Luxury Chile: Patagonia, Chiloe and Maipo valley vineyards
13 days from £11,350
Explore the tour day by day, from the highlights to the quieter moments in between. Here’s how each day unfolds and what to expect along the way.
Santiago is set in a broad valley between parallel ranges of the Andes, with lofty snow-draped peaks, and a smaller coastal range with a Mediterranean feel. Santiago is a huge metropolis, a mix of the old and the contemporary, with neighbourhoods featuring tree-lined avenues and affluent tranquillity and others full of historic references and commercial bustle.
Transfer from the airport to your first class hotel. It’s in the calm, upmarket residential and commercial district known as Las Condes. Once you’ve settled in nicely you’ll be collected for your guided walking tour of selected districts of the city. In the shadow of glassy sky-scrapers you’ll discover fine historic buildings dating back to Spanish colonial times, sitting alongside eye-catching arty, contemporary structures. You’ll be seeking out some of the more interesting landmarks and arty neighbourhoods at a leisurely pace, allowing you to soak up the atmosphere of the capital.
The Ritz Carlton is an unashamedly luxurious property in one of the capital’s classiest residential and entertainment neighbourhoods, Las Condes, with views of the snow-smothered Andes. From the door of the hotel you can easily stroll to exclusive shopping boutiques and restaurants, and there’s a bubbling nightlife within reach.
The property itself has a sumptuous and aristocratic ambiance. The opulent areas are adorned with leather armchairs, dark oak furniture and antiques, and English tea is served daily in the lounge. The imposing building is crowned with a glass dome housing a gorgeous indoor pool and Jacuzzi. The classic décor and furnishings of the guest rooms feature a combination of earth tones and gold, accentuating the regal feel. Other top of the range facilities include a spa, gym, ballroom and if you fancy eating or drinking on the premises you can visit the pisco bar, café, and contemporary restaurant which offers fine farm-to-table dining.
The remote and agreeable little city Castro has never lost its frontier feel, with its ramshackle, brightly painted wooden buildings spilling down from the hillside to the harbour. Continue by road to your lodge. Chiloé’s patchwork fields, tiny coves and forested hills are somewhat reminiscent of Cornwall or Devon, as are the little fishing communities, colourful boats and thick woollen pullovers. But here there survives an evocative indigenous culture, with an imaginative mythology involving witches and troll-like creatures. A magical air pervades, rain or shine.
Among Chiloé’s many photogenic attributes are the rustic wooden houses built above the water on stilts (palafitos), unique wood-tiled architecture and over 150 wooden painted churches dating back to the hegemony of the Jesuits. The island’s coastline hosts dolphins, seals and the odd penguin, and there’s a rich tradition of seafood cuisine. There’s a bird-filled wetland right in front of your lodge, where a panorama of wonderful views unfolds.
Refugia Chiloé sits on a hill with views across a bird-filled estuary and the rolling hills of Chiloé Island, 18km from the capital, Castro.
In stark contrast to the folksy, bucolic style of the traditional wooden edifices on Chiloé Island, this property is contemporary in style but not at the expense of local flavour. Its ultra-modern geometrical exterior is clad in classic Chilote wood shingle, giving it an unmistakable sense of place. Even inside you never feel far away from the hotel’s fabulous setting: each of its minimalist guest rooms has a picture window and sweeping fjord or wetland views. Meanwhile, the lounge – with its floor to ceiling windows – is flooded with light and warmed by an open fire. Magical.
There’s an original and insightful choice of excursions on land and by boat, led by the hotel’s own guides and included as part of your stay. After a day spent exploring you can unwind in the spa with Jacuzzi, steam room and massage service before settling into a delicious evening meal, accompanied by superb Chilean wines. There’s also an outdoor heated pool with views of the Pacific.
Based at the lodge, you can choose from a number of half and full-day guided excursions including walking, cycling, horse riding and visits to villages and hamlets which have retained vestiges of the island’s unique culture. You will discover the graceful, Unesco-listed wood shingle churches, so different from the colonial Spanish baroque dominant elsewhere on the continent. Stroll along undulating coastal trails or through native forests, browse produce and crafts markets and savour seafood-based Chilote cuisine.
You should have the opportunity to sail on the lodge’s exclusive boat, the Williche. A traditional Chilote wooden vessel built in Castro, she offers the best way to explore the creeks and bays of the outer islands of this labyrinthine archipelago. If you wish to be more adventurous, you can try your hand at sea kayaking – with luck you will spot seals and dolphins. Returning each day to the lodge is a highlight in itself, thanks to its wonderful views, spa and delicious food and wine.
Refugia Chiloé sits on a hill with views across a bird-filled estuary and the rolling hills of Chiloé Island, 18km from the capital, Castro.
In stark contrast to the folksy, bucolic style of the traditional wooden edifices on Chiloé Island, this property is contemporary in style but not at the expense of local flavour. Its ultra-modern geometrical exterior is clad in classic Chilote wood shingle, giving it an unmistakable sense of place. Even inside you never feel far away from the hotel’s fabulous setting: each of its minimalist guest rooms has a picture window and sweeping fjord or wetland views. Meanwhile, the lounge – with its floor to ceiling windows – is flooded with light and warmed by an open fire. Magical.
There’s an original and insightful choice of excursions on land and by boat, led by the hotel’s own guides and included as part of your stay. After a day spent exploring you can unwind in the spa with Jacuzzi, steam room and massage service before settling into a delicious evening meal, accompanied by superb Chilean wines. There’s also an outdoor heated pool with views of the Pacific.
Drive north to take a half-hour ferry trip across to the mainland of Chile – a short but possibly entertaining trip as your boat may be accompanied by a pod of playful dolphins while seabirds wheel above. Drive on through open countryside to your contemporary-chic lodge on the shores of the lake Llanquihue, where sparkling blue-green waters reflect the snow-stifled bulk of Osorno volcano. It’s just a 30 minute drive from leisure port Puerto Varas, which still harbours some of the German culture imported by Bavarian settlers in the 19th and early 20th century, including its iconic red and white church.
Perched on the shores of Lake Llanquihue a short drive from Puerto Varas in Chile’s lake district, Hotel AWA is all about the views. Its ultra-contemporary design is offset by clever use of traditional local materials and attention to detail throughout its interior.
Its large, luxurious guestrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows to fully appreciate wonderful views of the waters of Lake Llanquihue and the snow-capped dome of Osorno volcano.
The spa comes equipped with a 25m lap pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub. There’s an inviting lounge, bar and restaurant. While you’ll probably prefer to dine in, Puerto Varas has a selection of restaurants if you plan to venture out for dinner.
You may well be tempted to spend the day enjoying the spa, the grounds and the spectacular views available at this innovative lakeside property – we agree, it will be hard for you to tear yourself away. However, if you love the outdoors, there’s an impressive list of optional excursions and activities in the surrounding countryside which we can arrange for you in advance.
These feature guided walks along hiking trails in the adjoining national parks, where a sprinkling of hidden lagoons studs untouched conifer forests. Water-borne activities include gentle kayaking on the picturesque and serene Ronclavi estuary or a more dynamic experience white water rafting on foaming rivers. Those with an interest in local culture would enjoy a day trip to towns and villages around the lake to learn more about the German colonisation along the shores of Lake Llanquihue over 150 years ago. Their heritage is still very much in evidence, including delicious details such as the popular kuchen on display in the tea rooms peppering the region.
Perched on the shores of Lake Llanquihue a short drive from Puerto Varas in Chile’s lake district, Hotel AWA is all about the views. Its ultra-contemporary design is offset by clever use of traditional local materials and attention to detail throughout its interior.
Its large, luxurious guestrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows to fully appreciate wonderful views of the waters of Lake Llanquihue and the snow-capped dome of Osorno volcano.
The spa comes equipped with a 25m lap pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub. There’s an inviting lounge, bar and restaurant. While you’ll probably prefer to dine in, Puerto Varas has a selection of restaurants if you plan to venture out for dinner.
Fly to Punta Arenas (or Puerto Natales) in southern Patagonia and continue by road to your lodge right on the edge of Torres del Paine National Park. With any luck, you will have glimpsed seen the remote ice-throttled peaks and glaciers from the air, but that won’t detract from the impact of witnessing this grandiose scenery up close.
Milky blue and gem-sharp emerald lakes, sinuous rivers, glaciers and wind-scoured steppes have forged a unique environment. Torres del Paine is the natural habitat of over 150 species of birds (flamingos, condors, eagles and ostriches) and 25 species of mammal (including guanacos, armadillos, silver foxes and pumas). Come prepared for elemental drama: the dictates of the weather prevail but this national park is well worth the journey south, whether slashed by rain or bathed in sunshine.
The road from Punta Arenas carves a lonely path across flat, ferociously wind-buffeted grasslands where you might spot a little hardy wildlife, but gradually the monotony of the landscape is overcome as the huge granite massif of Torres del Paine, with its icy spires, looms up on the horizon. You enter an area of blue green lagoons, waterfalls and tufty hillocks, where guanacos graze and water-birds shelter.
Like its sister hotel in the Atacama Desert, Tierra Patagonia is a contemporary design hotel inspired by the simplicity, physical elements and cultural history of its wilderness environment. It enjoys a particularly magical location, on a bluff overlooking Lake Sarmiento and the entirety of the Torres del Paine massif with its jagged ice-tipped peaks and glaciers snaking down shadowed ravines.
The décor owes something to Scandinavian inspiration: clean, simple lines and honey-coloured wood dominate, but there are plenty of features and details which are purely Patagonian, including hand-crafted furnishings using natural materials from the region and the highest quality workmanship.
A roaring open fire offers a warm welcome when you return from any of the myriad excursions and hikes in the park, which include visits to lesser-visited regions and are offered at no extra cost. Also included in your stay are hearty fresh meals, all drinks, and there’s an indoor heated pool and outdoor hot tub to soothe tired limbs.
Tierra Patagonia was one of the first lodges in South America to produce solar-powered electricity, and staff accommodation runs on renewable energy. Rainwater is collected, treated and used, while grey water is recycled for irrigation.
There is a full range of excursions within and around Torres del Paine National Park. You can explore on foot, horseback, bike, or boat – the portfolio of activities delves into every corner of the park. From a choice of hiking tours, wilderness bike rides, horseback adventures and kayaking expeditions, the team will create a plan tailor-made just for you. The expert guides will assess your physical activity level and your personal interests, so that you can explore Torres del Paine just the way you prefer.
Like its sister hotel in the Atacama Desert, Tierra Patagonia is a contemporary design hotel inspired by the simplicity, physical elements and cultural history of its wilderness environment. It enjoys a particularly magical location, on a bluff overlooking Lake Sarmiento and the entirety of the Torres del Paine massif with its jagged ice-tipped peaks and glaciers snaking down shadowed ravines.
The décor owes something to Scandinavian inspiration: clean, simple lines and honey-coloured wood dominate, but there are plenty of features and details which are purely Patagonian, including hand-crafted furnishings using natural materials from the region and the highest quality workmanship.
A roaring open fire offers a warm welcome when you return from any of the myriad excursions and hikes in the park, which include visits to lesser-visited regions and are offered at no extra cost. Also included in your stay are hearty fresh meals, all drinks, and there’s an indoor heated pool and outdoor hot tub to soothe tired limbs.
Tierra Patagonia was one of the first lodges in South America to produce solar-powered electricity, and staff accommodation runs on renewable energy. Rainwater is collected, treated and used, while grey water is recycled for irrigation.
Return to Santiago by air and continue by road to the Maipo valley in the foothills of the Andes, one of the world’s outstanding wine-growing regions.
This first-class hotel within an hour’s drive of Santiago airport is a fine place to unwind before or after your flight. Santa Rita Vineyard in the Maipo Valley is a classically romantic, Pompei-style estate with a beautiful restored neo-gothic chapel, Roman baths, cherubs, gargoyles and a museum of Andean artefacts.
The accommodation is in large, sumptuous guestrooms decorated in classic style with rich fabrics and polished wooden furniture. Each has a huge multi-paned picture window overlooking an internal courtyard featuring an ornamental pool and fountain.
Meals can be taken in the smart restaurant, where you can sample unique wine pairings, or ask for a gourmet picnic to enjoy in the grounds. The garden parkland, designed by a renowned French landscape architect, is dotted with ancient trees and ponds. You’ll also have the chance to visit the renowned Santa Rita winery and taste its premium wines.
Spending a full day here gives you the opportunity to enjoy the house’s elegant facilities, the museum displaying a private collection of Andean artefacts, and the flower-decked ornamental gardens, ancient trees and ponds dotted with black-necked swans. The property is certainly opulent, with a somewhat formal, aristocratic ambience. The décor, furnishings and sculptures are inspired by the colours and motifs discovered at Pompeii in the 1890s.
Your stay will include a tour of the Santa Rita winery and the chance to taste its splendid premium wines and fine cuisine.
This first-class hotel within an hour’s drive of Santiago airport is a fine place to unwind before or after your flight. Santa Rita Vineyard in the Maipo Valley is a classically romantic, Pompei-style estate with a beautiful restored neo-gothic chapel, Roman baths, cherubs, gargoyles and a museum of Andean artefacts.
The accommodation is in large, sumptuous guestrooms decorated in classic style with rich fabrics and polished wooden furniture. Each has a huge multi-paned picture window overlooking an internal courtyard featuring an ornamental pool and fountain.
Meals can be taken in the smart restaurant, where you can sample unique wine pairings, or ask for a gourmet picnic to enjoy in the grounds. The garden parkland, designed by a renowned French landscape architect, is dotted with ancient trees and ponds. You’ll also have the chance to visit the renowned Santa Rita winery and taste its premium wines.
The places you’ll stay and explore on this tour. Here’s a closer look at each one and what makes it worth the trip.
Chile - Chilean Lake District (south)
Snow-capped volcanoes, blue lakes, ancient forests and lakeside towns with a distinct Bavarian streak: the southern Chilean Lake District is one of the country’s most beautiful regions, and one of the most rewarding to explore. Chilean Lake District holidays combine spectacular scenery with outdoor adventure, and local culture.
Chile - Torres del Paine National Park
Spiralling granite towers, serrated massifs and turquoise lakes define one of the most spectacular national parks, where grasslands give way to glacial valleys, rivers and glassy lagoons. Torres del Paine is Chile’s flagship natural destination, and Torres del Paine holidays remain one of South America’s finest options for hiking, wildlife watching and immersive wilderness experiences.
Chile - Santiago and the vineyards
Snow-capped Andean peaks overlook cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, historic plazas and sun-drenched vineyards in Santiago Chile – the country’s sophisticated capital and its surrounding wine country. Combining urban culture with world-class wineries, Santiago and vineyards nearby give you the perfect introduction to Chile.
Chile’s Patagonia extends from the achingly beautiful lake district – with its ice-cream cone volcanoes, meadows, waterfalls and virgin forests – down to the glaciers and steppes of a more brutal, primeval landscape in the far south. The area of the lakes, traditionally a magnet for visitors from Chile and overseas alike, has become more accessible, and hotels, lodges and resorts of all standards have been established there. Chiloe, the misty and mysterious island off the Pacific coast, steeped in myth and legend, has long conserved a traditional way of life and now here too you can explore from a delightful top-of-the-range property, Tierra Chiloe.
Further south, on the fringes of Torres del Paine National Park, the lodge’s sister property, Tierra Patagonia, offers an equally exclusive opportunity to explore the mountains and glaciers of wild and untamed region in comfort and style.
Round off your adventure with a couple of days luxuriating at one of Chile’s most prestigious vineyards, set in a fertile valley not far from the capital, Santiago.
Paul Winrow-Giffin
All of our experts have lived or travelled extensively in Latin America, so you will receive unrivalled advice based on unique personal experiences.
The practical detail for this tour, all in one place. Transport, accommodation, what’s included and what to pack, so you know exactly what to expect before you go.
- Transport
3 flights (longest 4hrs); 6 road transfers 30mins – 4hrs.
- Accommodation
We’ve selected some of the finest hotels for this holiday. You’ll stay at a stylish hotel with good facilities in Santiago’s elegant Las Condes district, and two lodges belonging to the prestigious Tierra portfolio in Chiloe and southern Patagonia. In the lake district you will stay at a beautiful lodge with personalised service from the proprietors. Each property captures the flavour of your surroundings perfectly. Whatever the style – traditional classic or lodge – they have top of the range service, facilities and bespoke guided excursions.
- Meals
Full board with drinks included at Tierra Chiloe (3n), Tierra Patagonia (4n), Casa Real (2n). Half board included at Awa (2n); breakfast in Santiago.
- Guides
We carefully select our local partners, some of whom we have worked with for over 30 years. Their English-speaking guides understand the expectations of our clients very well, and are consistently singled out for praise by the latter on their return. The guides at your luxury properties are well qualified and English-speaking.
- Summary Of Nights
13 days, 12 nights: Santiago 1, Chiloe 3, Puerto Varas area 2, Torres del Paine area 4, Maipo valley 2.
- Daily Spend
It is very difficult to give a guideline for essential expenses but a budget of around US$50 per person per day should cover the cost of meals not included in the holiday itinerary, drinks and the odd souvenir. Eat at the best restaurants and you will pay considerably more.
- Currency
The unit of currency in Chile is the peso.
- How To Take It
Cash machines are available in all major cities and towns, and so taking a debit or credit card with a PIN number is the most convenient way of withdrawing money while on your trip, and in most shops and restaurants you can also pay by card. However, since cards can get lost, damaged, withheld or blocked, you should not rely exclusively on a card to access funds.
We recommend that additionally you take a reasonable quantity of US dollars cash (no more than is covered by your insurance), which you can exchange into local currency. Dollar bills should be in good condition, soiled or torn bills may be refused. You can take sterling, but the exchange rate is not always competitive or even available, restricting the number of places where you can change money.
- Tipping
Tips are expected and local guides often rely on their tip as a significant proportion of their income.
Most service industry workers will expect a tip of some kind and so it is useful to have spare change for hotel porters, taxi drivers and the like. It is common to leave 10 – 12% in restaurants.
- Insurance
Travel insurance is essential.
Details of our recommended policy can be found on our Travel Insurance page. - Airport Taxes
If you have purchased your flights through Journey Latin America, the international departure tax is usually included in the ticket.
- Trip Suitability
This is a fully comprehensive holiday with travel or optional excursions on most days but may be considered very relaxing. The holiday is suitable for all able-bodied, reasonably fit visitors. In other cases, e.g. if you have a disability or other special requirements, please contact us.
- Climate
In the Santiago area expect a Mediterranean type climate though it can snow in winter (June-August). In October, November, March and April temperatures range between 15°C and 25°C and there’s a good deal of sunshine. January and February are hot, around 30°C or higher.
The lake district has a weather pattern not dissimilar to that of the UK, though summers tend to be hotter and sunnier and winters wetter.
The weather in Patagonia is notoriously unpredictable throughout the year. During the southern hemisphere summer (October to March), be prepared for everything from a blizzard to a heat wave. Strong winds and rain are possible at any time but especially in spring and autumn, and it can get cold with snow in winter, but seldom much below freezing.
- Clothing And Special Equipment
For day-to-day wear you should go prepared to encounter all seasons. Both clothing for both hot and cold conditions including sun hat a light fleece jacket and a Gore-Tex (or similar) outer shell. Trousers, skirt or shorts made from light, quick-drying synthetic materials work well. If you plan to eat in smart restaurants, although clothing is not formal (no need for jacket and tie), something quite smart would be appropriate. Strong, comfortable footwear is essential and you should bring umbrella, insect repellent, sun block and sun glasses. You might take swimwear for the odd dip in a natural pool.
- Vaccinations
Preventative vaccinations are recommended against the following: typhoid; polio; tetanus; hepatitis A. You should consult your GP for specific requirements.
You can also find helpful information on the Masta Travel Health website.
- Visas
Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.
- Do I need a visa to visit Chile?
British passport holders don’t need a visa for tourist visits. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the start of your trip. If you’re routing through the US, you’ll need an ESTA in advance. Always check the latest entry requirements before you travel, as rules can change.
- How do I get to Chile from the UK?
British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to Santiago, taking around 14.5 hours. There are also connecting routes via Madrid, Paris and other European hubs. We arrange all flights and transfers, and can quote them separately based on your dates.
- What's the best way to travel around Chile?
The country’s length makes domestic flights the most practical way to cover long distances, with most routes connecting through Santiago. Within regions, we arrange private transfers and guided excursions. For scenic stretches like the Lake District or the Carretera Austral, overland travel is part of the experience.
- What currency does Chile use?
The official currency is the Chilean peso. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas, and ATMs are available in most towns. Carry some cash for tips, smaller purchases and rural areas. We’ll advise on the latest currency situation before you travel.
- What's the altitude like in Chile?
Most of Chile sits at low to moderate altitude, but parts of the Atacama, including Lauca National Park and areas around San Pedro, reach over 3,000m. Altitude can cause headaches, dizziness and breathlessness, so it’s important to acclimatise gradually, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol on arrival. We plan all itineraries with altitude in mind.
- How long should I spend in Chile?
Two weeks works well for a single focus, such as the Atacama with a few days in Santiago, or Torres del Paine with time in the lake district. To cover Chile’s full range, from desert to Patagonia, allow three weeks or more. We’ll help you build an itinerary that makes the most of your time.
- Do I need vaccinations for Chile?
There are currently no mandatory vaccines for UK travellers visiting Chile, but we always recommend checking the most up-to-date requirements well before travelling. You can do this by visiting TravelHealthPro and FCDO travel pages. Alternatively, you can contact us and speak to one of our experts who can advise on any current considerations for the areas you’re visiting.
- What countries can I combine with Chile?
Chile pairs naturally with Argentina, crossing the Andes from Santiago to Mendoza, or the lakes from Puerto Varas to Bariloche. Bolivia is an easy add-on from the Atacama, with routes through the Salar de Uyuni salt flats. Our Travel Experts can design a multi-country trip around you.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
Things to do
We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.
Take a day trip from Puerto Varas to enjoy sweeping views and crisp mountain air from the slopes of an active volcano.
Breathe in the majesty of Patagonia on foot on a choice of rewarding hikes to natural beauty spots.
See one of the key highlights of Torres del Paine National Park from the water.
Visit prestigious wineries just an hour’s drive from Santiago for a guided tour and tasting.
Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation. Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you will relax in utter comfort
Spectacularly located, luxurious design hotel inspired by the simplicity, physical elements and cultural history of the Patagonian wilderness.
A sophisticated first class property offering opulent, traditional luxury in a chic district of Santiago.
Casa Real offers luxurious accommodation in the elegant setting of Santa Rita Vineyards in Chile’s Maipo Valley.
Papagaio
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