This thin country packs a punch – a heady scenic cocktail of lakes, peaks, deserts and glaciers
Chile Tours
Activities in Chile
top destinations in chile
Chile Tours
5 highlights during a Chile tour
Atacama Desert: This surreal, lunar landscape is home to El Valle de la Luna, where stone and sand formations have been carved by Mother Nature herself using wind and water. When you add red, blue, pink and white hues into the mix, it truly feels like an otherworldly place to be. Volcano-topped horizons, lagoons and white salt flats make this part of the world even more extraordinary.
Santiago: A Chile tour wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the capital. Santiago is an expansive city surrounded by the snow-capped Andes. At its core, the Plaza de Armas is an ode to its colonial past with neoclassical buildings like the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Palacio de la Real Audiencia. Meanwhile, San Cristóbal hill towers 300 metres above the city. Up here, you can gaze up at the Virgin Mary statue and look out over the Maipo Valley, where prestigious Chilean wines are produced.
Torres del Paine National Park: Straddling the border with Argentina, the Torres del Paine National Park is a must for your Chile trip. Expect majestic, glistening lagoons, golden pampas and rugged mountainous landscapes as you go. But nothing will wow you quite like the Perito Moreno Glacier in all its turquoise glory, as well as the imposing Fitz Roy Massif. Keep an eye out for grazing guanacos and look up to spot Andean condors soaring overhead.
Valaparaíso: You’ll uncover funiculars and colourful clifftop homes aplenty in the oldest port in Chile. Oozing a bohemian atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the country, it’s a popular place with immaculate views of the Pacific. The architecture in Valparaíso has a European feel to it, dating back to its colonial past. Today, the Historic Quarter boasts a UNESCO-listed status that acknowledges its importance to local maritime history. Easter Island: A place shrouded in mystery, Easter Island is one of the most isolated and notoriously tricky parts of the world to reach. You can see extinct volcanoes like the Rano Kau and meet almost 900 moai statues created between the 13th and 16th centuries. It’s a whopping 4,000km off the coast of Chile in the Pacific Ocean, which is why many choose to extend their Chile tour to visit it.
FAQs on Chile Tours
How many days do you need for an adventure holiday in Chile?
Home to incredible mountains, deserts and glaciers, Chile is one of the most diverse countries in the world – and it’s ideal for your next adventure holiday. If you plan to see most of the highlights on your Chile trip, anything from 13 to 15 days should be ideal. If you’re concerned that you won’t be able to fill two weeks in Chile, you needn’t worry. Exploring the fjords, glaciers and mountains in the south alone can take 15 days.
And while we would recommend at least 13 days for your Chile trip, you can still squeeze plenty into a week, but you’d be best focusing on one area. Perhaps you want to trek through Patagonia, discover the rock formations in the Atacama Desert, or explore the mountains, glaciers and icebergs of Torres del Paine National Park. If, however, you’d rather enjoy an introductory trip to the Antarctic Peninsula then we recommend just 8 days.
Is Chile a good place to visit?
It’s a resounding yes – Chile is a terrific place to visit. Our Chile tours ensure you see all the main sights and introduce you to the history, culture and wildlife of each destination. From the tranquil lakes, imposing peaks and giant glaciers of Patagonia to the desolate Atacama Desert, a land of undeniable beauty awaits you on your trip to Chile.
If you’re keen to embark on a polar adventure, choose one of our Chile tours that incorporates a trip to Antarctica.
When is the best time to visit Chile?
The seasons in Chile are opposite to those of the UK, with the warmer months being between October and March. Temperatures can reach around 22°C and daylight hours are longer, making it ideal for Chile tours.
What fitness levels are required for our Chile tours?
This depends on the Chile tour you decide on. While most are rated as ‘leisurely’ or ‘moderate’, some of our more extensive treks through Patagonia are marked as ‘challenging’. This means that fitness is imperative as the environment may be remote and challenging.
We encourage you to review our activity level guidelines before booking.
What should you wear during a trip to Chile?
This will largely depend on the type of Chile tour you choose. But a warm jacket, as well as a waterproof, is recommended to keep you comfortable. Layers are also handy in case you get warm while walking and sturdy shoes are a must.
Meanwhile, our more extensive treks and polar expeditions will require additional equipment that will be listed on your trip notes. This will include waterproof trousers, good-quality walking boots, gloves and more.
Be sure to check your itinerary and trip notes for more information.
What do I need to travel to Chile?
You do not need a visa to visit Chile if you are a UK citizen. You can find all the latest travel advice from the government online, which we recommend checking before your trip to Chile.
As with any trip, particularly where there are risks involved, it is highly recommended that you have comprehensive travel insurance. You should also speak with your GP to see whether they recommend you have any vaccinations.
Do you offer cycling Chile tours?
Yes, we offer a handful of cycling tours that cover Chile and other countries in South America, including our cycling trip through the Lake District of Chile and Argentina.
Why choose a Chile tour from Exodus?
The best guides in the business. Awarded GOLD by Wanderlust
Nat Geo Traveller Best Operator & British Travel Awards Best Operator for 2022
100 square meters of land Rewilded for every guest that travels
The Exodus Travels Foundation supports hard-to-reach local communities
Expert Blog Entries
The Adventure Begins Here
Get regular inspiration straight to your inbox from Exodus' experts.