The Best of Chile in 2 Weeks: Travel Itinerary 

Got two weeks to explore Chile? This 2-week Chile itinerary will take you on an adventure-packed ride from the vibrant chaos of Santiago to the Mars-like Atacama Desert, through the postcard-perfect Lakes District, and down to the icy showstopper of Patagonia.

Along the way, you’ll hike to the famous Torres del Paine, experience the driest place on Earth, and explore colorful Valparaíso—because why just visit a country when you can live it?

Chile is ridiculously long (seriously, almost 5,000 km/2,700 mi!), and with just 14 days, you’ll need a solid plan. Don’t worry, I’ve done the legwork—literally—and this Chile 14-day itinerary hits all the must-see spots while leaving room for some surprises.

A long and narrow country means one thing: ideal conditions for a road trip! Chile really grew on me, but at the same time, I can objectively say: it’s amazing and full of twists. Here’s a 2-week itinerary for the best of Chile, from my own experience. Learn more about Chile.
 

Chile is beautiful and so diverse thanks to its long, narrow shape
 

Your day-by-day trip plan for 2 weeks in Chile:

Day 1: Explore Santiago de Chile (Central Chile)
Day 2: Day trip to Valparaíso and Isla Negra (Central Chile)
Day 3: Travel to San Pedro de Atacama and explore Valle de la Luna (Atacama Desert)
Day 4: Visit El Tatio Geyser Field and Termas de Puritama (Atacama Desert)
Day 5: Travel to Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas (Lakes District)
Day 6: Explore Vicente Perez Rosales National Park and Petrohué Waterfalls (Lakes District)
Day 7: Drive to Pucón and relax by Lake Villarrica (Lakes District)
Day 8: Climb Villarrica Volcano or visit Termas Geometricas (Lakes District)
Day 9: Travel to Punta Arenas and explore the Magellan Strait (Patagonia)
Day 10: Drive to Puerto Natales and visit Cueva del Milodon (Patagonia)
Day 11: Hike Condor & Cuernos Viewpoints in Torres del Paine (Patagonia)
Day 12: Kayak around Glacier Grey (Patagonia)
Day 13: Trek to Las Torres in Torres del Paine (Patagonia)
Day 14: Return to Santiago and fly home (Central Chile)
 

Get ready for lots of volcanoes, alpacas, nature and much more

 

Sure, two weeks isn’t enough to see it all, but trust me, you’ll hit most of Chile’s highlights if you follow my itinerary. If you need to see more, well, you’ll need to add a week…

 

 

Practical tips for a 2-week Chile itinerary 

Planning to tackle Chile in just two weeks? Here’s how to make the most of your adventure:
 

• Two weeks isn’t enough: Let’s be real—Chile is massive. With almost 5,000 km (2,690 mi) of stunning landscapes to explore, this itinerary focuses on the must-see spots while skipping the rest.
   
• Book a multi-city flight ticket: With such long distances between regions, flights are the only way to maximize your time. A multi-city ticket is non-negotiable!
   
• Rent a car where you can: A car is essential for flexibility, especially in the Lakes District and Patagonia. Without one, you’d need three months to see what you can cover in two weeks (I’m only slightly kidding).
   

Get ready for panoramic drives that will make your jaw drop
 

• Pack for every climate: Chile’s looooong shape means you’ll experience everything from desert heat in the Atacama to icy winds in Patagonia. Layers, sunscreen, and waterproof gear are your best friends.
   
• Plan ahead for Glacier Grey: If kayaking near Glacier Grey is on your bucket list (it should be!), book with Big Foot Patagonia Adventure well in advance to secure your spot.
   
• Bring cash for remote areas: ATMs can be rare in the wilderness, and exchange rates on Easter Island are sky-high. Come prepared with enough pesos for your entire trip.
   
• Pick the best months to visit: November to March is ideal for warm weather and longer days, but beware of January—it’s peak horsefly season in the Lakes District. I found out about those bloodthirsty pests the hard way and it was not pleasant!
   
• Read up on all of my Chile travel tips for extra details on money, driving, and national parks (and more).

 

Day 1: Arrival in Santiago de Chile

Santiago de Chile is set in beautiful surroundings but doesn’t have much to do
 

The Chilean capital Santiago de Chile is most likely the first stop on your Chile vacation. My honest opinion about it is that it’s a good base for your day trips, but there’s nothing special to see there.

A basic DIY city sightseeing tour takes 3-4 hours tops, and if you have more time, you can also hike in Maipo Canyon (Cajón del Maipo), which is just outside the city.  

I arrived in the morning, so I had the whole day to check off almost my whole list of the top things to do in Santiago. Since there are very few of them in the city, I was done by noon!

On the other hand, it’s wise to plan a lighter itinerary for your first day in Chile. Santiago lies in the -4 GMT zone, so jet lag is not as terrible as one might imagine (coming from Europe), but still. Take a stroll through the Old Town and the Metropolitan Park, get yourself something tasty (and add a glass to your collection!) at the Hard Rock Café and call it a day.   

On the first day, let's wander around Santiago de Chile
 

• Distance: 9 km (5.6 mi) 
• Locations: Plaza de Armas, Bellavista district, Cerro San Cristóbal 
• Accommodation: Hotel Magnolia 

 

Day 2: Valparaíso and Isla Negra 

The street art of Valparaíso
 

Good morning, Chile! Get up early and drive to Valparaíso. In case you traveled to Chile from Europe, that won’t be a problem. Thanks to a bit of jet lag, you’ll be up early either way.

Valparaíso is connected to Santiago by a highway, so I was there within 1.5 hours. There are no monuments or museums, but the city itself is a must-see place! It’s one of the oldest towns on both American continents and nowadays it’s home to street art from all over the world. It reminds me of San Francisco with all the hills, only with a stronger Latino feel, more colorful and bohemian. 

A tour of the Valparaiso highlights will take you about 4 hours. It depends on how much time you take to admire the murals and coastal views. 

Isla Negra
 

Next, get back to your car and drive south on Route-68 until you’ll see the exit to F-90 which will take you to Isla Negra—the most interesting house in a gorgeous setting.

The house is famous for being the residence of Nobel-prize writer Pablo Neruda. I’m not a huge fan of his, but the place is simply too amazing to miss out on. The romantic setting on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and the sophisticated layout will take your breath away! 

This is a full-day trip: go to Valparaíso in the morning, have lunch there, and save Isla Negra for the afternoon. You’ll get back to Santiago right on time for dinner and perhaps a drink to top off the day.

Read more: Detailed info about Valparaíso and Isla Negra, including the maps and opening hours, are in my article things to do in and around Santiago de Chile.
 

• Distance: 307 km (191 mi) 
• Locations: Santiago, Valparaíso, Isla Negra 
• Accommodation: stay in Santiago

 

Day 3: San Pedro de Atacama 

This is not another planet, this is Valle de la Luna!
 

The Atacama Desert wasn’t a place I originally had planned to visit, but somehow, I found myself there anyway. And voila, it turns out being surrounded by sand and salt flats can actually take your breath away—either from the jaw-dropping views or the sheer lack of humidity.  

The heart of the Chilean desert offers beautiful landscapes with 6,000 m volcanos all around, skies of thousand colors, and vast dunes and rock formations.   

The flight from Santiago to Calama takes around 2 hours, then you need to get to San Pedro by shuttle bus, or in a rented car (which is the better option, as you will need it for the other trips in the area too). The drive to San Pedro takes slightly more than an hour, so if you leave Santiago in the morning, you’ll manage to get to San Pedro by noon.  

You need a car with a gasoline-powered engine for this altitude! Diesels will struggle
 

Pro tip: San Pedro de Atacama is the only place in Chile where you need a gasoline-powered car because of the high altitude (diesel engines struggle in these conditions!). Plus, it’s a desert with dusty roads everywhere, so I recommend renting an off-road model.   

There are many cool places around San Pedro you could squeeze in your itinerary, but if you plan on spending only 2 weeks in Chile, you’ll need to be content with the demo version: Valle de la Luna, Valle de la Muerte, and the Devil’s Throat viewpoint. They’re all close to each other, so you can explore the Valle la Muerte and the surrounding in the afternoon and save the Moon Valley for the evening. It’s most famous for its splendid sunset landscape anyway. 
 

• Distance: 117 km (72.7 mi) from Calama to San Pedro (including the surroundings) + 1 500 km (953 mi) flight from Santiago to Calama
• Locations: Santiago, Calama, San Pedro de Atacama, Valle de la Luna, Valle de la Muerte, Devil’s throat
• Accommodation: Hotel Pascual Andino
   

Day 4: El Tatio Geyser Field 

El Tatio Geysers

Get up very early in the morning to make the best out of the El Tatio Geysers—the top thing to see in San Pedro. 

The geyser field is the highest in the world at 4,320 m (14,173 ft) above sea level. That means two things: wear layers, it’s really cold up there, and be aware of the mountain sickness. Coca leaf tea can help sooth your symptoms. 

In my opinion, the best thing about El Tatio is the route up there. You need to set off super early to experience the hot steam (it’s not visible in the afternoon) which also means you’ll get to see the desert waking up. And that’s a magic I can’t describe.  

One of the best photo spots is Vado Rió Putana approximately halfway to El Tatio. The wetlands are full of life in the morning and the volcano serves as a perfect backdrop. Even the photos wouldn’t do it justice, so no sleeping in! 

Relaxing at the marvelously natural Termas de Puritama
 

Pro tip: Book your visit of Termas de Puritama 2 days ahead and soak in the natural hot springs on your way back to San Pedro.
 

 

 

• Distance: 158 km (98 mi) out and back 
• Locations: El Tatio Geysers (Vado Río Putana, Termas de Puritama) 
• Accommodation: same as day 3

 

Day 5: Calama – Puerto Montt – Puerto Varas 

Puerto Varas

 

Next up, the Chilean Lake District!

Time to hop on a plane and skip over to southern Chile. Too bad the transport takes almost the whole day, but it’s worth it, believe me.

A flight from Calama to Puerto Montt takes 4–5 hours. There, I suggest you rent a car and drive 30 minutes to Puerto Varas, the ultimate base for exploring the Lake District. All in all, prepare yourself for some 5–6 hours of traveling. Exhausting, I know. We really should invest more in teleportation research.  

I stayed for 3 nights in Puerto Varas and honestly, I think that’s not nearly enough to enjoy all the region has to offer. However, if you can spend only 2 weeks in Chile, you have to cut back somewhere.

The best thing upon arrival, I think, is to get settled in your hotel and head out to one of the many great restaurants for Pil Pil—a delicious Chilean meal. Take some time to relax and refill the batteries. 

Pil Pil

What is Pil Pil?

Pil Pil is a seafood dish, usually made with shrimp or prawns cooked in olive oil, garlic, chili peppers, and sometimes white wine. It’s a bold, garlicky, and slightly spicy dish that’s simple yet packed with flavor. The name "Pil Pil" refers to the sizzling sound the ingredients make as they’re cooked together. You’ll find it mainly in Chile’s coastal regions.
 

• Distance: thousands of miles and then around 20 km (12.5 mi) from airport to Puerto Varas  
• Locations: Calama, Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas 
• Accommodation: Hotel Cumbres
   

Day 6: Vicente Perez Rosales and Petrohué Waterfalls 

Petrouhé Waterfalls

Petrohué Waterfalls stand on the way to Vicente Perez Rosales National Park about an hour’s drive from Puerto Varas. I planned this as a full-day trip, so I could explore the park properly. The crystal-clear waterfalls running down the pitch-black volcanic rock are absolutely amazing!

The waterfalls are at the very beginning of the park. Then, continue further and try one of the hikes around the lake, with a view of Osorno Volcano.

Pro tip: Don’t plan your visit for January, or you’ll get eaten alive by the blood-sucking Chilean horse flies. I know because I found out the hard way (all while wearing a white shirt—the flies love bright colors!).

For detailed information about the hikes, maps, and other useful tips, check the Lakes District Top 10 article. 
 

• Distance: 55 km (34 mi) to the park + hikes
• Locations: Vicente Perez Rosales NP, Petrohué Waterfalls
• Accommodation: same as day 5

 

Day 7: Drive from Puerto Varas to Pucón  

Pucón is the gateway to Chilean Lake District
 

Now it’s time to move a little further north to climb some volcanoes! (Or not… I’ll give you an alternative if you’re not up for it.) 

The drive to Pucón takes around 3.5 hours. A car with cruise control is essential. Otherwise, the trip is even more exhausting.  

Pucón is a super cute city on the shores of Lake Villarrica with cozy cafés, good restaurants, and nice beaches. The plan for the rest of the day is clear: fill your belly with good food, book a tour to Villarrica volcano tomorrow, take a stroll on the beach, and call it a night. You will need all the strength you can muster up for tomorrow. 

• Distance: 321 km (200 mi)
• Locations: Puerto Varas, motorway, Pucón
• Accommodation: Hotel Antumalal

 

Day 8: Villarrica climb and soaking in hot springs

Me, trying to catch my breath on Villarrica
 

Climbing Villarrica is one of the most badass things I’ve done in my life. Although I thought I would stumble, slip, and fall over myself there at least three times during the ascent, I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

This hike was filled with adrenalin, it was beautiful, rewarding, and, in the end, also fun. I wrote all the details about this thrilling trek in my article about my experience climbing Villarrica.  

Now, I understand this is not for everyone. It’s very challenging, so if you don’t feel up for it, just don’t go. There are plenty of other options to fill your day with. Kayaking on Lake Villarrica for starters, trying out the hot spring baths of Termas Geometricas (excellent, especially after the hike) or hike in the oldest Chilean National Park Huerquehue. 
 

 

 

• Distance: 20 km (12.5 mi) in a bus + around 1 500 m (4 921 ft) ascent
• Locations: Pucón, Villarrica Volcano or alternatively Huerquehue National Park, hot springs
• Accommodation: same as day 7

 

Day 9: Back to Puerto Montt and off to Punta Arenas (Magellan Strait) 

The city of Punta Arenas

First, you need to get back to Puerto Montt to return your rental car and hop on a plane. That will take you around 4 hours. That’s 2 hours for the flight and extra time for airport logistics. You can be in Punta Arenas early in the afternoon.  

What is there to do in Punta Arenas? 
 

• Lord Lonsdale: A century-old shipwreck on the Punta Arenas shoreline.
• Museo Nao Victoria: A museum with replicas of historic ships, including Magellan’s Victoria.
• Costanera: A scenic waterfront promenade along the Magellan Strait.
• Isla Magdalena: Home to thousands of penguins strutting around like they own the place.

 

Punta Arenas is as south as you’ll get on your Chile 2-week itinerary. Located on the Magellan Strait, it’s Chile’s southernmost city. Take the afternoon to explore the town. I promise you’ll feel like you are in an Antarctica drawing-room. With gusts as strong as 100 km (62 mi) per hour it’s a tough weather out there. There’s nothing much to explore, it’s more about the atmosphere, so 4 or 5 hours are more than enough. 
 

• Distance: few thousand kilometers by plane 
• Locations: Punta Arenas, Magellan Strait 
• Accommodation: Patagonia Apart Hotel – Suite

 

Day 10: Transport to Puerto Natales and Cuevas del Milodon 

Puerto Natales will be your base for the next 4 nights
 

The next stop on your way is Puerto Natales, a harbor town 250 km northwest of Punta Arenas and technically the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park. 

Hit highway no. 9 and you’ll get to Puerto Natales in less than 3 hours. The park’s official website includes a handy road map you can download to get your bearings on the area.  

Outside the city, around 20 minutes by car, lies Cueva del Milodon. The large cave used to be a refuge for many giant prehistoric animals. There’s a museum, several caves, and a rock formation called Silla del Diablo you can explore. Plan around 3 hours for the visit including the route there and back again.

Cueva del Milodon
 

Then, head back to the city for a good meal and a restful sleep before the upcoming trip to Torres del Paine. Honestly, there’s nothing to do in the town itself except filling your memory card with epic ocean landscape photos or trying Chilean cuisine. So, if you somehow manage to spare some time to kill, the waterfront is your place to go.
 

• Distance: 310 km (193 mi) 
• Locations: Puerto Natales, Cueva del Milodon, Silla del Diablo 
• Accommodation: Hotel Vendaval

 

Day 11: Condor & Cuernos Viewpoints (Torres del Paine)

The Codor viewpoint—like straight from a movie set
 

Finally, the crown jewel of Chilean Patagonia: Torres del Paine National Park.

It’s 80 km (50 mi) from Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine. I prefer to stay in the town and travel back and forth to different destinations in the park. There are many accommodation options in Torres del Paine, I just think the service quality doesn’t match the high prices.  

 

 

Counting an hour and a half to Torres del Paine and the same amount of time back, let’s say, you have about 8 hours for hiking. Hiking is the best (but not only!) thing to do in Torres del Paine.  

Drive to the Pehoé lake and try out the Condor Lookout Hike, it’s an easy short hike, suitable for anyone. The route then continues along the lakeshore further north.

You can pop in one of the hosterias on the way for lunch and continue to Cuernos Lookout, a truly spectacular hike that offers breathtaking views of Salto Grande waterfall for almost zero effort.
 

Salto Grande Waterfall
 

• Distance: 17.5 km (11 mi) of hiking + 212 km (132 mi) of driving 
• Locations: Lake Pehoé, Condor Lookout, Salto Grande Waterfall, Cuernos del Paine lookout, Lake Nordenskjöld 
• Accommodation: same as day 10

 

Day: 12: Glacier Grey Kayaking 

Kayaking to Glacier Grey is one of the top experiences in Patagonia
 

This is absolutely the best thing to do in Torres del Paine! You need to book your tour in advance, as you have to plan out the time of the tour together with the ferry crossing.

Further reading: Find practical info about this exciting experience in my Torres del Paine hiking and activities guide. 

Don’t forget to pack warm clothes and some snacks with you, as it’s a full-day trip. The expedition lasts about 2.5 hours, plus the ferry ride (1.5 hours one way) and traveling between Torres del Paine and Puerto Natales. However, it’s an absolute must.

You could even say that you haven’t seen Torres del Paine if you haven’t seen Glacier Grey. It’s that monumental.
 

• Locations: Lake Grey, Glacier Grey 
• Accommodation: same as day 10

 

Day 13: Mirador Las Torres trek 

It's been an exhilarating two weeks, but the smile on my face says it all

Your last day in Torres del Paine means one more mandatory stop; after all, the three “Towers of Paine” peaks are the most iconic landmarks of Torres del Paine and the whole national park carries their name.  

It starts opposite Hotel Las Torres, which is less than 2 hours' drive from Puerto Natales. The hike to Las Torres is quite challenging, so plan from 7 to 8 hours to enjoy the views and cover the long distance. As you can see from my face above, it’s tough but wonderful. The photo can’t do the place justice, it is really special.
 

• Distance: 17.5 km (10.8 mi) of hiking + 244 km (156 mi) of driving 
• Locations: Lago Torres, Torres del Paine 
• Accommodation: same as day 10

 

Day 14: Travel back to Santiago and prepare to go home

No, I was not that happy about leaving... I was just that happy about the business class service (read my Air France Business Class review for the good, the bad, and... the value for money!)
 

And here we are, the sudden end of our glorious 2-week Chile adventure. As I said earlier, the more time you have for Chile, the better. This itinerary is like a crash course to what is an absolute must in Chile, but there’s much more you can see and do if you have longer than 14 days.  

Anyhow, there are some flights to Santiago directly from Puerto Natales, or you can fly from Punta Arenas. I recommend Latam Airlines (as always) because Sky is a nuisance to travel with.  

Further reading:

• 3 Weeks in Chile: The Ultimate Travel Itinerary
• All You Need to Know About Traveling to Chile: 15 Tips and Tricks
• All You Need to Know About Climbing Villarrica in 4 Steps
• 8 Highlights from my Visit to Patagonia
• 20 Best Day Hikes in Chile of Various Difficulties

 

 

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