Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake

We recommend, at the very least, a 2-weeks tour of Chile to explore the blue glaciers and emerald forests of Torres del Paine, the enticing landscapes of the Atacama desert, and similar must-see destinations. You will be left with enough time to add a few more delightful places like capital Santiago, Valparaiso, and one or two world-class vineyards. A three-week tour will allow you to linger longer in all your favorite places. But if you have only 5 to 7 days, it’s best to focus on Santiago, the nearby colorful towns, and the wine valleys. Add a few more days, and you can squeeze in Patagonia, Atacama, Easter Island, or the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. To get more details on how many days to spend in Chile, see here.

We recommend, at the very least, a 2-weeks tour of Chile to explore the blue glaciers and emerald forests of Torres del Paine, the enticing landscapes of the Atacama desert, and similar must-see destinations. You will be left with enough time to add a few more delightful places like capital Santiago, Valparaiso, and one or two world-class vineyards. A three-week tour will allow you to linger longer in all your favorite places. But if you have only 5 to 7 days, it’s best to focus on Santiago, the nearby colorful towns, and the wine valleys. Add a few more days, and you can squeeze in Patagonia, Atacama, Easter Island, or the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. To get more details on how many days to spend in Chile, see here.

Chile is well connected from north to south via flights and buses. But it’s trickier to travel from east to west, and south of Puerto Montt because of the unusual landscape comprising glaciers and mountains. Long-distance buses are the best way to go up and down the country. For travelling to remote areas, you can hire your own car. Trains are useful only in certain parts, like Central Chile. You can also consider low-cost airlines: they are sometimes cheaper than long-distance buses—if you don’t mind missing out on the scenery on the way.

Chile is not the cheapest place to visit in South America. But the kind of trip you have in mind will determine your budget. Typically, most tourists like to hike in the Torres del Paine and explore the desert landscape of Atacama during a 10 to 15-day trip. It is possible to do a trekking-heavy trip on a budget of USD 90 to 100 per day per person. Basic accommodation and food costs are higher in Chile than in other South American countries. So be ready to spend at least USD 75 daily for a non-luxurious trip.

The best time to visit Chile depends on what you want to do, which places you’d like to explore and how keen you are to avoid crowds. Spring (September to November) is the ideal time to visit the volcanic Lake Districts; Patagonia (you won’t have to experience too many bitter cold winds); and popular places like Pucon and Vina del Mar (minus the summer rush). The weather is equally good from March to May, especially in areas north of Santiago. March is also the time for grape harvests and wine festivals. You might want to cover the Atacama Desert at this time too before the summer heat becomes oppressive.