Chile: Santiago, Valparaíso & the Atacama in 9 Days
Chile
Overview
Chile's extreme north-south geography rewards picking one region well rather than trying to cover it all: this route pairs the capital Santiago and a day trip to hillside, street-art-covered Valparaíso, then a flight north to San Pedro de Atacama — geysers, salt flats and some of the world's clearest night skies in the driest desert on Earth.
- Duration
- 9 days
- Pace
- Balanced
- Transport
- Mixed
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- €1,450–€1,900
Route
1. Santiago2. Valparaíso3. Santiago4. San Pedro de Atacama
Highlights
- Valparaíso's hillside funiculars and street art
- Stargazing in the Atacama, among the world's best for clear skies
- El Tatio geysers at sunrise
- Valle de la Luna's moon-like salt formations at sunset
Worth knowing
- The Atacama's altitude and temperature swings (hot days, freezing nights) catch people off guard
- El Tatio geysers require a pre-dawn start
- Santiago to Atacama is a flight — there's no fast overland option
Day by day
Day 1
SantiagoMain activities
- Arrive, settle in
- Plaza de Armas and the historic centre
Overnight: Santiago
Day 2
SantiagoMain activities
- Cerro San Cristóbal cable car
- Bellavista neighbourhood
Overnight: Santiago
Day 3
Santiago → ValparaísoMain activities
- Drive or bus (~1.5h)
- Hillside funiculars and street art
~1.5 hoursOvernight: Valparaíso
Day 4
Valparaíso → SantiagoMain activities
- Free morning in Valparaíso
- Return drive (~1.5h)
Optional additions
- Nearby Viña del Mar beach town instead of returning
~1.5 hoursOvernight: Santiago
Day 5
Santiago → San Pedro de AtacamaMain activities
- Flight to Calama, transfer (~2.5h total)
- Valle de la Luna at sunset
~2.5 hours totalOvernight: San Pedro de Atacama
Day 6
San Pedro de AtacamaMain activities
- El Tatio geysers at sunrise
- Free afternoon
Overnight: San Pedro de Atacama
Day 7
San Pedro de AtacamaMain activities
- Salt flats and high-altitude lagoons tour
Optional additions
- Stargazing tour
Overnight: San Pedro de Atacama
Day 8
San Pedro de AtacamaMain activities
- Free day — bike to nearby ruins or another lagoon
Overnight: San Pedro de Atacama
Day 9
San Pedro de AtacamaMain activities
- Transfer to Calama airport, flight home via Santiago
Overnight: San Pedro de Atacama
Alternatives
Shorter version · 6 days
Drop Valparaíso and fly directly Santiago → Atacama.
Longer extension · 14 days
Add Torres del Paine and Chilean Patagonia via a separate flight south from Santiago.