Chilean Wildlife and Wild Landscapes

From £5950

Trip Details

 the end of the earth!

Chile is a land of great extremes and whilst you can feel that you are in a desolated area with nothing but salt flats, desert, wild dunes and never ending blue skies it is also a dream destination for wildlife. Travel south and the scenery transforms into dramatic glacial landscapes and Torres del Paine national park. Here you can find condors, pumas and, as its such a thin country, you’re never far from the coast which is a dramatic haven for penguins and sea life.

Domestic flights not included

 

 

Trip Highlights

A country stretched across extremes

  • Experience Geysers in a desert
  • Meet and learn about indigenous cultures
  • See penguin colony nearly the end of the earth
  • Learn about and spot Pumas
  • Experience Chilean wine from the vine!

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Santiago

Private | Transfer from airport to hotel – Bilingual guide included.

Arrival at Santiago airport. Reception and transfer to your hotel.

Private | Half Day walking Santiago like a native tour.

Duration: 4 hours | Difficulty level: Low

Fall in love with Santiago’s charms discovering it as a local: walking.
We will start the tour by boarding the subway and seeing some of the most picturesque stations. For example, the “Universidad de Chile” station is adorned by a mural created by a local artist, and it was chosen as one of the most beautiful in the world.
We will a local market to appreciate Chile’s coastal bounty, reflected in its fish and shellfish, and its diversity of fruits and vegetables. We will continue walking through Santiago’s downtown to the Main Square (Plaza de Armas), a sample of the fantastic architecture that shines in every corner. Chilean flavors will not be absent, and we will make a stop to try local snacks such as empanadas and drinks made with local fruits.
Finally, if energy and time allow it, we will arrive at the Bellavista neighborhood, one of the most representative full of charming streets. From there, you can explore the city on your own (we recommend ascending Cerro San Cristobal) or return to the hotel after a day of unforgettable experiences.

Day 2

Fly to Calama

Private | Transfer Calama airport to San Pedro de Atacama – Guide included

At the scheduled time you will be transferred from the Calama airport to San Pedro de Atacama to your hotel.

Day 3

Vineyard and Moon Valley

Private | Half Day Desert Vineyards.

Duration: 4 hours | Difficulty level: Low

Let yourself be captivated by a one-of-a-kind sensory journey through the heart of the world’s driest desert. We’ll explore the magical Lickanantay Wine Route, a project that revives the ancestral tradition of growing vines over 2,500 meters above sea level—where extreme landscapes give birth to extraordinary wines.
Departing from San Pedro de Atacama, we’ll head toward the charming village of Toconao, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and rich in local culture. Along the way, we’ll admire the desert’s vibrant colors and otherworldly geological formations.
Once there, we’ll visit Ayllu Wines, where we’ll tour the facilities and uncover the secrets behind high-altitude winemaking. A local expert will guide us through the special techniques used to grow grapes in this extreme environment, giving the wines their unique character.
We’ll then enjoy a guided tasting of three Ayllu wines, appreciating their aromas, flavors, and textures under the golden Atacama sun. Each glass will offer an authentic expression of this land’s soul.

Included: Box Lunch

Private | Half Day Moon Valley and Mars Valley.

Duration: 4 hours | Difficulty level: Low

We will explore Moon Valley, surrounded by sand dunes, evaporites, sinkholes, and mountain ridges — a breathtaking landscape that will amaze us from the very first moment. The contrast between the area’s distinct brown hues and the deep blue Atacama sky will offer us a stunning visual experience.
We will step back in time as we learn that until 1994, the valley was used for salt extraction, connecting us with the heritage of the Atacameño or Lickanantai people.
As we continue, we will immerse ourselves in the story of Victoria Mine, gaining insight into the legacy of local communities. We’ll experience firsthand the effort involved in salt extraction and understand its cultural significance.
We’ll pause at iconic landmarks such as the Three Marys — natural formations that seem to reach up to the sky.
We will end our journey in Mars Valley, where we will witness a spectacular sunset. With a special toast, we will celebrate the majesty of this landscape. The changing colors of the sky will create a magical atmosphere and invite us to connect deeply with nature. This moment of celebration will be the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable day in this extraordinary setting.

Included: Cocktail & snacks

Day 4

Altiplanic Lagoons and Toconao.

Duration: 8 hours | Difficulty level: Low

We will embark on an unforgettable journey to the awe-inspiring Atacama Salt Flat, specifically the Soncor sector within Los Flamencos National Reserve. Our first stop will be Chaxa Lagoon, where we’ll enjoy a rich diversity of highland birdlife, especially the graceful flamingos that add vivid color to this unique landscape. Following a specially designed trail, we’ll explore this natural wonder and admire the scale of one of the world’s largest and most significant salt flats.
On our way to the highland lagoons, we will visit the charming village of Socaire. There, we’ll discover its ancestral agricultural traditions, reflected in terraced fields and irrigation channels. We’ll learn about their local crops such as quinoa, corn, broad beans, carrots, and potatoes — essential elements that have allowed the community to thrive in this remote Andean setting.
We will then ascend to the Andean highlands and arrive at the magnificent Miscanti and Miñiques Lagoons, located at an altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level. Surrounded by the towering volcanoes of the same name, these lagoons will immerse us in a landscape of extraordinary contrasts. As we follow the paths around them, we’ll be surrounded by deep blue skies, resilient high-altitude vegetation, and the ochre tones of the mountains — a visual spectacle that will stay with us long after.
Before returning to San Pedro, we will stop at the lovely village of Toconao. There, we’ll visit the bell tower and the Church of San Lucas, both declared national monuments in 1951. As we explore the area, we’ll connect with local history and craftsmanship, discovering handmade pieces created from pumice stone, cactus wood, and alpaca and llama wool. This artistry will give us a glimpse into the cultural soul of Toconao’s people, marking the perfect end to a day filled with nature, heritage, and vibrant tradition.

Included: Lunch

 

Day 5

Geyser del Tatio

Private | Full Day Geyser del Tatio and Machuca- Guide Included

Duration: 7 hours | Difficulty level: Low

At over 4,300 meters above sea level, the Tatio Geysers invite you to witness one of the most spectacular geothermal displays on Earth. Steam bursts from the ground in powerful columns, filling the crisp morning air with energy and awe. The surreal landscape and icy dawn air create an unforgettable atmosphere.
Afterward, we’ll visit the charming village of Machuca, a cultural oasis where ancient traditions remain alive. Walk its quiet paths, meet local residents, and enjoy regional flavors in a place where simplicity and authenticity thrive.
Throughout the journey, you’ll be surrounded by the stunning immensity of the Altiplano. The textures, colors, and raw beauty of the Atacama Desert will stay with you long after the experience ends.

Private | Transfer San Pedro de Atacama to Airport Calama – Guide included

At the scheduled time you will be transferred from San Pedro de Atacama to the Calama airport.

Flight to Santiago (not included)

 

Day 6

Flight to Puerto Montt

Private | Transfer airport P.Montt to P.Varas – Guide included.

At the scheduled time you will be transferred from the airport in Puerto Montt to Puerto Varas.

Day 7

Full Day Cosmovision tour - Mapuche & Huilliche.

Duration: 7 hours | Difficulty level: Low

Just a short drive from Puerto Varas, this experience immerses you in the living traditions of the Huilliche people. Welcomed by the Caipillan family, you’ll discover their ancestral worldview, play their traditional sport palin (a form of native hockey), and learn how they honor and live in harmony with nature.
Inside the sacred Ruka, the heart of the Mapuche home, you’ll enjoy a traditional lunch prepared with native ingredients using ancestral cooking methods. You’ll also taste sopaipillas with cochayuyo pebre and their ceremonial drink Muday as you sit by the fire and share stories and reflections from the day.
This is more than a cultural visit — it’s an invitation to experience the soul of southern Chile, guided by the voices and hands of its people.

Day 8

Flight to Puerto Natales

Private | Transfer Puerto Varas to airport Puerto Montt – Guide included.

At the scheduled time you will be transferred from Puerto Varas to the airport in Puerto Montt.  Shared | Transfer from airport to Estancia Cerro Guido – (provided by hotel)

 Overnight at Estancia Cerro Guido(1 Packag): 4 days/3 nights Shared Program | Classic Room. Full Board and Daily Tour Included.

Day 9

Torres Del Paine

Duration: 10 hours | Difficulty level: Low

 This Overland combines landscapes of Estancia Cerro Guido with the northeastern sector of Torres del Paine National Park, our proximity to this protected area allows us to visit less explored areas, as well as some of the classic viewpoints of Torres del Paine. The excursion is a mixture of vehicle and easy hikes that will allow us to see part of the Las Chinas Valley, famous for its paleontological findings, from where we will have views of the Sierra Baguales and we will approach the Torres del Paine National Park through the Laguna Azul sector, where we will have lunch. During the afternoon we will tour the northeast of the park, an area known for the presence of wildlife and its views of the three granite towers of Paine, passing through Cañadón Macho and Cascada Paine, a mandatory photographic stop, to begin our return to the hotel from the Laguna Amarga sector.

Day 10

Conservation Safari and Puma Spotting

Duration: 10 hours | Difficulty level: Low

 With this activity we invite you to participate for a day in the conservation project of the Cerro Guido Foundation.You will discover the characteristic fauna of Patagonia and also the strategies that the Cerro Guido is achieving to develop a respectful livestock farming that coexists with native species. We leave by vehicle from Hotel Estancia Cerro Guido at dawn to accompany a member of our team of field trackers in their daily routine. We start with the puma research work at the Estancia, participating in activities such as observation with binoculars and camera traps. The tour includes short walks, without much difficulty. Towards the end of the morning, we will discover the work of the livestock guardian dogs and how they help the coexistence between conservation and human activity. After lunch and a break, we will continue in the afternoon to the “Casa puma”, the operations center for the Cerro Guido Conservation Foundation. There we will watch an exciting video presentation, and then we will have a final field trip at sunset, where we will see the research work being carried out in the Sierra del Toro.

Day 11

Transfer from Estancia Cerro Guido to Punta Arenas hotel

Transfer from Estancia Cerro Guido to Punta Arenas hotel

 

Day 12

Full Day Tierra Del Fuego King Penguin Colony

Duration: 11 hours | Difficulty level: Low

 Full-day excursion that allows you to explore the northern part of Tierra del Fuego’s main island, visiting the small town of Porvenir and the King Penguin colony at Bahía Inútil.
The morning begins as we head to the Puentes terminal to board a two-hour ferry that will take us to Porvenir on Tierra del Fuego Island.
From Puentes, we will cross the Strait of Magellan, a historic channel 583 km / 362 mi long that connects the waters of the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic.

After lunch, we will continue along Bahía Inútil, crossing an island that amazes with its endless pampas and a horizon that stretches to infinity.

On the way, we will be able to observe various birds, sheep ranches, and herds of guanacos—a South American camelid related to the llama and the alpaca. After traveling about 114 km / 71 mi, we will arrive at the King Penguin Park, home to a permanent colony of this species, the largest in size after the emperor penguin.

These large penguins are the best divers, plunging to great depths to reach areas where squid shoals are common. During the summer season, it is also possible to see some chicks.

We will leave the park heading toward Primera Angostura, the narrowest point of the strait, only 5 km wide. There, we will cross back to the continent on a ferry that takes 20 minutes. After the crossing, we will take a route of about 200 km / 124 mi until we reach Punta Arenas.

Day 13

Transfer from hotel to Punta Arenas airport

At the scheduled time, the driver will pick us up from the hotel to take us to Punta Arenas airport

Expert Summary

Laurenne Mansbridge Laurenne Director of Pioneer Expeditions

I simply love Chile because it has such an incredible mix of landscapes and environments. From the otherworldly Atacama Desert to the dramatic glaciers of Patagonia, the variety is unreal. You’ve got volcanoes, mountains, and coastline all packed into one long, narrow country, making every journey feel completely different. The wildlife adds to it too, with everything from penguins in the south to unique desert-adapted species in the north.

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