beach, and so much more.

Add in a few travel days to get from place to place, and just like that one month was gone! We may not have made it all the way down to Patagonia like I initially wanted to, but I have to admit that our month was full of surprises. Also, this gives me an excuse to come back and explore Southern Chile another time – hopefully with more than a month to spare!

Planning Your Month in Chile: Practical Notes From the Road

How to Approach a Country This Long

The most important thing to understand before planning a Chile trip is that the distances are genuinely deceptive. I learned this the hard way. On a map, northern and central Chile look manageable; in reality, Arica to Santiago alone is 2,000 kilometres, and that’s before you’ve even thought about Easter Island, the Lake District, or Patagonia. A month is enough time to do one section of Chile well, or the whole country at a pace that will leave you exhausted and wishing you’d stayed longer in one place. Here’s what I’d tell myself:

• Choose depth over ticking boxes. Four days in San Pedro properly is better than one rushed day each in six Atacama sites. We came back from that trip wishing we’d stayed in some places longer — not shorter.
• Santiago is a hub, not just a stop. We passed through the city three times and each time found something new. Build in a proper stay rather than just using it as a transit point.
• Book Easter Island flights as early as you can. LATAM is the only carrier and prices spike significantly as the date approaches. This is the one transport booking I’d do first, before anything else.
• Leave white space. Not every day needs a tour booked. Some of the best moments in Chile came from wandering without a plan — Valparaíso’s hills especially reward that approach.
• A little Spanish goes a long way. Outside the major tourist zones, English is not widely spoken. Basic Spanish phrases — for ordering food, asking directions, buying bus tickets — will serve you better than any app.

Packing for Chile’s Contrasts

The Atacama desert and the Pacific coast are technically in the same country, which means you need to pack for two completely different climates — plus Easter Island’s tropical humidity. Here’s what actually matters by region:

One thing worth emphasising: Atacama nights get properly cold. Even in summer, temperatures near El Tatio can drop to near zero at dawn. Don’t leave the down jacket at home because it looks sunny.

Getting Around Chile

Flights

For long hops — and in Chile, most hops are long — flying is usually the right call. The main domestic carriers are LATAM, Sky Airline, and JetSmart. JetSmart and Sky are ultra-low-cost which means stripped-back base fares; factor in checked luggage and the total is typically $60–130 one-way for most routes depending on booking timing. Budget for $50–130 one-way on routes like Santiago–Calama.

Easter Island: LATAM is the only direct carrier between Santiago and Hanga Roa. Round-trip fares typically run $300–700 in shoulder season with 8–12 weeks advance booking; they can reach $900+ in peak December–January. Book this first — before hotels, before tours, before anything else. Prices move fast and don’t come back down.

Buses

Chile’s intercity bus network is excellent. Turbus and Pullman Bus are the main reliable operators. For overnight or long hauls, upgrade to cama class (fully reclining) — worth the extra cost and saves a night’s accommodation. Bus is the only option between Santiago and Valparaíso/Viña del Mar — the rail connection was discontinued in 1987 and isn’t coming back in the near future.

Trains

Chile’s passenger rail network is limited but worth knowing about. EFE (Empresa de Ferrocarriles del Estado) runs a regular Santiago–Chillán service (~4.5 hours) with stops at Rancagua, Talca, and Linares — a pleasant, affordable way to see the central valley if your route heads south. EFE also runs seasonal tourist wine trains (Tren del Recuerdo, Sabores routes to the Colchagua and Maule valleys) — check efe.cl for current schedules if wine country is on your list. Note: there is no intercity rail pass system in Chile; tickets are purchased per route.

Car Rental

Not necessary in cities, but a complete game-changer on Easter Island — renting a car for 2–3 days is how you get to Tongariki at sunrise and Anakena for sunset without depending on tour groups. Roads are good; just be prepared for narrow stretches and confident local drivers. Book the car in advance during peak season as availability is limited on the island.

Local Transport

Santiago’s metro is excellent and covers most tourist destinations cheaply. Valparaíso has its own metro connecting the city to Viña del Mar in about 15 minutes — a quick, easy back-and-forth. In small Atacama towns, taxis and arranged transfers are standard.

What to Eat and Where

Chile’s food is genuinely underrated as a travel draw. Our most memorable meal of the entire trip was at El Chalán in Arica — a Peruvian restaurant we stumbled onto and kept returning to. Beyond that discovery, here’s the food map by region:

• Chorrillana: The one dish I’d describe as Chile’s answer to poutine — a heaping plate of fries topped with fried onions, sausage, shaved beef, olives, and egg. Santiago’s Barrio Italia does the best versions.
• Pastel de Choclo: A corn pie with a filling of beef, chicken, olives, raisins, and hard-boiled egg. Hearty, warming, and uniquely Chilean.
• Cazuela: A comforting stew with potatoes, corn, pumpkin, and meat — perfect after a cold Atacama morning.
• Empanadas de Mariscos: Seafood-stuffed empanadas are everywhere on the coast and best eaten at a market stall rather than a sit-down restaurant.
• Mote con Huesillo: A sweet cold drink made with husked wheat and dried peaches — ubiquitous in Santiago’s parks in summer and absolutely perfect on a warm afternoon.
• Ceviche and seafood on Easter Island: The island’s tuna-based dishes and empanadas de atún are genuinely excellent and easy to find at any local restaurant in Hanga Roa.

Vegetarian: Santiago and San Pedro have solid vegetarian options; smaller towns less so. Most places will adapt dishes if you ask.

Sample Month: How to Structure Your Time

This is roughly how I’d structure 30 days covering northern Chile, the centre, and Easter Island — based on what worked, what I’d change, and what I’d add:

Budget Snapshot

Chile is honest: it is one of South America’s more expensive countries. Think more Western Europe than Bolivia. That said, it rewards smart spending — the menú del día at local restaurants, overnight buses instead of hotels, and free hiking mean you can have an extraordinary trip without an extraordinary budget.

Biggest cost drivers: Easter Island return flights (~$400–700), Atacama tour package, accommodation on Easter Island (~$100–200+/night mid-range). Budget for these three items separately — they’re the ones that move the total significantly.

Practical Notes

• Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP). ATMs are widespread in cities; bring cash for small towns, market vendors, and Easter Island (ATMs on the island can run out). Withdraw large amounts in cities to avoid multiple transaction fees.
• SIM cards and connectivity: Entel and Movistar offer the best coverage for the routes on this itinerary. Buy at official stores in Santiago or Calama — airport kiosks charge more. WiFi is reliable in hotels and cafés throughout the mainland; Easter Island connectivity is genuinely limited, so download offline maps before you fly.
• Tap water: Generally safe to drink in cities; double-check in smaller towns and rural areas.
• Safety: Chile is one of the safest countries in South America, but standard precautions apply in bus terminals and busy markets — keep phones zipped away and bags in front in crowds.

Weather and What to Expect

If You Have Extra Time: Southern Chile

I never made it to Patagonia on this trip — a fact I’m still thinking about — and southern Chile honestly deserves its own separate month. A few destinations worth knowing about for a return visit or an extended itinerary:

• Arequipa and the Lake District (Puerto Montt / Puerto Varas / Chiloé): Lakes, volcanoes, Germanic-influenced architecture, and salmon farming. Puerto Varas is one of the most underrated towns in the country.
• Torres del Paine (Patagonia): The trek that anchors most people’s South American bucket list. The W Trek takes 4–5 days; the full O Circuit 8–10 days. Book huts and campsites well ahead — they sell out months in advance for the October–March season.
• Elqui Valley (La Serena area): Pisco distilleries, world-class observatories, and microclimate vineyards. Easily added between San Pedro and Santiago on this exact itinerary — a genuinely excellent three days that most people skip.
• Isla Negra and Pablo Neruda’s coast house: A short bus from Santiago — a different window into the poet’s life compared to La Sebastiana, and the ocean backdrop is dramatic.
• Wine country (Maipo, Colchagua, Casablanca): Chile’s wine valleys are world-class and a day trip or overnight from Santiago. The EFE Sabores tourist trains run seasonal wine routes to the Colchagua and Maule valleys if the timing aligns — worth checking at efe.cl.

Where to Stay: Audrey’s Picks by Destination

Chile’s accommodation quality varies significantly between destinations and price tiers. Here’s a breakdown based on where we stayed and what I’d recommend for different budgets — anchored around the specific properties we tried and additions I’d consider for a return trip.

Arica

Arica is a relaxed coastal city where you don’t need to spend much to stay comfortably. Most decent options are within walking distance of the beach and the main square.

• Budget: Arica Surf Hostel — beach-facing, social, relaxed atmosphere suited to the city’s vibe
• Mid-range: Hotel El Paso Arica — solid, central, with a pool that is very welcome in the northern heat
• Comfort: Diego de Almagro Arica — reliable chain with good facilities and sea-view room upgrades worth asking for

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro has a wide range of accommodation but the top-end desert lodges are genuinely exceptional — if there’s anywhere on this itinerary to splurge on accommodation, this is it. The desert light at dusk from a proper lodge property is something else.

• Budget: Hostal Cactus or similar guesthouses on the central streets — simple, clean, and genuinely affordable given the location
• Mid-range: La Casa de Don Tomás — well-established, good location, hacienda feel without the full luxury price tag
• Splurge: Alto Atacama Desert Lodge and Spa — a genuinely stunning property set into the desert landscape with a pool, stargazing terrace, and all-inclusive tours. Or Explora Atacama for the ultimate all-in desert experience — one of the best lodges in South America.

Santiago

Stay in Lastarria or Barrio Italia if you can — these are the most interesting and walkable neighbourhoods and most of the good restaurants are here or nearby.

• Budget: Selina Santiago — excellent hostel in a great location, with co-working space and a social scene; suits solo travellers especially well
• Mid-range: Hotel Magnolia Santiago — boutique, design-forward, excellent Lastarria location; one of the best value mid-range options in the city
• Splurge: The Singular Santiago — a converted 1920s industrial building on the Mapocho River; stunning architecture, exceptional service, and a location that makes the whole city accessible

Valparaíso

Stay on the hills rather than the flat port district — waking up above the city with those views is what Valparaíso is actually about. Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre are the best base hills.

• Budget: Casa Aventura or similar hill-based guesthouses — basic but atmospheric and exactly where you want to be
• Mid-range: Fauna Hotel — art-forward boutique on Cerro Alegre with ocean views and a good breakfast; genuinely characterful
• Splurge: Casa Higueras — a restored manor on Cerro Alegre with a pool and panoramic Pacific views; one of the most beautiful small hotels in Chile

Easter Island (Hanga Roa)

Easter Island accommodation is expensive relative to the rest of Chile — budget accordingly. The island has everything from backpacker cabins to genuinely world-class eco-resorts. Given the distance and cost to get here, it’s worth considering a mid-range stay at minimum.

• Budget: Tekena Inn or similar family-run cabañas — central Hanga Roa, breakfast included, genuinely friendly hosts. The more personal Easter Island hospitality you’ll get.
• Mid-range: Hotel O’Tai — well-located, comfortable, with a garden; reliable and consistently well-reviewed
• Splurge: Hangaroa Eco Village and Spa — the island’s flagship property, right on the coastline with direct ocean views, a spa, and excellent guided cultural experiences. If you’re going all the way to Easter Island, this is worth the upgrade.

Tours Worth Booking in Advance

Some of Chile’s best experiences are difficult to do independently — either because they require a guide, because spaces are limited, or because having local knowledge genuinely makes the difference between a good experience and a great one.

Atacama (San Pedro de Atacama)

• El Tatio Geysers sunrise tour — the early departure (leaving around 4am) is brutal but worth every minute. Includes a soak in the hot springs and usually a pancake breakfast on-site. Book through your hotel or a local agency in San Pedro.
• Valle de la Luna sunset tour — watching the light change across those dunes is one of the most memorable things we did in all of Chile. The tour adds good context on the geology but the landscape speaks for itself.
• Stargazing tour — the Atacama has some of the clearest skies on Earth and a good guided stargazing session with telescopes is a completely different experience from just looking up. Book early — these fill fast and are weather dependent.
• Altiplanic Lagoons and flamingos day tour — Sam did this and the flamingo sightings were exceptional. Not as visually dramatic as the Valley of the Moon but a fascinating contrast.

Santiago

• Free walking tour of Lastarria and historic centre — an excellent way to orient yourself and understand the layers of Santiago’s history. Tip generously; these guides are excellent.
• Concha y Toro or Casas del Bosque wine tour — easily the best day trip from Santiago for wine lovers. Concha y Toro’s main winery is only 45 minutes from the city; Casablanca Valley is about 90 minutes and produces excellent whites.
• Cajón del Maipo rafting or hiking day trip — a stunning Andean canyon less than two hours from the city centre. Easy to book through hotels or Viator’s Chile listings.

Valparaíso

• Free walking tour of Cerros Concepción and Alegre — the street art context you get from a good local guide transforms what you’re looking at from “colourful walls” to a living narrative about the city’s history and politics.
• Harbour boat tour from Muelle Prat — 30 minutes among container ships and navy vessels; inexpensive and a very different perspective on the city from water level.

Easter Island

• Guided full-island circuit — for the first day especially, a guided tour of the major ahu and moai sites adds enormous context that you simply won’t have from reading alone. Book at least one guided day before going fully independent by car.
• Ahu Tongariki sunrise visit — this is better done independently by rental car if you’re comfortable driving, but guided sunrise tours are widely available in Hanga Roa if not. Either way — do not miss it.
• Snorkelling at Anakena and the cave swims — the underwater visibility around Easter Island is extraordinary. Local operators in Hanga Roa run half-day snorkelling trips; dive tours are also available for certified divers.

1-Month Chile Itinerary FAQ

How should I split a month between North, Central, and Easter Island?

A workable split is North (Arica + San Pedro) ~10–12 days, Central (Santiago + Valparaíso/Viña + optional La Serena/Elqui) ~10–12 days, and Easter Island ~6–7 days. Keep 1–2 buffer days for long connections and the inevitable missed bus.

What’s the best order to travel these regions?

North → Central → Easter Island is the most logical: Arica first (coming from Bolivia as we did, or flying directly from Santiago), then San Pedro, then south to Santiago and the coast, finishing with Easter Island as a grand finale. Flying Calama → Santiago → Hanga Roa cuts out backtracking.

How many days do I need in San Pedro de Atacama?

Four days is the right amount — El Tatio sunrise, Valle de la Luna sunset, a lagoons day for the flamingos, and one clear evening for stargazing. Less than three and you’re rushing through the best part of northern Chile.

Is Easter Island worth a full week?

Yes. Seven days gives you time to rent a car and do multiple sunrise/sunset runs at different sites, hike Rano Kau and Orongo, explore Rano Raraku at a proper pace, swim at Anakena, and genuinely absorb the place. Two days is not enough — the journey is too far and too expensive to spend 48 rushed hours there.

How much time do I need in Santiago?

Three to four solid days. A viewpoint day (Cerro San Cristóbal, Cerro Santa Lucía), a museum day (Pre-Columbian Art and Museum of Memory are the ones I’d prioritise), and a day trip to wine country or Cajón del Maipo. You’ll pass through Santiago at the start, middle, and end of this itinerary anyway — spread the city time across those stops.

How do Valparaíso and Viña del Mar fit together?

Base yourself in Valparaíso for 3–4 days and take the metro to Viña for a day or afternoon. They’re 15–20 minutes apart and serve completely different purposes — Valparaíso for art, history, and atmosphere; Viña for beaches, seafood, and a calmer pace. Don’t try to base in Viña and day-trip to Valpo; it’s the wrong way around.

What’s the smartest way to get around?

Fly the long hops — especially Calama→Santiago and Santiago→Easter Island. Use comfortable intercity buses (Turbus, Pullman) for medium distances. Rent a car on Easter Island. Santiago to Valparaíso/Viña is bus-only — frequent, cheap, and about 90 minutes.

When is the best time to visit?

October to April for warm weather on the coast and pleasant Atacama conditions. The Atacama is good year-round; the difference is mainly crowd levels and flight prices. Easter Island is tropical year-round; shoulder seasons (May and October) offer the best combination of weather, fewer tourists, and more reasonable accommodation pricing.

What should I budget for a month as a couple?

At mid-range: roughly $7,000–10,000 USD total for two people over 30 days, including Easter Island return flights. Budget travellers sharing dorms and taking buses can get down to $4,000–5,500 for two. Chile is significantly more expensive than Peru or Bolivia — plan accordingly rather than arriving expecting South American prices across the board.

How do I avoid over-scheduling?

Pick two or three anchor experiences per destination and leave the rest open. In San Pedro, the anchors are El Tatio, Valle de la Luna, and one lagoons day. Everything else is a bonus. The buffer days on this itinerary are not wasted — they’re when the best unplanned things happen.

What food experiences shouldn’t I miss?

Chorrillana in Santiago (the Chilean poutine), empanadas de mariscos at a coastal market, mote con huesillo in a city park, pastel de choclo anywhere it’s made fresh, and tuna-based dishes on Easter Island. And if you’re near Arica — El Chalán for Peruvian food is worth a dedicated trip.

Is southern Chile worth adding?

Completely — but honestly, it needs its own trip. Torres del Paine alone deserves 8–10 days. The Lake District (Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas, Chiloé) is another week at minimum. I didn’t make it and I’ve been regretting it ever since. Consider a return trip specifically for the south rather than rushing it at the end of this itinerary.

Share your dream Chile stops or travel tips below — let’s keep the conversation going!

Have you travelled in Chile? Which places captured your heart? Let us know your best finds or hidden gems in the comments below!