Chile's Little North: Dunes, Whales, Wine & Stars

Some time between late September and April is the time to catch this region at its best.

The whales are at their best from November through to March whereas the flowering desert (for which there are no guarantees!) is best from September through October.

Timings for this trip should also take account of new moon when stargazing is at its best.

The weather on this trip should be pleasant and warm during the day, cooler at night up in Elqui but generally you are in places known for their pleasant year round climates.

Peak season for Chilean and regional tourism is in January/early February so those times will be busier. On this basis, it's generally wise to avoid this trip in those peak months.

The focus of this vacaton is undoubtedly on exactly that. If you are doing this trip it is because you have a curiosity about the human side of Chile. From the very first day, you will be interacting with our partners on the ground who will help introduce you to both Chile and Chileans.

We have selected what we believe are the highlights of this part of Chile but appreciate that you might want a shorter or longer trip so we are always happy to discuss ways to perfect your vacation.

As a private trip, you are not joining a group. As such, this isn't the most obvious choice for a solo traveller. The fixed costs of the vehicle rental are particularly high.

Saying that, if you were happy with the extra investment, the experience would work well for a solo traveller who enjoys being on their own.

This is conceived of as a cultural exploration trip with some activities woven in. Our assumption is that you will want to take self-guided walks along the way. As such, it really is up to you exactly how much you do or don't do.

Really very comfortable but always with an eye on character and style. Overall, expect 4* type levels of comfort. We avoid chain hotels in favour of owner-hosted properties which get you closer to the places you are visiting.

While this is a vacation dedicated to your spending time experiencing Chile, it does involve a good amount of driving. You stay two or three nights in each of your destinations before moving on. Most distances are between 200-300km so you can expect to be driving for three to four hours every second or third day.

Generally speaking, it's all very easy and low stress. All of the roads you are likely to encounter are paved and in a reasonable state of repair. Driving in Chile is recognisably rules-based so overflowing chicken trucks really aren't a thing here.

Navigation is fairly simple, you are primarily travelling on the Pan American highway north - Ruta 5 as it's known. The rule of thumb is simple, if you hit the ocean, you've gone too far left and if you hit the Andes, you've strayed too far right.

We always include a mid-sized vehicle which is comfortable for long distances, usually all-wheel drive. The four-wheel drive is rarely necessary but it does make for a more sure-footed driving experience. Engines tend to be of a generous size, no whirring and whining along.