Itinerary
- Day 1
Santiago
You'll arrive in Santiago and check into your hotel. The rest of your day is for wandering around the city's central neighborhoods, trying local restaurants, and getting a feel for the capital. Walk through some of the older streets, grab lunch at a local spot, and just start soaking in how the city works. It's a good way to shake off travel and adjust to Chilean time.
- Start point
- Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile (Airport)
Optional Activities
- Explore charming streets of Santiago
- Sample local cuisine
- Immerse in culture and history of Santiago
- Day 2
Santiago to Puerto Varas
You're driving south toward Puerto Montt, a coastal city known for its fishing culture. Once you arrive, you'll walk through the colorful harbor area and try some fresh seafood while looking out at the Pacific. After that, continue on to Puerto Varas on Lake Llanquihue. The Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes rise up across the lake, and you'll have views of both from your accommodation or while exploring the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore colorful fishing villages at Puerto Montt
- Indulge in fresh seafood
- Soak in breathtaking views of Pacific Ocean
Landmarks Osorno Volcano Calbuco Volcano Lake Llanquihue - Day 3
Puerto Varas to Hornopiren
Head into the remote area around Hornopiren, where you'll find thick forests and snow-capped peaks. You can walk through Hornopiren National Park during the day, checking out the waterfalls and clear lakes. There's good wildlife watching here if you go slowly and quietly. Later, hike through the old-growth forest and just breathe in the mountain air. It's quiet and isolated, which is part of why people come here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Hike through Hornopiren National Park
- View cascading waterfalls
- Explore pristine lakes
- Observe abundant wildlife
- Hike through ancient forests
Landmarks Hornopiren National Park - Day 4
Hornopiren to Caleta Gonzalo
The journey takes you to Caleta Gonzalo, a small village surrounded by wild landscape. Yelcho Lake sits nearby with its bright green water backed by the Andes. You'll either take a boat out on the lake or paddle a kayak if that's your preference. The mountains rise straight up from the water, and the forests around it are thick and untouched. Spend the afternoon on the water or walking around the shoreline.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Boat ride on Yelcho Lake
- Kayak on Yelcho Lake
Landmarks Yelcho Lake - Day 5
Caleta Gonzalo to La Junta
You're moving to La Junta, a quiet village deep in Patagonia where mountains, rivers, and forest surround everything. This is the kind of place where you can walk for hours without seeing anyone. Take a leisurely hike through the area, follow one of the rivers, and just spend time in the silence. The rivers here are clear and cold, and the mountains stay visible from almost everywhere.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Take leisurely hike
- Explore the remote Patagonian wilderness
- Day 6
La Junta
This day is all about action. You'll go rafting on one of the rivers in the region, hitting rapids and pushing through whitewater. The scenery around you stays wild and dramatic the whole time. By evening, you'll head to natural hot springs where you can soak and relax after the activity. The hot water feels great when the air is cool, and you can look up at the mountains while warming up.
Included Activities
- Rafting adventure on Patagonian river
- Soak in natural hot springs
- Day 7
La Junta to Queulat
Queulat National Park is your destination, and you'll see the Ventisquero Colgante glacier hanging off the mountainside. Water from the glacier feeds into a turquoise lake below, and you can hike down to get closer to it. The trails here cross wooden bridges through ancient forests, and you'll likely see different birds and maybe other wildlife. It's a full day of walking and looking at some real geological drama.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Queulat National Park
- View Ventisquero Colgante hanging glacier
- Hike through ancient forests
- Cross wooden bridges
- Observe diverse flora and fauna
Landmarks Queulat National Park Ventisquero Colgante - Day 8
Queulat to Coyhaique
You're heading to Coyhaique, the main city in the Aysén Region. It's more built up than the small villages but still has that Patagonian feel. Walk through the town center, look at the shops and galleries, grab lunch at one of the cafes. Try traditional Patagonian food like lamb or local fish. The mountains and rivers visible around the city make it a nice base for understanding this region.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore vibrant town center of Coyhaique
- Visit charming shops, cafes, and restaurants
- Sample traditional Patagonian cuisine
- Day 9
Coyhaique to Santiago
You'll fly back to Santiago and have the day to explore the capital one more time. Check out a museum, walk through an art gallery, or just find a cafe and sit for a while. Try some Chilean wine or cheese if you haven't yet. It's your last day, so it's worth taking it slower and reflecting on everything you saw out in Patagonia before heading home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit museums in Santiago
- Visit art galleries in Santiago
- Sample Chilean cuisine
- Day 10
Santiago - Departure
Your trip ends as you depart from Santiago. The experience is behind you now - the wild landscapes, the people you met along the way, and all those quiet moments in the mountains and forests. You're leaving with memories of somewhere that feels completely different from home, and that's what makes Patagonia worth the trip.
- End point
- Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile (Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
