From islands to volcanoes, vineyards to desert, experience Chile's flavours, cultures and landscapes on this grand journey along roads less followed.
Duration
28 days
Duration
All our trips are tailormade and therefore can be extended or reduced to suit you. You'll find a few ideas to extend your trip below, but please do ask about how we can tailor it to you.
Guide Price
£8,920 pp
$11,200 pp
€9,450 pp
n/a
Guide Price
This is a realistic guide price per person, based on you travelling at an optimum time for this holiday. Please see 'What's Included' for full details and contact us for a personalised quotation.
When
Sep-Apr
When
This is a broad indicator of when you might realistically take this holiday. Please do ask us if you'd like to chat through your options in more detail - getting the timing right is important. We'd love to help.
This is a grand driving tour dedicated to Chile's beautifully varied landscapes, people and cuisine, all the way from Chiloé on the northern edge of Patagonia, through the Lake District and winelands, all the way to Copiapó on the southern edge of the Atacama.
Enjoy reading this taster itinerary. Please Request Full Details if you'd like to know more, or to discuss how we can tailor this holiday for you.
Arrive in Santiago this morning to be met and transferred to your hotel downtown. Set off directly to explore the city with your guide on a flexible tour tailored to your interests.
2 of 28
Day 2 - Fly south to start exploring Chiloé
Fly south to the island of Chiloé to start your journey. You are met by your host and guide who introduces you to the island's emblematic wooden chapels and colourful stilt houses.
3 of 28
Day 3 - Private guided day on the Pacific coast
Full day guided on the northern and western edge of the island, home to penguin colonies as well as remote fishing communities and traditional smallholders.
4 of 28
Day 4 - Cross to the mainland to stay on a lake
Leave the island this morning by ferry to travel to the pretty lakeside town of Puerto Varas. Get your bearings with a private walking tour.
5 of 28
Day 5 - Visit the Petrohue Falls
Drive a lap of Llanquihue Lake to walk on the slopes of Osorno Volcano and through the dense forests of the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park.
6 of 28
Day 6 - Travel north into the Huilo Huilo Reserve
Start your travels in earnest today as you move north into the heart of the Chilean Lake District and your wonderfully eccentric hotel deep in the forest of a huge natural reserve.
7 of 28
Day 7 - Self-guided walking in the huge reserve
The Huilo-Huilo is a private reserve extending over 100,000 hectares of precious temperate forest with a wide variety of self-guided trails to follow.
8 of 28
Day 8 - A day of activities on land or water
Another day for you to walk, or you can get more active with kayaking, mountain biking, zip lines and even rafting on offer.
9 of 28
Day 9 - Move on to Pucón, looking out over a volcano
Time to move on to Pucón, the Lake District’s adventure playground, nestled in the shadow of snow-capped Villarica Volcano. Settle in to your beautiful country house hotel.
10 of 28
Day 10 - Explore the area using our guidance
Set out to begin exploring your stunning surroundings today, with the help of our local information in which we share some of our favourite ways to spend time in the area.
11 of 28
Day 11 - Ride, raft, climb a volcano or soak in hot springs
Another full day to get out and explore as actively as you like. The variety of terrain offers up all sorts of possibilities, from horse riding or mountain biking, to rafting and hiking.
12 of 28
Day 12 - Travel into the Maule Valley
Set of driving north towards the Maule Valley, Chile's most southerly major wine producing area. Stay in a lovely colonial home in the heart of a 1,000 hectare estate.
13 of 28
Day 13 - Spend today on your wine estate
Explore your winery today, with strolls and bike rides through the vines. You can also book a horse ride or guided bike ride if you prefer to structure your day.
14 of 28
Day 14 - Visit the nearby coast
As well as wine tastings and trails through the vineyard, a rickety old train can take you to the charming coastal town of Constitucion.
15 of 28
Day 15 - Travel to a foodie haven in the Andean foothills
From staying out near the coast, your next stop is a gastronomic hideaway in the foothills of the Andes. Along the way, stop at the food market of Curicó.
16 of 28
Day 16 - Learn to cook regional specialities
This stop is perfect for you to enjoy time walking in the great outdoors as well as appreciating great food, and wine. A cookery class is available for you to pick and prepare some delicious classics.
17 of 28
Day 17 - Travel to the Colchagua Valley
It's a fairly short drive to the heart of the Colchagua Valley where you should visit the curiosity that is the museum with artifacts from throughout Chile's history.
18 of 28
Day 18 - Walk, taste wines and enjoy a long lunch
Spend this morning walking into the hills above one of the region's oldest wineries, working up a thirst to taste wines alongside a leisurely lunch.
19 of 28
Day 19 - Visit Pablo Neruda's Isla Negra home
Take the slow road along the coast, stopping to appreciate the views, there's not much except the wide ocean between you and New Zealand.
20 of 28
Day 20 - Visit colourful, ramshackle Valparaiso
Visit the wonderfully colourful and ramshackle port city of Valparaíso. Explore on foot, up stairways and down 19th century funiculars, before lunch overlooking the harbour.
21 of 28
Day 21 - Travel north towards the desert
Set off early for the longest drive of your trip as you travel alongside the Pacific Ocean all the way up to the heights of the Elqui Valley, gateway to the night skies of the north.
22 of 28
Day 22 - Explore the Elqui Valley by day, the sky by night
Today is a day of two halves: day and night. By day you can visit the pisco distilleries surrounding you, by night you are guided through the incredible night skies.
23 of 28
Day 23 - Travel to a small fishing village
Head back down to the coast and the traditional fishing village of Chanaral de Aceituna which looks out over the Humboldt National Marine Reserve.
24 of 28
Day 24 - Take a boat trip to see whales and dolphins
Take a boat out into the bay to spot whales - everything from blue to fin to humpback to orca come here between December and March.
25 of 28
Day 25 - Enjoy sundowners in Copiapó's Sea of Dunes
Complete your journey through Chile's heartlands with a beautifully comfortable stay near the enormous Sea of Dunes. Enjoy a sundowner with a view.
26 of 28
Day 26 - Private guided visit to mines
Visit copper mines from through the ages, notably, the San José mine, scene of the emotional rescue of 33 trapped miners in 2010.
27 of 28
Day 27 - Day to relax or visit the nearby beach
Enjoy your last day in Chile with a visit to the nearby Bahia Inglesa beach, or with time simply soaking up the sun and relaxing in your own private patio garden.
28 of 28
Day 28 - Time to leave, flying back to Santiago
Drop off your car back at the airport to fly south to Santiago and connect to your flights home. Note that international flights are quoted separately for this trip.
1 of 28
Day 1 - Land in Chile, explore Santiago
Arrive in Santiago this morning to be met and transferred to your hotel downtown. Set off directly to explore the city with your guide on a flexible tour tailored to your interests.
2 of 28
Day 2 - Fly south to start exploring Chiloé
Fly south to the island of Chiloé to start your journey. You are met by your host and guide who introduces you to the island's emblematic wooden chapels and colourful stilt houses.
3 of 28
Day 3 - Private guided day on the Pacific coast
Full day guided on the northern and western edge of the island, home to penguin colonies as well as remote fishing communities and traditional smallholders.
4 of 28
Day 4 - Cross to the mainland to stay on a lake
Leave the island this morning by ferry to travel to the pretty lakeside town of Puerto Varas. Get your bearings with a private walking tour.
5 of 28
Day 5 - Visit the Petrohue Falls
Drive a lap of Llanquihue Lake to walk on the slopes of Osorno Volcano and through the dense forests of the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park.
6 of 28
Day 6 - Travel north into the Huilo Huilo Reserve
Start your travels in earnest today as you move north into the heart of the Chilean Lake District and your wonderfully eccentric hotel deep in the forest of a huge natural reserve.
7 of 28
Day 7 - Self-guided walking in the huge reserve
The Huilo-Huilo is a private reserve extending over 100,000 hectares of precious temperate forest with a wide variety of self-guided trails to follow.
8 of 28
Day 8 - A day of activities on land or water
Another day for you to walk, or you can get more active with kayaking, mountain biking, zip lines and even rafting on offer.
9 of 28
Day 9 - Move on to Pucón, looking out over a volcano
Time to move on to Pucón, the Lake District’s adventure playground, nestled in the shadow of snow-capped Villarica Volcano. Settle in to your beautiful country house hotel.
10 of 28
Day 10 - Explore the area using our guidance
Set out to begin exploring your stunning surroundings today, with the help of our local information in which we share some of our favourite ways to spend time in the area.
11 of 28
Day 11 - Ride, raft, climb a volcano or soak in hot springs
Another full day to get out and explore as actively as you like. The variety of terrain offers up all sorts of possibilities, from horse riding or mountain biking, to rafting and hiking.
12 of 28
Day 12 - Travel into the Maule Valley
Set of driving north towards the Maule Valley, Chile's most southerly major wine producing area. Stay in a lovely colonial home in the heart of a 1,000 hectare estate.
13 of 28
Day 13 - Spend today on your wine estate
Explore your winery today, with strolls and bike rides through the vines. You can also book a horse ride or guided bike ride if you prefer to structure your day.
14 of 28
Day 14 - Visit the nearby coast
As well as wine tastings and trails through the vineyard, a rickety old train can take you to the charming coastal town of Constitucion.
15 of 28
Day 15 - Travel to a foodie haven in the Andean foothills
From staying out near the coast, your next stop is a gastronomic hideaway in the foothills of the Andes. Along the way, stop at the food market of Curicó.
16 of 28
Day 16 - Learn to cook regional specialities
This stop is perfect for you to enjoy time walking in the great outdoors as well as appreciating great food, and wine. A cookery class is available for you to pick and prepare some delicious classics.
17 of 28
Day 17 - Travel to the Colchagua Valley
It's a fairly short drive to the heart of the Colchagua Valley where you should visit the curiosity that is the museum with artifacts from throughout Chile's history.
18 of 28
Day 18 - Walk, taste wines and enjoy a long lunch
Spend this morning walking into the hills above one of the region's oldest wineries, working up a thirst to taste wines alongside a leisurely lunch.
19 of 28
Day 19 - Visit Pablo Neruda's Isla Negra home
Take the slow road along the coast, stopping to appreciate the views, there's not much except the wide ocean between you and New Zealand.
20 of 28
Day 20 - Visit colourful, ramshackle Valparaiso
Visit the wonderfully colourful and ramshackle port city of Valparaíso. Explore on foot, up stairways and down 19th century funiculars, before lunch overlooking the harbour.
21 of 28
Day 21 - Travel north towards the desert
Set off early for the longest drive of your trip as you travel alongside the Pacific Ocean all the way up to the heights of the Elqui Valley, gateway to the night skies of the north.
22 of 28
Day 22 - Explore the Elqui Valley by day, the sky by night
Today is a day of two halves: day and night. By day you can visit the pisco distilleries surrounding you, by night you are guided through the incredible night skies.
23 of 28
Day 23 - Travel to a small fishing village
Head back down to the coast and the traditional fishing village of Chanaral de Aceituna which looks out over the Humboldt National Marine Reserve.
24 of 28
Day 24 - Take a boat trip to see whales and dolphins
Take a boat out into the bay to spot whales - everything from blue to fin to humpback to orca come here between December and March.
25 of 28
Day 25 - Enjoy sundowners in Copiapó's Sea of Dunes
Complete your journey through Chile's heartlands with a beautifully comfortable stay near the enormous Sea of Dunes. Enjoy a sundowner with a view.
26 of 28
Day 26 - Private guided visit to mines
Visit copper mines from through the ages, notably, the San José mine, scene of the emotional rescue of 33 trapped miners in 2010.
27 of 28
Day 27 - Day to relax or visit the nearby beach
Enjoy your last day in Chile with a visit to the nearby Bahia Inglesa beach, or with time simply soaking up the sun and relaxing in your own private patio garden.
28 of 28
Day 28 - Time to leave, flying back to Santiago
Drop off your car back at the airport to fly south to Santiago and connect to your flights home. Note that international flights are quoted separately for this trip.
